Google Press Center: Zeitgeist

Google Press Center: Zeitgeist I love it always have and yup I remember the first one.

LookSmart's Furl - The WLSinfo Archive

LookSmart's Furl - The WLSinfo Archiveand sorting this thing.
Hels and Lila have been woring real hard on this stuff.

Obesitynews

ObesitynewsBeen sorting this place.

This week I have been mostly

Messsing with Newsfeeds - deciding Firefox with Livelines extension is the way forward.
Sorting one or two sites.
And busy on WLSinfo.

Post Christmas

so its friday New years Eve I am assured a "normal working day" I remain on an annual leave.
Been to Tesco with Ally this AM
yesterday didnt do much frried ally and smart around
wednesday was likewise though we walked for a bit a got a cake and coffeee in neighbourhood. Went to Borders and see mum in the evening.
Tuesday Jean and I walked to Tesco her knees hurt afterwards.
Monday Slobbed about. Too much bad food about the house.

XML.com: What is RSS?

XML.com: What is RSS? Get my head round XML/RSS it hurts but I feel good when I get there.

Holiday Monday

Blogdigger : RSS / Atom Search Engine - Search Blogs

Blogdigger : RSS / Atom Search Engine - Search Blogslike this from kieran

Boxing Day

Sluggish start to a busy day go get me mum and then its all hans on deck for the boxing day family doo. Mum on good form and Bea and Eleanor from next door have a good time. Sue the dog provides intelligent conversation. Difficult to cater for all tastes from 14 years old to 90odd. So we resort to the common denominator of Bingo. Being computerised I use KazBingo. Top stuff. Ruth provides bingo cards and presents and the jobs a good un. Top stuff.

Christmas Day

Oh how things have changed - we have to wake Ally up, Jean is more excited than she is. Have to confess that she is excited by unwrapping her presents. I have to busy myself installing her speakers and dance mat. Turns out a bigger job than I thought but get sorted. Lunchtime sees us off to Ruth and Pauls for the first engagement of the day, exchange presents and then its off to get mum and go to Mary and Johns. Very pleasant Christmas lunch and a tad over indulgent post lunch drink. We play cards (at Nannas request) then its home.

Christmas eve

I forgot to mention was alcohol free. and strangely felt like poo the next day when I woke up.

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Christmas: a teetotaller's survival guide

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Christmas: a teetotaller's survival guide Made me chuckle.

Radio Times | 350 channels, 14 days

Radio Times | 350 channels, 14 days Spent some time reading the paper copy and was pleasantly suprised to find this.
Christmas and New Year Radio Times something of a tradition.

Friday or is it Christmas eve?

Its a week with too many sundays and I am confused. After awaiting instructions from Jean and Ally I drop the car off outside Ruth and Toms and walk down to Allerton Road.
First stop a surprisingly empty Tesco. I think the raiders have been in early on. Though only in pursuit of cranberry juice and ice cream I feel obliged to survey the wreckage. Veggies have been hammered, with collateral damage n the bakery. Christmas gift items are already significantly discounted and I note in the newsagents smartie cream egg type things.
The store seems devoid of pastry products but anyway stuck for a turkey or cheese seems lucky. Even the tills are empty and I dont have to queue. I score some Caramel chew chew and Phish food
Then its along allerton road to the chandlers that word always reminds me of the smell of parrafin. To do with memories from childhood.
I love local news so when I stumble across a guernsey website the headlines tickle me
I especially enjoy the last two.
Industrial action at Guernsey Gas
There's an industrial dispute at Guernsey Gas. Employees are refusing to work overtime. The decision from the GMB union comes after frustration over talks concerning pay. Domestic customers may feel the brunt of the dispute over the Christmas period.
Bailiff issues Christmas message
Care about your children this Christmas time. The Bailiff Sir De Vic Carey says he sees a lot of unhapiness locally, with children not receiving the support and care they need from their parents, with is their birth right. He says one of the greatest achievments of the States this year, was accepting the new children's laws Sir De Vic hopes this Christmas will be a time of focusing on Bailiwick youngsters.
Big changes for Guernsey in 2005
2005's set to be a big year of change for Guernsey. Both the Bailiff and Lieutenant Governor are stepping down. Sir De Vic Carey retires in June, Sir John Foley will be moving back to Herefordshire with his family in September. And Sir John admits it'll be sad moving on.
Busy 2005 for Alderney States
Alderney's 10 states members have a busy year ahead of them. The Island's President, Sir Norman Browse says last year involved a lot of discussions about Alderney's developments and problems, but 2005 is the time to act on some of these pressing issues. Sir Norman says there's lots for the new look states to be getting on with.
Christmas message from Seigneur
Sark's Seigneur Michael Beaumont's wishing Sark's residents an enjoyable Christmas, and a prosperous new year.He believes 2004 hasn't been a bad year for the Island but was far from brilliant, with visitor figures staying stable. Mr Beaumont believes 2005's set to be hectic, with the new government laws coming into power.
Salvation Army holding lunch
The Salvation Army's once again opening its doors, to those who'd otherwise be alone on Christmas Day. Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings is laid on for the mainly elderly guests, Captain Victoria Lang says it's always a very special day.
OUR sets out guidelines for C and W
Guidelines on how Cable and Wireless Guernsey should prepare its regulatory accounts, have been released by the Office of Utility Regulation. It follows consultation in September this year. You can take a closer look at the report on the OUR's website regultil dot gg.
Hospital parking expands
There's an early Christmas present for hospital staff and visitors. The new car park at La Corbinerie with 200 spaces opens today, it cost in the region of £800,000. The States agreed to the plans earlier this year.
Local cat survives accident
A local cat has used up one of its nine lives to get it through to Christmas after swallowing a needle and thread. The frightened feline had the potentially lethal object removed by Vets4pets. They're warning all cat owners to be careful what they leave lying around, especially at this time of year.
Christmas costume stolen
A 'currant' favourite of Fancy That customers, has gone on the run. The giant Christmas pudding outfit was hired out two weeks ago under a bogus name and number, but hasn't been seen since. So as the shop's festive spirit's gone up in flames, Jo Francis says they'll have to introduce tighter security.

Thursday annual leave

Mess about in the AM. Jean has inteview for Community Elderly Rehab Team job, she comes home after to change into her work clothes, I get dropped at Nannas take lunch with mum mary and john. Then I get dropped off at tesco and walk up green lane to home. Very pleasant bright day. Jean is successful in getting the job - hurrah! Then in the evening I'm off out with the boys from the extended family. Two of Jeans brothers and co. Very pleasant evening in the Rose of Mossley Reviewed here. Then a bracing trot up rose lane and green lane takes me home . Good night.

Wednesday feeling better

Title says it all. Definitely lighter in the Gastro-intestinal tract.
Head in to the works to catch up with Ray a smashing bloke who is genuinely excited by the capabilites of vision how sad are we.
Then a quick lunch with Ray Maurice and Sharon and Peter. Then a meet with Kathryn from MIAA who surprisingly given their high tech profile dont appear to have an internet presence (at least according to Google). Even Cobain has only a couple of hits in google shame boy!
Then a dash over to M&S New Mersey for Christmas provisions. Home via mums and Smart and Ally are in attendance. So its duck and veg in the dining room for us.

Tuesday - Intestinal turmoil

Even the message from the good Dr Reid fails to sort my belly. Slightly disturbed today so I wander not from from a toilet and get quite a bit done working from my virtual network connection via my newly upgraged 4meg Blueyonder broad band link. How cool is that. Feel ropey all day and have early night.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE
I am writing to offer my very sincere thanks for your hard work during 2004.
I know you are being challenged to work differently and are responding positively to that challenge. By working together throughout the year in new and more effective ways you have not only raised the standard of healthcare and extended people’s choice of NHS services, you have also continued to speed up access to treatment.
I hope you can see the difference it is making to the most important people - your patients. Real improvements are coming through and patients tell me they appreciate them.
In emergency care, at the beginning of last year around a quarter of patients spent more than four hours in A&E. Now 19 out of 20 patients are seen, diagnosed and treated within four hours and the NHS is on track to make that 49 out of 50 within a few months.
NHS staff know better than anyone that this is the result of hard work in hospitals and in the community. Extra pressure in A&E is transmitted throughout the health and social care system; so reductions in emergency waits can only be achieved when everyone works together.
In primary care there have been some excellent examples of initiatives to prevent hospitalisation of older people and offer care to patients in the community.
Right throughout the NHS and social care system, you have achieved many of the targets set by the NHS Plan ahead of schedule. However, many challenges remain for the immediate future.
During 2004, the Government launched the NHS Improvement Plan, outlining plans to offer greater choice and personalisation of services. This improvement is what people want and it is important that we all work to provide it so that the NHS remains everybody’s first choice for healthcare.
The public health White Paper, Choosing Health, was launched in November. It outlines our proposals for tackling the health inequalities that blight our society and signals a shift of emphasis from treatment of illness to prevention and support for people to live a healthy lifestyle.
So now, as we approach the end of the year and the holiday season, I would like to pay tribute to the year-round dedication to duty and support for colleagues that makes achievements like these possible.
People are rightly proud of the NHS. I would like once more to want to thank you in advance for your commitment to patients and to the values of the NHS. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year and I look forward to working with you on the challenges ahead.
John Reid

Monday

Off to hammy for a meet with Carolin Phil Paul and Andrew. Thought provoking stuff. Wander round town and grab a bite of lunch with Paul. Then its back to the works were an inertia seems to have happened. Thinks can inertia happen? sort out things. Then home and the MSN online meeting of the staff team at wlsinfo. Good stuff. A good few laffs and off to bed.

Technorati: What's happening on the Web right now

Technorati: What's happening on the Web right now Fascinating.

Tom Roper's Weblog: Library conference blogs

Tom Roper's Weblog: Library conference blogs: "TrackBack" Loopyboy Kieran gets a mention.

It's a Fat Life

It's a Fat Life Spoke volumes for me.

Boris Johnson MP

Boris Johnson MPa few chucles in here. Love the Brenda story.

