Sometimes I just have one of those days!

It would be really cool if I could get rid of this headache. I didn’t have one when I got up this morning, I actually felt quite good.

My plan for the day was that Social Services were to come here at 11, return James things to him and sort out the CRB checks. By midday there was no sign of them. After a few phone calls it seems that the CRB forms are still not available, no one has thought to chase these things up after two weeks! James stuff was also delayed. I had thought that, after getting the social services things sorted we could go out for the day to MK or similar but, circumstances took over and that now isn’t happening.

Had a good moan at social services for the inefficiency but also because they were witholding money which I needed to give james a viable bedroom. I am hoping they will get their act together by tomorrow. There are also several other complications which p*** me off more so that I am not mentioning here about the situation and getting it workable.

After getting the social services situation to a level which I could quantify I needed to get to ‘The Abbey’ as they sent me a letter saying how they could now resolve the account access issue. On arriving there it turned out it was all utter bulshit. I was again there for around an hour sorting out their crapness. Yet another complaint has been put in about them, boy they have me fuming.

The car, by the way, is lovely though the voice activated bluetooth is annoying.

At home I was getting questions being fired at me from all over the place. I made it clear I was not cooking dinner which just provoked more questions as to what were we having and who ‘was’ cooking it … can no one think without me?!!!

Whilst this was going on I get a text from Martyn … he’s totally pissed off because I joined the same social networking site as him after he showed it to me last Friday. Apparently this is totally not on, I am so not into what the site is about (besides that I was very much so a few years back) and because I have joined and he considered I don’t have the right, I am now blocked from that site and dumped as a friend. OK, so I know he is probably depressed again and I am an easy target but for heaven sake! Sometimes I have way more shit to deal with than worry what is and isn’t going to piss someone else off when I am totally not making any attempt so to do, it just happens like that sometimes … I also so did not buy a new car to piss anyone off, I didn’t decide to and then ‘not’ to buy a Prius to piss anyone off, that should have been seen as a compliment and I didn’t even base my decisions on whether or not it was a compliment or not. In reality here, I have gone out of my way not to piss off Martyn trying hard to word anything right which may set off the evil jealousy thing he has and not make him feel inadequate because that is the sort of guy I am, don’t annoy people or upset them unless I have no choice or it is totally accidental.

Well, fuck this!

I go out of my way for others, I don’t need most of the shit I get. If the Abbey doesn’t want my custom I will go to another bank, social services ‘will’ do the right thing because it is important to someone I care about that they do and, if Martyn wants to throw my genuine friendship back in my face then what the hell? I do have loads of other friends so I don’t have to keep going back for more, I just thought I was doing the right thing by him well, fuck that!

Sometimes I just have one of those days!

It would be really cool if I could get rid of this headache. I didn’t have one when I got up this morning, I actually felt quite good.

My plan for the day was that Social Services were to come here at 11, return James things to him and sort out the CRB checks. By midday there was no sign of them. After a few phone calls it seems that the CRB forms are still not available, no one has thought to chase these things up after two weeks! James stuff was also delayed. I had thought that, after getting the social services things sorted we could go out for the day to MK or similar but, circumstances took over and that now isn’t happening.

Had a good moan at social services for the inefficiency but also because they were witholding money which I needed to give james a viable bedroom. I am hoping they will get their act together by tomorrow. There are also several other complications which p*** me off more so that I am not mentioning here about the situation and getting it workable.

After getting the social services situation to a level which I could quantify I needed to get to ‘The Abbey’ as they sent me a letter saying how they could now resolve the account access issue. On arriving there it turned out it was all utter bulshit. I was again there for around an hour sorting out their crapness. Yet another complaint has been put in about them, boy they have me fuming.

The car, by the way, is lovely though the voice activated bluetooth is annoying.

At home I was getting questions being fired at me from all over the place. I made it clear I was not cooking dinner which just provoked more questions as to what were we having and who ‘was’ cooking it … can no one think without me?!!!

Whilst this was going on I get a text from Martyn … he’s totally pissed off because I joined the same social networking site as him after he showed it to me last Friday. Apparently this is totally not on, I am so not into what the site is about (besides that I was very much so a few years back) and because I have joined and he considered I don’t have the right, I am now blocked from that site and dumped as a friend. OK, so I know he is probably depressed again and I am an easy target but for heaven sake! Sometimes I have way more shit to deal with than worry what is and isn’t going to piss someone else off when I am totally not making any attempt so to do, it just happens like that sometimes … I also so did not buy a new car to piss anyone off, I didn’t decide to and then ‘not’ to buy a Prius to piss anyone off, that should have been seen as a compliment and I didn’t even base my decisions on whether or not it was a compliment or not. In reality here, I have gone out of my way not to piss off Martyn trying hard to word anything right which may set off the evil jealousy thing he has and not make him feel inadequate because that is the sort of guy I am, don’t annoy people or upset them unless I have no choice or it is totally accidental.

Well, fuck this!

I go out of my way for others, I don’t need most of the shit I get. If the Abbey doesn’t want my custom I will go to another bank, social services ‘will’ do the right thing because it is important to someone I care about that they do and, if Martyn wants to throw my genuine friendship back in my face then what the hell? I do have loads of other friends so I don’t have to keep going back for more, I just thought I was doing the right thing by him well, fuck that!

Still more to do ...

