Blogger on the Cast Iron Balcony

I like this one from down under, certainly makes me smile.Blogger on the Cast Iron

Wednesday Evening

Mum rings me nan has been transferred to Ward 11 Broadgreen Hospital and Kathleen wants pickin up at 6.30. i will oblige. Prepare a more basic tea for us, chicken lasagne for Jean Cheeseburger for Ally and finest beef lasagne for me. Top stuff. Off to get mum and Ally joins me. Then a nip to Tesco for essentials score some pork steaks for the girls tea. Jean shoots to house group, I watch some dreadful gender swap thing called reversals. Sleep is poor with some very disturbing dreams which make me feel I am slipping. They keep me awake for about half an hour but that time of the morning aint good. Mebbe more active steps required to manage low mood. Still unable to concentrate for more than five consecutive minutes. And old frienfd the light box is broken out. To be onest I would try anything to keep this stuff at bay.

Wednesday - the man comes to fix me plumbing

Or rather JK does. After much grunting from the bathroom, he has, after all, had a BPD/DS. In fact I think he was the firstdone in the UK. he has had top results and it hasnt affected his plumbing (skills) at all. A top job well done. He returns the Clare throne to a vastly improved measure of health and strength. Cant wait to try it under combat conditions. Yup its true bariatric surgery compounds any pre-exsisting bowel obsessions. In fact the free discussion of said stuff encourages it. Jk has fixed the curtain rail an all, top man. And he has started framing the certificates that we have won prior to showing them. Nursing standard arrives and we get some exposure in the news section. Also covered in the Gastrointestinal Journal which was nice.
Off to the gym and a top workout. A member I aint seen for a while fails to recognise me. She says it because I was running, a bit out of context for me I supose. Then a guy appears on the next treadmill. A good jogger, he recognises me from the echo - respect he says, nice guy a milkman.
Off to the caff and its mushroom soup today good for the souls some prawns which I cant finish. I engaged the chef in conversation the other day he now cements our relationship with extra food. Not good I parcel it up and feed it to a cat outside.
Off for a walk in the park to the aviary cafe, a very strange place indeed. Treat meself to a Mr Whippy.

BLOGGER - Knowledge Base - How Not to Get Fired Because of Your Blog

BLOGGER - Knowledge Base - How Not to Get Fired Because of Your Blog
We do like this.

Tuesday Afternoon

Off to the Bear and Staff in Gateacre with Kim and Andy, stalwart companions from the finance team in the matchworks. A pint of prawns works well for me in the absence of soup. I repair to Tesco Woolton to cah in my script and shop for tea. Back home and I retire to bed for an hour and half sleep comes quickly and is refreshing. I awake and prepare the meal. Steak and chips for Jean and Cheeseburger and chips for Ally. Salmon and prawns hot with a garlic butter sauce suffices for me.
Mother rings with the news that Nanny Banks is negotiating A&E at RLUH " the Royal" as it is known. Not good and mums scrambler is set maximum encryption so I elect to wait till a personal meeting can sort it. I arrange to meet her at 7 at the front entrance. Nanny still aint been admitted, and I whip mum home. I go in and chat and after fearsome interrogation it would appear that me Nan has cellulitis, though this is on top of chronic acopia.
Off to cell group via Tesco for petrol and a satisfying time with Romans 5. Arrive home ten past ten they are a fine bunch there and most uplifting. My private meditation focuses around release from fear and fund raising to pay for Saturdays meeting.

Off to the doc

I help JK load Big ken into his van for necessary repair work and transport to Dudley. It has been decreed that bigboy and I cannot travel in the same vehicle for fear of accident, bit like the royals. I away to see Frank for a 11am slot. Arrive at 5 to the hour. Frank did once confuse me by being ready on the dot. This guy is quality primary care writ large you dont get the allotted 10mins with Frankie. I had taken the Guardian and the Bible JK gave me and read the excellent letters to Mr Bush in G2 Online here as well as an Amusing Steve Bell. top stuff. Get in about 12.05 and given 25 mins top listening, diagnosing treating holistic primary care.
Whilst waiting the demons have worked overtime I think of the many times I have sa in this waiting room feeling worthless and wretched with a fear I am slipping down that road again. Frank recognises this phenomena well, and drills down beyond it to get to where I am at. He postulates two theories
1) I am exhausted anxious stressed and reacting normally and actively managing meself.
2) I am at the start of a depressive phase.
We agree to agree on option 1. Which on reflection feels like where I am. Its a bit like a steep sided pit with greasy inclining walls feeling like it has drawn me in. The very fact I have taken the steps I have convinces him and I that I have hold of some rail at the side and am crawling back up that wall. No psychotopics save for a script for sedatives. A dependency for which he would prefer to my current alcohol induced sleep pattern.
The spectre that I may have Bipolar Affective Disorder still looms large and the very fear may actually do more harm than the real disease. I seem to have retained my cognitive behavioural techniques in managing my depressive thoughts. We pray together and discuss at length the balances necessary between work, family, self and God. Cell group tonight.
I have messed my zinc up as well I have been self medicatin with 30mgs a day and he prescribes 250mg. Dunderhead I am.

JK's visit

The lad and I share the inevitable WLS conversations, and we share thoughts on fluids and appearance of urine. His level approach is much appreciated. He has arrived bearing gifts a small bible and a witty book about management. I encourage him to drink more and we plan a walk later in the week. He is also helping in some practical ways, repairing the leaking bog and the curtain rail in the head office of wlssinfo (small bedroom). Both are key bariatric tasks. The bog for obvious reasons - I wonder if he should set up as a bariatric plumber, the market is there and their needs are very special. No beast would frighten that boy. The curtain rail equally important as it will protect me from the prying eyes of the local community as I don novelty headgear for Kencam.
He is also undertaking some framing projects. Top stuff. He commences on site tomorrow.

Plan for today

Arisen, and wait for JK to come round an inspirational figure with I believe the most visually dramatic effects of WLS I have seen. He also has the dubious honour of being (we believe) the first NHS open Bilio-pancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch. We are still looking for others but whatever way he was the first in the pool. This is now the Rolls Royce of the Bariatric world. With the laprascopic version being the gold standard. It has a far more malabsorpitve element that my Ford Escort RNY. still more of that later and here is pulling up in the great white van.

Tuesday - chemical hangover

Assessing the quality and quantity of your own sleep is notioriously difficult, what seems like an age at night might just be moments. I remember early morning wakening from when I was depressed and I aint got that. Jean wisely as ever sums it up with - you didnt switch the light on, meaning I didnt do that bad. Inevitably at times like that I turn to man fiction, Andy Mcnab, chris Ryan, Tom Clancy that sort of genre. Escapism done large, no great literary shakes but diversion in extremis. Worrying vibes about the cost of the November meet, once again WLSINFO teeters on the financial knifeedge though hoping that Rebeccas letters will bear fruit, she wisely tells me not to worry as she will sort it out, which once again means one of us shelling out cash till we can recover it later. What we need is a member to touch the jackpot on the lottery or whatever its called. Set us up for life and sort these petty worries. Had an interesting talk with a geezer at the gastro gig last week. He couldnt believe it wasnt a suscription service. I decided day one it would forever be free while I was involved. The obese have already been mugged too many times by scamsters. Besides I know we have helped many people who have never even joined. People say even a tenner, well I know how much a tenner can be, and how little when you are well off. I have also been touched by the generosity of members and friends in the past.
Sponsorship now there is a can of worms, there is internecine strife about whose shillings we should take, me at the mo - anyones, so long as its legal decent honest and minimal sponsorship. The thought that some one would miss out on something coz I was too principled to take a ton off say slimfast or Macdonalds sticks in the craw. So plan, charity status to be sorted and Kim my mate who has experience in such professional scrounging will help sort us.

Notes from a small curate

John Davies - About me As a spirituality fix i check out Johns site. Top geezer did me mate Peters funeral. Nice blog too.

50 bar pump

Pump Pics 30 This fella gets worse. This is another pic of the New Mercedes Atego RP's from South Yorkshire.
They are very powerful machines and drive like a sports car.
This one (Y483 HWE - Mansfield Road) is showing off it's wears with all it's lockers open.
The pumps on these monsters are able to pump at 50 bar whereas the more conventional and
more widely used pumps only pump around 35 bar!

Welcome To Fire Appliances UK

Welcome To Fire Appliances UK This is a cracker the poor webmasters photos are all mixed up as well and I like the captioning.."This is a Special Rescue Unit (SRU) or also known as an Operations
Support Unit (OSU) from Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service. It carries some
large and heavy rescue equipment. It has a large hydraulic crane on the rear which
can be used for a number of uses (use your imagination!)
It is a Mercedes Benz appliance. "
Use your imagination .....these pictures send my imagination running. Before the reader thinks I am a sad also ran who fantasises about being in the emrgency services - I was a retained firefighter for over three years. Its a long amusing story which I have recounted after good dinners. The trauma has subsided with time but Winwick Hospital Voluntary Fire Brigade was a serious business.
I attended hundreds of false alarms some serious waste paper bin fires and a couple of big shouts. but though we were trumptonesque in appearance and deployment. We got to ride in the county boys big red engines with what is now called Blues and Twos - and I defy most blokes to say they dont fancy doin that.

index

Red watch I much prefer free fire engine sites like this

Lorryspotting.com - The UK's BIGGEST Lorry Database

Lorryspotting.com - The UK's BIGGEST Lorry Database I have to make do with this no way 25 quid I'll content meself with shouting Eddie and Nobby as I drive around. Its like one of these tantalising porn sites I get sent to my hotmail account. Flirtatious shots of some serious vehicles with the promise of great stuff available inside - no thanks.