KennethClare1

KennethClare1 Scary stuff I happened across.

Sunday - top man jk

JK arrives in what feels like the middle of the night. He fits a cd/radio and sorts the heating out top fella. Jean takes her mum and ruth to the crem. We chill round the house then I'm off for walk. Tree is decorated and looks good. Watch the carol show from Eley.

Saturday replay

I just blogged this and it dissapeared so in brief.
christmas tree - asda tesco home christmas tree up walking to allerton road. buy christmas tree chocs go to thorntons place get cards. home telly, and events I feel unable to blog about without geting family members to agree to disclosure. Ally has agreed she rang from town to say she was bringing smart her boyfriend home. Jean panicked big time but not as much as me. It was a good event and we get home after dropping him off at home.

Saturday, Christmas is coming

Its traditional we get the tree from williams nursery in Gateacre. Get a norman spruce for 30 sovs which seems cheaper than of latter years. Then its off to Asda and then Tesco Woolton. Take a walk to Allerton Road in search of christmas tree chocolates. Mission accomplished and score christmas cards for jean and ally, and some thorntons gear.
Home and feeling considerably more christmassy.

Friday

Met with Ray and Peter to get Ray to explore capabilities of software for mobile phone monitoring. (Bills not calls). V. useful then I'm off to Rathbone to pick up some vouchers for my 25 years service - made up. Back to the works for the steam cuisinr I brought in catch up with two new starters for the informatics team, introduce them to Lesley, Eileen and Linda. useful for me in understanding their roles and perceptions of informatics. Turns into a useful session for me. \then a few calls, sort emails and off home. Jean is off out at 5.15 so I need to motor, pick her up Ally feeling below par, me knakkered and so I jib the christmas night out. I was going to drive home so I would have been quiet. Feel miserable as well and a bit miserable about not going so I email sam and veronica. Drop Jean off at Jalons, and back home. Ronnie Corbett excellent on Have I got news for you. Then Vegan on Jonny Ross. Boring but me.

Busy boy Thursday.

Start the day at Hammy. First up its a Information Governance Toolkit gig, led by Pauline and John. Me Big Bri and George in attendance. Good session and we finish early. A gap in between meets lets me catch up with amanda, (nice brew) Paul Hackett has a new job at the StHA. Then its in to catch Karen - well worth it top character straight to the point and cuts to the bottom line. Bet shes a hard task master though.
Then on to Data Quality and Clinical coding steering group. Janet who is a star, Nick a real top bloke, dont know what his day job is but he back from the gulf. Bit frustrated at the machinations of the nhs. Joined by alison from the royal and sue from cheshire and the star ann from merseycare. couple of hours in here then its into Garston for Prof.Moriss. A long wait - part of the problem of being a hidden patient (ie not appearing on the system) but well. He is great and we make a plan and discuss my advance statement.

Wednesday

Earlier start than usual go to pick caroline up from home. Then its off to the works. She's in for a blue sky meeting. I have a very peasant meet with anne molton. Top girl, was a ahappy chiropodist till I plucked her and got her into management. Poor girl. We were very happy when we worked at maghull. She is now head honcho podiatry. Based at dovecot it seems to be a happening place. We reminisce most enjoyable. We also discuss at length service to podiarists. Every time I talk to clinicians I get a.set of complex problems which seem tough to sort. Discuss with caroline that we need a mechanism. Drop her off at home then its off to greenbank for lunch with jk. Top man, makes me smile. Then back to the works work at desk. Catch up with veronica and discuss NPfIT. Then to mums pick her up then off to tesco in old swan. Do a bit for christmas and mum buys me a jacket, pants and a shirt. Goes well but this numbskull has forgot his clubcard doh! Home for a late tea knakkered.

Tuesday phones and stuff.

Meet with dave who I have known for hundreds of years. He was at nmct hundreds of years ago. Did fone installs at several places for me. Good man. Todays subject is mobile telephony. I am doing a review. Big cost pressure with little evidence of control to me oops better sort that then. Kim and dave from finance laid aside with mumps I hear.
After dave its off to ong lane district nurse centre. This proved difficult to visualise from the instructions I am given. It is because I cannot comprehend that the directions given to me relate to long lane. Its when look at multimap that I see my problem. I didn't realise that long lane ended where it did. Ah well live and learn.
I arrive early as ever meet rhiannon v.nice care manager. Helen h/v arrives and then veronica. I have arrived to gegg in on them doing a presentation on NPfIT. To be onest I want to hear the message to make sure I am "on message." That wil be a first. I find it very useful, I learn a lot and their style is good. Then its back to the works. Home skip cell to take ally to borders and spend some quality time. Home bed.

Monday getting back to my roots.

After a morning of senior manager and a trot on shanks pony over to the retail I'm off to what I do best, in a place thats familar. Pressing the flesh with clinicians "ooer Matron", in Netherton Health Centre. Next door to the feelgood factory which wasnt there last time I went. I used to be a locality manager in Maghull and I used to cross the bounary to go to Netherton to see the therapists I managed. Jenny from Rehab at Home and she gives lots of good feedback on the service informatics provides. She is also praising The loopy lad. Impressive stuff. Then its across the room to Clare OT leader of SSTART (not much in google on that one). Back to the works and catch up. Home. Talk a producer from the Beeb about Obesity and surgery. Getting a feeling that this is a good team, some of the media types are real charlatans and despite how much they reassure you, theres always a feeling they really want to up the ratings by making you look daft. Emma seems a good un. I take it as a good opportunity to educate and evangelise. Seems odd on the same day that a dude from LSE trys to engage me in doing some work with her around surgery. Not often PhD people send me their CV. Shes a good un too. Her project proposal strangely mirrors the program proposal. Chill Spooks - last episode. Bed - late night for reasons to complex to blog.

Sunday

Idle aroud in the am try on the shirt I wore last christmas day feels tight on the belly. Need to work harder walk to ruth and pauls and forego pud. and walk home too.
Get a few things sorted on site and I feel lots better.

Saturday

Ally is off to town, jean and I lunch at neighbourhood at the end of the road I have a very toothsome open turkey sandwich, which is like a mini roast dinner. After that and the pleasant revelation they serve speckled hen its off for an idiot tax stake. We hear a roar from the Halfway someone has scored in the derby. Deep joy its a blue, jean is chuffed so we go in and enfoy the last 20 mins of nail biting stuff. Evertonians in the minority so I cheer for them (I guess I historically lean more that way). They exit quickly in delight at 1-0 win. After tea I go to Mary and Johns in culcheth, glad to drop their PC after a pile of poop. Head home and watch billy connolly in new zealand.

A week in a minute.

Monday - work home tired.
Tuesday 9am teambrief training by nigel from some firm OK at Bridge chapel cell meet
Wednesday - working hard
Thursday - likewise
Friday Linda
Starting toi get head my head round things
Lunched in a couple of places. Eating too much (I worry - Jean tells me I aint gaining).
Ended up at Beas on friday as usual
Heard from new dad clarkey

Google

Google I like this sort of stuff deeply sad I know.

loopy - quality indie-pop

loopy - quality indie-popHappened on this when looking for the loopy boy.

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Dr Reid, from broadside to bedside manner

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Dr Reid, from broadside to bedside mannerMade me chuckle on a winters evening.

Guardian Unlimited | Online | Wicked questions about electronic records

Guardian Unlimited | Online | Wicked questions about electronic recordsLiked this polemic.

FeedFire.com: RSS feed creation facility: Simple, quick and easy.

FeedFire.com: RSS feed creation facility: Simple, quick and easy.Sad but I likes it

Google Ultimate Interface - Fagan Finder

Google Ultimate Interface - Fagan Finder

Google Scholar

Google Scholar

Regard - An ESRC funded database service for social science research [Home]

Regard - An ESRC funded database service for social science research [Home] Could be useful.

Three views of the same faith

Start the morning (after feeling faint) pick up mother and off to Ellis Prestons christening at It says Knotty Ash but it looks and feels like Huyton to me. Three others being done this morning by the rather effete priest father martin - my hearing is dreadful. By an amazing coincidence Mary is at the same church for a different christening. they have booked the parish club next door so we have to away to ST Alsin Roby a well dodgy gaff - which makes the cricket club where I have the birthday partys seem upmarket.

Blog Counter - free blog hit counter, traffic analyzer & visitor IP tracking stats

Blog Counter - free blog hit counter, traffic analyzer & visitor IP tracking stats May add this.

Saturday

Jean hits town Ally and I go the Spirit of the blitz to see nanny banks - its the last day tomorrow. Ally seems to approve. then its lunch in the caff - she has a baguette i have a toothsome salmon and prawn pasta - which uncharacteristically for a 4.95 meal is exactly as deliciously described on the menu. I have heard from an old acquaintance who I did some work with a while back - no details to be shared yet but another interesting project on the blocks. He reads the blog - that'll be 4 of you then.
the afternoon spent disinfecting my sisters PC which isnt funny.
It is badly virus trojaned and browser hijacked.
Not funny.
Hard work but a process during which I learn a lot. Relax in the evening.

