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Friday 14th May 2021

6740/19660
We're very nearly through the beginners' section of Stone Clearing, with just three more chapters to go before we move to tips for the intermediate stone clearer. I expect a lot of people to start listening then.
This morning in the drizzle I completed chapter 97. It was adequate.
I surprised myself again at my second personal training session. We're still taking it relatively easy, but my strength was good after such a long lay off from doing anything at all. I am actually enjoying being put through my paces, which is unusual and another offshoot, I guess, of trying to get fit to stay alive, rather than because of vanity.
I took the boy to the supermarket after lunch and it was the first time in a while that there was a mini-queue to get in. At the check out I briefly took my mask down to talk to him and forgot to put it up and got a very minor reprimand from the lady on the check out. I didn't mind at all, as she was totally right to do so and I usually do better than this. She would later apologise for asking me to put my mask on, unnecessarily, but said she hoped that people would continue wearing masks, as she'd been spared from getting colds and bugs all year. She has a point. I know the Law Foxes of the world are keen to be free from this affront to their civil liberties, but it seems a small price to pay for good health.
My family are actually mildly suffering from the first cold we've had in over a year. It's not such a bad one and seems to only really have any effect in the morning, with sore throats or snotty noses, which then basically disappear by the time breakfast is over. It's dragged on a little bit, but it comes from the kids being back at school and nursery. It's good for the kids to pick up these bugs and inevitably if they get them then we get them. But there's no need for the lady at the check out at Waitrose to suffer because of my ridiculous decision to procreate.
My son appears cute to people who don't have to spend 24 hours a day with him and is definitely pretty funny and entertaining in small doses - he spent about 10 minutes singing Supercalifragilistic in the school queue last week and miraculously it wasn't annoying, but somehow very amusing to all observers. I wonder where he gets this need to show off from.
He was being pretty funny as we bagged up the groceries and I thought the check out lady had asked "Is he yours?" Which seemed like a pretty bold question.
"Yeah, as far as I know," I laughed.
But it turned out she'd asked if he was my only one. Though she wasn't really interested in my family and wanted to tell me about hers. Her son is abroad and she is missing him. My three year old had clearly made her remember her own child at the same stage, even though that was over 20 years ago. I can understand why. As infuriating as a 3 year old can be, they are so affectionate and silly and I know I will miss this version of Ernie when he becomes self-conscious and stand-offish.
Anyway, me and the check out lady were friends, even though I had nearly infected her with a harmless though annoying bug due to sloppy mask work.
The personal training and childcare took its toll and when it was my wife's turn to look after the kids I had an afternoon nap, one of those slightly surreal ones where you are exhausted but don't quite fully leave the real world behind and noises from the house bleed into your almost dreams. 20 minutes did the trick though and I had the energy for my second dog walk of the day.
I had over 300 calories left over at the end of the day and didn't even want them. I reckon I might be in my smart suit for the first Clapham Grand gig. Talking of which:
The first two line-ups for the Clapham Grand gigs are now confirmed
24th May Sarah Kendall and Geoff Norcott
31st May Johnny Vegas and Jessie Cave
Haven't yet got anyone for the 7th June, but that's largely because I am waiting on the availability of a couple of big names. So might be worth taking a punt, as they are comedians who will sell out as soon as they are announced http://richardherring.com/gigs for info


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