My Life That Happened In #23
Episode #22
… August 2025
Friday 1st
I cocked up today. Walking into work, I checked the first aid roster to see when I was next on duty. It turns out, after confirming this, I came back to work a day early.
What was even weirder was that they were delighted to see me back again. I mean, they were glad to have me back. One manager might as well have jumped me with hugs and kisses. It was nice, but no one apart from my wife has ever been that happy to see me. Like I said, nice but weird. So I stayed, and they have moved the holiday forward a week.
It was an easy night; a shift of truck work. There was enough work to last all through my shift.
Saturday 2nd
It was a semi-busy night. My job for tonight was gatekeeping, and while I was sorting out some paperwork, we discovered that the cook hadn’t arrived. This was mentioned half an hour into the time I needed to set things up, so I had to rush and cook what was available.
I was a couple of minutes late bringing out the food, but they didn’t care and ate their fill.
I finished all of the jobs that needed to be done apart from my first aid duties, and there is still time for that.
Sunday 3rd
Gatekeeping again tonight. And also a chef. The food went down well tonight, and I was pleased with how it turned out. There were a couple of items I had never cooked before, so I followed my rule of if I am not sure, cook them a couple of minutes longer than recommended. Eventually, everything came out okay.
The book I am currently reading, I had to give up. I didn’t understand what I was reading or why I was reading this.
I managed to begin my first aid duties, but ended up leaving ten minutes late because I didn’t manage my time properly. Slightly annoyed with myself. But I got home in the end.
I have also been informed that I need to book holidays to cover the next period, which starts in September. I have an idea, we will see what happens.
Monday 4th
I hadn’t slept well, and I shouldn’t have got up at the time I did, but I did it anyway. Wrestling had to be watched, and I couldn’t be bothered to go back to bed.
It was my day off, and I wasn’t doing anything but resting. I did nearly nod off a couple of times, and I had no worries about this. I was in a safe place.
Much later, the wife got up and slowly got ready for work. It’s her first day back after the holiday. So she wasn’t happy.
Completing the upload for the latest video I created, we sat down together while she had her breakfast and I had a cup of tea, and we watched the most recent episode of Beard Meats Food.
I eventually worked out what I wanted and made my meals for work, and then continued with my new book before going to bed.
Tuesday 5th
Work was a bit screwed as one of the trucks conked out, and we were left with one counterbalance to deal with the deliveries. Everything was late. But they did their best with what they had.
The wife went to work only to find she wasn’t booked on the shift. So she had to come home and do her shift on Saturday instead.
Wednesday 6th
Another busy day at work, I was on the shop floor moving pallets around. They hadn’t fixed the other trucks, so we were still with one truck. But I needed a night of sweating a little while exercising. But of course, I still moaned to myself about it.
Later on, I was called into some gatekeeping as someone had a meeting. I had a driver complaining that he had been waiting two hours. Even though he arrived two hours early. I explained what was happening, but I am not sure whether he completely understood.
We were also short on drivers as most were on holiday, and so a manager had to step up.
To help the manager, while I was gatekeeping, I started some of the paperwork for him so he would be a little ahead before leaving.
Thursday 7th
On the trucks this morning, I completed all the jobs given and had some time to audit some of the first aid boxes. I couldn’t finish them because of access issues.
I even got the problem I had with my ID card fixed. So that was a good part of the day.
Today, the shift ended with the start of some holiday time off. I had a couple of days left, so they were added to a couple of rest days.
Friday 8th
Waking up before midnight, I began another session with YouTube and caught up with some of my episodes. I managed to get a couple of hours’ nap and was up again to greet the missus when she woke up.
She has her counselling today, so I began this morning trying to get my blogs up to date and start my next video before she takes over the office. I even updated the photo and wording on my title page. It’s not as good as the one before. But it’s okay.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing, continuing to catch up with my blogs and TV Shows I haven’t watched yet.
Saturday 9th
Today was supposed to be something different and maybe help with our plans for the future, but that all changed when I picked my wife up from work. We have been advised to take a different course, well, the course we would have to go through anyway. But doing this first would help. And if needed, to go through the other person at a later date.
Other than that, nothing to report but more resting. I have a backache, and I need to have a good stretch.
Sunday 10th
Nothing to report today. A day of resting and relaxing as best as I can.
