Saturday 23 October 2010

Mad, Had, Bad, Sad, Glad.

Most of us lead unimportant little lives. We are inconsequential in the big world. There are fifty nine million plus of us in Great Britain alone, mind bending. Many with similar hopes, aspirations, fears. It's been a funny week, not necessarily funny 'ha ha', a week that's made me realise how easily our moods go up and down. Unimportant we may be, but we cannot hide from life and all it throws at us.
Tuesday morning and a nondescript envelope dropped through the letter box.
'Notice of Intended Prosecution' 47mph in a 40mph area near Chesterfield last week. News to me, not an area I know well, must have been done by the static vans they use. Bit sneaky, no danger, broad daylight, nice little earner, no excuse, I know, the laws the law but not happy. I'm MAD, SAD and feel I've been HAD.
I'm no longer a 'boy racer', hopefully normally a law abiding citizen. In over fifty years driving whats my record? A 'Without Due Care and Attention' in Croydon.' The policeman who booked me suggested ' We get lots of accidents at this spot.' Not 'Bad spot so the councils looking into it.' Speeding near Ilkeston. Camera near a school so did its job, except that the road was deserted, being a Saturday afternoon. When the camera flashed, my wife said, 'Look its lightening.' I knew better!
Again over the limit, this time in my home town, on a road I was convinced was a 40mph, not a 30mph limit. At ten thirty at night, the road again deserted. Plus an adjoining, similar road has a forty limit. I know from talking to other motorists the first road is a massive earner for government funds. Parking offence in Chesterfield many years ago ( I sent a letter with a quote by Martin Luther 'To do so no more is the truest repentance.' My fine was half the normal!) Plus a parking ticket in Wales issued by a pair of megalomaniacs I don't even wish to talk about! The whinges of an old man, perhaps. The overall effect is to make me less supportive of the law and its idiosyncrasies.
The same day a delightful lady, Veronica called from Barking Mad. We were interviewed as to our suitability as 'dog sitters'. Evidently we passed the 'tests' and await an introductory 'lodger'. I have never seen my wife so excited since . . . . On second thoughts we won't go into that! The mood lightened, speeding ticket or no speeding ticket for which I was GLAD. Until I went to Mansfield next day.
My motorhome has had a heater problem for some time. I have to take it to a specialist dealership in Mansfield. Pleasant day in the town, spoilt a little by being dropped off a mile from where we should have been due to terrible instructions from Mansfield public and bus fraternity. The pain in my knees compounded by a bill for nearly £350 to repair damage to the heater. The damage almost certainly caused either by a trip up the the rutted hard shoulder of the M25 or the pot holed roads around Derby, that's BAD. The mood at rock bottom again, MAD that we pay taxes for roads that are ill maintained, SAD at parting with hard earned cash.
Two phone calls changed the mood again. A phone call to a cousin brings good news, not BAD. A long awaited serious hospital examination has revealed her problem, although serious, is far less serious than at first thought. What we haven't got rather than what we have got is often the important factor where illness is involved. Whatever the brave face, worry and uncertainty is inevitable. And make no mistake, good health is first and foremost the most important factor in life. So I was so GLAD for her and hers, speeding tickets, motorhomes and cash shortages are so unimportant compared to health issues.
A second phone call brings further joy, For which my wife has reason to be GLAD. Barking Mad has a problem, someone is needed to 'house' a dog for the weekend. Who would be available for such an emergency; who else? So, as I write, the house is being 'valeted', even more thoroughly than for the visit of mother-in-law! The imminent arrival of Tilly awaits; Tilly is evidently a 'Cockapoo. (Don't ask!) I am GLAD we have a visitor for the weekend
All somewhat unimportant. But it does suggest that our lives and moods are subject to never ending, ever present circumstances and events until the day we die. I suggest we enjoy the moment, live for the day, for you never know what tomorrow, next week, next year may bring.

What's been the best and worst for you in the last seven days?

54 comments:

the fly in the web said...

Got your priorities right, I see.

Cockapoo rates far higher than any mother in law...or am I a little biased here?

As to glad and sad...this week, glad that an idea has surfaced with a new doctor that Mr. Fly's cancer may have been misdiagnosed...sad that the previous medical bastards nearly killed him with chemotherapy.

Glad that mother has come through a hip operation at 95...Mr. Fly sad that this means she might visit us shortly....

Nakamuras on Saipan said...

Dear "uncle" Grumpy-I almost feel this post was written for me. It was food for thought. How fickle we humans are-emotions hauling us around by the nose every time the situation changes. It gave me something to think about in my current situation here in this pleasant little rock in the middle of no-where. I am striving to be a little more emotionally calm at the moment. All things pass.....