Managed to get the new car earlier … yesterday I got a call from a prospective buyer of the Megane in Solihull but he cancelled on me this morning. I was dead nervous at the dealership in case they discovered there may be something wrong with the Megane and the sale fell through … all went well though.

This is not an ordinary car though, for a start, the darned thing started talking to me! The nifty little bluetooth feature is voice activated. It works reasonably well but boy does it make some mistakes. It has not helped that others in the car deem fit to join in with the instructions confusing the system totally.

Yesterday the salesman at Mazda was a total arse! He called me first thing saying how there was this form which needed completing straight away so he required that I drove there, collected it, took it into town, got it stamped, drove back and then I could be on my way. My choice was, do as he asked or delay the new car by a week.

When I got back from the run-a-round I was none too pleased to see him smiling at me saying how quick I had been then starting to get on with his work. I suggested that rather than treating me as one of his slaves he may consider I am a customer and, had he done his job properly I would have had this form some three weeks ago and maybe he could consider offering me something for my time and inconvenience? He declined saying that he doesn’t get involved in what motability may want to do. I pointed out that motability had done nothing wrong by the Mazda dealership had. I further said, had I been paying cash that I’d have most likely cancelled the order because of his rudeness. He said that … if I want to cancel the order I can, he doesn’t care as he doesn’t make anything from motability sales anyway … further saying, anyway, I am getting an £18000 car for nothing so it’s worth a little running around!

Clearly getting no where with the guy I left but complained telling motability what had happened and they were none too pleased

For the record, the total cost to me of this deal is around £21000 over 3 years and I don’t even get to keep the car at the end of it!

Am still totally knackered, up again this morning, well, up at 07:50 but awake at 07:00

Hope a very happy birthday was had .. by the way and that head didn’t hurt too much the next day?

Still more to do ...

Managed to get the new car earlier … yesterday I got a call from a prospective buyer of the Megane in Solihull but he cancelled on me this morning. I was dead nervous at the dealership in case they discovered there may be something wrong with the Megane and the sale fell through … all went well though.

This is not an ordinary car though, for a start, the darned thing started talking to me! The nifty little bluetooth feature is voice activated. It works reasonably well but boy does it make some mistakes. It has not helped that others in the car deem fit to join in with the instructions confusing the system totally.

Yesterday the salesman at Mazda was a total arse! He called me first thing saying how there was this form which needed completing straight away so he required that I drove there, collected it, took it into town, got it stamped, drove back and then I could be on my way. My choice was, do as he asked or delay the new car by a week.

When I got back from the run-a-round I was none too pleased to see him smiling at me saying how quick I had been then starting to get on with his work. I suggested that rather than treating me as one of his slaves he may consider I am a customer and, had he done his job properly I would have had this form some three weeks ago and maybe he could consider offering me something for my time and inconvenience? He declined saying that he doesn’t get involved in what motability may want to do. I pointed out that motability had done nothing wrong by the Mazda dealership had. I further said, had I been paying cash that I’d have most likely cancelled the order because of his rudeness. He said that … if I want to cancel the order I can, he doesn’t care as he doesn’t make anything from motability sales anyway … further saying, anyway, I am getting an £18000 car for nothing so it’s worth a little running around!

Clearly getting no where with the guy I left but complained telling motability what had happened and they were none too pleased

For the record, the total cost to me of this deal is around £21000 over 3 years and I don’t even get to keep the car at the end of it!

Am still totally knackered, up again this morning, well, up at 07:50 but awake at 07:00

Hope a very happy birthday was had .. by the way and that head didn’t hurt too much the next day?

Hey, I am happy but ...

Damn blasted tiredness induced depression is hitting me again and I hate it.

If I sleep now I’ll be awake early hours so that’s not an option so I shall just have to work through it.

Come morning I’ll be great again

New car should be Wednesday. I did have a guy call saying he’d give me £5,100 for the car but, to be honest, I’d feel guilty selling it to him for that amount seeing as something could go wrong with it and he kind of convinced me he didn’t have any more than £5,100 to spend. If the car does go wrong after the dealer pays for it then I don’t care to be honest … they almost certainly fleece enough people so I don’t feel the need to worry about it.

Hey, I am happy but ...

Damn blasted tiredness induced depression is hitting me again and I hate it.

If I sleep now I’ll be awake early hours so that’s not an option so I shall just have to work through it.

Come morning I’ll be great again

New car should be Wednesday. I did have a guy call saying he’d give me £5,100 for the car but, to be honest, I’d feel guilty selling it to him for that amount seeing as something could go wrong with it and he kind of convinced me he didn’t have any more than £5,100 to spend. If the car does go wrong after the dealer pays for it then I don’t care to be honest … they almost certainly fleece enough people so I don’t feel the need to worry about it.

Knackered

I have not felt so tired as I do this week in ever such a long time. This morning I so didn’t want to go into Birmingham for work. I was dozing off on the coach and actually did drop off for a while on the way back.

Still no takers for the Megane, I think I need to reconcile myself to getting the trade in price and feeling lucky to have it seeing as it has to be better than sod all! It means things will be a little tight for a few months but I can live with that.

This week has been real busy sorting things out for James. I don’t begrudge a moment of it as he’s actually a really great kid who really needs some looking after but with work as well it has proven a little much.

In light of that and with it being half term next week, I’ve decided not to go into work.

