Show Me The Puppies - Part 1

In the wee hours of this morning I caught myself waking up in front of the TV at 3h42. I'd been watching the stuff recorded on the HD, trying to free up some space for all that Xfe has programmed in. Never aware of loosing time, sleeping. So I had the idea that it was a good time to go to bed.

Suddenly I was awake, listening to the calming tones and sensible interrogatories of Evan Davis. Which meant (knowing it was Saturday) it was after 7h00 but still before 9h00.

Despite a bottle and a bit of wine I had a not too throbbing head.

I rose, prematurely. Had some pepsi max (always my soda of choice) for breakfast. I would have liked some instant coffee but the milk was off, Xfe being away.  Followed by cold pizza. The Mexican from Papa Johns. Two slices more than half were left over from the night before.

I think I prefer cold pizza to fresh, especially if spicy. No pizza expert I rely on friend R1's recommendation of Papa John. Though they had no coleslaw, which I love on hot pizza. Instead to get the 25% online discount I ordered sides of chicken dippers with potato wedges and chicken dippers with stuffed jalapenos. I ordered 4 of their buffalo dips. I am addicted to them. Delicious. Though I never ate any last night. You see, like any good hoarder I need to keep them for a better time to have... (I did notice their best before goes into the New Year. Brilliant).

Selecting 4 buffalo dips, Papa John must have thought I was mistaken. For in addition to the 4 buffalo, my delivery came with a couple of others instantly forgettable.

At some point I went back to bed to listen to the Reverend Richard "Communard" Cole. It was too involved to do otherwise. Sue Johnston's Inheritance Tracks, disappointingly unlike their sponsor, were predictably true to type.

After some WhatsApp exchanges with Tel Aviv located Xfe, it was time for action. A shopping trip adventure to Wood Green.

Sometimes It is another world up there. Always. I think I just fit in up there.  That is until I open my mouth, or present my selections for purchase and pay. My new favourite store there is Wilkinson. It's like crack cocaine for the non-earning income supported.

Today when paying for another bunch of foil wrapped Doctor Who Series 2 Character Building figures and more Christmas shit, I was asked if I needed to top-up. I was lost for words. I didn't want to stand out, but I didn't know what she was offering me. My instant reaction was that her question was related to alcohol. Many of the people who shop there use alcohol in extreme. The third time she asked me I had to own up that I had no idea what she was asking me about.

She explained - did I want to add money to my mobile. Nothing to do with wodka.

As with an Oyster card you can choose a phone to "pay as you go". They also can do it for electricity (though I think you need a different sim card for that). Looking around many people appeared to be doing it. In fact, many "Wilko's" had smartphones. They were buying "top up" points and lottery scratch cards. Here's an idea for someone - top up scratch cards. I think I'd be on to a winner!!!

Looking around I couldn't believe so many of the people around me had expensive smartphones. I just got my first smartphone 2 weekends ago. It took me a long time to weigh up if I could have one. Cost -vs- benefit. Whereas it seems benefits -vs- mobile phones is a no brainer, even though they have not enough to do without benefits (I think that is why they shop in Wilkinson etc). This I don't understand. Me - City salary, doubting if I can afford the iPhone. Them... not. Simples.

Thus - if anyone from Waitrose is paying attention - look up! Why can't we "top up" when buying monkfish tail and parma ham?

Before getting the bus to save me a 15 minute walk, I decided to pop into LIDL on the way back (glad I did; got some stollen and other Christmas muck). In store I found myself thinking about the 2 week old smartphone in my pocket. The place was full of families with children taught to be more interested in what is in my pockets than what is on the shelves. But the cropped haired boys and the girls with full length skirts are all too easily distracted by dropping a £1 coin and pretending not to notice.

It may be only 1000m away, but Wood Green is a different world...