Monday 11th
Another rest day, and also a holiday. Not much of a holiday, as I need to get my things ready, as I go back to work at midnight.
Tuesday 12th
Work was a bit weird today as I had my annual review. I had a near-perfect review. Apart from one problem that I am now stewing over. I know I shouldn’t let it bother me, but I know I haven’t done anything wrong, and the complaint seems to be over me doing my job and them not getting their items straight away.
When I start my shift, I have a set of tasks that need to be completed before I begin receiving goods. So I am supposed to ignore all that so they can have their stock straight away. There is no way I am doing that. My job is on the line. I am not screwing with health and safety to make them happy.
But apart from that, the glowing review left me, at the time, feeling overwhelmed. Mainly because I couldn’t get my head around the nice things they were saying, it did get a bit too much.
The manager asked how he was doing. I told him the truth, and he seemed happy with what I said, even though I was very blunt with him.
At home, after I woke up for work, I found the items I ordered from Amazon had arrived. A Body pillow, I have read and watched videos stating that it can do wonders for aches and pain while sleeping, but also importantly help with sleep apnea and snoring. I am hoping it works for me.
I bought an additional cover for the pillow. As I’m now reading more at work during my lunch, I purchased a reading light for when I am away from home and also when I am unable to use the bedside light.
Wednesday 13th
I bitched and moaned to certain people about my review. Not anybody in authority, which was what I was thinking about doing. The person I wanted to speak to didn’t show, so I left it alone. Maybe leave it for another day.
I finally managed to finish my first aid duties, leaving it to the last hour to sort out.
I have been thinking a lot about joining a book club I saw a notice for at work. It’s a monthly club, and I’m concerned that it would interfere with work-life balance. However, I have been wanting to join a book club for a while now. I will think about it some more.
I woke up after using the body pillow. My body was a bit painful in certain joints; I will let myself believe for now that it is just that I haven’t been sleeping correctly. I will try again.
Anyway, no work tonight. I will rest as long as possible.
Thursday 14th
I continued with some doom scrolling, and after getting tired of that, I finished the latest book I’ve been reading: Star Trek: The Last Roundup.
But the problem now was to pick a new book to read. So many to catch up with.
I then continued updating this blog and another. And then I was on a quest in search of my next read.
Even though it’s my day off, I still need to get things prepared for work tonight.
Friday 15th
Working on the shop floor, I was done halfway through the shift. After lunch, I was asked to climb on a truck and help in other areas.
Before leaving for work, I filled out the form for the work book club. I am a bit cautious about joining.
From what I have heard about book clubs, especially run by women. It tends not to be about books but a place for women to meet up and chat, and maybe, I dunno, have a drink. I have no problem with this, but at least be truthful about it, as there are people like me who like reading books.
Having other people’s perspectives on what they thought about the books. I believe could improve my Book Reports.
A little while after I got home, whilst randomly searching online for something else. I found something that could lead to a date night. The wife wants to do it. But as with most things, the idea doesn’t continue.
Saturday 16th
Another night at work. My Jobs for the night were gatekeeping and replenishment of the shop floor. Time went smoothly enough, but I was knackered by the end of the shift.
We are running low on provisions and will need to do a shop at some point. But I was able to put some things together for my dinner tomorrow morning for work.
Sunday 17
A busy night at work. I have to work on the shop floor, serve as a Gatekeeper, and also act as the Chef. I even cooked extra things that weren’t prepared, as I believed there wasn’t enough food set out. And I was right.
For what it is worth, I did okay. It also helped that only one of the three trailers turned up. And as they needed me on the shop floor, because they were short-staffed. The counterbalance truck driver who was tipping the trailer was able to scan them onto the system.
I managed to get the paperwork done that I was able to do. So the next shift was covered.
The missus and I are going through a stupid argument, and I thought of something we saw earlier that might cheer her up. We are both at fault in the way we deal with the problem. The stress of it all needs to be sorted.
Before finally going to bed, I started work on my latest video. I didn’t finish it.
Monday 18th
It’s my day off and I am behind on myself. I am creating and uploading my latest Video, which I should have sorted out a few days ago. My daily blog is behind schedule, and I hate that I have to catch up. Trying to remember what I did a few days ago. I am just stuck in a rut. I know how to get out, but I have no way to get there at the moment.
Writing this is making me upset. I don’t like it.
I still need to get things ready for work, but all I want to do is nothing. Fade away for a little while. I don’t know where, just somewhere.
