2020 DIARY WEEK THIRTY 20th JULY - 26th JULY Isolated WFH #18

Yes it's now eighteen weeks of working at home and being isolated, so normal now that a return to commuting is not really going to be welcome but will probably be happening soon. Peaceful weekend all things considered, stumbling through the last week before pay day, but survived with some money at home, and bought few new things not least the arrival last week of a new laptop. Heard from my ex colleague Fabrizio too which was nice, had a call with Graham too and they all sound well which is great. Monday did not have a good night at all so been up and very tired, nice to have Amol back though as she's always very bright and cheerful, managed to get through the day also did a quick shop as well and picked up some supplies and lunch, Lee did another of his quiz nights which was enjoyable this time, new laptop seemed to hold up fine this time. 

Let's see if Tuesday can be better in terms of sleep (not much) and also update listening to podcasts. Didn't have a great day of work as all calls and meetings. The evening slightly better with a D&D gaming night keeping us busy we even have multiple DM's now and more adventures planned. However still up from early hours and so very tired now, been out early for some shopping which is good, have enough coffee, dinners in but still need bread and few other bits and bobs but will go out for a walk on Friday sometime for these. Really need a rest, some sleep, to stop stressing about being at home too. Thursday means another month almost survived as paid on Friday we've some money at home still in the tin so there are small signs of improvement there as we roll on towards August with plans in place for the next few months to try and improve the position a little further more still. This weekend we can sort out some bills and rent money, then we have a busy week of horse racing to prepare for at Galway and Goodwood all week. Yes I have been struggling this week more than usual though lets see how the next week turns out for us.

2020 DIARY WEEK TWENTY NINE 13th JULY - 19th JULY Isolated WFH #17

This new week should have been a nice peaceful one with two days off Monday and Tuesday and while I still have the days off I am feeling stressed due to the demise of my laptop computer on Friday afternoon. Meant I had to order up a new one which hopefully will arrive sometime this week, but at a cost of £500 that I don't really have I shall have to increase payments to my Freemans account to over £100 a month from August. Thankfully I do have data backed up recently and will need a list of things to install once the new machine arrives which could be by Wednesday. Getting the docs, music and data from the back up will help though and should be back up and running in a few days once the new laptop arrives. Spoken with Vince too and that was good, will have another gaming session on Tuesday night this week, hopefully I will have been out on one of the days off I had, get some nice dinners in too. Try not to look at my work mails or slack until Wednesday so I can switch off for a few days. Popped out Monday morning and topped up my Oyster card as well as a little bit of shopping in Iceland but mostly lunch items and sundries, will need to get some bits later in week though. Struggling to sleep much this week, very warm at night and uncomfortable for the likes of me. 

Up on Tuesday with another day off, and as I still waiting for new laptop to arrive spent the day playing with some of the N Gauge model trains giving as many of them as I can a good clean up, oiled and a decent run around my simple test track. Some of these will also go up on display on the window and in the coming months hope to get a display cabinet or something to show more of them.

Gaming with the guys tonight (Tuesday) then returning to work (at home that is) and hopefully the rest of the week will pass by fine. Gareth has flounced off again sadly, hopefully he is going to be fine and we pray that he returns soon (not the 20 years gap that we had last time) Struggled again with lack of sleep overnight, back to working now and aiming to catch up with some tickets. New Laptop arrived lunchtime so spent most of the afternoon getting it set up, plus I have a Kempton horse-racing meeting to blog later on too, got one winner but nothing else. Turn in for the night and try to sleep, then see how things go on Thursday (might need some shopping). Not as bad a night as recently, up and did stand-up meeting and a nice chat with Liz afterwards too. Went out lunchtime and got Iceland stuff in so fine for the weekend. Plenty of work to do and the afternoon was busy. Friday don't feel very well, plenty to do but really tired. Think I will just get through and call it a day then aim to rest over the weekend. Had a nice email from Fabrizio so have replied to him, now rest over the weekend (incl get a hair cut)

2020 DIARY WEEK TWENTY EIGHT 6th JULY - 12th JULY Isolated WFH #16

New week starts and still at home, very windy out there given it's summer, even so we've been out for a walk, have enough in for the week ahead and will hopefully have a better week of things. Didn't sleep that well to begin with, hope that improves, see how much you can get done today. Was going fairly well but several long meetings soon slowed that progress down, then the email about returning to the office came but hopefully it's still a few weeks away. Seek a better day on Tuesday, new sprint for work, plenty to do on other projects too, crack on and have a good day today. Will be on a call later with the guys for more gaming, hopefully that too will be fun and shall join in to feel more upbeat, it was fairly poor early on due to unknown issues, but we moved on and see how we do later. Did sleep better so that Wednesday morning seem brighter and ready for the day, shall get out for a little while to get few supplies, which was good despite the rain, picked up lunch and try to have a better afternoon. 

The pubs are open, could do with a beer, though feel this lock-down has really affected me with my mental health as well as the physical well-being. Struggled during Wednesday night into Thursday morning up from about 3am, will be a long day ahead, some meetings no doubt, try and do two days of DBO Testing and switch off to everything else but as usual interruptions during the day, but managed to see it out and just Friday to go for this week now. Looking forward to having Monday and Tuesday off next week even though not going anywhere exciting just get out for a little while will feel good. Changed the trains over that are out on display, gave couple of them an oil and a quick run which was good, that will be the aim to do more on my days off and enjoy it. Have a good weekend x.

2020 DIARY WEEK TWENTY SEVEN 29th JUNE - 5th JULY Isolated WFH #15

Yes another week of working at home and we'll have passed the half way point of this year, and look forward to July, this week will see the Epsom Derby and Oaks run as racing continues to serve up it's biggest meetings, while the football also continues with Liverpool finally crowned Premier League Champions and relegation issues to be decided. 

Monday started off feeling very low, thinking it'll be a long week ahead (it probably will be) but the day did pick up and we won a little money too which was nice and should help if we can manage not to lose it all again. Busy day, several live issues to deal with and then we'll try and have a pleasant night, maybe get some decent sleep for a change. Suddenly it's Tuesday which is the end of June, plenty more meetings at work, but should be feeling better. Will see if we can get some work done on issues, then get ready for some gaming tonight with the lads, sadly didn't really enjoy that at all but it's done and guys seemed to have fun. Slept through which is rare for me, must have been tired, and Wednesday has plenty of meetings at work and issues with wi-fi not helping us either, lost money so that didn't last long. plan on getting a few things either tomorrow or early Friday morning lets see if the evening can pick up a bit too, thankfully a bit better with the football winning. Been out and got food shopping done in Iceland as there was no queue, still plenty of work to do and hopefully Friday we can have a nice day and then get ready for the weekend with wine or beers. Got through to the weekend and will sit back and enjoy The Derby and Oaks this afternoon. Have a good weekend and although the pubs reopen today please be sensible.