Tomorrow is mega busy … gotta get Zoey to orthodontist then over to see Sally Keeble MP abou Jermaine then getting Zoey to her mums then Daisy & James to Matt’s during which time Martyn will be here and then we are going out somewhere in the evening for a meal … then, on Saturday I am having to collect Zoey from the Eastern District at 09:30 to get her to ICE for 10:00, back home … no doubt collecting peeps around 4 … who knows, someone may want to look at the car … I’ll be in panic mode in case some emergency crops up … have to confess, I really want this to work with and for James. Anything going wrong prior to approval from social services could screw it all up so fingers crossed.

At least Social Services have approved James coming to Disney with us so I can get that booked up soon, well, as soon as I get the new car as I need the reg number.

Nearly midnight, head throbbing … guess where I am going!

Knackered

I have not felt so tired as I do this week in ever such a long time. This morning I so didn’t want to go into Birmingham for work. I was dozing off on the coach and actually did drop off for a while on the way back.

Still no takers for the Megane, I think I need to reconcile myself to getting the trade in price and feeling lucky to have it seeing as it has to be better than sod all! It means things will be a little tight for a few months but I can live with that.

This week has been real busy sorting things out for James. I don’t begrudge a moment of it as he’s actually a really great kid who really needs some looking after but with work as well it has proven a little much.

In light of that and with it being half term next week, I’ve decided not to go into work.

Tomorrow is mega busy … gotta get Zoey to orthodontist then over to see Sally Keeble MP abou Jermaine then getting Zoey to her mums then Daisy & James to Matt’s during which time Martyn will be here and then we are going out somewhere in the evening for a meal … then, on Saturday I am having to collect Zoey from the Eastern District at 09:30 to get her to ICE for 10:00, back home … no doubt collecting peeps around 4 … who knows, someone may want to look at the car … I’ll be in panic mode in case some emergency crops up … have to confess, I really want this to work with and for James. Anything going wrong prior to approval from social services could screw it all up so fingers crossed.

At least Social Services have approved James coming to Disney with us so I can get that booked up soon, well, as soon as I get the new car as I need the reg number.

Nearly midnight, head throbbing … guess where I am going!

Monday holds the answers

James has decided he likes it here and wants to stay and that’s fine by all of us lot.

On Monday though is when we know if this is going to be possible. On Monday we need to speak to Social Services and get their ‘OK’ to the arrangement and also, hopefully, get some money off them to cover him for new clothes, a phone and some initial expenses.

I was never planning on getting a lodger, well, not so soon anyway but I guess these things just some time happen. The key is, will this cost me or make me money?

Monday holds the answers

James has decided he likes it here and wants to stay and that’s fine by all of us lot.

On Monday though is when we know if this is going to be possible. On Monday we need to speak to Social Services and get their ‘OK’ to the arrangement and also, hopefully, get some money off them to cover him for new clothes, a phone and some initial expenses.

I was never planning on getting a lodger, well, not so soon anyway but I guess these things just some time happen. The key is, will this cost me or make me money?

Totally Bonkers

That’s me … but in a good way

Yesterday evening Daisy got a plea from help from a 16 year old friend. She couldn’t deal with it. Basically and without too many details … he has had a troubled home life and his health has also not been too good. Indeed, he only came out of hospital after surgery for a ruptured appendix on Wednesday. Last evening (Thurs) his mother thought it’d be a good idea to kick him out and he really didn’t have anywhere to go. I spoke with him for some time and it certainly appeared his need was quite high.

So, I decided to do the right thing and he’s now asleep in bed upstairs.

I am totally bonkers because he wasn’t living in Northampton but in Folkestone! He moved there with his family a month or so ago from Northampton. He’s obviously in a lot of pain emotionally and physically.

Of course, after having just driven around 300 miles, I am knackered.

I reckon I did the right thing … his mother is aware he is in Northampton, she seemed not to care either way. Social Services have been involved with the family up here and he has already said he will have to contact his social worker which we may do some time tomorrow. (Today)

OK, 04:33 seems like a good time to sod off to bed!

Totally Bonkers

That’s me … but in a good way

Yesterday evening Daisy got a plea from help from a 16 year old friend. She couldn’t deal with it. Basically and without too many details … he has had a troubled home life and his health has also not been too good. Indeed, he only came out of hospital after surgery for a ruptured appendix on Wednesday. Last evening (Thurs) his mother thought it’d be a good idea to kick him out and he really didn’t have anywhere to go. I spoke with him for some time and it certainly appeared his need was quite high.

So, I decided to do the right thing and he’s now asleep in bed upstairs.

I am totally bonkers because he wasn’t living in Northampton but in Folkestone! He moved there with his family a month or so ago from Northampton. He’s obviously in a lot of pain emotionally and physically.

Of course, after having just driven around 300 miles, I am knackered.

I reckon I did the right thing … his mother is aware he is in Northampton, she seemed not to care either way. Social Services have been involved with the family up here and he has already said he will have to contact his social worker which we may do some time tomorrow. (Today)

OK, 04:33 seems like a good time to sod off to bed!

The Outside

That is what being a Volunteer is all about

A totally empty office with all the staff having a meeting, discussing, laughing and being a team upstairs with me downstairs not even authorised to answer the phones.

Those that appear downstairs do so with hushed voices lest I discover something confidential because I don’t have the right to know anything.

I was asked to sort out some tech issues. The task would have taken seconds but, I can’t do it at all, I am not staff so I don’t have access rights.