We have been having problems with our fridge; it has been freezing slowly. Our solution at the moment has been to place hot bowls of water to defrost it while still using the appliance. I will need to investigate the reason why this is happening.
After some research, one possible answer seems simple enough. I will have to pull out the fridge later and check.
I decided to treat us to a date day/ night and bought two tickets to Shaun of the Dead. We were still going through a rough patch and thought this could help lighten it. I left the printout on the table for the missus to see. I am hopeful she will be happy.
Tuesday 19th
A slightly screwed up night at work where a little communication would have gone a long way. I managed to finish what I needed to finish with a couple of minutes to spare and to leave work on time. I may have screwed one piece up, but I will need to double-check that later.
Finally getting home, the plan was to go shopping, but I decided it would be easier and quicker to do some online shopping and pop to the shops at a later date.
Wednesday 20th
Today at work went well enough. We have had the main person in charge for the next few nights as the regular managers are away on personal leave. It’s also a chance to see how I am doing as a gatekeeper. This means being left more to my own devices. Self-assessment: I am doing well. I still have a lot to learn, but what I was able to do with the knowledge I have gained and with the help of the counterbalance drivers I work with. It could be worse.
I am concerned about a member of staff. It may be that I am overthinking it, but I also know they have been through some shit recently. And because of it, they have had to change how they work and the position they have been in. I think they may have some anger issues they aren’t dealing with.
Or it could be they are fine, and I don’t know any better.
Anyway, I thanked a coworker for talking to my wife when he saw her at her workplace. It brought me some brownie points for that. He was pleased.
Getting home, I quickly went through my routine so we could go food shopping before dropping the wife off. And then, when home, try to relax after putting everything away and having something to eat before going to bed.
Thursday 21st
I didn’t get enough time to finish my job today. By the time I walked out the door, there was still one trailer to finish, and I had only done half of the paperwork.
Good news, it seems I was wrong about the person yesterday. It may have been something at the time that annoyed them.
I was also on canteen duty. Which meant my manager’s manager had to take over my duties as gatekeeper. And that also meant I had to give him a refresher course on receiving goods. It was nice. I did forget to give him some information about rugs. But that didn’t matter.
There is no shopping today, I have to take my wife to work and am trying to rest as much as possible.
Woke up to a cramping attack. So I’m going to be in pain and limping for a while. Although I did manage to prevent too much damage with a technique I learned about, tensing the muscle instead of trying to relax it. And I was able to do my exercises okay, so that’s a bonus. How will I do tonight at work?, I will be on my feet for most of it.
We will have to wait and see.
Friday 22nd
Today was a little hectic. I was overwhelmed with work. Stuck in a mode where I couldn’t stop and didn’t know how to let go. My brain was constantly moving, planning and working out solutions. The pressure was building as more and more problems occurred. There was a small break when I went to cook, but even that was more of the same. My brain panicked, trying to keep up with itself. I knew I would be fine, but I had to get to the end of the list of problems I was trying to control.
I had a break at lunch to read, eat, and try to calm down. But it all started up again as I went back in.
Getting home, I was still in that mode, and the wife could only watch as I couldn’t get her involved. She did offer, but it wasn’t an option until I finished everything I needed to do before crashing on the sofa.
Eventually, I went to bed to read and sleep for as long as my body would allow.
Saturday 23rd
Today is about resting and finishing the blogs I am writing, and I need to finish the current book I am reading. I am surprised at how much I have enjoyed this book. However, I need to finish it to have my next book report ready for publication.
I continue to wonder whether I could learn a little more bout how to write a book report. I’m not completely satisfied with the way I write them. I suppose I would have to do some research; hopefully, I can improve a little.
After feeling I had done enough. I decided it was time to finish my book, and I was sad that it had to come to an end. I watched a movie and then had something to eat. Meanwhile, my latest video was being uploaded to the various sites I use and is being prepared for release on Monday.
The wife bought some bookmarks, and after she picked out the ones she wanted, I was given the rest. I received a nice selection.
Sunday 24th
Not a lot to do today apart from getting ready for work. Making sure I had food prepared for the next couple of days and my uniform was where it should be.
Monday 25th
Upon arriving at work, I discovered that I would be working on the shop floor. There wasn’t much to do, but enough to keep me going. So I got out my Bluetooth speaker plus my MP3 player and started blasting some music as I worked.
