Lock-down Day 98

Phew! What a day! Let me start with the good news: I start working again on Monday. Sadly, that's the only good news.

I stayed in bed as late as I could, mippies were getting restless, so I got up ... they were puzzled that the door stayed shut, though. I had some coffee and then went off to work.

I considered going to the shops first, but just couldn't think - stressing about what'll happen. So I went straight to work. I had a few things to do, and then it was ten ... only, instead of a company meeting, it was one-on-one meetings again. Same as before: tag 'you're in / out'. In alphabetical order. When it was my turn, I feared the worst. And it's bad, indeed. The company I've been working for is closed. Finished.

Seeing colleagues with retrenchment papers ... it's heartbreaking! At is not retrenched, but so many other have been. And their chances of finding work now - practically zero! It's really, really bad ... One guy, as he was leaving, took a the turn a bit wrong and tore half his front bumper off!

However, the manufacturing company is still alive - albeit barely. So I'll be transferred to that company - and can start working full-time again, from tomorrow, if possible. Unfortunately, tomorrow is not possible - I'm not prepared for going back full-time, so I start Monday.

That gives me just 3 days to prepare food, my place and ... toughest of the lot: prepare cigarettes! I've not had luck with any of the tobacco I've washed, remember? Time has run out, or rather: I've almost run out of cigarettes, so I just have to produce some!

Anyway, after that meeting, I had some work to do and clocked out around two. I went to Wonderboom Mall to go to the bank and Clicks - only to find queues as long as the Mall! I decided to try next week, early in the morning. They open at nine, usually.

Back at home, mippies rushed out without giving me so much as a glance! I switched on the PC - to find two problems: 1) a program has disappeared and 2) very, very bad internet connection. So bad, that I can't do anything. Nothing at all!

I got mail from my aunt in Alaska - I could type a reply, but couldn't send it. I finally managed to open this blog, so I could at least type ... then internet went down again. I still don't know what happened to that program of mine ...

I spent the time trying to roll cigarettes. Four failed attempts! By now I'm getting frustrated and disheartened ... and I can't search for answers. Which isn't easy at any rate, because nobody cares to explain about tobacco. You find either health warnings or 'buy my product' crap. Oh, rolling cigarettes with all sorts of fancy equipment: easy peasy! But try to find out what's wrong with your tobacco - why won't your cigarettes stay lit? Why won't they smoke? Nothing! Nada!

Tomorrow I'll have to get milk & arrange the schedule for next week - again 1 liter Monday-Wednesday and 2 liters on Thursday. I should do my laundry, make another batch of cookie dough, bake a batch or two of cookies and make a stew for myself and mippies. Tonight I just fried a steak, which I had to share with Mewthos, Ziva and Mini. Lady Jane came in very late again.

And then, as the internet was finally on, and I could save my typing and try find some answers about my tobacco issues ... mippies went into 'need reassurance' mode. At one point, I was bent over, head stuck in a shelf with Lady Jane and Mewthos hopped onto my back and decided to take a stroll into my 'no go' shelf! I had to get him out before he broke something in there! If they need such a lot of reassurance after just half a day - next week is going to be bad!

Well, it's almost eight now ... couldn't even log into the game. Sigh ...