Saturday 28 November 2009
Got A Light, Boy?
The bingo in front of me was of the skinny variety, about sixty, female and short. I took an instant dislike to her because she continued to shop after she had taken her place in the queue. She grabbed a variety of sweets and crisps as we waited and arrived at the till still undecided about what to do when she got there. I consciously calmed myself as she made a leisurely selection from the available scratch cards, changing her mind on a couple of occasions, and then progressing to the inevitable, but faltering, cigarette order. Patience has never been my event at the social olympics. At some small distance in the foreseeable future I spotted a point at which she would be somewhere else, I fixed my prescient eye upon it and took heart from it as a shipwrecked sailor does when he spies shore.
It was with some effort that I refrained from muttering out loud when the request for “Seventeen pounds eighty nine” produced a flurry of panicky activity as the bingo began searching for her purse in a handbag the size of a suitcase. A selection of the contents were removed and placed on the counter to aid her search, these included another handbag. Did she not realise that she would need money at the till? How could that have been a surprise to her?
Agonisingly slowly, the bingo located her purse, and meticulously counted out each note and coin to match the cost of her purchases exactly. It took the till operator another five minutes just to pick it all up from the counter. “I’m a professional,” I told myself, “patience is what I do.” The queue behind me was now past the wine cooler and all the way up the aisle to the pharmacy shelf.
The transaction was finally completed, but as I prepared to move forward to the till she said “Oh sorry love, I wanted menthol.” The til operator looked at me. I swear I hadn’t moved a muscle and I had remained poker faced. It’s my belief she noticed my face change colour as I struggled for self control.
For the innocent among you, menthol cigarettes are more expensive than plain tobacco. So the previous transaction had to be cancelled, the cigarettes returned to the shelf, the Menthol cigarettes located, the new transaction punched in, and, in a torture worthy of the deepest pit of hell, the shortfall made up in slow, deliberate, meticulous small coinage.
Eventually, own purchase completed, I headed for the exit, my mood improving as I anticipated my supper. The automatic door was already open though and my path was blocked. Standing in the doorway, paused in the act of lighting her cigarette was the hesitant bingo. “Sorry lad,” she said, “I’ll never get it lit out there, that wind’s awful. I’ll only be a moment.”
So if anyone out there is willing to provide written testimony of my previous good character, or to bear witness to it in court, I’d be very grateful.
It was with some effort that I refrained from muttering out loud when the request for “Seventeen pounds eighty nine” produced a flurry of panicky activity as the bingo began searching for her purse in a handbag the size of a suitcase. A selection of the contents were removed and placed on the counter to aid her search, these included another handbag. Did she not realise that she would need money at the till? How could that have been a surprise to her?
Agonisingly slowly, the bingo located her purse, and meticulously counted out each note and coin to match the cost of her purchases exactly. It took the till operator another five minutes just to pick it all up from the counter. “I’m a professional,” I told myself, “patience is what I do.” The queue behind me was now past the wine cooler and all the way up the aisle to the pharmacy shelf.
The transaction was finally completed, but as I prepared to move forward to the till she said “Oh sorry love, I wanted menthol.” The til operator looked at me. I swear I hadn’t moved a muscle and I had remained poker faced. It’s my belief she noticed my face change colour as I struggled for self control.
For the innocent among you, menthol cigarettes are more expensive than plain tobacco. So the previous transaction had to be cancelled, the cigarettes returned to the shelf, the Menthol cigarettes located, the new transaction punched in, and, in a torture worthy of the deepest pit of hell, the shortfall made up in slow, deliberate, meticulous small coinage.
Eventually, own purchase completed, I headed for the exit, my mood improving as I anticipated my supper. The automatic door was already open though and my path was blocked. Standing in the doorway, paused in the act of lighting her cigarette was the hesitant bingo. “Sorry lad,” she said, “I’ll never get it lit out there, that wind’s awful. I’ll only be a moment.”
So if anyone out there is willing to provide written testimony of my previous good character, or to bear witness to it in court, I’d be very grateful.
Friday 27 November 2009
Ho hum
No doubt some of our more internet savvy contributers are already bored with this site, but I just found it and it entertained me for eight minutes! There's a prize for remembering which Carlisle nightspot had one.
http://www.atari.com/arcade/battlezone
http://www.atari.com/arcade/battlezone
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Google Wave Invite
Would any of my fellow apathetes like a Google Wave Invite?
For those of you watching in black and white follow the link below
Let me know?
Saturday 21 November 2009
My secret fetish
I just can't keep it secret any longer... I am an X-factor fan!
I confess - all that stuff about listening to new bands and reading books is just a front, I'd rather be tucked up in front of the telly on a saturday night watching the awesome Mr. Cowell.
I think John and Edward are not getting the credit they deserve - GO JEDWARD!!
Back to the beehive this week - woohoo! As you're all such great mates (and you haven't mentioned that thing in blackpool with the male stripper) can I offer to play chauffeur?
In fact I'll do the Tuesday driving every week from now on if that's ok?
I confess - all that stuff about listening to new bands and reading books is just a front, I'd rather be tucked up in front of the telly on a saturday night watching the awesome Mr. Cowell.
I think John and Edward are not getting the credit they deserve - GO JEDWARD!!
Back to the beehive this week - woohoo! As you're all such great mates (and you haven't mentioned that thing in blackpool with the male stripper) can I offer to play chauffeur?
In fact I'll do the Tuesday driving every week from now on if that's ok?
Wednesday 11 November 2009
Apathetic Minutes 11.11.09
Attendees: Nutmeg, Dibble & Cud
Apologies: Jackal, Druid & Just Mike
Points of interest:
Next Meeting to be relocated to The Jackal's lovepad - highlights to include "Life of Brian" and a curry. Respect.
Apologies: Jackal, Druid & Just Mike
Points of interest:
- Nutmeg venting : Microsoft SharePoint is the product of an evil, twisted mind
- Cud was shocked to receive a letter from *content edited due to political nature* and he knows where to download a list of *more content edited due to political nature* most of whom seem to live in Raffles.
- No 'Hive next week! Impending closure for refurb - Julie is worried about the lights (bit Eighties she reckons)
- Cud says he could retire in 10 years - [insert age-ist punchline here]
- Sesame Street versus Rainbow - Big Bird would kick Bungle's ass (unanimous verdict)
- Name of Jacques Cousteau's boat - Le Ship?
- Cud had an "Experian" experience - big brother knows all, ooerr.
Next Meeting to be relocated to The Jackal's lovepad - highlights to include "Life of Brian" and a curry. Respect.
Wednesday 4 November 2009
Cut and paste is your friend.
'Darling. I bear devastating news. I have to replace you with someone who's not a relative.'
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