Keith said...

Best and worse this week? Now lets see. . . . well, put it like this, the best thing thats happened this week is that I have bad toothache.

Valerie said...

Well, you have had an up and down week, emotionall speaking that is.
Your final remark reassured me though. As for me, hole in the roof, torrential rain, debilating arthritis, and a hefty roof repair bill to look forward to, haven't yet got me looking on the bright side. But I'll try really hard to cheer up...grins.

Sueann said...

What a rollercoater you have been on!! And you are so right. It is just like that all the time. It is amazing that one phone call can set us on edge or over the moon! Amazing!
And Tilly's visit will be a blessing I hope.
Enjoy
Hugs
SueAnn

Freda said...

Any chance of a photo of the lodger?

ADDY said...

Never heard of a cockapoo before. They look cute and hope you enjoy your 4-legged visitor. worst this week was losing my data stick - think I threw it out with the rubbish and best - getting the window saga finished.

Expat mum said...

Oh cockapoos are lovely. You'll see.
And Mansfield? That's near where lots of my extended family live - Old Ollerton, isn't it?

Happy Frog and I said...

I think your opening sentences is one of the best opening sentences of a blog I have seen this year. You have indeed been on a roller coaster this week.

In answer to your query I think the best thing that has happened to me this week is visiting a writing retreat in North Devon with two fellow bloggers. The worst has been realising that my job will not be in existence in the very near future. Still, keeping positive has always got me through before and I'm sure will do again!

Lakeland Jo said...

When it comes to roller coasters I think I take the gold medal recently Ken. I loved this post. well written and so true- ups and downs, highs and lows, one thing after another. Someone once told me that we are all characters in our own soap opera... it has never left my mind and makes me laugh.
High spot- getting out of hospital last Sunday and getting home to my beautiful Lakes. Low spot ( do I have space?)- the battle with my appetite or rather the lack of it.

Troy said...

I share your anger with the speeding fine. There are many older drivers, I'm sure you are one of them like me, who instinctively drive at a safe speed for any given road conditions/traffic/visibility etc. That may be 47mph in a 40 or 80 in a 70 but still completely and utterly safe. Meanwhile the uninsured or drunk driver goes past the camera at 40mph and is never stopped until after they kill someone.

Rosalind Adam said...

I've only been 'done' for speeding once (so far) and was mortified. I opted to go to one of the sessions for naughty drivers. My week's been nothing but downs I'm afraid as my OH is still in hospital and I'm still very much missing my dog who died last month. One day maybe I'll offer to dog-sit but not yet... definitely not yet.

Rock Chef said...

Hm, not really sure that my best and worst are suitable for sharing!

As a cyclist I won't comment on speeding either! I keep such comments on my own blog...

Cockerpoos are a fun cross - have fun!

Cheshire Wife said...

Must make our neighbours aware of this Barking Mad option, as they are away for half term and their dog has been left, home alone, to bark its head off and annoy the hell out of me. Would you like to come and dog sit?

Maggie May said...

I think so many things crop up in normal living and life seems very unpredictable.
Health is very important to general well being, I agree with that.

I wonder how you will get on with your fourl egged friend? Hope it goes well. I am sure your home will comply.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Nota Bene said...

Ah yes the ups and downs of daily life...they're all important to us and the ones nearest and dearest t us - and how lucky a cockapoo...I hope he didn't

Generic Propecia said...

Good article, read with great interest. A large number of good links in comments:)

Grumpy Old Ken said...

fly in the web
keeping my fingers crossed for Mr fly.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Nakamuras
keep smiling, and fighting!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Keith
Brilliant! Things can only get better!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Valerie
Another one for whom it can only get better!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

slommler
Such is life! Tilly was very interesting!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Freda
He was not over photogenic, but very loving!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Addy
Data stick gone. Now what happens?

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Expat mum
Mansfield, loved it but its not exactly up market. Plus there's some 'big' people there, don't know what they eat!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Happy frog
Oh dear, life is never fair, but you sound like a true survivor.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

lakeland Jo
You deserve a medal most; good luck, the worst is behind you.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Troy
Couldnt agree more but I suppose the laws the law.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Rosalind Adam
You too are having a rough time of it. I bet I dont get the chance of a 'naughty session'!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Rock Chef
Hi, I'm not normally a speedster, honest!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Cheshire Wife
Some neighbours. Can't you get one of those imitation barking dogs?

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Maggie May
You are right re health. Re the dog versus us. Tilly 5, the Stevens family 0.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Nota Bene
Yes he did, twice!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Generic Propecia
Welcome and thanks.

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