MrBiffo
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MONDAY BLOG: END OF AN ERA
🕑 Added 2024-12-02 13:13:39 +0000 UTCHappy Monday, everyone.
Thank you to those of you still here after a November that was light on content from us. Again – sorry. Our lack of activity seems to have driven a few people away. Sadly, it couldn’t be helped last month.
The saga of my mum’s house is coming to a close at last, though if you’ve ever sold or bought a house, you’ll know that whenever you think you’ve done everything… the solicitors somehow manage to find another form to sign, or a document they need. The end of last week was a bit like that. We’re hoping it might complete imminently, but who knows…? It’s a big pile of arse.
On Saturday, house clearance came and took away the last of my parents’ things (plus various bits and pieces of Digi Live and Digi Level 2 that we’d been keeping in the garage). They were two hours late showing up, so I was just there on my own for a long time (Sanja eventually came and gave me some company, because she knew I was finding it tough, and she is The Best of Wives).
It was horrible to be honest. So, so awful seeing everything boxed up like that – the accumulation of their entire lives – and getting carried away by strangers. It hit me unexpectedly hard. I’m still feeling shaken by it. Plus, my mum doesn’t even know it’s happening, due to her dementia, so I think we’re all feeling an awful lot of guilt.
Anyway. Overall, I’m in a better place than I’ve been for most of this year, but saying goodbye to the house I grew up in – and the manner in which we’ve had to sell it - has been really bloody tough.
Also… it’s another very stark reminder that I’m entering a new phase of life. I don’t know what the next 30 years will bring, but the way in which my parents have gone out doesn’t exactly have me looking forward to what’s in store. During her lucid moments, my mum seems so lonely and abandoned, almost forgotten (even though one of us tries to go in to see her every day). If I’m honest, I’m scared of the same happening to me.
At the weekend, I asked a client on Fiverr if I could extend delivery of a script by a few days because of everything… and she couldn’t have been more understanding, having gone through similar a few years back with her own mother. It’s in stark contrast to the reaction I had from a couple of other clients earlier in the year. I think, unless you’ve hit this stage in life, and been through stuff like this, it’s very, very hard to understand how all-consuming it is. It just redefines everything, and on top of that I’ve had a career upheaval to go through too. Lots of endings.
I appreciate I’ve been moaning about life on and off for a couple of years now – but I’m thankful so many of you have stuck through it and given me the space to journal about all we’ve been through. I’ve been better at avoiding the naval-gazing of late on here, and I’m hoping that 2025 will bring a bit more lightness back.
AAAANYWAY
Right. Onto Digi. Ask-Me-Do and Writer’s Club will happen this week. As will Biffo’s Brain.
The UFO vid is coming together. You should get it this week, though it may not be until the end of the week. I think it’ll be about 90 minutes, so not the horrifying two hours I was fearing. It’s SO good, he says modestly… When you see it you’ll realise why it has taken a while. Behold the current version of the titles above. Current... because I want to change the end bit.
Once it’s done, I’ll be straight onto completing Digi Level 2. I’m aiming for the first of the two eps around the last week of the month, and then the final episode the first week of Jan. There’ll be a premiere with us in the chat as before.
I’m also hoping we’ll have time to do a proper Digi Christmas special. Can’t promise, but I’m hopeful – even if we do a live stream thing, or just us on the sofa reflecting on the year.
Oh! And Barshens is back this week for a limited run! I’m briefly in one of the episodes – don’t get too excited. It’s very, very brief. Sadly, Gannon’s not involved, but you will of course see him in Digi Level 2. I’m looking forward to it!
Comments
Paul
Really looking forward to this,love the intro Paul👍
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Thanks, Katie!
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Thanks, James. Hope you're both doing okay.
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Cheers, feller.
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Thanks, mister.
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Thank you, Geoffrey. Love the ad!
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Yeah, we've been talking about decluttering. Don't want to leave my kids with the same amount of tat!
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Thank you, James.
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Cheers, ears. There's more of that in the ep. I'm spending way too much time on what'll amount to mere minutes of the ep...
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Me! I do the music! Glad you like it, Carrie.
The Moonfire Collective
Who is it that creates the music again? Excellent Intro sequence
Chris Bell
Deepest of sympathies with you on the life stuff, that sounds incredibly hard to take. Especially it being the house you grew up in, that adds a whole other dimension of nostalgic angst to an already difficult experience. Ageing really is the last great taboo in our society. The provision for care and how we look after the elderly really need to be looked at, as fewer and fewer people have the capacity to look after their ageing parents anymore. Hope the clearance being done means the worst of this stage is out of the way. On a Digi note, that intro is phenomenal and the comic is gorgeous. Can’t wait for this blockbuster to hit. :)
James Stanger
I couldn't deal with a house clearance like that. I mean one day I may have to I just invest a lot of emotion into where I call home. I understand everyone does but some people are more nomadic than others and some have a snail ethos where they carry their home around with them via their heart. I can't really do that so I send out a lot of empathy your way for having to go through this. Hopefully it is a plaster that has come off and now the true healing starts and you will be stronger than ever before. Not stronger smelling though, I think that's different.
Craig
As I rapidly approach becoming an official OAP, I’ve decided to declutter the house and save my daughter from having to deal with such like. First thing to go was that big pile of pre-internet magazines under the bed.
Geoffrey Easton
Ah so sorry to hear about the process with sorting out your Mum's house (even though of course it does mean some pressure being lifted). And exactly, you summed it up so well - these things matter (memories and yes, some material things). My mum and I had to go through such a thing earlier this year with my gran going into a care home and even though we kept a fair few things (ironically it is my mum who isn't so happy about that as said things are in her place now!), it was sad to see some other things go. Not that I miss the house - in my mind everything is still set and as it was in her former place in Wales, rather than the rather soul-less place that she had for the past 12 years (with the only main benefit being close to my mum and me). And like you, I don't want to think about the future. Anyway, we're still here - hope you can plug the gap of those who left, and looking forward to the things in store this week. Oh, and "that advert" is now (finally) ready (email on the way!)!
Simon Lee Tranter
I can't imagine how tough it must've been for you and your family over the past couple of years. My own parents are getting on in years and I've had a few age and health related challenges with them recently. Not on the level of what you're going through, but it's been draining nevertheless. Nothing really prepares you in life for seeing your parents getting old and frail. We're a patient and understanding bunch, so don't worry about delays. We know it's always worth the wait.
John Veness
Sorry about all the shit with your mum's house. Hopefully it'll all be done with soon. I didn't realise it was the home you had grown up in. My parents are also in the same house I grew up in, and I'm not looking forward to having to deal with that eventually, especially as dad is a hoarder :( That animation is brilliant!
James Moorehead
*sending massive hugs to you Biffo* Take as much time as you need for stuff. Family and yourself are the number one priorities. :)
Katie Rootham
Sending big hugs to you both, and totally understand, I know what you're going through and It's not nice, hope you're ok all though. Anyway, really can't wait for all things UFO, sounds really interesting and loving the artwork and music, its sublime sir! 👽🛸😍 Anyway have a good week and enjoy x 😊
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
You're too good to us, Ivor.
Ivor Ellis
I am still here Paul, waiting for the next Byampod installment whenever you are both ready and enjoying the videos whilst waiting. I empathise with what you have had to deal with recently, take each day. All the best
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
NOOOOOO!!!
Kathy Holloway (Silph)
Don’t worry Paul, you won’t end up abandoned in the nursing home; I’ll visit every now and then to chide you about Sonic 3.