Crane spotter blues

drivin home on Friday I heard a dhow on Radio 4 about crane spotters and the pointed here Ainscough spotters its been given a 404 everytime I been there. Now as a webmaster with a penchant for publicity I know how much that must sting. Poor sad souls.

I never felt more like singin the blues............

Feels a biy fuzzy here at the moment, a good day on reflection but there feels like an awful lot I have to do, like email people at work with details of stuff left undone, and feels like so hard to do it. I have listened to upliftin music - Relayer possibly me fave album of the mo. Been to the gym and worked hard, with a tangible set of shape changes going on. Noticed the appearance of a clearly delineated muscle in my right bicep. Not very remarkable you may think but for a boy who had sand kicked in his face and dreamt of a Bullworker its a funny feeling. Something about PE at school gave me an allergic reaction, I think it was the rapidly changing bodies, the smells, the hint of suggestions about the teachers sexuality. The fact the PE teachers were bullies didnt help with SO eddie joe and JP and tom lacey watch out, tom lacey was a music teacher who just enjoyed the ridicule aspect. Anyway Ken Clare 1 gyms 0 for the first time in this boys life.
Lots of reflection and a bit of soul searching today, feel a chemically assisted (POM) slumber will assist greatly.

Monday

Speak to Caroline from HR about my health, she is a cool dude and dead supportive. Feel so much better just by taking a bit of control. Go to the gym and have a great workout workin on the theory that endorphins are good for the soul. Nice crew in there and Cath as always is delightful. Lunch at the gym mushroom and asparagus soup with some prawns top gear and 3.60. Head over to Tesco to purchase some spuds an onion gravy gear as the basis for a good meal for the girls tonight. Ally will revolt at the thought of mash so I buy some oven chips - less than 5% fat. Sossies in the fridge bangers and mash good soul food. I'll have lasagne. Feelin jaded and need to work at this gig with frank tomorrow at 11. He will sort me out. The news of Tom Kierans brother law has upset me. Suicide is such a waste, and the fact I once contemplated seriously still sends a shiver.

Shopping nightmare continues

Need to go to tesco to get the stuff the previous two shops didnt pick up. End up in Tescos Old swan an altogether better Tesco exxperience. Dinner goes well we cok chilli and salmon and prawn pasta. Pudd is ice cream, black forest cake, rice strudel and any old mix. Paul as ever is a treat. They scoot and its on to the website. Jean takes a kip its smoked salmon and prawns for tea. Chat room at 6pm and a relaxing evening during which I sign off protem from WLSINFO. I am tired and stressed anit coping well at work. Too many bits of the job that dont suit my skill set. I am messing up big time and it is in serious danger of dragging me down. So the plan see Frank ASAP, get to the gym, look after meself and rest.

Saturday Night strange nightmare stuff

Go to pick me mam up. Nanny looks shocking and I am worried. She fell asleep on the stairlift and woke up a 4am. Mum looks dreaful toand her stools indicate further liver probs. Stop at Sommerfielsd then off to Tesco.
It is the Winwick hospital staff reunion at the Winwick club. I pick Mickey and adair up and we wander that way. Car park is full club is full. The 12 saturday night regulars aint impressed.
It appears to have been organised by Terry Flaherty who was a young nursing officer when I started there in 1979. I am one of the youngest there it would appear. Some names to conjure with Dot Dicks doesnt recognise me - till I speak. Infact no one recognises me. Wally Gomersall Dave McKendrick malcolm price pat price Rocky McAuley brenda henderson Frank carroll
Nell gwynne, pam someone and Jackie Maguire. Jackie and I were an Item many years ago - she aint seen me for 20odd years she thought I looked ill. She should have seen me a year ago. I take Mickey home and leave adair pressing the flesh he is a few years older than us.
get home and chill with some red wine watching the repeated BAFTA tribute to Billy Connolly.

who says I am predictable

Saturday Morning – a change from the usual routine. The girls seem content to lie in, I rise from my slumbers about 7.30. Site is kewl and a bit of a mooch later and the girls get up. Becky from NGFK the pr darrrlings has forwarded my press pack on.
Fo a break in tradition I declare it necessary to hit the gym before noon. In a new found enthusiasm I am determined to get my full routine in. It’s a while since I managed this so it proves to be interesting. Perhaps it would be timely to list the current workout.

30minutes on the treadmill, go like billy-oh to do 3k which I achieve in a PB 26.50.
12 mins on the top xt a device you pedal with your hands.
12 mins on the bike 5k covered.
Machine you sit in and lift a bar with your legs 2x15 sets 35kg
Machine you sit in and push a bar with your legs 2x15 sets 35kg
2x15 sets of free standing squats, I perform a squat holding two dumbbells and hold. This is cunningly designed for max humiliation also to make you feel like you need a pooh.
Then its on to the lat pull down 2x15 – my favourite machine always makes me feel like I can lift weights.
2 x 15 on a machine you push a bar forward
2x15 on the vertical row – like that one.
2x15 on the pec deck – that hurts.
2x15 on the triceps press.
Then its down to the end of the gym for my benchwork – see I even know the lingo.
2x15 6kg arms at the side then straight out and hold
2x15 8kg arms at side then lift and hold directly in front of you
2x15 8kg sort of dumbbell lift – my fave coz you can see the muscle.
A good time on the way round talking to jimmy, ex-soldier and tennis champeen. And Kath part time gym worker part time learning disabilities student. She’s a cool dude.
Lunch in the restaurant, is tomato and basil soup and six griddled prawns – good stuff.
Then back home and whip Ally to Borders for a read – it is the busiest I have ever seen it. Saw Shirley who used to work in the team she is a Ggrade on the IV team at Garston now.

miserable journey home

terriible night on the m6 stop in tesco woolton on the way home. good to be back. Girls go out to allys school prizegiving.

Friday

Woke at 7.20, feeling a sense of trepidation. The hotel is pretty cool and the telly alarm goes off at 7.30. Wander down for breakfast, see Dawn and Paul on the way in and sit with Brian and Jane, and another RCN events lady.
Drive over to the international conference centre, parked up, suss out the registration desk and check in. Scoot round the exhibition. Suss out the RCN publishing desk and pick up some copies of the gastroenterology mag. Get interviewed by a journo from Nursing Standard. I have decided to launch the national support line on the back of the presentation today. Chill with a coffee whilst waiting for the 11o’clock gig.
Nip out to the car and pick up cardboard Ken. He causes a wow factor as usual.
Top set up twin screens mike lcd screen for speaker and fully miked. Paul helps to reassure me by telling me he always panics before speaking.
Dawn Elliot the chair of the forum gives me a really good introduction and I step up. Cardboard Ken gets the wow and there seems a genuine warm buzz. I am playing for laffs and getting them. I also slip in several pooh jokes and even the Labrador gets an airing. A chunner from Paul and Dawn looks mortified. But I get a top reception and I feel sorry for the joint award winner Gill who is following me.
I sit down and feel terrified. Went well and bit of a buzz to be honest. Jills talk goes down well and she has done some top stuff with the faecally incontinent. Having ridden that way before but fortunately avoided frequent flyer status I feel real empathy and sympathy with them.
Slow transit constipation is a an interesting one.
Then its own for the main man Liam Donaldson impressive geezer and good talk like his thoughts on expert patients. After his talk he asks will I have me foto done with him and cardboard Ken. No danger jimmy.Full media whore strikes again top[ stuff. I then get invited into a secret room where we get a yukky lunch but a chance to meet the man. He seems to be very interested and to be honest I am impressed. I OF COURSE BABBLE RUBBISH BUT. i do me best. Apols for the caps lock but I am too tired to correct. Whip down to the hall then and get engaged by a few people top stuff. A lady wanted to speak to me on a issue for a relly. I was whisked off to speak to the CMO. I hope she emails me. Then a frankly odd presentation from someone at the RCN some very odd attitudes on display. Then a top nurse from Sheffield who is doing a biut there. She scoots off before I could contact her and I need to collar her, email jobbie me thinks.

Thursday

couple of catch up meetings. Veronica confides that she uses the blog to keep up with what I am up to. Then off to Hammy for a meet with EMIS.
Over the waater to the wirral and head for the M6 arrrive telford about 6.30. The telford branch of The holiday inn. top gaff free slippers and a lady calls to turn you down (bed actually) but as i is starkers she makes do with passing me two chocs as I pour meself into the dressing gown. Dignity maintained at all times. Then a walk over to the conference venue.
Meet the delightful Dawn ans her partner Paul top pair and they inform me I am on the top table cool. Sit next to paul a cool dude ex RAF energetic geezer, with a raft of good ideas. Angry old git though so we get on well, till he tells me he used to drink at the marquee with Yes. We take a few tinctures together and are soon old friends. Other side of me is Brian RCN events man - top fella. Feel a bit out of it when the dancin starts and paul and i retreat to the bar. True old gits we sit at the side moaning about everything a soul mate. I convince him of the therapeutic nature of blogging. Back to the hotel bar where we are joined later by Dawn, they retreat to bed I aint far behind. Minor incident in that I couldnt get in to me room but soon sorted.

