I’m accompanied by the orchestral caterwauling of various workmen outside of my apartment as I commence this journal.
The culprits of this disagreeable soundscape a bunch of high visibility vested fellas seemingly intent on distracting me from the literary task at hand… Well, if truth be told, although these highlighter pen lookalikes are quite vocal, it is more the tools and machinery at their disposal which diverts yours truly’s attention.
Pneumatic drills, mini diggers and a host of other mechanical aids (whose names are a mystery to this former white collar worker), the noise miscreants. The fact the main Barnsley Road outside of my gaff has been narrowed, necessitating use of temporary traffic lights, adding rumbling stationary car engines to the audio kerfuffle.
As these fellas have cordoned off large swathes of pavement in adjacent streets, I’m assuming their graft is all part of optic cable laying; aimed at improving local wifi access. A project which, judging from many months of traffic disruption in the UK, will be coming to a road near you soon… If it hasn’t already!
Am I annoyed about it?!… Nah, not really. It’s an inconvenience but the impact on me will be minimal… Unless, perhaps, I need to venture out in my car which’ll introduce the risk of red light delay..
That being said, if they introduce a contraflow system and/or temporary traffic lights within my apartment block corridors I’ll be pretty hacked off… However, I would suggest that possibility is unlikely… Although I’ll keep you posted on that score!
As I write this paragraph there is one hell of a racket coming from a pavement receiving an almighty battering at the hands of a pneumatic drill… Either that or a vet in the properties communal garden is undertaking root canal work on a rhino… Incidentally, other wild animals not native to Wakefield are available.
Today sees March take over the monthly calendar baton from February. A time when spring flowers make an annual tarry, courtesy of reinvigorated bulbs awakening after their wintertide dormancy.
Among those bulb sourced bouquets the symbolic daffodil. One sight of their yellow hue signifying longer days and increasingly powerful solar rays are on their way; views raising spirits and vitamin D levels… Well, unless you’re a miserable bugger who likes dark evenings and bloody freezing cold temperatures.
Another reason my brio levels are augmented upon sight of daffodils is, through its use as a symbol by the Marie Curie, it acts as a reminder the uplifting act of collecting for the charity is upon me. March being the month when the registered charitable cause launches its Great Daffodil Appeal.
I’ve written on a few occasions about the cathartic nature of undertaking voluntary work for both Marie Curie and Macmillan Cancer Support. Episodes which not only impart self-contentment but also, through witnessing people’s generosity first hand, go towards restoring my faith in human nature.
Witnessing individuals donating towards the benevolent end of life charity’s work a heartwarming sight. One which has been a key driver in me undertaking in excess of sixty voluntary roles for the charitable foundations.
Incidentally, the above paragraph not relayed in a vain glorious attempt by me to fish for a compliment. No, my motive for stating the prolificacy of my voluntary work is an attempt to communicate the joy it brings to me… And, who knows, maybe coax someone into following a similar volunteer path.
After all, if I convert just one person to the cause then it’d be a further boost for a wonderful charity’s coffers.
Right, as my MBE nomination for charitable work won’t write itself, I need to bring this journal to a close
