The UK election result was not surprising but the numbers who voted Labour are quite astonishing. As happens here, Sunak spoke and conceded defeat and then the new PM Starmer (spell check needs to get used to that name) declared victory. All very civilised and no riots or storming of Westminster.
I must consult my map. Yes, the second word is UK. The voter turnout of around 60% was very disappointing. Australia has compulsory voting, with a fine if you don't and voting levels will be mid to high 90% voter turnout. And at many polling booths, you can buy a charity fund raising sausage in bread with onions and sauce. It is known as the democracy sausage.
I know a little about Sir Keef, but it is the first time I have seen Lady Starmer. She is attractive enough but she doesn't look like she has been in a good paddock. Sir Keef looks like he is a boring bureaucrat and that is probably what the UK needs. Someone to sit down and look at the sums and distribution of sums in a very rich country.
As for me, life remains busy. I had a Saturday brunch which lasted two hours with our Launceston friend, her ex, her ex' mother and my Hair Dresser Friend. It was a lovely catch up. Today I will attend a two year old's birthday party, who is kind of relative.
I am now on a white diet in preparation for a colonoscopy on Monday. I have to drink the drink tomorrow night and again on Monday morning. Tuesday is lunch with Sister, Bone Doctor and Jo for Jo's 17 birthday. I cannot believe she is so old. Wednesday the painting of the apartment begins and I am terrified of what it will be like, then I have a doctor visit to remove stitches in my scalp where a skin cancer biopsy was taken and get results. Thursday a friend and his partner have invited me for lunch. They will cook. How nice is that. But then nothing until the 21st, a daytime party for my oldest great nephew's fifth birthday.
The painting and then recarpeting will take two to three weeks, and then my boarder moves in, into Ray's bedroom. I've never done anything like this before and it will be a learning curve. He is 21, gay, born in Australia of Indian/South Asian heritage. He seems ok. He says he will cook and clean for me. That wasn't part of the deal. He is studying food science at a university. He seems like a nice guy and while he isn't effeminate, he does wear very pretty pink finger nails. $200 per week and that is quite cheap for what he gets. I am living in interesting times.
Don't ask me why I am taking in a boarder as I don't know. I don't really need the money, nor the company. But something made me do it, I know not what.
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You are indeed very busy. Fortunately with some good stuff mixed in. Rather a lot of good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI hope the boarder works out - and that the painting goes well.
EC, disruptions to your life like having a place painted get harder when you are older. I should be grateful I am not doing it myself, as I did last time.
DeleteMaybe you just wanted to help out a fellow human being. I hope the boarder works out well for both you and him. I hope your colonoscopy goes well.
ReplyDeletePixie, I do like the idea of a decent home for someone in need. Thanks.
DeleteWe will just have to see what the grey Kier Starmar manages to do to the country. A lot of apathy as not one of the leaders has an ounce of charisma. Although Labour won 64% of the seats in the House of Commons they only got 34% of the votes. There is a lot of talk about the need to change our electoral system to a more proportional representation system. Taking in a boarder? You are brave. I just don't think I could share my home but of course you are far more generous than l am.
ReplyDeleteFun60, charisma did not work out well at your last election. I don't doubt you over the 34% but I am very surprised. I can't see the Labour Party changing the system any time soon.
DeleteTime sure marches on; our nephews and nieces are getting married and having children, too. Best wishes on your renovations, and most importantly, health. ~hugs~ As for taking on a boarder, I think you trusted your instincts. ~nods~ Be well!
ReplyDeleteDarla, if I live much longer it will be the greats who I will see marrying. Yes about my instincts. I only seem stupid.
DeleteThe word stupid and you are opposites. :) But you made me giggle.
DeleteBusy times for you. Hopefully the boarder will respect your space and not intrude too much but I do think you should allow him to cook if he so desires. Just saying!!
ReplyDeleteMerlot, I agree about the cooking. I suppose if he cooks, I pay. It will at least clear away some herbs and spices.
DeleteUK labour winning really came as a surprise. You are having so many medical appointments. Having a boarder around is like a gamble. Don't keep anything valuable in the apartment
ReplyDeleteRoentare, far more appointments than I would prefer. Aside from devices, there is nothing of value here. No jewellery. No cash.