Wednesday

Strategic planning & primary care directorate meeting this am. First meeting with Eileen the new Modernisation person. Then a gang of people from Sheffield come across to talk about a computer system interesting with Linda and John in attendance. Then off to tescos with kim to pick up lunch.

Tuesday

Meet with Dabe who is going for a new job and has approached me for advice, do the best I can for him. Rest of the day spent catching up.
Off to cell group at Jacks this evening a very pleasant two hour and an oasis in the middle of a busy week.

BLOGGER - Knowledge Base

BLOGGER - Knowledge Base And the official blog response.

The Onion | Mom Finds Out About Blog

The Onion | Mom Finds Out About BlogIts a bit rude but it made me smile.

Monday Morning

A busy day ahead. I start with a early morning heads and fran, useful stuff, but we over run and I cancel finance Andy. Finish off PEC paper and thanks to Kim for impccable proof reading skills. Off to lunch with Lesley, a delightful lady I have for a long time we reminisce then talk about tele medicine. The Bear and Staff is fine. Vegetable soup and prawns. Then back to the works for a sparsely attended Informatics working group. Still goes well and Bob is pleased with my strategy paper. We retire to Starbucks/ Borders for an americano/latte. top stuff. he makes me feel enthusiastic about informatics and valued. He surprises me with an enthusiasm for Jazz, but the fact he likes Michael Moore does not shock. Off home and then fish for tea. Website business and a couple of funny emails.

Roosters Yankee

products I engage in several pints of Yankee which is delicious. Fruity and yup lychees. Jk and I laff out loud. Heaven knows what any eavesdropping punter thinks of our conversation. We must do this more often. I pledge to make the Liverpool Bariatric Real Ale Society a reality.

Ship & Mitre, Premier Real Ale Pub in Liverpool

Ship & Mitre, Premier Real Ale Pub in LiverpoolSpent a pleasant evening here with JK and great news to see the web site is updated at last.

Sunday

Chill in the mornin then its off to Mary and Johns to install the new Dell. Top gear with a 17"TFT - kewl. Takes a while to set up and I had forgotten the joys of downloading a three meg Norton patch via a 56k dialup. Sweeeet delight. Delicious lunch cooked by nervous sister, concious that pre-op bot would have been quantity focusse she provides a toothsome meal and a delightful Beef in red wine. Most enjoyable.

Saturday

News of the day
Jog 3k in 27mins - which impresses me. But break the 17 stone barrier I am now at a lean 16st 13lb thats 17 stone gone. officially halfthe man I was. Top banana. Take the award memorobilia to show me mam and me nan. Nan looks a bit rough really tired and drowsy, not good at all. Pick Ally up drop mum off and then off to Borders/starbucks. BAd news the GPRS signal in there is pants. Not good.

Friday

Off to hammy and the excellent fran - respect helps me put the PEC paper to bed. I hit the LIS portal news section dated 07/11/03. Infamy.

Wednesday

Caught up in the office and thought throyugh a lot of things. Team meeting, they are a gret bunch. Then its up to North PCT looked for a website for them but cant find one. We go off to the glass and bottle or bottle and glass out near rainford. Top banana. I have a pint of prawns, Paulis doing the atkins so goes for a caesar salad. I should know more about atkins really coz people often assume I am an expert on things diet related which I aint. Met a dietitian at the NOF gig who had wrote Diet trials as promised I got a copy in the post today.
After an intense and high level of strategic intent with Paul I end my day at Aintree. David is of course late, weare talking to a bunch of GP's about Bariatrics. They are a bit of a tough audience, more interested in the free freebies than anything, he gives a good talk which me and a few others enjoy. He cunningly doesnt mention that I have had surgery so the first pic is a pre-op of me and me nan. They are impressed, no one slept through my talk. Then its off home.

HONcode: Principles

HONcode: PrinciplesGotta start adhering to this.

HONcode: Principles

HONcode: PrinciplesGotta start adhering to this.

Back to work

Woke late 7.20 back to work team meet and a Paul Turner catch up today.

London trip

Left in a taxi for lime street, in plenty of time. Saw Jonesy getting the train to Manchester. Great bloke ribbed him about putting on weight. Then Ruth bumped into us outside Costa Coffee. Then we saw Cath from Greenbank on her way to uni. A bit of shopping for essentials, then on to the 9.15 from Limes street. RCN had booked us in 2nd class coach A seats 1&2, as far from the buffet as was possible. Surprisingly ok as an experience Jean was cold had a bit of a kip and I played with various gadgetry. Only glitch was the trolley service running out of hot water aas it arrived at our seat. I comforted meself with a bag of crisps, which made me feel a bit sick. Arrived at Euston on time and made off to the Lancaster Gate Hotel. First mistake get told we aint stopping there. Meet twogeezers from Leeds in the same boat so we are told we are staying in the thistle round the corner – no sweat. Get to the thistle hydepark and told no it’s the other thistle round the corner. Getting a bit browned off with this now. They haven’t heard of us at all. Not good leave the luggage and hotfoot it back for a media briefing at the Lancaster. Arrive late and hungry, get squeezed into a green nursing standard t-shirt and walk to hyde park for a photoshoot. 14 of us looking total lemons (or mebbe limes). Approach a kiosk in the bar but the only fare on offer was fried or big docker butties. Manage to pinch two prawn butties off clare the RCN publishing lady and events co-ordinator.
Then asked would I speak to the Daily mail, nice journo but definitely not taking the angle I fancied. Try to convince her of the message but who knows it’s the daily mail after all.
She is interviewing a cross section of us – most of the speculation amongst the winners is interpreting every event into a view about who has won. Suppose I am thinking that way too. Some geezers are kipping in the Lancaster gate whilst the majority of us are in the thistle. The other gastro lady winner is in the Lancaster gate with four guests all paid for by the sponsors, nice work. Still Jean tells me she uses their gear in her clinical work. Mebbe I could get some sponsorship for the site?
Then into a briefing by Jean the editor of Nursing Standard then into the main hall for a rehearsal. Linda editor in chief of RCN publishing gives us a pep talk. She is one shrewd dude – I warm to her immediately. She gives us a run through and tells us what to expect. She also talks about what to do if you are the winner. Don’t get rooted to the spot. We have a walk through and I walk the wrong way down the steps.
Jean has meanwhile go to do battle over the room and succeeds though we have to change our name by deed poll to Clark. Several other cock ups in there as well. The arrival of coachloads of Russian football supporters just makes things worse.
We get finished up and then Gareth(mens health Sally Army boy) and Elly (leg ulcer club lady) and I walk back to the thistle.
Manage to stop Jean dropping off and we chat and she falls asleep. I amuse myself on the laptop and trying to get their broadband working with me laptop. Doesn't work so GPRS for me.
Wake Jean at 5.30 and start getting ready, leave at 6.15 and if I say so meself we look a fine couple. Arrive at the place and it’s the real mccoy.
Red Jacketed toastmaster lady greeting at door then introducing you to the Prez,Gen secretary of the RCN and editor of Nursing standard. Unfortunately toast lady takes a baccy break as we pull up and I say Hiya to Sylvia and Bev meself. Introduce Jean and get a drink. We are on table 1 the top table with John Reid, Sylvia El Presidente, Bev General Secretary, Linda chief editor lady, Jean Editor lady, some doc who can salsa Who turns out to be a Prof, and another award winner who was nurse of the year in Bermuda some time ago. Wahoo we have arrived. Meet with Gareth and his missus who look as uncomfortable as us. Joined by Jan Sneddon from South Sefton. Jenny and Chris Sudell join us and I shocked by how il Jenny looks, she is zonked on analgesics and has taken to a wheel chair. She is splendidly irreverent as ever. She tells me her ploy is to claim she has Tourettes and shout random abuse throughout the evening. She nominated me for this and wants me to win more than I do.Speculation then about which table you are on and how that effects yer chances. Our location is seen as a good omen. I try desperately not to hope too much but its hard as I have already mentally spent three times any prize money. Get some photos done with Nursing student commendee who is brickin it more than me, two other confident ladies. It is the geezer from the daily mail whom is a nice bloke but has dirt on his shoes. The geezer running the stage aint impressed and follows him with a big piece of sellotape. Out comes big ken, for a photo, well the girls are impressed for sure. Then back into the drinks and toastie lady calls us in. Most just sit down but we follow the lead and stand behind our chairs till madame presidente sits down. I am sat next to Linda, she seems one top geezer and is doing the work presenting the gig. She tells me she don’t take any sauce before, but tells me it is my solemn duty to stash some liquer for her for afterwards – sorted. She goes off and starts the show. Have to confess to being close to tears at her and sylvias words. They say some really nice things about the award winners and how special we all are.
When she sits down I tell her she done good, and through the meal she confirms my suspicions that she is one top geezer. She gives me loads of encouragement to use this year to do all sorts and she wants to be kept informed.
Starter was a big mushroom with chopped mushrooms and parmesan didn’t float my boat. As the mains are being served I get called out to get some more pics taken. Daily mail man had got back to the ranch and his pictures had disappeared, he aint happy.
Go back to the table and its Lamb noisettes and spuds for me. First time I had lamb since the op methinks. Don’t eat much and am finding it hard to relax. Lemon tart for pud with a red coulis that’s nice. Coffee later then on with the show. John Reid joins us at this point he has been home to see his wife - he seems a good laff and soon has us all at ease. He is MP for Belshill, which is where Kierans wifes family live.
Linda introduces him and he gives a helluva introduction. Really pitched it well I as most were was dead impressed. Then its into the awards, surgical wound care cancer and all sorts. All the award winners looked like overall winners. Heres the form Someone in my case Janet one of the judges reads out a sort of citation as pictures of your work are displayed on 2 big screens. I look up to see my mate JK about 12 foot tall smiling at me. They play music as you go up . Mr Coloplast tries to leave the stage after giving rectal lavage lady her gong and clare has to encourage him back to give me mine. Neither Jean or I can remember what music they played. Linda brought cut out pre op ken on stage at this point and John was gobsmacked he took time to chat with you and say he was dead impressed with the look of me – asked me if I could still take a drink – good he said when I replied positively.
To be continued later

I sat down and took a deep breath and a gulp of water. Whoops it all feels a bit real now. Bloomin eck I have been workin hard but its all been mightily worth it. Who would have thought from the messin about in January that this would have happened – feel a bit gobsmacked.
The overall winners were the international award category winners, one of the winners had been died earlier this year and her daughter turned up to collect it. It was really moving and they deserved it. I sat and thought well I done real good just getting this – It will do for me.
After the meal things got real relaxed, it was a party atmosphere loads of people coming up to us saying hello well done you must be proud. Got pictures taken with the great and the good. Evidence here..