Have a meeting later (probably) in which I will discuss loads of useful things but will have to mention, I may not be able to do them because I don’t have access rights!

This is just so frustrating! I know and understand it isn’t personal but being part of a team whilst being excluded from much of what it does, well, that doesn’t feel like being part of anything. I feel as useful as the fax machine!

It’s a good job this looks good on my CV else I really think I’d give up.

The Outside

That is what being a Volunteer is all about

A totally empty office with all the staff having a meeting, discussing, laughing and being a team upstairs with me downstairs not even authorised to answer the phones.

Those that appear downstairs do so with hushed voices lest I discover something confidential because I don’t have the right to know anything.

I was asked to sort out some tech issues. The task would have taken seconds but, I can’t do it at all, I am not staff so I don’t have access rights.

Have a meeting later (probably) in which I will discuss loads of useful things but will have to mention, I may not be able to do them because I don’t have access rights!

This is just so frustrating! I know and understand it isn’t personal but being part of a team whilst being excluded from much of what it does, well, that doesn’t feel like being part of anything. I feel as useful as the fax machine!

It’s a good job this looks good on my CV else I really think I’d give up.

Achievment Today

It’s always amazing to me how much more relaxed I am once I have cleared my desk of paperwork that needs doing. All my accounts are balanced, some of them are even in the black!

• I have managed to get an appointment to see the MP about the stupid law causing so many problems with Jermaine’s benefits.
• I have got a date for the new appeal hearing
• I have got us Annual Holiday Insurance at half the normal price I pay

We have set a date of ‘Boxing Day’ for our next house party, everyone who matters should receive some form of invite over the next few days. If you don’t get one, contact me, I am not perfect and probably just failed to click you on an email selection screen!

Not heard anything from ‘The Abbey’ regarding my complaint … it doesn’t help that their website is currently down as well. Indeed, were I like to think it, I may presume there are some serious issues with ‘The Abbey’ right now.

A little sad for Martyn that he is on his last day of holiday, always a bummer when the hols are over.

Feeling quite tired now … something to do with going to bed a little too late last night and being woken up to darned early this morning!

Achievment Today

It’s always amazing to me how much more relaxed I am once I have cleared my desk of paperwork that needs doing. All my accounts are balanced, some of them are even in the black!

• I have managed to get an appointment to see the MP about the stupid law causing so many problems with Jermaine’s benefits.
• I have got a date for the new appeal hearing
• I have got us Annual Holiday Insurance at half the normal price I pay

We have set a date of ‘Boxing Day’ for our next house party, everyone who matters should receive some form of invite over the next few days. If you don’t get one, contact me, I am not perfect and probably just failed to click you on an email selection screen!

Not heard anything from ‘The Abbey’ regarding my complaint … it doesn’t help that their website is currently down as well. Indeed, were I like to think it, I may presume there are some serious issues with ‘The Abbey’ right now.

A little sad for Martyn that he is on his last day of holiday, always a bummer when the hols are over.

Feeling quite tired now … something to do with going to bed a little too late last night and being woken up to darned early this morning!

Dilema

My issue is, I suspect there is still something wrong with the car. I suspect what it may be but have absolutely no evidence to support that. Indeed, I have had diagnostic tests done which say there is nothing wrong with the car.

I am currently selling it, I actually do need the money and as much as I can get.

Someone called earlier and she seems like a really nice person, we even had a little giggle on the phone. Do I mention what I think could be wrong with the car or honestly tell her that as far as I know, nothing is wrong?

It does occasionally make a knocking noise on start up, she may notice it, what do I say?

Do I just leave out everything except the facts?

I am just hoping that if she looks at the car over the weekend she brings some bloke with her who pretends to be an expert on car who pisses me off, I won’t feel so bad about myself then.

Dilema

My issue is, I suspect there is still something wrong with the car. I suspect what it may be but have absolutely no evidence to support that. Indeed, I have had diagnostic tests done which say there is nothing wrong with the car.

I am currently selling it, I actually do need the money and as much as I can get.

Someone called earlier and she seems like a really nice person, we even had a little giggle on the phone. Do I mention what I think could be wrong with the car or honestly tell her that as far as I know, nothing is wrong?

It does occasionally make a knocking noise on start up, she may notice it, what do I say?

Do I just leave out everything except the facts?

I am just hoping that if she looks at the car over the weekend she brings some bloke with her who pretends to be an expert on car who pisses me off, I won’t feel so bad about myself then.

I was thinking ...

Imagination is ruined by the reality of getting older.

Was chatting earlier about the ability to imagine castles, and flying boats, huge dragons and a lake in the back garden when I was a kid. It was a shared imagining with several others joining in the game a little like the movie ‘Bridge to Terabithia’. As we get older our ability or, perhaps ‘need’ to imagine such things leaves us. Now we imagine what it would be like to win the lottery, what would we buy, where would we live? I don’t remember ever thinking materialistically like that as a kid to make me happy, I went to ‘places’ in my mind, live a better life with my thoughts. What a shame we have to ‘grow up’. I promised myself I never would, thought I hadn’t but, the reality is, we all do eventually. We lose some of the silliness, the liking of the trivial, the lack of restraint … I think this is one of the reasons I love Deej so much, he drives me mad but also reminds me that there are better things in life, alternatives to always worrying about serious things.