TW3

Not a cryptic reference to 60's satire but a reference to the fact I been too busy to blog.
Last item took us to Tuesday evening I got home and then its off to cell. A moving experience for sure and the power moving in that group is palpable. Jack gives me a small clay pot with a text in it - refers to significance. look away loopyboy. Home and feeling better sleep again.
Wednesday.
Off to Abercromby Health Centrewhich although it belongs to CLPCT it also contains services provided by SLPCT staff. So I am meeting Shirley head honcho dietitian - always an odd feeling meeting dietitians for me. Shirley and i go back a long wat so no discomfort there. I also talk to her colleague Brian who is keen to explore some aspects of my surgery. I however am there for the day job so I dont evangelise too much. They have one PC between them and one in a box thats been there for 12 months(so lets get sorted).
Then into a big dietitians room with 7 or 8 chairs two PC's up to 16 staff hotdesking including an A&C who is on the pC most of the time and a clapped out printer. Easy stuff to sort.
Licence for SPSS less easy - a few quick wins and I am off.
Concious that about 10 am Jean is being interviewed for the professional lead in OT at the works. I am therefore shocked when I arrive back and see her sat at Davids desk in our office - scary I leave quickly and have a meeting with Terri about Choose and Book Erefferals and EPOC and all sorts - legacy systems integration engines and messaging solutions.
Lunch then its off to Hammy to meet the the Queen of IG with Pauline an enthusiast and dyed in the wool socialist so we can dig that. She hass a new assistant John and together they are sorting South out. Get a message from Jean to say she didnt get it - gutted aint the word - but it aint meant to be I conclude. Still she is hurting so I buy some flowers on the way home and attempt to appear supportive. Bad timing means I am off to the quiz night at Winwick and as its the Christmas night out we hit the dragon and phoenix in Newton-le-willows which is a typical non chinatown chinese. I remember it opening 20 odd years ago - how sad is that. The food wouldnt be out of place in the sort of gaff you find in Pwhelli or somewhere. Not many chinese people eating in there. chilli beef and potato a low spot. Good quiz then home
To be continued....

Thursday
Into Hammy for a 9.30 big meet with the Heads of Informatics (or IM&T)(or ICT) across the patch. It isnt anticipated as being easy but goes smoother than I thought.
We are reorganising basically and we were discussing the options. I am all for it and see it as a big opportunity both on a personal and organisational level. (nope its true that aint spin).
At lunchtime Paul-T and scoot into town. I am still amazed at how close it has moved since since I had my op. We take lunch at this branch of Heathcotes I am impressed and go for a lorenzo (nannas malapropism for a lasagne). Paul takes some sort of sandwich, we then stroll around shops and he shows me clothing and footwear which cost the GDP of a small african country. He is a smart feller for sure. No M&S for that boy.
Then its back to the works and useful meeting with Caroline who is on phased return.
home and out gain... to the christmas curry club (but I only stay for the pub bit) the boys are on fine form but seem to be drinking more than usual.
Friday
Up with the lark and into the works - prep at my desk and then get cakes for team meet. Fill in an incident form (serious management stuff). Off to Hammy meet with Adam, home and then chill in the evening.

Tuesday - two week follow up to Frank

Call in for 9.30 appt going in right direction but with bipolar the constant balance is not to go too far down one pole, had had a shakey time over the weekend when I wondered but careful review with Frank reveals that is clearly not the case. Did wake up however with a swollen left foot - how unamusing, particularly as I know the cause. Gout my old friend who hasnt visited for some time. Never before was a disease invented which combines extreme pain with extreme humiliation. Obviously people suspect I have supped 62 flagons of claret over the weekend, when alarmingly I have been alcohol free since saturday night. Frank prescribes a course of cox-2 inhibitors and a leaflet. Back to the works and a catching up. Never before I have been so on top of the day to day stuff in a job. Then home (to sort Ally, who is back to school tomorrow). Back, Caroline rearranges so I end up in the Incident/accident training. Felt a bit odd as it was an eclectic mix, thought I was a bit out of place till Val my boss and a Director joined us. Poor Kevin the Risk Management man who did a sterling job of breathing life into a potential mind numbing experience. Health and Safety always ends up a bit like The stumphole cavern guide. A reference you'll either get straight off or will baffle you.

Monday

Same meeting goes on all day? Least that's how it feels at times. The morning is my first time at "departmental heads" find out snippets but nothing majorly new. I scoot home at lunchtime to see ally as she has stayed off. She seems ok but is listless and vaguely unwell I scoot back to work and its part two of meeting land its part two now clinical governance but some faces the same. Call at mums on way home she is doing well. I get home speak to auds on fone. Eat and chill watching spooks.

Saturday

Take Ally to town return via Old Swan Tesco where I have dropped in pick up what I missed off the list last night. Not much in reality. Then home and sort stuff for tomorrow. Unsure about the gym and dont go and feel guilt. I am sure that isnt good for me to feel bad. Then Tesco man drops off, and 30 mins later brings the rest back. Teatime (Tesco finest Lasagne). Then sorting ebox and site stuff, forget to make chilli for tomorrow apologise to Jean and watch Billy Connolly then bed.

home

The Spinners remind me of this duo oh no Bridie is Brown bread

The Spinners - folk music from Liverpool

The Spinners - folk music from Liverpool Thiese lads were in my mind this morning.

The Boys' Brigade UK

The Boys' Brigade UK So I have to look here for a BB link

What is a lagerphone?

What is a lagerphone?: "'Lagerphone or Murrimbidgee River Rattler. An upright pole with two
crosspieces upon which are screwed beer bottle tops. The noise is made
by hitting the instrument on the floor, at the same time striking the
middle section with a with a solid piece of wood.' The Bushwackers Australian Songbook " I used to be in a percusssion band in the junior section Boys Brigade. I played tambourine - my flourish in Land of Hope and Glory was famous.

Friday off work

Which means I only have to go in for an hour and a bit. Rounding off the NPfIT baseline return which deeply enjoy (not). Thanks to Pete and Andy for doing it all though. Then call in at Mothers go home. Pick Ally up from Allerton Road and we take our meal in greenbank (lamb kebab no rice). Then off to Beas. Jean is out on her first christmas night out of the season. She was off to Liverpool Ask which was better than the corporate website implies. I stay at home and foolishly do the tesco shop from the wrong end of a red wine glass. Be interested to see what arrives.

Thursday full day

Start the day at burlington house home of this fine organisation parking is a mess though and I end up squatting in the car park of what I think is the civic hall. I take the opportunity to dump some recycling on the way. Good orientation meet with Jill who is a facilitator to support NPfIT and we share some old friends.
Notice that Kieran and Gordon Jones, that fine Ulsterman, have commented here. None of my sharp eyed visitors have commented on my new search tool for WLSinfo scroll down to the bottom of the Blog for info. Then its off to North to see Paul T. He and I have been working closely and its beneficial and supportive in these changing times. I irritate him by changing the settings on a TFT to the correct setting. It makes a real difference. We head to Hammy for the 2pm meet re LDP and stop at the Tai-pan for a business mans lunch top notch.
Productive meet and plenty of scope for the future in the LDP then its back to the works for a meet with Peter and Andy re the NPfIT baseline financial template, long job but needs sorting, I get in at 6.45 ouch. Tea then take Ally to Starbucks and Macdonalds then home for Blackpool on the Beeb.

Wednesday

to be filed later

Tuesday

This senior manager stuff is serious I am acting the part. Mood wise things are improving slightly. The feeling of contributing in some way to the organisation is in itself rewarding. Still no news on re-organsation but business continues. I even start responding to serious emails. - that is scary.
A morning at the desk then onetoone with Val she is a great encourager. Then off to Hammy to see Jeanette she is heading up Single Asseessment using Easycare and a the web portal project for primary care amongst other things. A fine member of the LIS I ran in the Chester corporate cup with her Paul and Fran in 2003. The down to Mossley Hill to see Angela D who runs the learning and development bureau. Then home tea and off to the Speke starbucks with Ally.
Home tired.
Somehow Wednesday got missed out the final edit - how did that happen.
Nothing against it as a day just too darn busy to fit it in. I should have been over to Old Trafford home of Lancashire La-La-La for a seminar hosted by MR Vodafone given the wodge he is making out of the NHS he should have come and picked me up but I skip the thought of a corporate freebie (sorry learning opportunity) and stick to work - Serious stuff thinks I (again me acting responsibly in a manner becoming my role). I polish off lots of stuff at work then off to Hammy via M&S speke (Hoi sin duck wrap) apologies for a culinary reference - I was accused of to much detailed reportage on my troughing habits by blog followers. But given the title of my blog some mention of fodder is inevitable.
Anyway John Billo re N3 he starts with his usual lovable human friendly language of fat pipes and big boxes before we descend (or ascend) to gigabits and routers. He is a geek - he thinks I am one too. We both want an MP3 he is off to USA and willpick one up. We talk about N3 somebodys idea for a natty name for New National Network. Useful meet and we share a mutual interest in voice and data convergence. (Would you rather I talked about food).
Then meet Judie I havent googled her name as she has recently changed it. She is a practice nurse project manager in NCRS no link (cause I cant find one). Finish at ten to 4 and instead of heading home trundle to the matchworks. Call on mater on the way home - get in and relax.

Monday comes around

Start the day with a jolt, things aint right in life and its one of those occaisions when I wish I was an anonymous blogger. Many times I regret my openess in declaring my identity so openly. Often related to work issues when.I envy dr dre of anytown, or issues when I wish I had the freedoms of belle or the girl with a one track. Can't even discuss the family here. Kieran (who) I note is 2 years a blogger feels less constrained than me. Anyhow off to work and I address well the issues of middle management in informatics. Then off with kim to the comedy pub where today their theme is lateness of delivery. They try to compensate with garlic bread but it doesn't cut. Then its back to the works and a meet with jeanette and peter. Then a tour for peter around part of the patch to acclimatise him to the patch. Head to mums pick up post. Then to gym. Doh no training shoes, still meet jack and sally on the way home. They are a delight I have forgotten how I miss jacks encouragement at the gym. Donna and her husband are there too, great stuff. Then home eat spooks and bed.

Prevalence of Overweight & Obesity Among Diabetic Adults USA 1988-1994 & 1999-2002

Prevalence of Overweight & Obesity Among Diabetic Adults USA 1988-1994 & 1999-2002

Sunday afternoon

A nice afternoon at Marys. Always makes me miss the whiskey as John has a fine collection. I have sunk plenty there. His current favorite is Lagavulin. Very pleasant afternoon and a couple of ports. Home and relax.

Saturday again

Asked Jean what I did yesterday the response was too rude to post. But sounded like a stately home. I actually went to the gym in the afternoon and a little bit more than my prescribed program - felt good. A tad of confusion round cars but all turned out well. There was a national boccia gig going down at greenbank. Seemed a big deal, not sure I can get excited about something I am not sure how to pronounce. Then we went off to the Great wall the owner is a self confessed geek. Bea treats us to an early evening spesh. Back home and chill.