Who did we speak to well who didn’t we –
Sylvia the prez.
Beverley the General Secretary.
Ian the Prof.
Prof lady from Wales one of the judges
Karen Birmingham who wrote an article about me for the gastroenterology journal.
Steve Flanagan – RCN NW guy.
Mike Travis – RCN steward in Liverpool – he was wearing a medal.
Janet the chief exec – a judge.
Linda the editor
Loads of general well wishers
Prof Justus
Jean the editor
Got pics done with John Reid
Several people who thought I was Tom – who works in RCN publishing. Then a band come on. I like live music usually in any form I have had crackin nights listening to some terrible acts but these lads were different. I suppose it was a whole sort of acoustic salsa thing in a different language. But I wasn’t the only one not very impressed once they got off and a bit of dance music came on things livened up no end.
Bit of Boogieing then retired home. Met the girls from the hotel debacle having a pint on the bar so enjoyed a couple of bevies with them and retired far too late.
Awoke breakfasted, and went for a walk in Kensington Garden. Went top the paper shop but there was nowt in the telegraph or Mail. Taxi to the station and then coffee and a wireless surf, by sitting under the first class travel lounge. Nowt in evening standard. Train home delayed by 25 minutes good to be back in the pool.

Call Centre Confidential

Call Centre ConfidentialOne cool site but a little rude in parts made me laff out loud.

Monday monday

Get up late for me which is good news - 5 to 7. Ally aint well and its jeans first day at CLPCT. So I am stopping here. She seems to have a bug which is bubbling away and keeps bubbling over. Decide against the doctor and then press on with writing a startegy. Several contacts throughout the day re Nursing standard gig. Sorted out gastro gig I think and start to make sense of strategy. getting there. I need to nip out at teatime when jean gets in I shophappily and then starting my act together for the trip. Busy evening preparing then enjoy prunella scales as victoria. Tired.

Sunday mornin

Im up with the lark and down to the pool again most enjoyable. request kippers and eggs end up with smoked mackerel hot, not good makes me very very ill. I need to stop the car several times to chuck not good. Foul weather up the M1 stop at Hartshead Moor, weather over the pennines is terrible. Back home and then off to Ruth and Pauls for dinner Plenty of emails an a few to follow up. Chill on the site, the time away has given me the opportunity to think a few things through. Plent to do and need to start thinking about things.

Later the same day

Then back to the hotel, and another pool session with Ally while Jean has a kip. Very enjoyable time till a swedish footy youth team take over the pool. Talk to a nice lady about the site in the steam room. Off for dinner. I have cream of vegetable, salmon and coffee caramel cheese cake top stuff. Ally goes up to the room jean and I chill in the bar playin a quiz machine top laffs.

Mamas and Leonies Restaurant, Sheffield, UK

Mamas and Leonies Restaurant, Sheffield, UK turn up here for lunch -top gaff. Excellent Lasagne, Jean has a feta salad and Ally has a calzone. Really impressive excellent food.

Saturday.

Got it bad now its off to the gym at 8.10, meet an interesting radiographer and tell her about the site, then to the steam room sauna jacuzzi I aint never been so clean. Kippers and eggs for breakfast and off to Sheffield. Enjoy a good walk through the town and visit record shops a gogo. top stuff seeing the price variation in Yes albums. Struggle looking for somewhere for lunch.

Friday

Breakfast fruit juice poached egg and kippers. Off to Meadowhell as a local tells me its called. Get Jeans outfit for Tuesday must admit its the first time we been clothes shopping together and its hard. Debenhams come up trumps eventually. Ally has a dinkum time wandering round alone, she is truly happen here. We meet for lunch in a family pub it was crap - big time. Lasagne for me. Then back to the otel, all of us off to the pool kewl. Eat at 7.15, tomato soup, and salmon and prawn terrine for me. Dissapointing cheese and bics.

Thursday

Girls go for a haircut, I chill on the site. We set off about 11 ish, stop at Hartshead Moor services for a toilet break then Wooley edge for lunch. I end up with Chicken broth and roll the girls boogie on down to Harry Ramsdens. A treat to find but we get there in the end. Our destination its a modern gaff set back off the main Chesterfield/Sheffield road. Room 217 triple non smoker on the second floor. We are staying three nights paid for by ourTesco clubcard. Dinner Bed Breakfast 50 squid that'll do for me. Chill out round the otel and get off to the gym. Do some good cardio work and then its down to the pool, steam room jacuzzi and out. The girls didnt show they turn up in the bar so I have a mediocre pint of Boddys. Back to the room chill out and down for dinner, girls go fo mixed hor'dourves (spelling) I have salmon mains and caramel cheescake. Then upstairs to watch the Bill 25th anniversary live show. Bit dissapoining really then back down to the bar.

Wednesday

Mornin chillin in da house. Then a quick call from the nursing standardsends me off to office worl for a huge roll of bubble wrap to wrap up big ken to courier to london. This is the gaff top looking joint. This is th efirm Amtrak I thought it would cost a load the online quote implies it will be about 80squid for the two parcels.

St James and Seacroft University Hospital's Obesity Surgery

St James and Seacroft University Hospital's Obesity Surgerythe official Mr P website.

BBC Inside Out - Surprising stories, familiar places

BBC Inside Out - Surprising stories, familiar placesSteve pollard stuff

Tuesday

Off to Franks for an early am cut, Peter starts about 6.30 so my 7.45 is cool. He is a top guy short of stature and deaf but we get on fine. For a long time I wouldnt let him near the barnet but he is the barber of choice now. Interviewed for gastro journalPicked up the DJ full gear from the shop at Taggart today 39 squid for a couple of weeks. off the Matchworks for the flu jab, nice ladt there. Show a few of the bods from the works cutout big ken. Much respect. off for filming goes well and then off to support group a top talk from steve pollard. Goes well then home

Monday

Ring the Bosch service department - comin wednesday this is gonna cost I suspect. Sort out some work gear, and chill. Book an interview for Tuesday Mornin with Karen a Journo from RCN - seems a good un, but then they all do. Chill round the house, and take my work in for a sort out with Jon, he is enthusiastic in extremis. We may be parting company, I end up sounding spookily like David Brent when I tell him I am thebest boss he will ever have, well its true, I am David Brent. Kim passes on the latest updates, her sisters credibility is failing fast after the duff gen on the Merseyrail system. Back Home Jean has been in a cleaning frenzy, which disturbs me. Generalised chilling and sorting webstuff.

Googlewhacking: The Search for The One True Googlewhack

Googlewhacking: The Search for The One True Googlewhack Spend far too much time playing with this concept

Sunday

Chill AM, till the oven breaks, luckily it was as we finished making the lunch. Went to otterspool after had a long walk along the front I was up for the pier head and backbut was overruled. Bought a PC for my sister and bro-in-law from Dell. the ask you will the machine be used to support acts of terrorism or develop weapons of mass destruction. Tempted to say yes, I must point out I was using her credit card most enjoyable. Spoke to niece home for weekend, mess onn website for the rest of the day.