Is the best way to appear to have lost weight to emigrate to the USA? Worth thinking about.

Why will our needs always exceed our available resources? Is it part of the human workings that we shall always create a need for something we don’t have or can’t have? I know I am seldom more miserable than at those times when I have nothing to look forward to, nothing on my list of things I want to do. I reckon, even with that elusive lottery win, I would need to develop some needs to make life worth living.

The very last thing I need is everything I want!

To very briefly mention television … the double bill of Atlantis was excellent … I didn’t see that one coming!

Sadly, I am not a qualified psychotherapist. Had I been I would have been offered a television job today. The researcher was so impressed with my various correspondance with her on the subject of gay dads that she was interested in my taking on the role of psychotherapist on the ‘Wright Stuff’ for C5. Weird what crops up through life!

In the process of moving (transitioning) Zoey from child to adult services (social services) which is always a nightmare. She is bound to lose out and, most upsetting for her, lose contact with her family link service which she totally loves.

Car still not sold, still totally no interest in it at all. No matter how much I check, it does seem to be priced right, I guess people are just not buying cars right now or, probably obviously, this is not the right time of year to be buying a convertible!

I was thinking ...

Imagination is ruined by the reality of getting older.

Was chatting earlier about the ability to imagine castles, and flying boats, huge dragons and a lake in the back garden when I was a kid. It was a shared imagining with several others joining in the game a little like the movie ‘Bridge to Terabithia’. As we get older our ability or, perhaps ‘need’ to imagine such things leaves us. Now we imagine what it would be like to win the lottery, what would we buy, where would we live? I don’t remember ever thinking materialistically like that as a kid to make me happy, I went to ‘places’ in my mind, live a better life with my thoughts. What a shame we have to ‘grow up’. I promised myself I never would, thought I hadn’t but, the reality is, we all do eventually. We lose some of the silliness, the liking of the trivial, the lack of restraint … I think this is one of the reasons I love Deej so much, he drives me mad but also reminds me that there are better things in life, alternatives to always worrying about serious things.

Is the best way to appear to have lost weight to emigrate to the USA? Worth thinking about.

Why will our needs always exceed our available resources? Is it part of the human workings that we shall always create a need for something we don’t have or can’t have? I know I am seldom more miserable than at those times when I have nothing to look forward to, nothing on my list of things I want to do. I reckon, even with that elusive lottery win, I would need to develop some needs to make life worth living.

The very last thing I need is everything I want!

To very briefly mention television … the double bill of Atlantis was excellent … I didn’t see that one coming!

Sadly, I am not a qualified psychotherapist. Had I been I would have been offered a television job today. The researcher was so impressed with my various correspondance with her on the subject of gay dads that she was interested in my taking on the role of psychotherapist on the ‘Wright Stuff’ for C5. Weird what crops up through life!

In the process of moving (transitioning) Zoey from child to adult services (social services) which is always a nightmare. She is bound to lose out and, most upsetting for her, lose contact with her family link service which she totally loves.

Car still not sold, still totally no interest in it at all. No matter how much I check, it does seem to be priced right, I guess people are just not buying cars right now or, probably obviously, this is not the right time of year to be buying a convertible!

Why?

Won’t someone buy my car? At the price it is up for there must be someone who wants a bargain! Hell, I’d buy it for that and, once again, can’t believe just how easy it is to lose money on a car! I stand to lose £3400 on this one which is just on purchase price. Since I spent £8400 on it in June it has cost me around £700 in repairs, probably more than that but I choose to not remember. That is a total outlay or loss on this car since June of £4100! Motoring is a poor man’s game. OK, it may start off a rich man’s game but it doesn’t stay that way!

7 photos

2005 RENAULT MEGANE 1.6 VVT Privilege 2dr Auto Coupe Cabriolet (private)

• 47,000 miles
• Automatic
• Blue
• Petrol

47,000 miles, 2 Door Electric Hard Top Convertible, Blue, Petrol, Automatic, ABS, Alarm, Alloy wheels, Audio remote control, Body coloured bumpers, Central locking, Cruise Control, Full Main Dealer Service

£6,275

Why?

Won’t someone buy my car? At the price it is up for there must be someone who wants a bargain! Hell, I’d buy it for that and, once again, can’t believe just how easy it is to lose money on a car! I stand to lose £3400 on this one which is just on purchase price. Since I spent £8400 on it in June it has cost me around £700 in repairs, probably more than that but I choose to not remember. That is a total outlay or loss on this car since June of £4100! Motoring is a poor man’s game. OK, it may start off a rich man’s game but it doesn’t stay that way!

7 photos

2005 RENAULT MEGANE 1.6 VVT Privilege 2dr Auto Coupe Cabriolet (private)

• 47,000 miles
• Automatic
• Blue
• Petrol

47,000 miles, 2 Door Electric Hard Top Convertible, Blue, Petrol, Automatic, ABS, Alarm, Alloy wheels, Audio remote control, Body coloured bumpers, Central locking, Cruise Control, Full Main Dealer Service

£6,275

Different Approach

For years my way of thinking with regards to cars is to get a loan and then renew it every couple of years with a slightly higher figure and get another car (or whatever). After having experienced the Abbey and Toyota I decided that my options were not so clean cut this time around, I had to think of something different.