Band Aid 20 Social Gaff

So there I was in the gym - just finished my new workout and some woman comes on the telly (turns out later it was madonna) and some version of Band aid comes on. Me I just blissfully unaware think its something to do with Children in Need/Band Aid thats been in the news all week. Little did I know that it was the live debut of Still unimpressed.

Anyway Fiday I'm off and its messing about in the am off to the depressing jungle that is Old Swan - got a bit better than the old days since the Tesco Megastore sprawled on one corner. Still the NHS got a health centre and walk in centre as a side effect.
Pay in a cheque and sort dry cleaning then off to meet JK at Greenbak for lunch.
Good time then back to Mums shes out - Tesco to pick up a butty.
Then Ally gets in and I plan to make my own way to town for Novemberfest.
Start with this - poor followed by Robin which I presumed hailed from here. Still not good then tried Monster Mash which doesnt appear to be this One
The settle on Z rod. The company is excellent. Terry Mickey and Maurice a nurse and playwright - smashing bloke who makes me think and challenges every argument. Clever bloke.

Obetech, LLC

Obetech, LLC Happened across this - the nice man will send you a home test kit 125USD

Thursday Busy day.

In to Hammy House for 8.50 dropping Ally off on the way. Poor training system trainer boy is late. Problems with trains - roads were bad too. Have the necessary and then its up to meet with Tony via the library. Tracey kindly fills in Allys work experience form for next year. Good meeting with Tony - then half a days annual leave.
Meet with Darren - then of to MRC trial steering group gig. A bit of background :-

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

The project is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and is a cluster randomised controlled trial designed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of training Key Workers in an enhanced form of relapse prevention for people with bipolar disorder and their relatives. The study is based at the University of Liverpool and participants will be recruited from 3 NHS trusts in the North West. The Principal Investigator is Dr Fiona Lobban.

Summary of protocol

Co-applicants : Prof Richard Morriss, Dr Peter Kinderman, Dr Carol Gamble

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a common and severe form of mental illness characterised by repeated relapses of mania or depression. Recurrence rates are high at around 50% at one year and 70% at four years. Pharmacotherapy is the main treatment currently offered, but this has only limited effectiveness. Surveys of patient organisations in the US and UK reveal a strong wish by patients for both self-help and psychological treatments in addition to pharmacotherapy. One form of intervention is to teach patients with BD to recognise and manage early warning signs (EWS) of mania and depressive episodes.

In this study we aim to develop the RP approach described by Perry et al. The key developments will involve increased focus on identifying and coping with early signs of depressive relapse, and involving a friend or relative to aid this process. Experience with RP suggests that with refinement this intervention alone can be delivered in 4 sessions. The ERP intervention in this study will be six sessions in total and will be designed to be offered by Key Workers in Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), thus increasing availability within an NHS setting. The approach is consistent with the Department of Health remit for CMHTs to offer psychological interventions aimed at preventing relapse in people with severe mental illnesses ("such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder") and to work with both patients and carers. The study therefore addresses the important issue of transferring evidence-based interventions from psychological research settings into NHS practice, which can then be implemented nationally and internationally.

Ten CMHTs will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive training in ERP or to administer TAU. It is estimated that there will be 4 KWs in each team who have active caseloads of people with BD. Training will be offered in 2 separate groups of 10 KWs in order to allow training to be run using a workshop format. It is estimated that each KW will have a current caseload of approximately 3 patients eligible for the study giving a sample of 120 patients.

The proportion of KWs meeting criteria for successful demonstration of all key components of ERP at the end of training will be reported. Estimates of treatment effect will be calculated for each outcome allowing for the effects of within and between cluster variation. Qualitative interviews with service users, carers and key workers to assess their experiences of the intervention will be analysed using thematic analysis.

Then off to gym for pre booked meeting with Marvin who is a great encourager. He is busy - Sarah steps in and rewrites me a program. Well impressed and it feels good. I go on a rowing machine for the first time. Top stuff.

Wednesday Graphnet and finance training.

Start the day with a meeting with Val project manager from Central she has been working hard on the implementation of Graphnet amongst other things. She guides me around the tracking database the NHSIA's method of data collection. After a steam cuisine half price lunch from M&S then its in to finance training for non financial managers. Some new facts interesting packaged.
Then its home via mums - she is doing OK though progress slower than she'd prefer.
Off to Winwick for the quiz with Mickey Margaret and Adair. Apparently we won last time. Well impressed. Good laff and then back home.

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society Guardian | Zenna Atkins: Primary care trusts can transform healthcare

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society Guardian | Zenna Atkins: Primary care trusts can transform healthcare Interesting piece by a PCT chair.

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | A pie, a pint, a puff - welcome to the nanny state

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | A pie, a pint, a puff - welcome to the nanny state Excellent view on the white paper by Simon Hoggart.

Payments - Merseycare NHS Trust

Payments - Merseycare NHS Trust Needed a reference for the group meeting tomorrow.

Randomised controlled trial of efficacy of teaching patients with bipolar disorder to identify early symptoms of relapse and obtain treatment -- Perry

Randomised controlled trial of efficacy of teaching patients with bipolar disorder to identify early symptoms of relapse and obtain treatment -- Perry et al. 318 (7177): 149 -- BMJ Another good one from the stable of this prolific author.

Bipolar affective disorder---left out in the cold -- Morriss et al. 324 (7329): 61 -- BMJ

Bipolar affective disorder---left out in the cold -- Morriss et al. 324 (7329): 61 -- BMJ Good stuff from the Prof as I read to prepare meself for tomorrows meet.

Tuesday off to Frank

In order to cease decline into a depressive phase I visit the good Doctor Hargreaves. He practises whole medicine. Mind body and soul gig. I realised over the weekend that I have several issues about my dad and postulate if my recurrent November downer is part of that. Clearly other facors are the seasonal change and the impending approach of Christmas. I am referred for counselling, a new spiritual study pack advised and add prozac into the mix. All good stuff. See Ida the practice manager and get gentle nudge about system upgrade (which needs doing). Off to Tesco fill the script and pop the pills. Checkout using the selfservice gig which is always good for a few homer moments. Back to the works and wade thro stuff. Plenty to do and it feels like I am catching up. Back home and intestinally disturbed ??? prozac usually thats nausea and this is kinda lower. Out to Greenbank (just Ally and I join David and Gwen for Tea) v. nice and a good few arrive for the support group. A guy M. who has lost a dramatic amount of weight has quite a profound effect on me. More in the way his life had changed than in his appearance. Once again realise that weight loss is only part of the issue - lifeback for guys like M. Gone from being housebound during daylight due to ridicule from kids to going on holiday abroad next week (and I have his permission to tell his tale). A good result.

Choosing Health: making healthier choices easier

Choosing Health: making healthier choices easier: "No"

The Good Loo Guide

The Good Loo Guide: "UKA typo when looking for Kieran" Led here

ThinkNet Information

ThinkNet Information Indebted to Paul Smith for pointing the way to this.

Monday goodbye to the many named lady.

Into work for a brief half day - a quick sandwich at Starbucks then off to This pleasant building For Pats (elderly next door neighbours funeral). She was known to to the family as Peggy, but her real name was Patience (which she hated). This was eloquently explained by Jane the curate in her eulogy. None of this explained why her sister Eleanor is called Nell or Gladys. Mebbe it was a case of she has three names I want three too.
Then over to the abbey for a swift half of Rev. James Bitter 4.5% (afternoon bevvie always delicious in its sinfulness).
Funeral party return from crem and its butties and finger buffet all round. I sit with a fellow neighbour and though we have lived next door but one for 16 years we know little of each other. Home prepare food.
Off to tesco to buy ally something she wants to eat - chicken stir fry is plumped for.
Then home Colin is there and needs help organising his wee break at the end of the month is the destination via Ryanair and Easyjet sorted

Monday - management time again

Prosperity not here mate

Only got two numbers in the idiot tax ah well there is always next week.
More linux fun then its out for lunch. The other place for us top meal.
I do salmon patties with thaimayo, monkfish on crushed spud with an oily sauce and pak choi. Rustic apple tart and baby food to follow. Back to ours and chilleroo. tres bien.
Then off to mums she doing well it seems.
Home and watch the excellent conviction. on Beeb 3. Classic stuff

Welcome

Hai Karate another fave.

Brut Cologne by Faberge Perfume for Men

Brut Cologne by Faberge Perfume for Men brut 33 still going - I preferred the silver version.

Old Spice

Old Spice I cant believe this is still going. The search was brought on by me mum saying I smelt like a jessie. This was cool in the 70's

Guardian Unlimited | Guardian daily comment | We can be consumers and citizens

Guardian Unlimited | Guardian daily comment | We can be consumers and citizens A piece by Dr Reid doesnt bode well for Tuesdays white paper.

Weblogs Compendium - Blog Tools

Weblogs Compendium - Blog Tools: "Blog Navigatormakes
it easy to read blogs on the Internet. It integrates into various blog
search engines and can automatically determine RSS feeds from within
properly coded websites"
Thought it ws time I updated my blogging tools.

JustBlogIt with a simple right-click.

JustBlogIt with a simple right-click.: "What is JustBlogIt?
JustBlogIt is a Mozilla / Firefox extension to allow easy right-click posting to a weblog. From any website your new blog post is only a right-click away."

Home agai

More linux fun learn a lot but its time consuming fun. Vineeta picks up a few jobs by fone. Top stuff and is proof positive that at least 2 non related peeps are readers of this rag. We sort some stuff and then its off to speke. Mums home so after MandS WHS and borders iys a visit there. Pick thro the leavings in MandS and get a few things. Chance a lottery toicket on vineetas assertion that last night was diwali and today is new year and prosperity abounds. We shall see.

