BACK PAIN, BIKE DREAMS, AND A SECRET SANTA SIGH

t’s a slow and deliberate process, but I am truly trying my best to settle back into a normal life and, to some degree, I’m succeeding. The persistent back pain, however, still accompanies me most of the time, which is incredibly annoying. I cannot wait for the day I can ditch the tiresome bus commute and get back in the saddle; my bike is calling to me.

I submitted the claim for my losses earlier this month, but if I’m honest, I think the process will take ages, and that’s not going to help me get back on the road any sooner. I had been considering getting a new bike from the Cycle to Work Scheme, which usually runs early in the new year. Then I read on the intranet that the scheme is to start running continuously throughout the year. So, the big question is: do I take the plunge and go new now?

The Tutoring "Volun-told"

This week at work, we are welcoming a couple of new trainees to our team. I’ve been told (rather than asked, mind you) that I’ll be tutoring one of them. Over the years, I’ve mentored many people who have gone on to have very successful careers, but the role has changed. These days, it’s not just about showing them the ropes; there’s a mountain of complex assessments and reports to complete. It’s a level of extra admin work that I really could do without right now.

Morale and Missed Connections

General morale at work has been pretty low lately. There’s a lot of uncertainty floating around, and the atmosphere isn't exactly great. The festive night out was likely designed to bring everyone together, but unfortunately, due to my ongoing injuries, I just didn't feel up to attending. It’s frustrating when the body won't let you join in.

The Secret Santa Surprise

We did, however, have our Secret Santa this week. The team took an hour out to try and inject some festive spirit into the daily grind. I’m usually a bit wary of Secret Santa—I often feel my colleagues don’t know me as well as they might think—but this year was actually alright.

I ended up with a "Grumpy Old Man" sign (the folding type cleaners use for wet floors), a set of bicycle stabilisers—clearly a cheeky nod to my recent crash—and a book titled HR APPROVED WAYS TO TELL COWORKERS THEY ARE STUPID. The gift I gave seemed to go down well, too. We all brought in food for a buffet in the staff room, which gave us something to nibble on throughout the day.

The Great Turkey Hunt

Morticia and I spent an afternoon dashing around the supermarkets this week to stock up on festive food. Usually, we’d order a turkey in advance, but this year we decided to just pick up a frozen one. Big mistake. They were nowhere to be found—at least not in any of the shops we tried! We eventually managed to secure a turkey crown, so the main event is saved, though I’m more than happy we have some beef as well, as I actually prefer it. There are still a few bits left to get, so Morticia will be heading to the markets with her Dad on the 24th to grab the veg.

Yuletide Traditions

On a brighter note, I’ve managed to arrange my annual get-together with my best mate, Ian. Because of my work schedule, I’m tied up for most of the "premium" evenings—though, to be honest, "Mad Friday" isn't quite as wild as it used to be anyway. We’ve opted for a Sunday afternoon meetup instead. It suits me much better as I’ll likely need to sit down more often, and it’ll be great to properly catch up.

Finding the Balance

While I’ve managed to carve out some quality time for family and friends, I’ll still be working my shifts throughout the Yuletide period. It isn't a 'break' in the traditional sense where everything stops for a fortnight, but I’m looking forward to those pockets of downtime where I can actually relax. It’s about finding the balance between the daily grind and the Yuletide cheer.

If you enjoyed the mention of Yuletide traditions and the spirit of the ancient calendar in this post, why not delve deeper into my fantasy world?

Just as I’ve been navigating workplace "gifts" and supermarket chaos, my webcomic "Northman" has taken a darker, satirical turn with a Krampus-inspired adventure. Loosely based on my life and heavily seasoned with Viking lore, it explores what happens when ancient legends meet modern addictions. If you've ever felt like the "medium has become the medium," this chapter is for you.

Read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

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