In view of that I am selling the Megane for whatever I can get for it. I am using the proceeds to repay my outstanding loan which will enable me to quite soon quit the Abbey for good if I want to. Needing a car I decided that leasing is the better option and, in consideration of that I have ordered a new Mazda 6 TS2. It has all the things I want, just about the same colour as the Megane, more economical and, well, it’ll do.

This does mean that I get 3 years of worry free motoring with no bills to pay except on fuel so that has to be a bonus.

Have been sorting out computers the past few days. Deej got himself a pain of a virus so it was quicker to rebuild his machine. In the meantime, the network at home has been playing up for some reason. Today Nick asked that help rebuild his laptop which I have done. Am most annoyed that I suffered a hard drive failure which just happened to be the drive with his back up files on it and we have lost the most important of those 🙁

Busy day again tomorrow though I do plan on having a lay in bed for as long as I can get away with. I am a little fed up getting so tired on a Sunday each week.

Different Approach

For years my way of thinking with regards to cars is to get a loan and then renew it every couple of years with a slightly higher figure and get another car (or whatever). After having experienced the Abbey and Toyota I decided that my options were not so clean cut this time around, I had to think of something different.

In view of that I am selling the Megane for whatever I can get for it. I am using the proceeds to repay my outstanding loan which will enable me to quite soon quit the Abbey for good if I want to. Needing a car I decided that leasing is the better option and, in consideration of that I have ordered a new Mazda 6 TS2. It has all the things I want, just about the same colour as the Megane, more economical and, well, it’ll do.

This does mean that I get 3 years of worry free motoring with no bills to pay except on fuel so that has to be a bonus.

Have been sorting out computers the past few days. Deej got himself a pain of a virus so it was quicker to rebuild his machine. In the meantime, the network at home has been playing up for some reason. Today Nick asked that help rebuild his laptop which I have done. Am most annoyed that I suffered a hard drive failure which just happened to be the drive with his back up files on it and we have lost the most important of those 🙁

Busy day again tomorrow though I do plan on having a lay in bed for as long as I can get away with. I am a little fed up getting so tired on a Sunday each week.

The weekend following the shitty Friday

It was lovely to spend some time with Andy who was smelling great after giving up smoking … long may that continue.

In the evening we drove to Ian & Richard’s in Twickenham, I only managed one slight detour and that was because I got distracted by music and roadworks, made a speedy recovery though so no harm done.

I was shocked, in a good way, at just how many familiar faces were there whose names I knew. It is easy to forget just how many lives have crossed paths over the years and it was a nice reminder.

I was particularly impressed with Jason who looked wonderful. He always has but somehow he seemed more so. He also seemed quite happy to be playing with Andy as well.

Am not going into details or who I met there or what we spoke about. Suffice to say it was all good and enjoyable but probably dead boring to anyone else.

Who did we see naked? Hmm, Charlie! Saw Adam’s bum … and other things.

The journey home was easy though we stopped by Toddington services for a coffee as I was flagging. Arrived home around 2:45. By that time I had woken quite a bit so didn’t actually get to bed until around 06:00!

Jermaine came over on Sunday for another enjoyable visit.

Monday we went to Milton Keynes to discuss with the Toyota dealers about buying a Prius. I called before I left to make sure it was still avialable and was told it was and then, when we got there it was a case of suddenly not being available again so I was none too pleased and less so when they offered just £5000 for the Renault! Some people know how to take the piss.

Still, not to get too pissed off we went to Ikea for lunch but The Abbey called first and I had a long conversation with one of their managers who seemed to think it was OK to call a full time carer ‘unemployed’. I have written an email of complaint to Abbey head office but as they have not even acknowledged the one I sent two weeks ago I doubt I shall get any further with it. I think the company are just a bunch of shits who don’t give a toss about their customers any longer and shall switch away from them as soon as funds allow.

Been reasonably busy at work today. Still enjoying it. Worked a little this evening as well and am now rather knackered and wondering why I’ve not gone to bed.

Tomorrow I have to get Zoey to the dentist again to have another couple of teeth out. I am not sure which of us is looking forward to it least!

Hoping Martyn is enjoying Gran Canaria. Got a little worried that I’ve been contacting him a bit too much since he got there. I really just hope he has a great time and relaxes.

hands hurting now, too much typing today!

The weekend following the shitty Friday

It was lovely to spend some time with Andy who was smelling great after giving up smoking … long may that continue.

In the evening we drove to Ian & Richard’s in Twickenham, I only managed one slight detour and that was because I got distracted by music and roadworks, made a speedy recovery though so no harm done.

I was shocked, in a good way, at just how many familiar faces were there whose names I knew. It is easy to forget just how many lives have crossed paths over the years and it was a nice reminder.

I was particularly impressed with Jason who looked wonderful. He always has but somehow he seemed more so. He also seemed quite happy to be playing with Andy as well.

Am not going into details or who I met there or what we spoke about. Suffice to say it was all good and enjoyable but probably dead boring to anyone else.

Who did we see naked? Hmm, Charlie! Saw Adam’s bum … and other things.

The journey home was easy though we stopped by Toddington services for a coffee as I was flagging. Arrived home around 2:45. By that time I had woken quite a bit so didn’t actually get to bed until around 06:00!

Jermaine came over on Sunday for another enjoyable visit.

Monday we went to Milton Keynes to discuss with the Toyota dealers about buying a Prius. I called before I left to make sure it was still avialable and was told it was and then, when we got there it was a case of suddenly not being available again so I was none too pleased and less so when they offered just £5000 for the Renault! Some people know how to take the piss.

