Diary Saturday 24th December 2016 – Christmas Eve

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I had to work today on a cold wet and miserable Christmas weekend that Bing Crosby definitely wasn’t dreaming of. It was clear on arriving at work that the cheap hire temps alone were attending apart from a few managers assigned to monitor us. The entire workforce of fully paid staff were absent and we were kept busy until allowed out two hours early. We were asked to return on New Year’s Eve, next Saturday but with a start time then of 6 AM, it would be impossible for me to make it as there are no buses that early. After a quick beer to celebrate my freedom, and a bite to eat in Preston I came home. I am now effectively unemployed again, though the post office could invite me back on more occasions yet if need arises. I am having Christmas Eve home alone, as with Xmas itself tomorrow. I don’t mind, though I was saddened that a few friends I expected Xmas cards from never sent me one. In one case a lady asked me for someone else’s address so she could send them a card but never sent me one. These are people who know my new address. It is sad to see that some friendships from my home city, Manchester could be fading. I’m rather a sentimentalist A few people kindly recommended I go to a city centre café bar that is running a Christmas for those left alone, but lack of public transport rules that out. I do have the unexpected large food parcel left to me by the local church (presumably after my need to tap into the food banks they run a few months back) which is enough to keep me going into new year so I won’t be hungry and I do have some beer and mulled wine in. Not bad for a Billy-No-Mates Christmas. Hope you all have everything and everyone you want around throughout the festivities. Arthur Chappell