Search Report

Report on surveillance carried out on AWG, 3/6/19

REPORT

  

Ref:   AWG - PEFB 9254610

Date: 03.06.19    Time: 17.32-17.47 GMT

Recipients: SNOOP, WC

Location:   36 **** ********, ************

Subject:   AWG YP8472724/08.07.51

Search Locus:  70’s HiFi unit used as bedside storage in upstairs (left) bedroom

Search Details:

Upper drawer:   1.SYHA life memb card (in name AWG) 2. Small book, Native American Wisdom (Gift from BS)   3. E45 hand cream   4. Pack  indigestion pills   5. NHS organ donor card  6. Ben Nevis race medal 2013  7. London transport Oyster card   8. Passport (Oct16) in name AWG (stamped Africa, Lesotho)    9. continental adaptor  10. Itinerary - family Sri Lanka tour 2015 11. list of family holidays (1980-1988) 12. Handwritten list of running club weekend trips 92-98  13. 6 assorted pens 14. 2 passport photos (AWG) 15. Santander debit and credit cards (in name AWG)   16. Travel vaccination record (AWG) 17. Europe health Ins’ card (AWG) 18. Fine paint brush 19. Savlon antiseptic tube  20. 3 AAA batteries (used) 21. **** ****** **** (redacted)  22. Assorted low denom’ foreign coins   23. Foreign bank notes (Poland, S Africa)   24. digital watch  (broken plastic strap, working) 25. Pencil sharpener

Lower Drawer: 1.  1 pack adhesive labels  2. birthday card from AWG’s family 1998  3. art club receipt 2017 for 35 pounds (AWG) 4. cassette of AWG’s father playing in dance band 1960’s  5. counterpart driving licence (AWG)  6. 50 pound note  7.  3 passport photos (AWG 2016)  8. receipt for AWG’s fathers burial plot    9.  thank you letter from AWG’s mother  10. list of hymns for AWG’s mothers funeral (her writing)  11. bag of assorted foreign coins  13. 12 inch plastic ruler  14. a kilt pin  15. notebook with diary of Mallorca holiday 2018 in AWG’s writing  16. hospital info’ sheet on dupuytren’s disease 17. handwritten list of telephone numbers (copy into data file)  18. discharge summary letter from psychiatric hospital (AWG) June 1998 19. 3 restaurant receipts Manang, Nepal, 2012

  

Handmade wooden box on cabinet - inscribed AWG June 2007

Contents:  6 handwritten diaries - recording hillwalks, climbs, runs 1963 - 2019  Occasional other significant items recorded;   assorted family photos AWG’s grandparents, parents, wife, children (2boys, 1girl)

Charcoal portrait of Eric Dolphy (Aug 2006) signed AWG

Handwritten letter from AWG to father in law (Jan 2016) ( Access to contents restricted)  Apply to Mr Cole Room 425

Upper Bookshelf:  Ian McEwan, Saturday (handwritten record - read May 2012, Sept 2015, Dec 2018); Tom Devine, The Scottish nation (signed with personal message); David Fletcher, Hunted (AWG -  note: spent 2 nights with DF on the Eiger 1978, now resident in prison) ; The Scottish Islands, Haswell Smith, Jazz the rough Guide; an empty Xaphoon box; The Road to Reality, Roger Penrose (bookmark page 23); Sapiens, Harari; 2 codework puzzle books; blank bound notebook from Barefoot, Sri lanka;

Lower bookshelf:    OS map of St Andrews and East Fife (well used);  Munros tables (Scottish mountains over 3000feet - all ticked 1987; Born to Run, C McDougall; Flying Scotsman, Graeme Obree; Ian McEwan, On Chesil Beach; Patrick O’Brien, set of 18C Naval novels; Ancient Futures, H N Hodge

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Wow, is this original??? Crammed full of goodies, that the reader has some inkling of this person. Truthfully, I am not a keeper like my husband who has difficulty throwing out junk mail. How did you think up all this "STUFF" that was in his collection? It seems he was on he run a lot, all over he world...was he a con- man? or ex prisoner? very interesting write!
Best, B

[alanwgraham]

I had to laugh at your comments. These are the exact contents of my bedside cabinet. Just an idea that popped into my head to portray myself.
Thanks for reading Betty.
All the best,
Alan

[Betty Hermelee]

I guess it's you Alan... you're definitely not a con-man!!!! very original! loved it....
Best, B

[Brad Dehler]

I feel like an explorer here. Looking through your personal effects. I felt like i kept rummaging as i read along. Intriguing write. Very interesting "signed by AWG", i like that. Upon second thought, now it reminds me of the liberties the FBI is taking now. This place is secure. I will keep reading, this is the first i have read of yours AWG. Thank you

[Terpsichore]

You never know when you might need some savlon, I mean, you might accidentally stab yourself with that pencil whilst searching for the fifty quid you absolutely know you left in the draw. :)

Great fun, and so true to life.

