A Manic Few Days, Before We Reach Christmas Eve!

Last night I was also working at The Newcome Arms, after a long shift at Tesco. Portsmouth were playing at home, so when I arrived at 5.30pm, the place was packed to the rafters with drunken football supporters. To be honest, I wasn't really in the mood for the onslaught at the bar, but after half an hour or so I soon got into the spirit of the evening, chatting and talking with the customers. As usual these days, the subject turned to my sexuality, which does seem to be the only topic of conversation for some people. I don't mind discussing my life of course, I have always been an open book, but some people's views do tend to wear a bit thin. We live in the modern World, where sexuality, race and gender are irrelevant to most people, so I don't understand why they have a problem with who I am, but clearly they do. Luckily they are in the minority, I am not in their life; they are the ones with the issues not me. In truth I don't let bigoted views get me down. Writing this blog is a fantastic way to offload my annoyances, that's the only sounding board I need!

I have been in a positive mood otherwise, looking forward to Christmas Day, although am always mindful of my Mothers current state of health, spending Christmas in Hospital. Mum is awaiting equipment to be installed in her and Dads home, a hospital bed and a hoist, so life can be a little easier for them. In between work, I have been rushing backwards and forwards to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, checking on her progress; a few days ago we had a scheduled meeting with Social Services and a consultant about the way forward for Mum and Dad. They have been advised they will have to pay for carers to attend Mum up to four times a day, to ensure she is as comfortable as she can be, when she goes home. We are unsure about the exact costs involved but they could be as high as eight hundred pounds a week, significant for most people. As a family we have discussed the alternatives and will be seeking legal and financial advice as soon as we can!

My voluntary job at Cancer Research has taken a back seat for a few weeks, while I work over this festive season. I just haven't had enough hours in the day to facilitate my position at the shop. This week alone I will be working close on eighty hours and whatever spare time I have, I need to relax and chill, even for a short while, just like tonight. Rest assured I will be back with the team in January; the reality is, I enjoy my time here and regard it as a mechanism for unwinding, so am eager to get back as soon as I can.