Tuesday 24th May, 2016                          1600

Hell of a day so far!

I met Vivi at the hospital at 1020 this morning, armed with the ECG printout. For 8y I got to see a cardiologist who found my BP to be fine and no irregularities when she listened to my ticker. Great, just write it in my book so I can show it to anyone concerned.

Oh no! Chinese hospitals are money-spinners, you don’t get away that lightly! I then spent the next hour and 718y having new blood samples taken, an ultrasound exam on my heart and finally going to “dynamic ECG”. I have to wear a mini-ECG for 24 hours to give a picture of my heart’s antics over a complete day. It looks as if they strap it around your body, glue magnetic pads to your skin and attach the sensors. How the hell I will sleep with that thing on I do not know. Oh and I can’t take a shower until after I return to the hospital. I am really beginning to wish I hadn’t bothered and a good job I have the money on the medical card! At this rate I won’t need to worry about leaving any balance on it when I leave.

I also had a call from Anthony. The school wants my co-operation. They have fired me for being old and they want my co-operation? Ok, what is it? An activity and I will pick you up at 0800 tomorrow. Eight in the morning??!! Give me strength.

Turns out they have cancelled at least my morning class (I already cancelled the afternoon one to judge the drama contest but now I don’t know if I will be back in time for that) and the three laowei are going to feature in a film. No idea what it’s about but I am NOT doing my own stunts. Wonder if Spielberg will be there…..

When I got home there was a message from the recruitment agency stating they couldn’t find a copy of my degree in the documents I emailed them. Hardly surprising considering the first university I went to was this one and I have no degree. I then had to explain my seafaring qualification to them and the fact it took longer than a BA to get. I wouldn’t mind but all this is in my CV. Clearly nobody takes a blind bit of notice of anything.

So having risen early today and having to get up even earlier tomorrow, I am perhaps understandably going to take a snooze just as soon as my laundry is finished - better have a decent shirt to wear. I am not wearing any animal costumes tomorrow!

Last night when I went down to take the leftover chicken to leave for the animals Mum came bounding up. First time I have seen her in three days and she was a lot thinner so somewhere, I know not, are her new litter. It’s not here and it’s not the usual building so I am at a loss, perhaps it is Anthony’s building. Anyway she wolfed down the leftovers, with the exception of the runner beans!

Ten minutes before the washing is done, then a couple of hours catch up.

1840

Just when I thought I had everything under control!

I did get into bed but before I could drop off, Anthony was knocking on my bedroom door. Slight change tomorrow, the film will be shot on campus so the time has changed. Great, if we don’t have to travel then it must be later, right?

No. we need to start at seven. Seven!!!??? That means getting up at the latest five thirty to shower, dress and actually wake up! Well there went my siesta, no bloody point, I’ll just have to go to bed by half nine. I swear they’re trying to kill me before I leave.

Apparently the film is about a blind Chinese person who went to England. Supposed to be famous and according to Anthony the blind person is acting as themselves tomorrow. The film is government sponsored and I told him I wasn’t taking part unless I get given a copy of the finished article. As it’s taking place on campus I am guessing there won’t be a free lunch going…….