PhloridaPhil

I awoke early and went into the office to prepare the mass at which I would be Cantor. Then I attended the 1100, sang at the 1230 and assisted with the intercessory prayer service. Then it was back to the apt to experience … the rain!

I used the time to check the electric sockets and found several not working. I’ve called out the onsite engineer so this should get sorted soon. Then I’ll know if my new microwave is working or if it’s the sockets!

Wednesday started early with my first public introductions to the school for their 0830 Mass. What a great experience it was and I added piano to the excellent guitar and vocals which animated the 600 children. After a further rehearsal for a special prayer liturgy on Sunday I returned to the apartment to sign up for electricity for my new apartment just before noon. At 1pm all the 17 staff gathered for a super lunch provided by Deacon Greg and his wife. Then followed an initial brain-storming meeting in anticipation of Advent.

My boxes arrived from Sheffield and so I started the task of sorting which were to go to the apartment and which for the office. as I moved them there were some ominous noises. It sounded as though there had been breakages.

Later in the afternoon I tried to pay the required deposit to initiate the electricity account, without which I would not have been able to collect the keys tomorrow. I was being run ragged by auto payment which didn’t recognise S47AJ as a UK ‘zip code’ for my payment card. Also I worried that having bought a car etc I may have exceeded my credit limit (daft really since I’d transferred oodles of money to the credit card last night). Having set up a current account yesterday with $100 I thought I’d try the bank for help.

The bank manager, Margarita, promised to ease my frustration and sort it as long as I continued to speak to her in my quaint English accent. She became as frustrated as me, the bank closed and the security was getting restless … but she’d promised and 90 minutes later we had success!

Back at the office I continued to unpack my boxes and loaded hungry shelves. Eventually I fled work and sought retail therapy in BestBuy and Walmart. I am now the proud owner of a Smart TV and a kettle. Nobody in USA seems to understand what a kettle is … they cannot conceive of one powered by electricity. They can put a man on the moon but can’t boil a kettle! Must sleep on that.
Good night!

Today I returned to my new apartment and signed for it as my work colleague used to live there and had loved it! That done I dashed back for an entertaining lunch followed by a further dash out to complete the deal on an I-phone 6. Of course they’d sold out but while I was there I was also able to set up installation of internet and TV to my new apt. Then I returned the car to Deacon Cris and although it was raining strode out to set up a bank account. The bank closed as soon as I arrived. I didn’t take it personally and visited a car showroom finding myself strangely attracted to a Toyota Corolla. A few phone calls later I had an offer of another newer car which was also smaller. I’m hoping to close on that tomorrow. Will also return to the issue of bank account and social security. Also have a practice for Wednesday’s school mass. What a day!

Today I enjoyed three masses and heard engaging homilies at each. After a bit of searching the internet for a place to stay I took the truck out to look for one. In the event, somewhat disappointed by those I’d planned, I chanced upon one that suited me well. It’s on the 3rd floor and has views over a nature reserve to Tampa Bay. I am hoping that in the next few days a work colleague will visit it with me to be that second pair of eyes. Tomorrow I must try to get a social security number so tonight’s homework is to check out which documents will be required!

I left Sheffield a few days ago and spent a couple of days with my dear mum. At 80years young my mum is not one for going to bed early and prefers to chew the cud until the small hours. She also can rarely be found at home as she tends to travel the world spending my brothers’ inheritance at the drop of the hat.

Early yesterday morning she dropped me at the station and I headed for Gatwick Airport. It would be a direct flight which I managed to get at a bargain price of about £650. My goods had already been transferred from Sheffield so I travelled light with one suitcase and a smaller bag I got from my mum.

I spent 3 hours in the VIP lounge and boarded the flight, managing to get a whole row of seats for myself! the flight arrived late but it was still light in Tampa. Deacon Cris was there to collect me and dropped me at the suite of rooms that had been prepared for me as an interim measure.

I went to bed early!

The following day I borrowed the local deacon’s car to go and buy a new iphone but I’d never driven an automatic before! I couldn’t buy a phone until I have proof of where I’m living so that is my priority. This afternoon I explored a couple of apartments in the local area but think i will look slightly further afield now. Fr Tom has now let me borrow the truck … well this is just too much for one day! Off now to find somewhere to eat and then this evening I’ll be checking out some apartments from suggestions on a map. It’s all good so far. Just attended the vigil mass where the Assistant Director from the Cathedral played organ and piano and one of those I met at the interview was cantor. It was good to hear them in action.