The washing machine broke down on the 3^rd. It didn’t just stop it shrieked, rattled, sounded like shattering glass and then bilged smoke, setting off the fire alarm. The dog’s howling added to the general pandemonium.

I got flu on the 4^th.

After a wretched night I awoke to find one of the Heek’s Christmas treat bones had seriously disagreed with him and he had deposited piles of puke at intervals in the hall and lounge, including the couch. Trying to clear this with a raging temperature, a rattling chest, throbbing head and dizziness took most of the morning. Then I collapsed and spent two days in bed.

I have been TRYING to dispute a completely OTT parking fine with Brighton Borough Council for being 12 minutes overdue after my parking ticket expired. In the process of trying to reason with robots, and the grounds for appeal not allowing for human error (such as mislaying my car, which is how it happened) the penalty for not paying without delay (even though I was trying to  fight it)  increased the fine to £60 and then to £90. Despite being determined to fight to the death, as penalising people for protesting seems completely immoral I finally gave in, in a sickness fuelled depressed moment and threats of bailiffs etc. Now I hate myself for being feeble and so want revenge!

I was due to start a new job on the 7^th, but due to said flu and barely being able to cross a room without passing out I might have to postpone it.

I’m not normally superstitious or fearful, but all this in the first week? The January blues, you don’t get them, January gives them to you.