Stockport and Casino
Sunday 6th September

I'm driving at 55mph down the M56. Relaxing with tunes on the radio.

I park up in Didsbury and Alex K arrives in the Toyota Starlet. He stops in the car alongside mine and I wind the left passenger window down. He's got his window down.
Alex K: "Are we going?"
Me: "In that car? I thought you were bringing the Honda?"
Alex K: "I couldn't get it. It's ok in this car."
I get out of my car and stand outside.
Me: "I'm not going in that. There's not even any headrests.
Alex K: "There are. They're in the boot."
Me: "Just wait a minute while I have an accident. I've just got to go in the boot and put the headrests on."
We discuss which car to go in.
Me: "We'll go in my car."

We drive to Stockport. Park. Pay and display for 50p.

We go to Casino 36.
At Casino 36 it's £10 matchplay. So we end up making £7 each. We order free sandwiches and drinks. I put a few pounds on roulette so I don't look like I'm totally after the freebies and end up with £1.50 winnings. That's £8.50 I make altogether.

We go around the shops a bit in Stockport.

In River Island an idea comes to me.
Me: "We should be doing stuff we like. Being out with people. Partying. Having a good time."
Me: "Watching TV, internet, none of it is being around people and having a good time."
Alex K agrees.

Now we're in Debenhams
Me: "The kids have nothing to rebel against. They're on the internet and texting so the establishment and people stopping them aren't there."

Now we're in the car park near the roundabout where I parked my car.
Me: "The problem nowadays is boredom. People don’t mix and go out so they have no feeling."

I drive out of Stockport towards Didsbury.

Kiss by Prince plays on the cassette player.
Me: "See. You've not been around lately. I've been hanging around Jackson and my girlfriend, and this is what I listen to now!"

Alex K has been making websites for people, and spending a lot of time watching his shares on the internet where he made £12,500. But he's not as upbeat and happy. There's no wisecracks, banter, no fun. He's been too long on the computers. I'm losing a lot of friends to the matrix now.

It's a problem that the only people I seem to be able to find who like to party and banter are snobs from Hale and Bowdon, or southerners studying at Manchester University.It's a type of banter they have but it's not very nice, they all use long words and sound like that TV comedian Jimmy Carr.

What's happened to the good time healthy happy going out and chatting?

I've got to find some new friends. A big group of new friends to go out partying with. I should maybe meet people who work in shops. Brian said how people he works with at a store all go out clubbing together.

Me and Alex K wander around Didsbury. I have some leaflets in my pocket to promote my book. I hand some out.
We go into the fashion store near the crossroads and I get talking with the lady who works there. It turns out she's an English student at Manchester University and works part time in the shop. We get on very well. She's cool. Me and Alex K say bye and walk outside.

Me: "See, we should meet people like that. By seeing them around."

We go to where our cars are parked. Alex K goes home and I post the remainder of my bunch of leaflets through letterboxes. Then I drive home.


Summary and venue reviews

Casino 36
Medium busy. Clientele: smart casual. Decor: 10/10.
Notes: A nicely decorated casino in Stockport.
Casino 36

Stockport
Medium busy. Clientele: smart casual.
Notes: A town near Manchester.
Stockport



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