DeleteI was a boarding house operator to make ends meet (along with two other jobs back in the godforsaken days), it was a mixed bag of boarders, a lot of work. Good luck with yours and all the other social calendar stuff. And PS just watched the 3rd season of Total Control. Great rec.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW, I'm sure you remember some of the boarders very fondly. I wouldn't usually recommend any tv series unless I was sure it was to their taste. I was right in this instance.
DeleteLabour has taken its own sweet time coming back to the UK where it rightfully belongs. I hope the four countries really do unify and the workers do find jobs again. But one thing was truly scary.. the start of a Farage Party emerging.
ReplyDeleteHels, a unified UK would be good but I like there being different countries. Farage is of great concern, but is he worse than our own Abbott or Morrison?
DeleteFarage - God help the Poms! And he is a friend of Trump.
DeleteWhat a scary twosome!
Be careful Hels - Abbots friend (????) or is it more (??)
the delightful winker, Peta Credlin may get you and castigate your thoughts in her yucky Murdock Sunday column.
Cheers
Colin
Colin, you might be surprised at the support for #45 in England.
DeleteI remember reading about toddler Jo and now she is 17!!
ReplyDeleteI wonder too about taking in a boarder. Perhaps it's the thought of having someone cook for you again while giving him the chance to practise his food science skills. One day when he is a famous chef you can tell peple "I knew him when he was still studying."
Yes River, I suppose you would remember about Jo. Not cooking. I am managing my food to my satisfaction but some cooking would be a bonus. Yes, you never know about the future.
DeleteYou have a busy social life. At least compared to me. Civilized elections are not a thing here.
ReplyDeleteStrayer, as it has always been, our and now my social life waxes and wanes.
DeleteWell you been busy socializing and more to come. Your painting will look good as your carpet will, be a nice clean home.
ReplyDeleteA border, well if he's going to cook for you that won't go astray. You have taken a border for a reason though it's not yet know why - time will tell.
Good lucky with everything Andrew.
Margaret, yes the place should look nice a fresh and I think we chose well. Pity Ray won't get to see it. Thank you.
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ReplyDeleteThe election was civilised, everyone polite to each other. The inevitability of Labour winning had probably a lot to do with it. As for boarders, as someone who hosted many, many foreign students you learn an awful lot about the world.
Mostly good about boarders, I hope Thelma. I learnt a lot about the world during my working life, with so many different races. A bit more won't harm me, although he is very Australian.
DeleteA busy time ahead, in all respects. I admire you taking in a boarder. Well done!
ReplyDeleteJB, right or wrong, I've done it. We shall see.
Delete"All very civilised and no riots or storming of Westminster. "
ReplyDeleteI remember elections like that.
Not that long ago either, Bob.
DeleteA busy week for you! Good luck with the colonoscopy prep (although by the time you read this it might be over) and hopefully the skin cancer was nothing too terrible.
ReplyDelete$200 a week on nails? I can hardly imagine it. If I had that much money to spend on my appearance I'd most definitely put it into professional hair colouring and blow drying
Part one of two parts has finished Kylie. My bad writing, sorry. His board will be $200 a week. HIs nails looked liked that of a cheap whore, haha.
DeleteOh! hahaha I couldnt for the life of me imagine what anybody could do to their nails that often. $200 a week is a great deal for him.
DeleteI've considered doing the same if Keaghan ever moves out
So agree with you about any kind of upkeep/refurb work being harder to tolerate as we get older. I used t think my m in law was being an old misery when she just wanted to hide if a workman was around , now I'm jus the same.
ReplyDeleteLike others above I hope the boarder works out for you, no reason why it won't.
Alison in Wales x
Yes Alison. I must think positively on both counts.
DeleteA boarder may turn out to be a good move, Andrew. At least there will be someone else rattling around in the place and you won't be on your own. And I'm sure that it is a good thing for him too.
ReplyDeletePat, yes it has to work for both of us. I don't rattle too much.
DeleteI hope the boarder works out for you as well. It will surely bring some interesting conversations to the front. Things have changed a great deal since you were a young man, and I'm always fascinated to sit and listen to people. At least the apartment will not seem so empty.
ReplyDeleteTime will tell soon enough. While not exactly true, I seem to have fallen into a routine that needs a shake up. This will help. No doubt about how things have changed, and I have little contact with young people now, above a superficial level.
DeleteHey Andrew, Pants here. Sounds like a great idea. And you'll have someone new to write about!
ReplyDeletexxx
I didn't think of that Pants. I'm sure I'll find something to write.
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