Saturday

Cool day do little in the am. Go to gym later and work hard. Pick mother up, nearly kill her as she suicidally launches herself in to the road during a reversing in a rainstorm incident. Go to borders read a book on nutrition and metabolism and realise that I have been taken the wrong vit b. I have been taking B6 which is used to prevent PMS and I should have been taking B1 to prevent Wenickes encephalopathy which has sarted showing up in Bariatric patiens. i have seen it once or twice not nice and preventable. Off to Boots Monday. Big read in the pm followed by scary moments.

friday

Postman arrives with my Blogger Hoodie kewl
Start the day late witha 10o'clock about systems at Rathbone, slightly out of my depth but accompanied by a geezer from Audit things feel clearer. It finishes surprisingly early and its back home lasagne for dinner. Jean drops me at the Matchworks then a new GMS contract fest starts first with the main group back to back with informatics and quality outcomes subgroup. Sam is a star and relieved that she is on the ball and Paul J wants an early dart.
18 years ago I gave up travelling by the merseyrail train system. A bit like the underground it is a quick way of getting round Merseyside.
Most people will know how welcome the super obese are on mass transit systems and whole well they meet our needs.
Well yesterday I took the train from Garston to Moorfields in town. It didnt help that me mate had told me I would need to change, or that I was bricking it. I stood on the platform for 10 mins the train arrived, I sat on a normal seat, enjoyed the ride Nobody else on the trai seemed to realise how special and exciting this was. It was a privilege to travel on this very fine system they probably wondered why this guy was smiling. Merseyrail had missed the occaision and there was little evidence of the welcome back Ken Clare banners. Very little trumpet fanfares when I arrived for the first time in my life in Moorfields. I was open mouthed at the whole spectacle looking like an recent arrival from an underdeveloped country. The escalator was quite spooky too. I then was faced with a choice of exits, unknown to me I just chose right and exited the station I went down the ramp, forgetting I can do stairs now. I then walked the half a mile to the pub in the cold and enjoyed it. When i got there I wasn't sweating, or in pain.I didnt need to rush to sit down. I enjoyed a few Yorkshire terriers with an old friend and it felt kinda good - a bit special really. A search for Yorkshire Terrier turned up A blog fuelled by Beer kewl

Thursday.

Meeting with system supplie cancelled instead we meet and I wonder what is going on. tesco for lunch pick up some chicken soup and smoked salmon. Paperwork and then the delightful Sam has organised the facilitators forum good stuff. home and chill.

Wednesday

Supposed to be at a vodafone gig at Old trafford today, pressure of work prevents and I end up dealing with emails instead. Meeting with Kim to get on top of new GMS contract meeting actions. Then a good one to one with Val. Not a bad day at all. Get quite a bit done.

Tuesday

Niece Ann and god daughter megans birthdays today. Few probs on the website and get a lot of work sorting them. Interesting meeting dealing with sorting out the works phone system. A few jobs pulling things together then off for luch at Damons with finance gurus Andy and Kim. Cool time then a meeting about our website and ebusiness strategy. Goes well then its off home. Jk has picked pre-op Ken up kewl or what. JK is a dude he has been rough but looks better tonight than he has for ages. Well pleasing.

Monday Morning

Always comes round to early. TAlk to the delightful Rebecca on the way in, she aint been too good and I have been worried about her. Get into work and for a wee while actually begin to act and feel like a senior manager. Meet with Diane older persons nurse to try and plan a startegy for this afternoons meet. Then ring Jeanette in the LIS to get her to explain things to me. Single Assessment Protocol, which seems a fairly good idea but difficult to implement.
Actually make good inroads into me inbox and start getting things squared Jon has done an excellent job. Everything is fine till a box arrives from BT syntegra with a copy of the promovid I was in in it. Oh how I laffed, I almost sounded credible then the last few frames end with me with a pathetic grin on me face. Nice still makes the boys laff and laff. Also some goodies which we have to declare then share out the bounty.
SAP meeting in the afternoon when a plan starts to come together. Feels almost joined up. Scoot home and lasagne for tea, good bit of support work then a phone call to the excellent Vivvi who is seriously into fund raising and eurocash, social enterprise and socially excluded. Feels like something great will come out of that phone call.

Sunday

Arose relatively late and hit the cooking trail.
Delia abounds, shepherds pie and adapted luxury smoked fish top stuff. All enjoy. I find the potato sits heavy. Have the fish pie at lunch and then leftover shepherds for tea. Bit of a milestone as I enjoy cooking for the first time in ages. The girls go to church and I engage in the wlsinfo chat session. I enjoy it and it is good to talk to people, sort of in real life. Also realising its not all ticketty boo, and people havedowntimes too. Enjoy Henry 8 part two, Ray bloats up towards the end, what a nasty piece of work. The church of england dont come out of it very well.

Saturday

webwork chilling and shopping. Gym again weight messing about several conflicting messages from scales. Choose to stand back and see the bigger picture. Borders in the evening with Ally and watch Henry 8.

Wednesday, Thursday, friday

Home again, gym and chill.

Monday and Tuesday.

Conference gig. Natioanl Obesity Forum top gig it goes well I end up speaking and decline the Tuesday BBC news. Dont want to cheese work off. Meet hundreds of new people andlove it. Marvel at the photos, meet Rosemary Conley and Chris steele Telly doc are interesting. Just a wow.
Causes me to reflect on the last conference I attended.
Reflections from a delegate.
Last time I attended a conference in London I was probably about 33 stone, I walked with the aid of two elbow crutches, my joints screamed with pain. Attending the NOF conference made me reflect on what it was like, and the difference now.

I was roused from a deep sleep by my wife, who helped me bathe. Barely able to squeeze into our extra large bath, but unable to stand long enough to shower. I needed help to wash my feet, and had to be assisted out of the bath and towelled dry by to reach the unreachable parts. I couldn’t dress my self, my shoes and socks were things that I had to rely on my wife to attend to. Unable to stand long enough to prepare food she would do it, or I would perch on my industrial strength wooden garden chair.

We drove in my enormous Ford Galaxy (I could fit behind the wheel) to Lime street station, parked in the disabled parking space and she and my daughter carried my luggage to the virgin office, where I was handed over to a helpful lady. Having prebooked and holding a disabled persons rail card I was able to use their care scheme.

She escorted me to my reserved seat in second class it soon became clear that there was no way I was fitting in the seat, it wasn’t wide enough and the table made it impossible. I felt ashamed as the staff helpfully tried to first wedge me in then secondly extricate me.

The senior hand suggested an upgrade to first class was appropriate; the seats are made for comfort. She made a fuss of telling me it would cost 15 quid but quietly confided she only did that to stop me being lynched by the other passengers. Breathless anxious sweating and in pain I commenced a slow journey to the other end of the train. The seats were bigger but indeed I still had to be forced into position. A kind guard plied me with drinks I generally refused because I knew I was large to get in to the narrow doored toilet.

On arrival at Euston I was told to await the Euston equivalent of the nice lady, after 35 minutes in a darkened carriage a man came to evict me he radioed mobility assistance. A man who was an obvious obesophobic arrived. The friendly accusatory stare made me feel great. He threw my luggage into the back of his powered cart and I took up the entire back seat and was driven complete with orange flashing lights around Euston. Might as well been displaying a who ate all the pies banner.

On arrival at the taxi rank the smiles said it all. I struggled out with my luggage and crutches. The porter helped with luggage I had to stand queuing for fifteen minutes drenched in sweat and breathless every joint screaming in protest. I registered and made my way to my room which was helpfully disabled friendly. The had removed the toilet door.

The toilet was located so close to the heated towel rail, after squeezing myself in I burnt my leg again and again. Not many people know that obese men sit to pee. Defecation brought the delight of a long handled bottom wiper. A folding instrument around which toilet paper is wrapped. It isn’t quite clear how you remove the toilet paper in an eco friendly way. The job is usually finished with a shower and some imagination, particularly if a shower head is fixed.

I ate food delivered by room service too ashamed to travel the dining room, ok for the evening meal. But the breakfast was left on the floor outside the room. Only tactic was to get on the floor shuffle out on my backside. The door slammed and yes the key was in the room, still at least I had my shirt and underpants on. Only 20 minutes till someone passed and got the porter for me. Beginning to feel a bit low by this point. Back into the room and I got ready by now I needed another shower. Achieved with some difficulty by squatting in the shower, .

I was on the seventh floor and had to let the lift go 7 times before I got one empty enough to consider getting in. Then a cab (another fat friendly geezer - not). The conference centre and a 40 minute queue for registration, wracked with pain I get into the hall. Taking two seats is always popular. Coffee was impossible, bottled water from home. Lunch was a treat a buffet with two crutches was a non starter. Eventually found an eatery with chairs without arms.

There was I believe an exhibition I don’t know it was too far to even comprehend going to. Standing talking was impossible, a complete non starter. In the afternoon the sessions I wanted to attend were cunningly planned at opposite ends of the huge centre. In the end I just stayed in the same room and looked interested in what was going on. The drinks reception was a hoot two chairs in the whole room I got one then discovered how wheelchair users feel, conversing with peoples groins. Dinner was a nightmare chairs with arms, well I asked the poor eastern European waiter and he got the drift. The AVA technician brought in a collapsible folding armless chair sized me up then took it away. The place settings are of course set for a normal sized geezer a third of my body weight and width.

But never mind I was a jolly fat man, but never, despite appearances a fat jolly man.

It brought it home at the end of the NOF conference a man said aren’t you going shopping, I hadn’t realised I was able. I had forgotten I could run 5k in 38 minutes so I could probably do a bit of shopping.

Sunday a week ago

Seems like an age away, chilled then went to London 15.15 train took an age went via Piccadilly 5 hours made easier by a beer with the geezer from Kenyons. Arrived at hotel and set up the stand with Nell A top gaff formerly the YWCA and was designed by Lutyens of doomed Liverpool Cathedral project fame.

that week

Saturday a gentle start to the to the day and we relax together, mental note made to take things easier have clearly been overdoing it. Which is never a good idea. Off to Borders and Argos to get a laminator and then lunch in Damons we act like a chilled family. Fall asleep in the afternoon then send Jean to pick Nanna up. Very tired

Friday
Doesn't start well and gets worse, feeling very sick send myself home very ropey. An awful lot of vomiting and then feeling goosed a s a result.
Thursday.
Off to see the trainers at Newhall in the offices of North PCT – their boardroom no less. A good conversion but Newhall is still one strange gaff. Very odd place a row of cottages facing each other a variety of uses through the years but it still retains its institutional feel. I feel strangely at home there after my extensive training at the now demolished Winwick Hospital.
Back to the works and it’s a cheerful gig with informatics meets prescribing. We get on well with Clare Lisa Sharon and the rest of the gang, at least now we understand better what they are about.
I stand Stella and Ann up (sorry mates) but needs must when the paperwork is piling. Meet with Robin Ireland from Herart of mersey an allround good guy who gives me a few things to think about.
Then its off to Hammy NCP treat, costing me a fortune.
Home inevitable lasagna and chill.