Still, not to get too pissed off we went to Ikea for lunch but The Abbey called first and I had a long conversation with one of their managers who seemed to think it was OK to call a full time carer ‘unemployed’. I have written an email of complaint to Abbey head office but as they have not even acknowledged the one I sent two weeks ago I doubt I shall get any further with it. I think the company are just a bunch of shits who don’t give a toss about their customers any longer and shall switch away from them as soon as funds allow.

Been reasonably busy at work today. Still enjoying it. Worked a little this evening as well and am now rather knackered and wondering why I’ve not gone to bed.

Tomorrow I have to get Zoey to the dentist again to have another couple of teeth out. I am not sure which of us is looking forward to it least!

Hoping Martyn is enjoying Gran Canaria. Got a little worried that I’ve been contacting him a bit too much since he got there. I really just hope he has a great time and relaxes.

hands hurting now, too much typing today!

Always on a Friday

It seems that when ever something fairly shite happens it is on a Friday. Were it a Monday then I could do something about it and probably have it sorted by Tuesday but on a Friday it fucks up the weekend!

Firstly, the good stuff was having a great time bowling this morning. I scored 100 first time and then a 91 on the second game. Neither score is awful but I would have liked to have equalled or bettered the first attempt. Ironically, in the second game I had to take someone else’s turn and they scored more than me! OK, it was ‘me’ but that’s hardly the point.

On returning home there is a large white envelope on the door mat. I was still on quite a high on coming home but a little voice said in my head, I bet that’s from the garage I have threatened to sue, from their solicitors telling me to legally go forth and multiply. I was actually remarkably close. It was from solicitors but nothing to do with the car, indeed, most unexpected. It was solicitors acting on behalf of ‘Atari’. You know, them what has made games since the stone age. They were writing to inform me that they had evidence which proved that someone here had downloaded ‘Test Drive Unlimited’ and distributed across the internet. I had to think back some time but yes I did download it. Being Atari I thought it may be a good car game as I like the idea but have never really found one I am happy with. Knowing how good Roller Coaster Tycoon is I thought it was worth trying and if I liked it I’d buy myself a copy as I have done for Roller Coaster Tycoon and various other games. I just don’ have the spare cash to go buying games I later find to be crap. Anyway, I downloaded it, tried it, thought it was fairly pants and deleted it. For this I have been threatened with court action unless I agree to settle out of court for a figure of £565.00 being the costs incurred by Atari in investigating the ‘crime’.

I wrote back to them and informed them that I never intended to distribute an illegal copy and apologise for having done so. That I only intended to trial the program for a very limited time and, indeed, could have as easily downloaded a trial were one available but I just happened upon the game whilst browsing. I further said I don’t have the resources to pay them any amount by way of compensation and certainly have no intention of paying them over £500. That they incurred the fee is their own choice. Pursuing me further for the amount will not achieve anything as I am not their problem. Indeed, my intent was honourable and I could prove it. If they wished to continue the process I shall see them in court to argue my case, I did not expect them to win.

So, I was a little fooking miffed from that but such is life.

Later I thought I’d, as a formality sort out the loan to buy the Toyota. I started the online process but got stuck at the last hurdle with a part of the form which was not entirely clear. It said to call with any problems so I did. The guy at Abbey (why do I bother as they seem to be like French cars to me right now) anyway, this guy said it’d be quicker to go through the process online. I said Ok despite that I could barely hear him or understand his Irish accent. we got to the income stage, I said how much the monthly was and he said ‘no problem’ and then he asked, out of curiosity, was is it that you do, it doesn’t matter but he was interested. I said I was a carer, had been since 1993 and shall be for quite some time to come. He then asked, in that case, how was the income made up and I told him how it was made up, indeed, how it had just about always been made up since 1993. He then informed me that my income was not enough to even cover the outstanding balance on the existing load despite that no rules have changed, there are no laws about this but despite that I get more money now then I did in 2006 when I took out the loan and that this loan I am after is actually for a lot less money than I needed back then.

He said that Abbey rules on accept DLA as a qualifying benefit. I pointed out to him that this was actually a daft decision and also against previous decisions. It is daft because DLA is not more a fixed long term benefit than any other. That, as a carer, I am about a sure as bet as anyone currently employed. I further pointed out I had been a good, honest and reliable customer for 29 years and never defaulted on a payment for anything and my bank account is, more often than not, in credit. he said they don’t look at that sort of information, it isn’t important when making a decision on whether a loan should be awarded or not. That they didn’t make loans to people like me to protect us.

Anyway, I am meant to wait until Monday to call the guy back and see what he has to say after talking to his superiors. I just so suspect I am waisting my time and, if I am not and they have changed their mind, I am so once again placing yet another complaint in about the Abbey. At the very least, if I don’t qualify now then what was that guy in Milton Keynes doing giving me a loan for the higher amount 2 years ago?

So, as could be imagined, I am somewhat pissed off.

I sort of expect that Atari shall take me to court, I suspect they will win and I suspect I shall lose considerably more than £565 but to hell with it, I am actually beyond caring now. After a life of having shit thrown at me I am starting to think that perhaps it is time to admit that I am not going to win. I do a million things right and get fuck all, some silly thing wrong and I have a ton of shit dumped on me. I can’t have a reliable car which doesn’t cost me the earth to run, everything I have had to do has been one huge fuck of a struggle and, to be perfectly honest, I am tired of it, ready to just let things happen, what ever that might be, they can lock me up for all I care and the fooking Renault can this very night go up in smoke and my insurance company refuse to pay out. The Abbey can discover I am not a millionaire and cancel all my accounts. I really am just numb and sick of trying.

