Freedom From The Mundane

Slippin’ And A Slidin’

Image: Somers

Long are the winter days, and long are the day job days every now and then, too. 17 hours I did yesterday; 10 hours in the office and then 7 once I got home. The shift took me right round until 1:30am. I was tired and crabby by the end of it but the fish supper and Irn-Bru I had early evening fair picked my spirits up.

During a slack hour and a half while I left some jobs running I was able to complete and publish the belated December issue of the Ranfurly Review. You can download a free copy from here: www.ranfurly-review.co.uk. If you enjoy reading poetry and fiction you’ll enjoy it—or I’ll give you your money back!

The snow has packed tight onto the ground making it surprisingly easy to walk in certain places. In others there’s just a slushy mess, but in the majority on my route there’s no slippage so it’s easier to gain a grip while walking.

This, however, tends to lull one into a false sense of security, such as when walking up Restalrig Road. Several of the pipes on the buildings leak slowly all the time leaving a constant trail of water across the pavement. When frozen, this makes for a perfect ice rink and on a 35 degree incline it’s pretty deadly stuff.

You can guess where I’m going with this. While walking home last night I went and fell on my arse. The embarrassment was much more painful than any physical anguish, but I have vowed to take the bus up that particular section of road in future.

Today is Friday and my enthusiasm has been somewhat dampened by my late night last night and the face I am on standby all weekend. I should be free to do as I wish, but I already know I am working early tomorrow morning and then through Saturday evening. All of this means I will have to plan my time carefully if I am to get through the work I have lined up.

I simply must get a Saturday morning stroll under my belt tomorrow; it’s been a while. I have to stock up on pet food and hay, and I have to get my office organised properly. And I MUST begin writing again. This is the top priority other than having some “me time”.

Here’s a video to make you laugh this wintry Friday. I think it should be titled, How NOT To Rob An Off-License.