Greenbank gym

Well I got there had planned public transport but the bus was early. So I took Jeans car the zafira has been requisitioned for mank excursion. Her car is noisy cold and has no radio. It does go eventually. Off to the gym pat the receptionist is fed up and we have a good natter. Into the gym and cath is on duty a decent gir studying for summat in learning disabiities or other. Just do cardio and enjoy it. Then its in to one busy restaurant where angelo and the other guy do a sterling job in the face of adversity. I owe em 200 notes or so (support group stuff) so I feel unable to complain at the lack of speed in food arriving. Still the garlic aroma from the kitchen is divine and I aint in a rush. Plan phase 1 of the KC WLSINFO masterplan whist I am waiting. The sun isa shining and I am on endorphins from the gym buzz.
I reflect on my apalling linux skills and decide a trip to borders to supplement knowledge on samba server may be indicated. It does hoever come with excellent docs I hear! Trouble is they are written by geeks for geeks. I know some readers may feel my geek credentials are unquestionable but believe me I struggle with this stuff. Tis hard but fun (I know that in itself is v.geeky). Don't wanna go to borders too early as the crowds (esp kids) distress my linux peace. Lentil soup and prawns arrive and are despatched. Lentil soup excellent - prawns less so. Usually the boys served here are grilled with their coats on, jacketless boys today I am afraid. Still hey ho.

Republish web site

Essential to do at some point.

So its Saturday and I am alone

The girls are off to Manc land with Ruth and Catherine shopping. So I have free reign some me time. What to do???
No work
No Website
Reinstall Suse (well underway).
Gym then lunch?
what about Tea?
Mothers in afternoon.
It seems a bright if cold day.
Online update to YAST underway.
Wholesale blogging and a bit of Linux and HTML may be indicated for this boy me thinks.
I shall keep you posted - those two have whipped my car and I need to ensure the room is booked for Tuesday nights support group. (I know it isnt but I am bluffing - it will be by tea time).

Friday - just a chilling.

Spend the morning trying to get my Linux box sorted just for the interested I am running Suse 9.1 in a bootable DVD I got off Linux Magazine. Seems to work fine until I start playing with Samba server. It appears on the network and all is well till I set up users and read write permissions (yup I know, v.sad). Anyway of to the Bear and Staff with Kim for lunch - the comedy pub as it is known doesnt fail to let us down. I wrestle with a nice shoulder of lamb. Off then to Tesco to purchase provisions of meal making proportions. Home then in to see Mum. She has had pacemaker fitted and it comes with a confusing manual. (No more spot welding for her I am afraid). She looks well and once again reminds me her generation is tougher than my own. Then off to Beas and Friday night is complete. Ally shocks us by dissapearing to bed (to sleep) at 9pm.
Crazy.

Thomas George Clark

Thomas George Clark A new life that is good news to start the day.

Thursday to you Friday to me

last day before the weekend and I am bushed. Traffic poop on way in to Hammy so I swing and head for the works. Get in and catch up with quite a bit. Paul Turner arrves and we scoot to Mr L's gaff for a pitta bread lunch. Tis full of beautiful people then theres me and Paul. In with Val for a good session in the afternoon. Get on with plenty then its off to see Sam the bluenose at CPA. Her back is sore and she aint walking well. Poor girl I remember the feeling well.
Home cook eat then off to see mum in B ward very clean gaff and they seem nicely bothered about personal hygiene.
Which is nice.
Home and watch Blackpool apols for ripping this off from the Sun website. Twas good made allthe better by steve from LOG.

No no no - It sure aint me babe

Now Who is this Kieran and what ya doing linking to it

Wednesday travelling man

All around the houses. Matchworks two meetings in Starbucks, Sarah and Paul - off to transport mum to sacred heart. Hammy Kieran books and and then Dell HCI meeting. Should have been meeting Dave B in Hammy but a cock up and hes in the works I am in Hammy. So a few calls then off home. Girls off shopping me enjoying reinstalling suse linux 9.1 and configuring my samba server.

Keyhole

KeyholeVery interesting Mr Bond.

Tuesday Womens Hospital

OPD at the gynae gaff, separate cars Jean gets in the carpark and the carpark full light lights up. Booger! nice blokey in yellow jacket says park on the kerb. In we go hours wait then see a nicer doctor than last time. Jean needs a hysteroscopy, daycase G/A in January - she is pleased getting fully investigated.
Then its off to jospice Thornton for the NPfIT awareness gig. Its good for me I learn loads. see lots of people I havent seen for years most enjoyable.
Home then more work on the estate.

Monday

Start the day with an early call from Eleanor our neighbour to say her sister Pat died in the night. both in their nineties, Jean will visit her later. Back to work and its a rude awakening. Busy boy doing the job. A whole day acting like a senior manager. See Rob Gandy and sort a few things out. NPfIT returns are important and due soon. Back to the works via the butty shop. Very strange, home then chilling big time, gotta sort stuff around Nannies affairs. House is sold and money banked. Spooks then early night.

Sunday

Post conference hangovers abound. Breakfast is muted. We dally around till leaving at 12Me ally and cardboard Ken in one car and Jean with Nor and Hels in another. We a50 and M6 home via Tesco. Chillin in the afternoon.

AHP

for work

AGM

Start the day in the "otium" clean boy, good breakfast and its all going well. Fi Auds Tosh Babs first to arrive on the Glasgae plane. Then I am locked into combat writing up my report presentation. 3 hours sees it sorted, then the thing wont open on the pendrive. So I do a rewrite and wing it. It went well good turnout. Hotel was hotel prices no surprises there then. Food we provided was ok but with our client group its difficult.
AGM stuff goes down wellish. Well its all done legal decent and honest. Then we just chill together its friends old and new. Only complaint from me is you could probably spend an hour with each person and it all goes in a snap.
Overwhelmed by peoples gratitude and thanks for what we have done.Top night.
I retire at 2 the party people at 5.30 tutut.

Friday where are we.

East Midlands Airport Thistle but where is that. It has a Derby postcode, is in Leicestershire but some locals describe it as in Nottingham. Interesting or what. Any way Clares esconced in non smoking triple after friday night down M6 A50 stopping at Little Chef on way.
In to "Otium" which sounds like part of an ear to me. I do the sauna shower steam room showerplunge pool gig. Difficulty of being near blind sans glasses and frightened of swimming pools and slippy feet doesntlead to relaxing potter around pool. Get in jacuzzi thing do three circuits banging and hammering various bits of plastic before I discover "Kayleigh" our helpful operative controls such matters centrally. Obviously Marillion were big here then. When the thing starts it is obviously cunning connected to the exhaust on a 737 and this boys baggy bathers are bloated bouyancy aids. I immediatly rise to the surface squealing like pig. In my momentary panic I recall the correct procedure is to release the waistband producing a voluminous botty burp effect which brings me down to earth for twenty seconds till they fill again and repeat. Sod this nautical nausea I am worn out shower and back to room. Cleaner than a bag of cleaning items I head off for dinner with the girls. Meet Rebecca and Nell. A drink then dinner in the sherwood restaurant. Some people say the blog only contains diet details now, I had a duck chicken terrine thing and then slow roast belly pork top stuff. Back to Lord Byron Bar Ally on T'internet £8 for the hour.
We are old friends together.
Top stuff.

Slow start

Probably due to chateau bray. Press on with a few jobs then get sorted and we are packed and near ready to go. Eat midlands airport here we come.

Thursday

Last day of the working week - good I am beat this aint funny. I attend the ahp's leads meet. Tis well interesting they are a group underserved by us traditionallly. Lunch in the bucks a few hearty laffs. Back to the works and I help peter with vodafone stuff. Home and jean off to see pat. She aint good and elena not looking good so off to the curry club and not sure if its 2008 or cains but we drink it. I think the standard cains aint good. Its higsonian roots are showing thro. What me dad used to call a start the night pint. Ok if you started on it and stayed onit but lousy if you had tried summat else first.
Off to the masterchef and paps and 2 starters. Jolly good night upset mr bray by sharing a bit too much of his vin rouge. I would send him an email but south sefton had a catastrophe. Poor sods backup and validation. Key things.

Hospital staff get Wake up call

Hospital staff get Wake up call I remember this fella when he was a thrusting young consultant.

Wednesday

In to work and he serious manager behaviour continues - concerned how long I can sustain this. I have even worked to a deadline. Thats a new feeling. Meeting with new public health intelligence man - he needs special software Mapinfo and SAS.Shame is the appt to review it isnt in the bosses diary so I take lunch in starbucks with Kim instead. Then back to the works and continue in my valiant efforts to appear diligent. Home Jean has to to hospice Pat next door taken a nosedive and not well. Me and Ally argue over meal construction and washing up. Jean back Pat v. poorly. I wander round generally then amble to Winwick for a quiz, Phil turns out and tales of his life spook me..

Tuseday - what am i up to.

In to the office and once more acting like a senior manager - scary innit. Peter is proving really effective and we are getting loads sorted. Off to mums at lunchtime and then drop her at allerton road then its on to Hammy. Met with Andrew Brown new Director of Health Informatics. Switched on and a man with a plan. Further decisions around configuration to be taken at a meeting mid Novemeber which will make it clear what my role might be in the future. He has an open straight approach and seems a methodical clear thinker. The meeting finishes earlier than I expected and I surprise my self ( and Peter) by heading back to the works. Then its tea - AGM annual report and cell group at Mals - another good one.

Monday back to work.

Remarkably early start and generally productive day. Off to M&S for lunch. Catching up with emails and things to do big time. Did well - in to CPA on way in then the works, caught up with Peter Kim Andy Mick Sneddo all essential stuff.
Then home and sort expense claim out curry for tea and make bolognese for freezing.
Spooks on the telly.

Sunday lunch out

Sunday well relaxing lunch at Ruth and Pauls then I trotted home whiile Jean and Ally went with Bea and Ruth to the crem for Grandads birthday. General chilling afore back to work.

Crownbar.com

Crownbar.com a very good link.

Just outside the hotel 

Northern Ireland Support Group first meeting 

Saturday Belfast bound.