I am not depressed by the way, just so totally angry, there is no fooking justice. Somewhere down the line all the good someone has done should count for something.

Always on a Friday

It seems that when ever something fairly shite happens it is on a Friday. Were it a Monday then I could do something about it and probably have it sorted by Tuesday but on a Friday it fucks up the weekend!

Firstly, the good stuff was having a great time bowling this morning. I scored 100 first time and then a 91 on the second game. Neither score is awful but I would have liked to have equalled or bettered the first attempt. Ironically, in the second game I had to take someone else’s turn and they scored more than me! OK, it was ‘me’ but that’s hardly the point.

On returning home there is a large white envelope on the door mat. I was still on quite a high on coming home but a little voice said in my head, I bet that’s from the garage I have threatened to sue, from their solicitors telling me to legally go forth and multiply. I was actually remarkably close. It was from solicitors but nothing to do with the car, indeed, most unexpected. It was solicitors acting on behalf of ‘Atari’. You know, them what has made games since the stone age. They were writing to inform me that they had evidence which proved that someone here had downloaded ‘Test Drive Unlimited’ and distributed across the internet. I had to think back some time but yes I did download it. Being Atari I thought it may be a good car game as I like the idea but have never really found one I am happy with. Knowing how good Roller Coaster Tycoon is I thought it was worth trying and if I liked it I’d buy myself a copy as I have done for Roller Coaster Tycoon and various other games. I just don’ have the spare cash to go buying games I later find to be crap. Anyway, I downloaded it, tried it, thought it was fairly pants and deleted it. For this I have been threatened with court action unless I agree to settle out of court for a figure of £565.00 being the costs incurred by Atari in investigating the ‘crime’.

I wrote back to them and informed them that I never intended to distribute an illegal copy and apologise for having done so. That I only intended to trial the program for a very limited time and, indeed, could have as easily downloaded a trial were one available but I just happened upon the game whilst browsing. I further said I don’t have the resources to pay them any amount by way of compensation and certainly have no intention of paying them over £500. That they incurred the fee is their own choice. Pursuing me further for the amount will not achieve anything as I am not their problem. Indeed, my intent was honourable and I could prove it. If they wished to continue the process I shall see them in court to argue my case, I did not expect them to win.

So, I was a little fooking miffed from that but such is life.

Later I thought I’d, as a formality sort out the loan to buy the Toyota. I started the online process but got stuck at the last hurdle with a part of the form which was not entirely clear. It said to call with any problems so I did. The guy at Abbey (why do I bother as they seem to be like French cars to me right now) anyway, this guy said it’d be quicker to go through the process online. I said Ok despite that I could barely hear him or understand his Irish accent. we got to the income stage, I said how much the monthly was and he said ‘no problem’ and then he asked, out of curiosity, was is it that you do, it doesn’t matter but he was interested. I said I was a carer, had been since 1993 and shall be for quite some time to come. He then asked, in that case, how was the income made up and I told him how it was made up, indeed, how it had just about always been made up since 1993. He then informed me that my income was not enough to even cover the outstanding balance on the existing load despite that no rules have changed, there are no laws about this but despite that I get more money now then I did in 2006 when I took out the loan and that this loan I am after is actually for a lot less money than I needed back then.

He said that Abbey rules on accept DLA as a qualifying benefit. I pointed out to him that this was actually a daft decision and also against previous decisions. It is daft because DLA is not more a fixed long term benefit than any other. That, as a carer, I am about a sure as bet as anyone currently employed. I further pointed out I had been a good, honest and reliable customer for 29 years and never defaulted on a payment for anything and my bank account is, more often than not, in credit. he said they don’t look at that sort of information, it isn’t important when making a decision on whether a loan should be awarded or not. That they didn’t make loans to people like me to protect us.

Anyway, I am meant to wait until Monday to call the guy back and see what he has to say after talking to his superiors. I just so suspect I am waisting my time and, if I am not and they have changed their mind, I am so once again placing yet another complaint in about the Abbey. At the very least, if I don’t qualify now then what was that guy in Milton Keynes doing giving me a loan for the higher amount 2 years ago?

So, as could be imagined, I am somewhat pissed off.

I sort of expect that Atari shall take me to court, I suspect they will win and I suspect I shall lose considerably more than £565 but to hell with it, I am actually beyond caring now. After a life of having shit thrown at me I am starting to think that perhaps it is time to admit that I am not going to win. I do a million things right and get fuck all, some silly thing wrong and I have a ton of shit dumped on me. I can’t have a reliable car which doesn’t cost me the earth to run, everything I have had to do has been one huge fuck of a struggle and, to be perfectly honest, I am tired of it, ready to just let things happen, what ever that might be, they can lock me up for all I care and the fooking Renault can this very night go up in smoke and my insurance company refuse to pay out. The Abbey can discover I am not a millionaire and cancel all my accounts. I really am just numb and sick of trying.

I am not depressed by the way, just so totally angry, there is no fooking justice. Somewhere down the line all the good someone has done should count for something.