Wednesday.
Have to dip out of a meeting with Fran and Veronica to take part in the payroll review group. After that it’s the Richmond tavern with Keith an auditor who is surprising good company for an auditor. Sorry to diss an entire profession but speak as you find I say.
Then its off to Hammy House for a demo of a training database software package, still it runs on .net and I understand that a bit.
Home and chill.


Tuesday.
In the office for most of the day , turgid experience catching up but getting on top of a few things at last. Caught up with Christine about the Desktop roll out she truly has done a sterling job and got us on target in the end. Top stuff, she has really shown an excellent skill set and it has been a pleasure to be part of her development.
Then its off to see Jon Consultant Physician and Lecturer at the university. Cool dude and we hit it off straight away. He helps John Wilding run the obesity management clinic at Walton where I was treated for 2 and a bit years. We talk for ages but the time passes real quick. Heaps of stuff is covered he and I are off the the same National Obesity Forum gig next week so it cool to catch up before the conference.
What did we cover well easier to say what we didn’t cover.
Academic research into obesity surgery and the lack of quality work.
On being fat and being treated and recovering.
The Trial that he wants me to be on the steering committee of.
All sorts of stuff really enjoyable and the time just flies.
Then its off home via Sainsbury Walton, I only have time for a pasta salad as at 8 it’s the first meeting of the cell. A good group of geezers, with a good sense of humour and a deeply spiritual focus. We meet at Franks surgery and after a discussion we wander round praying in many rooms. Seems a bit odd but most refreshing spiritually

Monday

Start the day at Hammy House for a heads meeting, alaff and the dynamics are kinda interesting. Whip off to the car park,via delaneys. The pie shop and newsagents. I miss Pies, I purchase their home made chicken and sweetcorn soup which I enjoy in the rain the NCP is gonna cripple me I must claim mileage this month. Off to Belle Vale for a meeting about the GPwSI work that one out. A woman from the past accuses me of impersonating Ken Clare. Only remedy is to produce a before shot and say look. She finally accepts it. Paul Smith is as entertaining as ever. Julie is cool for a dietitian.
Back to Hammy House they seem tohave morphed Belle Vale and the presence of the new Morrisons store confuses me. Arrive back at the leeching NCP and back to Hammy for a meeting with Paul "Mr Angry" and Tony. Tony who is from St Helens telss me Johnny Vegas and his wife have split up. She says St Helens was too much like the league of gentlemen, tony aint best pleased but I can see where she is coming from. Back home via the LIS team. Computer problems at the works and Mick aint feelin good, Get home chill and feel stiff as a board. All day people have been saying it will b worse tomorrow and guess what, they were right.

Sunday mornin

Off to Chester via Runcorn, nice morning but running is a bad idea. Get to the Roodee and end up parked next to Fran. Not as atmospheric as the liverpool start but a pleasant course through the historic city. Come in at 38.52 a massive shave off my PB of 47 08 wellchuffed. Photograhic evidence here. Off home wet through with a bad case of joggers nipple(s).Off to Ruth and Pauls where I eat a normal Sunday Lunch and feel good. Back home and very tired. Jean goes off to Church Ally jibs Pathfinders and we watch a frightening waking the dead.

Saturday Afternoon

No gym today, serious preparation for tomorrows run. Pick Mama up with Ally and whisk her home via somerfields.
Back to ours, and then whip ally back to nannas via Borders. Jean is off out to the tennis club I is off to Jack the Lads leaving bash. Based at Mustard smithdown road, they are eating, but the proles and post oppers wait in the bar. One of those dont want to go just stay for one and then off nights turns into a boss laff and too much bitter is consumed. Joined by Neil and Karen from South Sefton a feisty pair, who assure me they are just mates. Get home very late and very tired and emotional. Morning comes all to soon.

Buggles had it right

Remember them interestingly they were the first video played on MTV. I remember feeling very sad they day the geezer joined YES. What a heavy bummer. I listened to to my interview in horror, do I really sound like that.At the start I thought it was going to get unpleasant but it turned out cool in the end. Click here if you dare.

Friday am I off or am i not

Jon is off I take the chance to catch up in the office Jean is off but I aint. The delightful stuart from Boots hearing rings up to check how I am doing, not well really. Get some work done, and then lunch at the Bear and Staff, Chicken and crab ballotine strange combination but good. Back to the works and get on with it. Off to pick ally and her mates up from school, good stuff and then a tesco beef finest lasagne. Then its off to to radio merseyside to appear on Roger Lyon show I think it went ok but I will hear it soon. Then its off to Beas to see ally and jean. Some git has stole allys id on a website and messed about with it, ally gets a lesson in password management

thursday

off to the works someone doesnt turn up for a meet (second time this week)reason volume control turned down on blackberry. Phone meet with a chief exec from yorkshire then improving working lives meeting at sir alfred jones. Interesting gig many of the staff saw me on the telly but whats funny is they all know me mam. Back to the works and have a confusing meeting with finance nothing new there then.
Got home just chilled with the girls.

Wednesday

Team meeting good stuff, good presentation from Tracey even more impressed when I learn it is her first. Out to Asda with Kim pick up some lunch then back to the works. Bit of a catch up then a big meet with central.
Celebratory curry at Millon enjoy my foray with a pint of lager a pappadum and two prawn puri starters, only eat a bit of bread. Tres Bon

Orf to leeds

So its off to Leeds for a meeting with EMIS well the notes have a dubious professionally priveliged info which means I cant talk about, suffice to say it is interesting. I travel with Doc McCoy aka greasy lover riding shotgun, and Linda in he back we have good journeys both ways and even catch a bit of yes on the way back, top stuff. Back home and off to Greenbank for tea and there is a kids party on me jean ally hil and jen chow down cool. Good meeting we are joined by mary and les and jack pops in. Good meet and plenty done then back home. The support group is moving, going places.

monday media whore done large

Get up log on chill, go to work. Bit of a noshow from Caroline and Paul for the 9.30, am I out of the loop or what. Still plenty to do. Maurice has been agreed to be in this vid for a software supplier of our acquaintance. First of all Stuart tuens up our asthenic producer, nice geezer socialist roots and floppy actors hair. i warm to him straight away, then Julia PR person cool. And then the crew -big gig this, small camerman, large lugger, and medium sized Bobby Ball Lookalike sound man. Then Carol from the software gang. Much chunnering about location and props. Maurice and I agree questions clearly none of them know the Bobby Moore. So we script it ourselves - loosely. Thy take an age to set up then I'm in. Bobby Ball says I look like Alexei Sayle tosh he is fatter and older than me (I hope). Still its better than Bobby Ball. Stuart Interviews me in a very loose style all questions asked at least three times for different shots. Lights are hot and my ead is shiny out comes the makeup. Very strange. Still I have a larf and end up strangely relaxed under the lights. I was knakkered afterwards and late eating lunch Linda arrives and whisks em of to Max Road after Maurice shoots his bit and they do some external shots of the works. Clinical Governance after lunch loosely chaired by Maurice, top geezer and GP to the clares to boot. Bit of chunnering with Jon then Off home. Ally has had a tooth out, she sure is braver than me, she looks cool and is sound. I would have been a wailing. Phone calls and stuff to sort for the committee gig tonight. Off to Leeds today so better saddle up.
Loopyboy is trying to sort my access to aditus - its a good thing but last when it ant right.

Sunday

I arise early and chunner away at the keyboard. The girls surface and we get a call from Ali L. Down at the end of the road inviting us for breakfast. Nice gaff Jean orders a cookie (which she later reveals was dissapointing) Ally has a bagel and I go for a blueberry pancake. Mine is tops. Paul and his mate Neil andthe irrepressible Archie there an all. I walk back home for more webstuff and the girls are tesco bound. A light lunch then off to the Sefton suite to see me post op mate. Join in him a fortisip,energy protein drink, fruits of the forest cool. Good time and meet the nurse who took me catheter out last year, she seems to have survived. She is a health visitor and partner in crime of the supportive Delia. Back home via PC world for some t-shirt transfers (long story). Chill out, ham and mush tagliatelle with added ham for tea. Terrible burping afterwards but no repercussions. Jean scoots of to the kirk Ally for a walk and I web. Talk to Jen and we get sorted for the support group committee meet on Tuesday. Lots of fun on aditus and downloading oodles of research. Make a mental note about critical appraisal skills refresher needed. Chillout with waking the dead art 2 which contains several minor celebs ex Rockcliffes babes star and the weasly guy of prime suspect - good actors both.