Airport via Tesco for a butty. Flight on time and its a new 737-700 so the captain tells us. 6 abreast and 25 rows - surprisingly full. Up and away Stelios offers the easy kiosk - for drinks snacks and early christmas shopping. Land at The airport formerly known as Aldergrove and am met by Jimmy, Annes other half. A fine fella ex soldier and in the PSNI, Anne was an officer too but is now a social work student. Jimmy gives me a fine tour on the way in and we arrive in good time at the Days hotel. An excellent meeting - took place, for a first one there was an excellent turnout way better than Anne had expected.
After the meet Anne and Jimmy took me on a tour of belfast. I took in all the sites shankhill, falls road, holy cross school, crumlin road, sinn fein HQ,orange hall, and several paramilitary strongholds, city hall, cathedrals, queens(university) hospitals and the peace wall. The commentary that accompanied the tour was priceless. I really couldnt get the "troubles" at all, and the it really blew my mind seeing it all with my own eyes. It really shook me.
The we stopped at the back of the Europa blled as being Bill Clintons choice but more famous as the most bombed hotel in Europe. Then its over the road to the Crown Pub a fantastic boozer highly recommended to me.
Then along the road to this gaff. Where I partook of a tasty scallops and cashew nut in a birds nest.
Back to the airport where I get nervous again being at wrong gate or whatever. The flight was cracker 30 mins and back home again. Back of the net.
A good day.

Friday Busy Boy

Off to Sheilas (mums next door neighbour - a silver surfer) and fix her PC. She had lost sound and damned if I could work out why, I ended up fitting a cheap two channel PCI sound card and that worked fine.
Then its off to Franks for a haircut and beared(thats how he spells it) trim. Feels better swear its growing quicker too. Then down to the Richmond Tavern for Evelyns leaving doo. Always feel its a managers dooty to show up at gigs like this. I end up saying a few words and wishing her well.
Then Tesco for a few bits - home and sort a few flatpack storage solutions.....my inability with wood is depressing in extremis.
Then the inevitable trip to Beas ruth is pleased with her pioneer lager which I acquired in the ship the other night. Wonder if she was when she tasted it. still she puts lager innit - so.

Thursday out with ally

Off to the anglican cathedral for lunch - which wasnt impressive but being a christian gaff everyone just smiled. Into the bookshop picked up a new bible. Then down to the speke retail park argos, starbucks. Then off to me mams see mary there then up to tesco. Good day

Wednesday Night - my greasy lover

Thats his nickname given to him by Jean. I refer of course to John "Doctor" McCoy a fine chap with a taste for fine beer and fine whiskey. we hit the Ship and Mitre for a few pints of Yankee a brew from Roosters. Pick up some gluten free gear for Ruth as well. Top banana.What a good night we had talking grumpy old man stuff.

Wednesday Night - my greasy lover

Not me greasy lover - a nickname given to John "doc" mccoy off to the ship and mitre several pints of Roosters Yankee - a top light beer. we had a great time. Fantastic time.

midwife's muse:

midwife's muse: My home pagerecommended by grauniad.

New carpark at the royal

2 quid but very impressive. Slick gaff cunningly snuck in on the old blakes site next to the olf fort which will forever be the old fart to me. Scene of many a sunday lunchtime orangejuice for me. They used to gice out free bangers and roasties so was popular with us psychiatric nurses across the road. The general staff werent allowed out or in in uniform.
The clinic was packed a seething mass of haemophiliacs and other associated iacs. You have yer blood done then then wait an hour and the results print out on a trusty dot matrix in the corner. you are then called in to see a doc to be told either you a) need more test or b) the scores are ok come back in a year.
Mums platelets were 250 normal low end = 140 mine are low at 90. So its by bye and see you in a year heres a card, and a blood form to bring back wih you in 12 months. How crap is that - I would have lost it before I left the hospital. But thats me - mum will just spend all year looking at it worrying. Bingo at the sacred heart isnt till 1.30 so I plan to dine her at Tesco Old Swan - bad news the caff is shut for upgrade - Upgrade my **** I want to eat. So we are off to sainsburys where I eat cicken a few chips and mum is happy. Then a quick whizz round the store score some cheap last day low fat high protein for freezing. Nice one.

Tuesday DIY

An obvious follow up to yesterdays flatpack shenanigans. It is not good the first bit is badly scratched right a the front and has to go back. Then my own innate inability to deal with wood never ceases to amaze me. OK with PC's and screws but wood freaks me. Still replacing the knobs on the built in wardrobes is a task even within my abilities. Ally is off out and we go for a brief walk afore bringing home a high protein take away home. hen its off a very good cell group at Mals. Powerful stuff.

Monday Half term

So like any self respecting middle class family too skint to get away we are off to speke retail park to sort our "storage solutions." Deep joy, get there in the end but its tiring we revive ourselves with coffee in Starbucks. Ally seems to have dissapeared but thats cool. We eventually all end up together for the journey home. Knowing now expense I whisk Jean to Greenbank where we partake of some mighty fine kebabs. Spooks harmless escapist telly that pokes a stick at the government (I think).

MOT

News
Interesting 1.

Carrots?

News

Sunday

Quiet start lie in and then after lunch off to the marie curie hopsice to see our next door neighbour poor lady is very confused though physically looks loads better. Jean drives back and I take the opportunity to walk afore the rain sets in.
After tea its off to The Parish for Allys confirmation. This man does the confirming. Nice bloke good talk and feel very proud of Ally who had challenged me mind this afternoon, in a minor theological discussion.

Saturday report

Jean was out with the girls so I let her kip in a bit shes off to the hairdressers then Ally gets dropped off by Heather. Jean took Ally after dinner for her hair cut some shopping and dropped Ally in Town I walked briskly down to Penny Lane sauntered along Allerton Road and then stopped for a natter to the big Ish seller outside the Iceland. The quick walk up Green Lane gets the colour back in me cheeks. Natter to an old lady at the end of our road.
Back in Tea from M&S Jean off out to a wedding and Ally and I chill.

Diary of a Fast Food Life

Diary of a Fast Food Life Interesting one perhaps I feel sorry for him after reading first post.

Friday lazy day

Spend a lot of time on the phone Rebecca from London, Fi from Jockland and Vineeta from northampton. Charidee stuff but they is all top mates too.
Mess with my Ipaq which is actually a Dell if you dont mind.
All to not much joy. Goosed me thinks. Girls come home Ally pleased its half term.
Drop her at Hannah B's, she is of to a frenzy. So presented with an opportunity Jean and I were off to the local Greek me with a psiton kleftiko in mind. (slow roast marinaded shank).
Alas the gaff had closed down (was it coz I aint been in 2 years)?
So across the road to the local french fusion sort of place. The Ambassador
Me to start Lambs kidneys and bacon in chilli spicy gravy in filo.
Followed by lambs liver panfried with caramelised onions in a rich chianti gravy, mustard mash and veg.
I didnt even finish the liver tried a bit of it all - including the aubergine fritter stuffed pepper and weird looking cauli.
It was offally good.
BTW someone asked me the other day how I live on baby food.

Its thursday it must be st helens.

Looking for somewhere to take me mam after an eternity, I decide on the saints home. An ehausting 30mins in traffic kinda made me mind up. So expressway 57 62 st helens link and we are there. Coolio.
In to some caff gaff and mum enjoys it. Top stuff. Round saint helens which has changed but is a fairly compact little town centre. Rob of robs pet supplies in the market aint there. He is a chappie I met at the quiz. Dont actually know many market traders.
Get a battery for my Ipaq which I think is ill. Keeps saying back up battery is full. Then over to more shops and worryingly mum gets tired before it becomes unbearable for me. Home then off to Greenbank for tea. Nice Kebab good support group and hold the AGM.
Off home.

Markets North West England

Markets North West EnglandUseful for mother entertaining in the future.

Tuesday - Womens hospital.

Jean had a referral under the two week rule. Quck call and we are in. Tuesday 10am. Good parking nice gaff. Outpatients - book in then ultra sound. Two camps in here delighted new parents and worried 30plussers. One bloke getting an ultrasound too - he goes red. You have to turn up full bladered and not pass water. Helps visual the stuctures apparently. Fine if yer in on time not so good when its running one hour 20 behind. Shortage of ultrasonographers apparently. Then its into clinic a confusing warren lacking clear instruction in nice lady doc and med student. Nothing real bad (good news) then more tests (not so good) and back in three. (I missed out a lot of detail.
Off to the other place restaurant to celebrate.
Top stuff. Home and Jean kips. I mess about.
Lly comes home - relieved and all seems good. Off to cell top stuff.

Monday -

Off to work into matchworks then into hammyhouse to see Janet. Had lunch with the delightful sarah and veronica and then down to the library. Pop in and pick up the Jama meta-analysis on bariatrics. Delightful stuff somehard evidence on 22000 patients weight loss and effect on co-morbidities.
Off home chill a few drinks and a busy nervous day tomorrow. Off to The womens hospital with Jean in morning.

Flybe.com

Flybe.com Very good news for me and my Scots friends.

Sunday again a tad brief

well wake up later than I should deal with chicken having cooked pork last night - lunch a little late but excellent. A delight to see Catherine our niece from Manc Land. Then dishwashing of a major scale. Off for a walk to the woods and fields - gonna buy me some walking boots - tis a bit squishy down there. Enjoy it and feel a lot better for it. Reflect on NOF gig and feel good about the world. Come home chill have good talk with Ally - the dude is impressive and is getting famous bloggers commenting on her blog. I still havent read it by the way. Chill in the evening Jean is watching kill bill which is disturbing me.

Saturday in brief

Up computer - mums - somerfield - tescos (where we had lunch) she actually enjoyed it. Mine was suprisingly ok. Big shop crew round for lunch sunday. Home chill Ally in town. Do nowt Saturday night cept win a tenner in the idiot tax.

Friday

Work - Veronica - then a walk in the woods for me. Visit Beas, speak to Mary mum is fed up - needs to do more though her physical health seems better.

Conference Thursday.

