Sunday 13^th October, 2019 2140

Finally I had the ability to connect to the UK restored (I doubt it had any connection to my threat to jump ship on Wednesday) and then they decided to cancel world cup games!

And of course, actually streaming is a pain in the backside with buffering, disconnections and really slow bandwidth because the world and his uncle is doing likewise. The Tonga game I gave up on but having wagered on Japan I persevered. I now want Japan to win even if they get to the final and face England. Not that I am unpatriotic, just that, let's say, if they do win then next summer holiday will be very nice indeed! Maybe business class flights instead of economy or better hotels, more trips etc.

I can but dream. If they actually get to the final I am not sure I can watch, I never got the best odds in the beginning but I have good enough for any payout to be substantial. As I said, I can dream, and tonight I will.

I had my Monday classes on catch-up on Saturday. I remonstrated with both regarding not telling me I should have taught last Monday and in particular Philip, the boy from the morning class who, when I texted it was a holiday, sent back that he had forgotten, don't worry.

He just stood there and gave me a broad smile. I told him I wasn't angry with him for one reason and that was because if the roles were reversed I would have done the same. I have a feeling both classes concerned will keep quiet so we don't go into extra time.

I have my passport back now and to my delight, no matter what happens, I am legal to remain in China (and leave as many times as I wish) until 3^rd September next year. The last thing I want is for it to run out again before my contract expires/I get another job if necessary. Remember, I had to do a Hong Kong run three years ago.

Mr Jing Jo told me today it would be ten days before he can get me another thousand cigars. Not good. I have three days worth left and four full coronas from last summer in Shanghai. I couldn't order any earlier as I never had the money and last time they got them the day after I asked! The fast food stall outside BHG has been stocking them so just maybe I can get some there to tide me over, otherwise it's three times the price and half the size.

I have a feeling I will end up buying a year's supply at once.

I have IT coming to my class just before lunch on Thursday to investigate my problem. They don't seem to understand the computer in there has no safely remove hardware facility (as indeed is the same in other classrooms but I don't have the problem) and every bloody time I go there my films on my USB stick are reduced to 665Kb, unusable. They allegedly fixed it before but it came up with four errors on startup, knowing my luck my films won't be deleted just because IT are there. We shall see.