Thursday 2^nd April, 2020 2200

Just finished marking an oral class And because the little shits earlier in the week couldn't read I now have three classes sitting malevolently in my “To Be Done” Gmail folder for tomorrow which will be joined by another two at least before Friday is done. Yes, I am now behind. Stop press – now 5 classes waiting with two to follow. Heaven.

This weekend is Qing Ming or Tomb sweeping festival. A bit like a UK bank holiday this year as the holiday is Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Not for me. I am rapidly suffering from fade out through listening to two hundred responses to the topic of the week and emending about 130 on another topic. I am finding two classes a day do my head in and attempting three is tempting self-harming. Ergo I reckon I will be working right through.

Is it woe is me? Not at all. I am still on the payroll. Others in the world right now are not so fortunate. My problems pale in comparison.

I am pleased to report that apart from the drunken arsehole (who, being Chinese had probably had two beers in contrast to my constant imbibing since awakening – well I can do that without fear working from home!) - I have nothing to suggest racism is occuring against westerners in this city. Actually I think they are more surprised to find one still here in fact.

Yesterday being April Fool's Day, although it is not normally my thing I was tempted but decided in the interests of taste to decline. I nearly instead sent Jody a text to ask her to order me two new devices on Taobao that cost ¥1,000 each, one for each of us. They are worn like a wristwatch and prevent you catching the bug. The fictional new device is called BonCovi.

But I didn't.

I have to say having Jody here has been great. There have been a couple of times when she has flared up, for no good reason in my mind but what man understands women? By and large it has been like being married I think. Never having been blessed or cursed (depending on your experience) myself, I reckon it is pretty authentic. We are here, speak to each other very little and do our own thing. Tell me if I am wrong?

Anyway, for the non-HMSC readers I would now like to introduce you to a friend of mine. Not an internet “friend” but a REAL friend. Not my longest-standing friend, but my oldest friend. He is my favouritest old person in the world. I checked his Facebook account but couldn't find his age, although I won't be more than a year out if I say he is 95 or approaching that.

I am 64 next month but I would sit down with him right now, have a pint and a natter and we would be equals. A nicer man I have yet to meet.

Anyway, I don't want to embarrass him, the reason for my mentioning him is that he features in a video advertisement for the Royal Alfred Seafarers Society which is an organisation that looks after aged old salts. Geoffrey moved there a couple of years ago and loves it and if I ever do get back to Blighty (this year looks buggered) I want to plan to dump my companion with my sister for the day and get him drunk!

So, for all of you moaning about no toilet roll, having to stay home and all the other inconveniences you are suffering not so silently – watch this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW8f28UYOuM