Overslept - set up laptop at stand and then off to buffet breakfast. Top stuff. Come back refreshed. Decide to focus energy on stand and networking, and chilling. Morning sessions pass by, I am saving myself for the CMOs session. Someone said they had seen him earlier in the year and he was showing a slide of me. I am dubious.
Rachel from GMTV comes in after lunch and we have a chat about a forthcoming project - nope not me - more details to follow when sorted.
We toddle off together to see the Chief Medical Officers Presentation. I liked it and yup he showed a picture of me and talked about Bariatric Surgery and how medical professions should embrace it as a treatment a small group of obese patients. Top stuff he named me and mentioned we had spoken on the same bill at Telford. Cool nice to be remembered and even though he hadnt asked before good that he is passing out my image and the message. Ian tells me later he has seen him use it several times in the past. He talks about at least five a week which I need to read and implement in my life.
Then its Tony Underwood he tells his story and I admire his straightness and inspirational sort of stuff.
He gets slammed by the dietitians in the audience for advocating meal replacement. After swapping from rugy man to pilot his weight didnt increase but body fat went right up and his shape changed. I shall be dropping him an email.
Then its into a debate led by Dr Hilary who I dont know. He is off the telly and appears to be attractive to women of a certain age. He is leading a debate which is Proposed by this chap who is controversial but says a variety of things from moderately funny to offensive. I felt a tad uncomfortable at several points. Couldnt decide if he was taking the mickey.
He was opposed by tony and Ian from here he was supported by someone different to the program. Anyway it passed the last hour.
So then downstairs pack up (most of which the girls had done) goodbye to Jane then off to foyer where me and nell are stood sipping champagne with the NOF crew top stuff. Feel we have arrived.
Then we start getting stuff ready and pete arrives takes us to the airport. Check in snack pint and shop. On to the city of manchester flown by sandy browne of VLM drink, butty lot smoother flight and then land. Fine taxi home bad. A success. WLSinfo has arrived.

We won an award again. 

Conference Wednesday

So into the conference - Doc Ian Campbell kicks off - top stuff. First session Philip James chair of IOTF. The Scale of the Epidemic. Clearly one clever man - who has been predicting all this for years. Ian tells later me this is the man who inspired him to take up the cause. Impressive mindblowing stuff and dissing the government.
Second session - Dr Julian Shield "Starting Early Childhood Obesity." Scary stuff.
Coffee time I am into the exhibition hall then and meet some old friends, Great start.
Then its in to a people carrier. Ian Campbell and These two across the mad traffic to London to This Gaff wow well impressive building . this feels well weird. A camp man leads us to a wee room where I am bricking it. A lady comes in and wires us for sound. Into the studio to be interviewed by Rob Butler for channel five news. No idea what time it is and I brick it but get through. My mother is as expected proud, other people say I did ok but when I saw it today I was my comple media self - ie cheesey smug old git. Then we recorded some stuff for Channel Five news on location in the location. Much to the mirth of munching ITN workers. Then we are off to the Green room of ITN News cable channel to be interviewed by Leyla Daybelge. That site is weird but well better than the channel five official stuff. Very beautiful people working in here. Again terrified but the professionalism of the team put you at rest.
Then its back across the town in the people carrier 20+ minutes. I am drained.
Ah well just in time for a quick bite of lunch. Two tuna steaks nicoise. Chatted with David Kerrigan - I should just explain he is the surgeon who did my gastric bypass. We have evolved into a double act where he presents the technical professional side and I do the patient perspective. We have done it a few times and it keeps getting better. It goes down well I guess. Well I enjoy it, and thats the main thing.
I get loads of positive stuff after the session. One or two interesting characters in the audience two. Some shallenging questions. We had planned a celebratory pint but David rushes off to Euston.
I catch Oliver James Who was in the audience for our gig. Good session on Obesity and Liver disease.
The its Peter KopelmanPeter Kopelman - very informative session on cardiovascular risks in obesity - heart changes (which was eye opening) reversible on weight loss. Enjoyed it.
Then Nell and Jane go off to the room to freshen up and change. I hang about, then they come down and I go change and athe etc call home.
Then its a launch of NOF training package Karen and Dympna - I will be buying one of them.
then its the award presentation. We are finalists - and we have won a special recognition award - top stuff. £500 quid good kudos better.
then its dinner smoked salmon mousse thing - v.good.
Then a top piece of fillet steak - (the affair was sponsored by the British Meat foundation after all). didnt do pud. Plenty of wine and some top people.
Then its off to the bar for a very late night - or should I say early morning.
So a couple of things that may put this into context.
The venue
The programme

Google Desktop Search Download

Google Desktop Search Download looks Incedibly useful...

Catch up from the smoke.

Got the laptop working. Seems somehow that the battery had drained and it worked first time on the mains in the room. I chilled in the room, and sleep came soon. Woke up in the middle of the night freezing the air con was mega efficient.
Started the day well with room service breakfast. Went down to the exhibition hall. People had started to arrive early, a few keen takers. Good stuff it passes quick. Nell and Jane arrive and man the pumps. The stand and publicity stuff looks great. We are the biz.. for sure ... if I say so myself.
2000 of these printed - nice leaflets
A display board ala this
festooned with a smattering of these a laptop with a rolling slideshow of people Like this. Also a liberal amount of site cards, and some BUPA booklets were passed out with an insert of NHS Surgery centre list. Top stuff - indeed.
Who else was in there with us -
Through the door on the right
Pauline from Cambridge nice lady.
Denise from gastric paing thingy this jury still out on that
Then us WLSinfo
Then DOM would like to see if websense blocks the name.
Then a mystery one -
Then World Cancer Research
Slimming world
Then Frazer and his gang
A couple of mysterys.
Then the yellow shirted - Food and drink federation.
Then some big boys :-
Abbott
Roche
Tanita
Slimfast
Sanofi-Aventis
Rosie
Appearance is by no means an endorsement or comment merely reportage.
Apols if I missed anyone
Oh yeah British meatmight challenge websense

Jurys hotel

So we flew the hairyplane. It was a wee scary propellor jobbie. Not good. Not impressed. Frightening for sure. Then it took off it was a bumpy ride, well I thought so at least. Then it was a quick meal of VAT and cheese roll and muffin. Then its down again. I am kept amused by private eye a darn good read. Land at the city airport then pick up a cab 28squid to the hotel. Nice gaff nell and pete are waiting we setup. Then retreat to the bar for a pint or two of newcy brown. They scoot I discover laptop is dead. Not the best news. Must ring ally/jean to ask nell/jane to bring laptop. Not worried - yet.

The estuary bar

Everything done getting there now. Interesting with pcts at aintree. Then home channel 5 news tomorrow. Live at noonish with ian campbell. Who knows what it wil be like. Sophie the producer spoke to me. Cool dude I am brickin it don't like flying for sure. Plus I forgot to ring me mam. Dogouse for that. Kims sister who booked me ticket has me booked in a strict vegatarian. Interesing. So its a pint of guinness and panic.

Monday - back to the works

Up after a struggle and then its on to the works. Good frank meet with Val and sort a few things out. Was late to get to Hammy to see Tony W when I bumped into him in reception - good job I didntgo to Hammy. Good straight meeting with him too. Then its over to the Bucks for lunch with Kim. Off home to see the girls, Ally was having an extraction which had been cancelled due to the dentist having a sicky. Then its a chill rround the house for all. Ally had been called a disgrace - for only requesting her exit note today. Feel like writing in and saying - get it right head of year its the parents who are a disgrace. Jean off to doctors and we got out for a chinese for tea. V. nice and I am amazed what we dont eat. Which was web enabled donkeys years ago - top stuff.
Back home and making finishing touches to NOF stuff and Jean frantically packing.

Big Plans Little result.

Rise early - mess about as usual. Ally swoops into town. We spend quality time together washing dishes. I listen again to Peter Hain getting lambasted on Any questions. Cant stand any answers though full of daily mail readers. Jean goes out in the garden I procrastinate avoiding my presentation. Think there was a somerfield trip in here somewhere too.
Ally comes in we go off to Nannas and then to Borders - starbucks closing early due t unforeseen circs?
Back home chill.

Things My Girlfriend And I Have Argued About

Things My Girlfriend And I Have Argued AboutMakes me smile

Friday

Annual leave today - top stuff. Exit the house about 11. Off to parcelforce at the end of the M62. Cardboard Ken heading for London pass him over the counter - lady says it is taller than 1.5m I look blankly - then rememeber bags of sugar is a kilo, and a litre of wine is a big bottle. A ruler is 30cm. Thats me and metric.
I grew up in a time when measurement knowledge was limited to Info from a red exercise book. I was a drachms reams and chains boy me. I remember filling the inkwells too for us poor sods who didnt have our own fountain pen - or if you was reet posh a cartridge pen.
Anyway I wander but inky blots and the smell of pumpbags, and stretch gusset pumps (couldnt do laces till secondary school still evoke happy feelngs. Sawdust and sick, the smell of TCP.
So i go into a mild fit of panic I ring Kieran the lad is the info king. I am mobile for Hammy House. Kieran is on the case. I'm into the library and Kieran has come up trumps. Mailboxes etc provide the solution. with help from DHL. I have a good meet with Adam. Then off to drop Ken on his was track his progess by entering 3919664700 in tracking. Stop of at franks for a haircut - hes on his dinner so I take a shandy in the old bank a dreadful gaff on the high street. Frank is in good form. Off home made a todo list and ticked all the boxes thats pleasing.
Ally in late from town so me and her miss Beas. Colin and Hannah pop round later and he seems on good form.

Thursday (from saturday)

Well worked, went home called at Ma's she was out hit Tesco then spent a while gassing to a fella from the NOF's publicity people about next week. Interesting stuff. Nell and Jane and me signed up as possible case studies (hmmm).
Despite what some think I find the media difficult. And I dont do standing in my old trouser shots.
Still we shall see what we shall see. JK delivers the diesel well sorted running sweet as a nut .. respect for that. Central heating on blink (timer methinks) and dishwasher dodgy bring on the marigolds.