Saturday Am

I got a card today from a lady called Helen Griffith she won the Gastro Nurse of the year gig last year. "I just wanted to drop you a line to add my congratulations. Enjoy your year its a tremendous accolade and opportunity to shout about your achievements. Soak up thepraise its well deserved."
Aint that nice.
Chill round the house, web site a messing. Off to the gym weigh in 17stone 4lbs Kewl or what 4lb to the half a man gig. Feel good. Do 3k in 28 mins jog 1 min walk 1 min, do a bit of bike work and then another 20 on the mill. In to the bar for a regulation OJ and off to pick mum up from Nans. Near kill a suicidal maniac pushing a wheel chair down the midddle of Marmaduke Street, about to hurl abuse when I realise it is ones parent. Park the car and trot back to push the last leg of the journey (on the kerb). Take mother home after talking to Nan and once again thinking she aint fit to be living alone, every move looks painful for her.
Home tea, and off to Borders cool saturday night gig with the girls. Chill in Starbucks reading. Tres bon. Home for waking the dead - like that.

So Friday replayed

A busy day at the office, involved moving offices during and after the GMS contract working group. Things are lined up for Monday with EMIS after a fashion. Got home about 5.30 some crisps and milk then off out for tea. Meet up with Kim in the Richmond, a fair int of pedigree, and off to the venue for tonights gig. The Patio another Penny Lane Allerton road gaff but surprisingly good. Tough Ali whose leaving doo it was has mean taste. It was a strange juddery start tothe night, people who work together feeling a bit nervous made even more so by the presence of the line manager and CEO. Settled down at one end with a good bunch, Kim, Angela who was also leavin, Gail and Andy. FIne banter all night and a raspin debate about the chronology of Blue Peter presenters. The beer was not much cop dreaded smoothflow, John Smiths I think. Some house red, palatable. Then food broke out. I started with chicken liver pate, binned the carbs and ate 80% it was a nice smooth texture and very tasty. The menu was special there was more to choose from than ever menu before. I settled for a selection of prawns. The range of seafood was excellent and most available in starter main sizes. I had large prawn selection which was 16 king boys. 4 in jackets barbequed (all gone) 4 in garlic and erb butter(did 2), 4 in white wine and cream (2 down) and 4 in sweet chilli (2 down). Top stuff. Scabbed a bit of angelas pud a fine malteset cheesecake. Coffee, tops worked out at 35 quid a head. Kims need for nicotine drove us off the Richmond, more pedigree saw the Murph from Merseycare and away.

It was cool

Friday was cool.i worked hard in work till after five. the previous day i jut left em to it, EMIS is sweating, but I am still going. Ali started as a cool dude and hung on in there. The website is kewl too
tara
ken

office based catch up time

mucho embarrassment after yesterdays cake dumping fiasco. Try to catch up with a lot, get on with things and it starts to feel better. Have a meeting with Jon and get a plan through things. Busy day but feel good. Off to Sefton suite and catch up with three post ops two off the site and one who will be soon. Nice to see the sefton suite staff an all. Back home and chill with the girls tesco salmon for tea, new spuds and carrots.

Loopyboy pulls a fast one.

THe Loopylibrarian aka Kieran has linked to the start of this blog a well weird time and place read the first few weeks last night felt the whole gamut of emotions.

Wednesday - delegation

du at two gigs miss one and send Jon alone to the second I stay and Press on. Lengthy dialogue with EMIS about the promo video we are doin and a good catch up. Feel fine and munch on AGM leftovers for dinner. Fine until I go for a walk then eat a piece of Blackforest cake - big mistake suffer from the famous Dumping syndrome not good get sent home, driven by the lovely Linda. Bog break then sleep, feel better after a couple of hours. Wake up and chill, lasagne for tea, then off to the works to get my wallet. Back via nannas and tescos jean says get summat for tea anything so long as its not lasagne type. i end up with a salmon pots and carrots combo. Back home Jean is off to house group and I sort me inbox watch Yes blog and chill. Get a call from me mam I am in the Merseyart local freesheet, about the corporate cup. Cool media whore status assured.

Tuesday - catch up morning

try to get on top of things in the morning, make some progress Jon is still fully employed with matters agm. Tuff going and lunchtime a trip to tesco with kim to pick up some lunch then bomb to hammy house to pick up the new blackberries. This is the new beastie, a 6210 most enjojayable and a doddle to set up. Obviously something wrong there then.
Return for a session with Ray but end up blackberry upgradin instead. Catch Ray later and sort our stuff out. Home quick lasagne, then intercepted by a director from Granada factuals. David had warned me but he just caught me. Wants to do a 13 parter, on weight loss, radical techniques. Manus is a good guy I decide I point him here and we discuss a load. We arange to meet and I am off to the Glaxo with Ally Jean plans to follow later, after seeing her mum. The meeting goes well 31 or so members 75 quid raised from the clothing exchange a few donations and a general good vibe. Library books return and are redistributed. New members appear and the responsibility overwhelms me. Several people point out that they are only there coz they saw me in the paper or on telly. I am knakkered but keep going, I should have been at the AGM but have to miss it. We have a real good discussion about Manus from granada filming the next meet. It goes well connect with several people but feel pulled in too many directions. Get home exhausted.

Monday - was meant to be off

I had booked the day off and Jon had out it in the diary but I find myself being booked into a really important GMS contract meeting at 3. Which requires a tad of preparation to boot. I fiddle in the morning at home. make lots of phone calls, including an interesting one to a woman from Woman magazine who is recruiting for a body confidence series and wants a woman who has dieted lost at least 10st then put some of it back on. Post about it but to no avail. Have lunch with Kim at the bear and staff in Gateacre, the food (fish pie) is delightful and they serve real ale with a selection of guest beers which rotate, albeit to an obviously corporate calender. I notice Directors and Old peculiar as standard as well. Worth a revisit. The city planners confound me by installing a roundabout at the junction of woolton road and Gateacre Brow. The fact the stop line seems to have been written in chalk and its raining torrentially dont help none either. Off to pick Sam up who is a star and has done her homework, she briefs me fully and the GMS meeting with Paul and Paul goes well. Back home and the inevitable lasagne for tea. Attack the Tivo and make it record to tape, most impressed indeed. Webbing early finish at 8.30 catch a surreal corrie and then waking the dead. Support group tonight so busy boy again.

My new screen saver

Product Informationthis is awesome

Sunday

Spent the morning doing the party shotsGet there in the end. The hats worked well. Ruth Paul CJ Bea And Alan for lunch so we is busy. Chat on MSN with one of our younger members G brings home to me what a difference this stuff is making. Go for a walk with Jean before Tea, good time to talk. Jean goes off to Church Ally goes out and I web it. TryChat room for the first time in anger, I find it quite hard to keep up. Overshoot the net curfew by 3 mins and enjoy waking the dead on the beeb.

Blogger makes me cross

Just wrote saturday up , pressed the wrong button asked if I wanted tosave it then it dissapeared aint rewriting it in case its here somewhere.

Slurp

Slurp And 9% of total hits to wlsinfo are from this geezer

Remove a Site from Google

Remove a Site from Google 2% of hits to wlsinfo (total 255,000 last week are from this wee beastie).

Friday annual leave and a rest - Yeah!

Website gear early am then its off to town with Ally. Lunch while driving into town, Indonesian tiger prawns. Appointment with stuart from Boots hearing care. One of my Songbirds has broke. He is a top geezer listens to my experiences with the aid and prescribes a slightly less acute version. No longer will I have Bionic hearing, and jump everytime a phone rings. They are coming by post cool. Then its off to to John Lewis for a shirt for the party. Cool XL is too big need large instead, Ally approves sartorial matters and off up to the caff. Top gig double espresso and carrot cake. See Jane and her two nippers nice lady from the support group. Up to Bank pay cheques in and then back to car via thorntons. Home Mousakka then out. Merseyside Dock Workers Social Club has a huge function room, whi ch we rattle around in. Touched by peoples generosity and warmth, a good time is had by all. The sefton suite are there in force and Mr Kerrigan turns out. After discussin strategy and wls politics we are approached by a welsh member who slips me the nod that one of our younger members and her mum and desperate to have a word. In order to avoid favoritism or anyone feeling left out I drag the geezer round and introduce him to all and sundry. Feel a bit like the lord Lieutenant with the Duke of Edinburgh, but it as things seem pay off and much neded answers are given (nice one G).
Engage in Tomfoolery with hats. My Peruvian Llama herders number is joined by a mickey mouse rig, which was generous gift from Kim. Audrey and Fi two of our scots members have supplied a C U Jimmy tamashanter with matching wig, plus a fantastic tartan viking number. See the evidence here and beyond. Very popular way of getting self concious people like me to pose for the camera. This may catch on. We have two turns Dean Kane, and Jody Stevens and Lexus. Very entertaining night. It goes on too long, Doctor McCoy briefly reacquaints me with Dr Jamesons Low calorie Nerve Tonic. Hmmm not good and not clever. JK runs me home in his big white van. It is late.

Thursday

Busy morning trying to catch up with desk based stuff. Off to Damons in Speke for lunch, with Kim and Andy a sort of gutbusting american diner type gaff. Not really the sort of joint for me. But we have a scream and two starters between three of us. Back for a 2o'clock with Craig from Vodafone. Cool dude with a bag full of tricks. We talk about GPRS and mobile phones and all sorts of jolly interesting stuff. Jonathan is clearly excited by all this talk. Chill out Thursday night.

blackberry is live

Inspired by the vodafone meeting I use the blackberry to post.