It was later discovered that there was nobody to cook the food. So I was called in a tad late, but I was able to get everything ready on time.
After work, returning home. I found my wife still in bed. She had a migraine and couldn’t move. So I called her manager and told him she wouldn’t be in. I then continued with my downtime and preparing for bed.
Tuesday 26th
Gatekeeping today, and during that time, I found an email about the upcoming book club. I think it was there a couple of days ago, but I thought it was something else.
There are four books to choose from, and a vote will decide which book we will start with in our first meeting, scheduled for September 2nd. I have also found a way to help, which I will discuss with my new club members.
Taking the wife to work, I popped into Tesco’s. I had my first experience today as Ne Ne had run out of screen wash. I’ve never filled a car with screen wash before, so that was fun learning how to do that. I also bought some food for my lunch tomorrow and something to eat when I get home and rest before bed.
Wednesday 27th
Busy night at work. I was on the shop floor filling up locations with stock. No email had been sent out, so I was concerned there might not be a chef again. So I made it my mission to get some answers. I was right to be concerned as nobody showed. So again I went upstairs and prepared the food.
One problem I had was that there was soup on the menu, and I was given a large semi-deep tray to cook it in. But because the soup had so much room to move, I ended up spilling some on the floor and also on myself.
The food, although messy, was a success, and after lunch, I continued to my previous job, not remembering that I had been allocated another job as well. And because of this, I wasn’t going to finish my original job. Luckily, I found someone who helped by dragging along another person to finish my section in plenty of time. So I was happy.
Getting home, I completely forgot that we had a dentist appointment. Being tired, I got myself ready. Resting for a few minutes in between. And then headed back out again.
Finally home, I was able to relax before bed. Also, remembering to read more of my book when I was having trouble nodding off.
Thursday 28th
Day off today. Only the one mind. So, while I rested, I caught up with my blogs and got things ready for my next shift.
I was a little late with a text I had received from my sister. She needed my help with some technical problems. So I text back, and we will see how that comes out.
Getting a little stressed at home, I had an attack. I didn’t completely recognise what was going on until it happened. It has been so long. While I was still in the attack, I took my wife to work. I had an urge to get a burger, and I then realised that the breakfast menu was on, so I got a breakfast meal and an extra roll.
The change of scene helped.
Friday 29th
I went to work and informed them of what had happened, and they had already helped me by putting me on a truck. While I was chatting with one of my managers, I asked him to confirm my holidays.
It was a nice night at work. I finished my shift by helping a colleague in their zone; everywhere had been overloaded with stock. It was more than it normally would be. Time of year, I guess.
Another good thing was that I finished another book at the time I went to bed. I now have to pick a new one. There are too many options.
Saturday 30th
A reasonably easy night at work. I worked on the shop floor until I was needed to return as a chef again. After lunch, I assisted a colleague with his IT problems. He was experiencing printer connection issues. When fixed, I went back to the shop floor until someone reminded me of something I already knew but had completely forgotten. I was annoyed with myself for that, and I did beat myself up a bit about it.
I did get a bit overexcited at one point and said something stupid. Hope it wasn’t heard.
I was able to speak with the canteen manager about my problem when cooking the food. As I am not a real chef, I don’t know how to cook everything they may find normal. Like today, I had a couple of ingredients I had no clue what to do with. I had asked in an email if and when they introduce new items, could they add more information to the list they provided, because all I am doing at the end of the day is guessing.
My manager seemed to think I may need protecting as he swooped in when he saw me talking to the canteen manager. I thought it was sweet. In a manly way, of course.
Arriving home, I popped to the shops while taking my wife to work. I needed some toiletries. The wife, however, found out her shop was closing down. I saw the sign outside the shop and confirmed it for her. She doesn’t know what is happening to her job. We will find out soon enough.
Sunday 31st
A light day at work with some gatekeeping and being the chef again. After lunch, I finished off the paperwork and spent the rest of my time clearing cardboard. It’s been a while, but I find the whole experience relaxing. The act of chucking rubbish away. And watching it get destroyed.
I’ll see you next month. Thanks for the visit.
I know I live a boring, average life. I have tried journaling in notebooks, and I have a nice collection of blank notebooks. And even though I don’t write down everything I think and feel here. Just the act of getting something down helps me enormously.
So again, thank you for taking the time out of your life to see how I am doing.