Wednesday report

Into work for a late shift. Val had cancelled the appt long time ago but I didnt get it erased in my diary. Team meeting and then its snowing in the server room. I have a mild attack of the water electrickery panics but all is well. Home car probs still Jk aint happy with the Rice Lane Motors mechanics opinion. Still he comes round and vows to sort it. I take it round to his and its driving like a tank (thats failed its MOT). Jean and Ally off to M&S for winter coat and confirmation stuff. I'm off to Winwick for a jolly good laff at the quiz. Mickey and Adair good laffs as ever.

viksoe.dk - GMail Drive shell extension

viksoe.dk - GMail Drive shell extension

Jenny the dietitians

Always a bit like seeing a priest, bit confessional like. Nice lady never any sense of punishment or talking down. NOF presentation Hmmmm aint done that yet. She has a student with her - all for that, clinic held in clinic 9 breast screening clinic. Not sure about that fortunarely no other patients around. Back to the works sort out some stuff then ts off to the Bear and Staff for a good laff with Kim. Talk of an alternative Christmas Lunch - venue of course the comedy pub. Must float the idea with key players.
Back to the works then home.
Website woes take up a lot of time. Jean and Ally off to Beas - tis Tuesday.

Gawd bless the NHS

Up early, car running on vapour ages to get to the petrol station on the drive diesel in then amble along to Walton. The builders now charging a pound a throw for the carpark - nice.
Ok so I know withs 25 month but its near enough. Today was my formal 2 year follow up. Though i had to wait for my op longer than most I feel I have had pretty top monitoring and follow up. I am fortunate in having a top GP who has gone out of his way to learn about my op.
I have been seen at 6 weeks 3 months 6months 9mpnths 12 and 18 months. I have been weighed had several pints of blood taken and seen the dietitian quite a few times.
(All this excludes my hospitalisation for an unrelated condition).
So arrived today weighed on 2 scales - both showing I gained nobodys sure how much. Waited a long time, made less by the company of JK and Jody.
Saw Mr K he is happy with my weight (back he says to April 2004 level??). Health outcomes very positive.
Stocktake
Medication review
Solvazinc (Zn remains low)
Zoton (routine antiulceragent)
Forceval
Adcal
All bloods have been fine apart from vit D (which necessitated course of ADcal D3) and Zn
Bloods taken today today:-
All the usual marlarkey (u+e's), FBC (my platelets have been low), Liver studies, bone studies. VitA and Vit D now being monitored in long limb Roux-en-Yers.
Discussion about plastics do I wanna chance re-referral - no - I have lost some weight, not enough and to be honest cant afford time off and still scared of hospital. See yer in a year.
I was 208kg first time I met Mr K and went up to 216kgpre op I got down to nearly 100kg when I was ill, and I looked ghastly - now somewhere round 112-115 and I feel fine.
When I had my op I was determined to reach BMI25 it was the only target worthy of consideration. Now I am chuffed to be where I am - Jody (Mrs JK ) said I would look shocking with another 3 and half stone off me - and I feel OK with it. This body aint winning now beauty awards, but its gonna do its job for a lot longer.
It feels OK with itself, just got to let me head catch up now and I'll be fine.
Off to see WRVS ladies - with their I cant believe its not butter toast.
In toSainsburys, then home to rest. I am exhausted, more so since I seen the letter from Prof Moriss saying I may be over sedated. (not that I am suggestible) OK I am.
Idle around - tesco online arrives three bags missing -ring man in dundee who rings man in van who brings it 10 mins later.
Ally at confirmation class - I lie on couch looking like ballet star her and jean go off to a headmasters talk at St Hildas. The headline according to Jean is Feed your girls well. And a sheaf of propaganda saying how good they are.(the school).
I have enjoyed mastermind and university challenge. A very early night - oh dear I am in serious be healthy mode.

Sunday usual stuff

Woke late and chilled. Despite jeans best efforts ally and I manage to be late and annoy the life out of her. We go in jeans car to ruth and pauls on a diagnostic mission. Annoyingly it runs sweet as a nut. Arrive there and discover paul forget to swithc the oven on and the preacher overrun. Dinner running late. I nip off to tesco express. Must just say that one of the mornings tasks was tesco online shop. I was mightily impressed with improvements to the interface if you are reading this mr leahy.
Lunch was a fine beef and pineappleupside down cake combo. Not on the same plate. Good stuff. Bag home and get symptoms big time from car.That needs to go back then. Pick ally up from Jens and drop her in at church.

YES, I'm their number one fan

YES, I'm their number one fan well I would be up for that but Jeann advised me to whistle

Spirit of the Blitz | Liverpool in the Second World War

Spirit of the Blitz | Liverpool in the Second World War Nannies in this.

Saturday morning comes around.

Determined to do something just with jean today. They sleep in and I surface about 8. I mess about with FURL what a dude of a tool that is. After few false starts and a fone call from uncle george we are mobile. The plan is to hit what nanna calls the. Marmite museum. Maritime to you and I. Nannie banks (rest her soul) has a bit part in their spirit of the blitz exhibitin allegedly. So we hit thew dock and admire an unusually busy river. Yachtsn ferries anda few freighter and the inevitable ferry. Much is spouted about how clean it is these days. Granted there were no mersey goldfish that as children we enjoyed to pelt with stones. It still has the characteristic whiff, that takes me straight back there. Anyway lunch is our number 1 priority. Check out a couple of venues and settle in the blue bar part of some evil empire. A conglomerfate of night clubs bars at the dock. Beer is pants so I go safe and take a fosters. Tis as predcted. And doesn't dissapoint. I have a fine toothsome crab and shrimp salad. Jean settles for a greek sald and we split a side of lumberjack chips. Most enoyable. Then its off to get this museum squared wanted to see if nannie is actually there before discussing it with nanna. Third floor and a well done multimedia show does it tastefully. I really enjoyed it and the horror of it all is well transmitted. We found nans bit emily banks with a picture of her when she was young. Pick up the reciever, press the button and hear my dead grandmother talking about how the kids were evacuated whie she was in hospital and she went and got them back have you ever been to betws y coed its grim. Even now I am filling up and it had a surprising effect on me. I had to round a corner and dry my eyes. It did surprise me for sure. The resty of the gig was quite moving too. Luftwaffe recognition photographs. Liverpool police pics of bomb sites and most telling a map that pointed out were every bomb dropped. Interestingly the durning road shelter bombing which me dad always talked about was well documented. It was the single biggest incident of the blitz in lpool. Its a school now. Then off to the museum caff via the customs and excise stuff. that's pants that is. Off to buy a t shirt for ally and then we are away.

Friday - chill day

I want to chill today I contact JK he comes round we have a bloody good laff and go for lunch at the greenbank. Tops stuff sorted few things out lunched with Norm and as a support group venue its comin together. Crackin stuff. Home light tea. off to Beas. quiet day. Good plan to hit town today. (or parts of it anyway).

Thursday Report

Up and into work - still tired but kipped lots better. At the desk and getting stuck in - situated within shouting distance of the delightful Alison Butt - Top Pharmacist. Ploughing thro emails and sorting stuff. Getting there slowly is the answer. Understimated completely how goosed I could get. Escape to Starbucks for lunch with Kim, panini - full of fat for sure. They have an instruction book for ordering your drink - I kid you not. Mind you think their resources would be better employed on staff training manual.
Then I am bowled over with 110% customer service fandabbydoze. New blokey who will obviously be sacked ASAP for his shaming the others up attitude.Then its off to Garston , the one and only SAJMH. A search for info on Alf leads to the comic pile of poo site a) merseycare aint based there. b)it was called Sefton not Thefton and c) Sefton was knocked down a few years back. Apart from all that its pretty darn accurate.
Bloods done I head of to the cobblers in Garston - St Marys road. Those streets aint pretty.
Job secured its off to me mums where no mum is to be found. Sister is there tough and we have a sibling interaction undisturbed by parental distraction. Brother rings and its nearly like a family. Mum arrives and all hell breaks out. 4 conversations start before she enters the house. Tunnel crash, causing gridlock, ram raiders = general disgust, st pauls hospital something about a brewery, and sore feet. Her pupils are as big as bin lids. Off home and girls in. I cheat some corned beef hash off jean - an M&S ready meal which is delish. Supplemented with cheese on toast.
Off to The Dispensary it aint as good as it should be. As a boy I was weaned on Higsons and miss it terribly. Cains just doesnt do it for me. Dissapointing beer but I still manage to engage in a few.
Still what it lacks in quality beer - it more than makes up for in company - so lets go round the room and observe.
Baron Jones shooting fishing earl of Hale - his minor fiefdom. He has a brother - are they twins? I dont remember - Gareth is a cheeky chap who likes his liquor. Whats more I can make him laff by looking at him. Dr Shilcock former employee who jumped ship to south sefton - wavertree living good lad. Frank- drinks guinness writes templates for a living (interesting). Sneddo south tech married life has sorted him out. Similar for mick the head thwaite - hairdressing wind and organ player.
Then round to Johnny Mc - who jean calls my greasy lover. We have so many similar sad interests its unreal. He has brought Di his wife in too - but she cant stay.
Standing up South seftons finest Davie "Is that you Dave....Is Dave there" Graham who has replaced Ann Miney in Netherley, Andy who works with Johnny Mc, Paul Smith - who is looking ore like David Brents dad everyday. Ray Lewis from Gateacre practice cunningly pronounced gattaker to confuse non scousers. Ray lives outside the city - scandinavia I think as he seems to think a bumbag is de rigueur for a night out. last but not least its everyones fave Dave B the smiling squaddie. Good craic then off to the master chef there seems to be to many primary care staff in there and they are clearly more uncomfortable about it than us. Lots of central PCTs single handers and their practice managers/wives who are often the same. Plus the delightful sue (this will cost you mccoy) riley from dovecot and her nice doctor friend.
We have a bloody good laff it is a crackin night. Mc Coy shilcock and jones share repartee at the end of a table. Paps, onion bhaji and some tikka thats me done.
Top night taxi home shared with boys.
Good stuff.