Wednesday can it get worse.

start the day early with the catchingly named strategic planning and primary care directorate meeting. Not a bad gig then to desk before setting off for EMIS pcs meeting at Hammy. Intercept Kim who has returned from states. Pick mum up on the way, call at Tesco for lunch pasta salad then to Hammy. Meet goes well and kick some .........then caroline and exchange some views. Drop her off at home and then get home for mince and pasta. Off to cozzies to help him fill in his dla form and then to tescos. Cozzie gives me lasagne and wine for tomorrow. Mission Impossible 2. Recieved letters from Gordon WLS man from Leeds, and Jeff and Frank the GP's wife all doing well.

Tuesday more of the media whore

The morning spent near the desk trying to deal with the backlog of undone jobs, Jon is busy with with AGM stuff I feel lousy asking him to do anything. Ally is still off school as the pipes have broken. So I nip home at lunchtime to see her, stopping at Tescos for some madagascan crevettes and a ploughmans wedge for her. Back to the works for a three way meeting with Sam and Veronica, it goes well. Heather rings later, chief of the physios she is a cool dude and avid blog watcher.
Off home vis the gym do 3k in 30mins. jog for nine minutes. The menu has changed in greenbank and there was nothing there for me, so it was off to tesco for ham and mushroom tagliatelle. Microwaved with extra ham it was delicious. Relax at home.

Monday and aching.

Less sore than anticipated but get to work via Childwall Park Avenue, and a mickey take by the gang there. Who thought the radio man saying I was 47 was tres amusant. Bus sam to the works for a meeting with Maurice our clinical governance lead - top geezer. When he eventually turns up. He had a fifth year swedish/polish origin liverpool med student in tow. Wonder what she was making of the gig. Then into a meeting with the RNIB and access to work about reasonable adjustments for a member of staff with visual impairment. Job sorted then its lunchtime. Sort meself out for the Informatics working group. A really important group which I should have set up 122 months ago but Iwas busyelsewhere. Some top geezers on the group and I am buzzing by the end. Do a bit of admin at the desk, field a couple of calls and its off home. M&S chicken Lasagne and coliflower cheese. (part of the I dont eat enuff veg campaign). I aint sure about chicken lasgne, woman on BBC local news who had bypass surgery 6 moths ago. And a follow up show at 7.30. I am too busy sorting the website stuff. The jobs a good un and things feel better.
Some wine and a bottle of single malt (its real ale not whisket whilst watching an enjoyable Waking the Dead)

Sunday is here

Get up too early 6.30 and do website work. Feel tearful when I realise how far I have come. But get moving and sort ourselves out. Get to town and wait in JMU carpark for Mickey and co. He turns up and we natter then its off to Hammy house for photoshoot. Then David turns up late we wander down to the start area we meet roger from kenyons and the photographer. DK disapears to find a bog and the photographer gets annoyed then its in to the start. A great feeling carnival atmosphere end up meeting people I know and getting encouraged by people I have never met but have seen me.
Loads of slpct teams too top feelin i enjoy it. Sort a lot of stuff with David on the way round, supported by JK, aunie Betty & uncle john and donna, plus several others. It made me smile then i got interviewed, not sure if it was radio or just the local PA. Then off to shenanigans with Jean ally mike jane and their brood and David. and then kfc for the girls home cooked chicken for me a treat. knakkered in the afternoon, blisters and tired but we is getting there. 47 minutes 8 seconds see the evidence here.

Saturday

Web work in the morning and long talk to sort out the disquiet on wlsinfo. All goes well. Off to town in the afternoon via the gym to drop Jacks tshirt off. Go round town do Littlewoods John Lewis and M&S have a good time and made up to get top gear. Back home via Nanny banks who saw me on the telly but saiid the teletext subtitles was crap. fair comment take me mam home via ours. You look fat on the telly she says, she is right.It adds a stone at least. Take her home then I get a trip to tesco on me own cool. Jean is off out. Unloading the car pauline and john from next door say I should have told them their shed was going to be on telly. laff away. Get home slap in shepherds pie, take ally to her mates to watch a dvd. Her friends parents saw the telly and wanna talk about it. Fair enuff but me pie is burnin. I is tired and wanna get eatin. Get home sort tea and website stuff cool

Friday media whore strikes back

Workin away on caldicott gig happily till Tim from Kenyons our PR called and said how do you fancy bein on telly tonight. Flap a bit but agree, Granada reports the Beeb have knocked me back coz they is doin a follow up on one of Steve Pollards patients on Monday night, fickle world innit. Head to hammy for a meeting with the PCS gang. But cant stop worrying about the TV gig wonder about me shirt, but decide against an upgrade. Speak to Lorraine Davids secretary she is sound. Good meeting where I d a passable impersonation of an NHS manager. Then back to the house for to pick up me kit, on the way out I pick up a bit of body fat these telly guys like visuals, I believe. Take a packet of wafer thin ham which I munch in the car as a means of producing indigestion. They like audio effects too I believe.
Arrive at the matchworks at 2 minutes to 2. A bit nervous and Richard from Kenyons , my handler is waiting for me. This is the plan, he explains then the geezers from Granada turn up , they tell us what we are going to. I hate this but adopt my media head. i hate it but if it gets the message to one person it is good attitude, also lie back smile and do as you is told these geezers are professionals I aint.
They like that and we laff. The boss from Kenyons is there Roger, Mr Kenyon I like it when you meet the name ad he is a real geezer, always wanted to meet Mr Kipling.
The boy from Granada is sound and the camera man is a top geezer. They start with me walking from the carpark to the front door. I pretend Maurices BMW is mine. Only takes three goes. Then into the works rig up a desk and talk for ages to the guy about the op and its effects. I look up and there are several people watching me I feel a complete dork. They take my before snaps and are most impressed with the 5lb lump of fat. I then get changed into my kit. SLPCT t shirt and then shoot leaving the matchworks several times, they dont like is and want me to warm up stretch or something. Like a true MW I oblige smiling. Then a shot running off again several times. Then round the back of the works and several running shouts including an interview from a car as I am walking along , I am deaf and they tell me the questions first I am radio miked up several bits they cant use coz I keep swearing. Then a piece with the guy talking to camera and me running up behind then past him. Only 5 goes to get it right I am knakkered by the end then back to the works and they are away. I will be on at 6.10 and my package will be 1 min 30 whatever that means. Then home to pick up the girls to meet david tim jack and the echo photographer at aintree hospital. David rings me from theatre no jack no photographer eventually we get together after a saga, mins Jack and ge a snap in the can. Then David bombs to the Albert Dock to be on the live show. David Kerrigan id the geezer who did the op. Tim is paling nervous that they wont make it, in time to "check the levels" I reassure him by telling him David drives like a manic and lives on the edge. We order atakeaway on the way home and ring people to tell them I is on. Get home in time and well, shocked by the result It is well weird the strangest thing I have ever seen, hearing your own name on the telly then seeing your kipper and very wobbly bits is a hoot. David does well, he is live and has more bottle tan me for sure.
Go to Beas and and laff and have several people ringing to congratulate, commisserate with me. Watch it again after a few drinks and laff me head off. Bit cross they dont mention the website or support group at all but they wanted a corporate cup story. So fair enuff Well weird day.

Thursday continued

Tried to dictate this twice but have given in and resorted to conventional means. Land at the library and meet the mnew member of staff who Kieran describes as an empty vessel. As ever he means well but it dont come out right. Then off to a met with Bob and Lynn about websites et all top suff and feel energised. Then off to docs for b12 injection intercepted by Ida the practicemanager and then frank. Get in with Jeanette eventually. te care manager I am her last appt, so we natter for ages. She klast saw me the day after I came home after the op. What a sound woman.
Then its back to the matchworks for a bit of dinner and a spot of work. Before heading for Prof Morris at Moss House. jon made me laff by shouting acoss the office whats this meeting with Prof Morris about. I said he's my pschiatrist but no one nows at the top of my voice , he did blush. i see it as my gig for mental health awareness. he is pleased with me can give no assurances about the absence or presence of B.A.D. which is fair enuff he aint got a crystal ball.
Back to the matchy and I do some good stuff on a board paperI was strruggling with on Caldicott Serious mind number. Off home and chill with the family. Relaxing when I realise its a curry club and I should have been in the Dispensary 10 minutes ago, jump upwash change and Jean drops me off. A fine Cains alehose I start with the 2008, and move on to the Roosters Hooligan a nice guest, bit pale and fruity but suits. Difficulty negotiating carry out but get there in the end with some cians dragon heart a sort of newcy brown rip off.

Loopyboy done good

The library manhas come up trumps again the knowledge anarchist stole Gazza simpsons idea and adapted it webbed and come up with a better concept. Top stuff, in our true collaborative evolutionary style I'll tart it up and write a press release. He has a slight giggle at the pic i think. Fair enuff I look a complete dingbat.

wednesday

Does what it says on the tin. Several interesting bits in the day, best bit a meeting with Andy. The management accountant who helps me understand whats going on. Terribly embarrased by the graphics for the Nurse 2003 Awards. Check out the Press release and the pictures dont try without broadband. I am bald, it is a scratch not a love bite, yes jean did cut my ear and yes I wear hearing aids. Boy we laffed in work,Ray, Jonny and Geography boy, it was a shocker. Off home and a laff with the girls. Lasagne and peas felt a bit sick but stayed down. Off to cousin dorothys to pick up sponsor money and raffle prizes. back home and a rest.