T.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks T. I've spent the 50 quid but I'm not saying on what. There are always some secrets!
Cheers,
Alan

[Beccy]

I have my grandma's bureau in my study. It was left to me when she sadly passed almost twenty years ago now. It's crammed full of 'stuff' and I honestly have no idea of the actual content, as I haven't delved into it for ages and ages.

Your search report has struck a real chord Alan; it's made me want to go and take a close up look at my life so far.

Beccy.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Beccy. Who we are - I don't think that can ever be answered. The sensible thing is just to get on with life. You might get a story or two from your Grandma's bureau.
All the best.
Alan

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Mike. This was an idea about exploring 'who are we?' I'm coming to the conclusion that there is no one answer to this question. There were a few items in the drawer that I thought twice about revealing and I still haven't given the details. I do find it frustrating on this site that you normally know nothing about who you are writing to - name, where, even what sex! Hope your own writing goes well.
Regatds.
ALan

[M.E.Lyle]

I read this and thought, who would have ever have thought to do something like this. It's pure genius.
It's surprising how we all seem to have much of the same sorts of things stashed somewhere about our little spaces. Our lives wrapped up in items put aside for another time to find them.
Loved it.Mike.

[alanwgraham]

Apologies M and thanks for your kind review. I don't know how i missed this . I really didnt know how this would go down but it seems to have rung some bell . It would be good to get some more personal writing here.
All the best.
Alan

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I love this I love raw honesty always have I think this is brilliant

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for your kind words J. I thought I would try something a bit different and I'm glad it's been appreciated. I think that Barley girl has also sussed out that i also reveal a lot about myself in my writing here. What else can you write about?
All the best.I
Alan

[barleygirl]

Amazing way to show a life. Since I do not collect junk like this (pretty ruthless about weeding out junk around here), I never would've thought that someone actually HAD each of these collections in any given drawer. I almost thought this was fiction until I read some of your back-and-forths in reviews, then I decided that you bravely show us your own packrat tendencies. I think these items reveal the majority of people, especially those who never move their residences for 30 or 40 years. I move too often, so things get chucked regularly! This is very thought-provoking. Makes other writers want to be more creative with presentation of ideas (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Margie - lucky you! I don't intentional hang on to stuff and I don't think it's unusual. For no particular reason I had supposed you had been in your house for ages. I just thought this would be another way to explore who we are. I did have to through away my hospital report. It made for difficult reading and I don't really want my kids to confront it at some point in the future. On the other hand I have been plucking courage to share my 'South Africa' manic adventure two years ago. A big challenge!
Summer has barely started here!
All the best.
Alan

[barleygirl]

I've been here 10 years . . . I was at my previous place 11 years . . . but before that, it was 2 years here & 4 years there, all the while!

[Paul Bell]

Do we actually put our whole life in drawers.
Except when we're looking for something, and it isn't there.
Graeme Obree, without googling, was he slightly genius and mad at the same time.
The answer is in the drawer, or is it.

[alanwgraham]

Very astute Paul. The contents of my drawer reveals something but not everything. Wherein lies the man? A tricky question but I think your writing may give more clues.
Thanks for your review! It would be great to rifle though some other drawers.
Cheers.
Alan

[alanwgraham]

I realise afterwards that I 'd meant to comment on your Obree ref. I have the book because I also am bipolar and I admire his courage in sharing his story. There is definitely a connection between genius and mania. But not always!
Thanks again.
Alan

[Paul Bell]

I sort of remember a documentary he was doing on himself, but can't remember how it turned out.

[Neville]

I think this is brilliant.. my guess is that others are currently too scared and self conscious to leave their mark here.. I hope I can convince some of them to let go.... and anyway, I'm gonna give ya 100/100 for this condensed but incredibly detailed autobiographical story ... Cheers AWG

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Neville. I would have been fairly certain that you would get this. There is a strong temptation to self censor. Two items on the above list are now in the bin! As for what's in my head - that's another matter ha ha! I know that not everyone will get this.
Cheers, Alan

[Neville]

you are more than welcome Alan.. much more. N :)