Monday.

I had an awful nights sleep in which thoughts of anxieties about work and the website play on my mind. Restless, tossing and turning. I struggle to get up and gety lively. Digestive problems abound but I get through breakfast and personal hygiene. JK helps me put things in perspecive, and a natter with Rebecca on the way in sort me out. Arrive at the works and go for a wander round the block twice with Jonathon. People being really nice and things seem cool. Wander over to Borders at lunchtime with Kim and get an egg mayo sarnie. Good value at 1.98 and the lady gives me a free glass of iced water. I look out for a new book but they aint got it. I will ask Kieran. Back to the works and a bit more work. Off to the gym on the way home. Pecs and biceps and cardio work. Jean had been to induction with Sally from the library bit of a poor show as a speaker cried off. Sorted out Party stuff blogwatchers its 8pm 31/01/04 usual gaff.

DELL TEST

once again i try new ways to make contact with the blog. This time its dell axim wireless network at home (from bed). Sad I know.

Lazy Days

It must be catching Kieran aint blooged and I aint done much. Late afternoon muster up the courage for a sojourne to Tesco. is it some festival that I aint heard of. it is madness. Old Swan branch - no recycling facils there whats that about. We wander aimlessly like fools. What can we do. We are in a strange Tesco and several items are unavailable at least to us. We cant find nowt. We do however score some snax for the exit. Maple pecan danish for me - bad but as Jenny the dietitian says treats are part of a healthy balanced diet. Ally scores a T.Rex triple CD disk 1 is cool but the rest is far from mainstream. The girl askswho are T.Rex I had hoped for the the classic who are Trex, but alas. Ally regales me with a lengthy exposition on the social groupings in her peer group and their characteristics, townies, scalls, goths, and I am sure many others. Arrive home time to unpack and off to see me mum at Nannys - joy. Ally in tow. Explainint that we are off to the pictures. What you going to see "King of the Ring" she asks, its better than that boy with the glasses - I hate him - whats his name - Shitty Potter. Nanny on the other hands reas the papers and knows what LOTR is and what is about. In fact she wants to go. Sod that says me mum I aint sitting for three hours watching some crap about pixies.Ally gets affronted at this point. Call at Somerfield to tget the gear that we couldn't get at Tesco. Drop Ally and me mum at me mums and its home canneloni and out - Its Saturday and we are going out and it isnt even our anniversary. Return of the King was good the special effects were impressive, a good yarn , some rubbishy bits and some bits inevitably left out. Overall good value for 4.50 at the Allerton Odeon. We decline a bevvy at the New York and endup cooking chilli together at 11pm on a Saturday night - well the childs away - you gotta take advantage. Who says romance is dead.

In My Liverpool Home

In My Liverpool HomeMargaret didnt know what a scouser was so I sent her this.

Parents!

Mother is singularly unimpressed with the butternut squash, my one-upping sis got her one last week. Doh...trumped again. Her and nanny seem close to blows. The toll on my mum really does worry me. Fridays malapropisms and verbage dont fail to dissapoint. Dilys bought her strawliners for christmas??? Takes the length of Picton road to realise she mean draw liners, not some sort of natural fibre panty liners. In the inevitable traffic jam she exclaims I stick my finger in and lick it for no apparent reason. Which in the context of the current conversation is disturbing. i am relieved whe i see the creme egg advert, mother meanwhile is taking about crocuses and the poor quality of her christmas gifts. We are further along the road when she shouts "how do you eat yours." Completing the creme egg thread and then moves on to the poor quality of Uncle Billys meat. Ruth Got her the crocuses and easter eggs in the shop it is still christmas. Careful analysis by a highly trained mental health clinician might conclude Flight of Ideas or even Knights move thinking. Its non of the above really just her own multistranded conversation which if you right it down you can follow.
Thing is her and Nanny both do it to their own mysterious rhythym. It is amazing and confusing to watch, and Ally and I look like meerkats whilst observing.

On the way home from the gym.

Instead of Tesco I think I'll support my local shop so it’s the greengrocers at the end of the road for local goss and crappy veg. To be fair though I do score a butternut squash for me mum - fairexchange is no robbery.

Bit worried how she'll cook it, gamma irradiation for about two days prior to three weeks parboiling (does anyone say that)and then roasting at regulo (what) 1/4 from Advent till Christmas day.

Still with my new bloggie gadget I aint never leaving outlook sountil microsoft add in the microwave in office 2008 I wont be bothered.

Matchworks a go-go

Off to Matchworks to Meet Val my Boss and Caroline from HR regarding my return to work. 25 hours a week for two weeks phased over 5 days and set duties. Cool, supportive people. Lunched at the gym a very fine chicken and sweetcorn soup with prawns. Home and await the market researcher who I put off earlier he looked so forlorn as I was literally on my way out that I said but I'll be aback at 2.30. half expected half the house to be gone. And the swine never even came back 20 minutes on my morning news paper habits with a tablet PC and more likel less likely not bloomin likely would have done me.
So I have to content with integrating RSS into Outlook - its the only way Kieran and this

Thursday

Tedious innit. Typing on this small keyboard. This blackberry is 2003 a small pause whilst I figured how to type numbers. Full stop is achieved by double space I think. EUR a handy euro sign.
Need to work out a way to get the sig off the blackberry posting - Hmm. Kieran must know how. Discovered I didn't need a post for Wednesday as I was fairly up to date.

Wednesday

Blackerry posting. Long time since I tried this, but Kieran loves it. It is actually friday but I need to make entries for wednesday so I can add to them.

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intraVnews | Home

intraVnews | Home Could this be what I am looking for

Aches and pains

Gym is getting its payback noto be organised enuff to mail merge it out on to labels. Not the easiest.t good and I am feeling it ouch ache and stiff. Slow starting today. Website lingers around 499 membersand I wonder when we will crack 500. A couple of them haven't been real members. People who have often wandered in thinking we are something else. It isn't always apparent what though which is strange. Our most popular search term is cellulitis apparently. Hmmmmm. The organiser of the NW support group is under the weather so I have to o-ordinate the mail shot. Jen is organised enough to have all the details in an access database I just need to get it on to labels hmmm. Not easy - get there

It's Gym time

After talking to JK my celebrity Bilio-Pancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch mate, not the first in the Uk, that we think was Jane, but probably JK was the first done in the UK. Anyway he aint been so good for a bit but he's been reviewed and has a plan with which he is happy. Talking to JK makes me realise what a wuss I am and how hard he is. Though I do wuss very well, years of practice see.
Anyway jangle with him for longer than should medicate and breakfast.Then hit the road for the gym. Aint been since 22/12/03 and it hurts to walk the steps through the door. Nice lady with heart and hormone problem is there and we exchange pleasantries. The staff seem more distant than ever and I miss Jack. I work out and despite near misses make it through the session, then into the restaurant for mushroom soup and prawns. Did a lot of thinking about the nature of the long term maintenance of Roux en Y, whilst I was training.
Email city on return - chill out and Kieran visits to serve some sort of librarians fatwa on me OK - I exagerate an overdue notice. He collects the book so no blood is shed. We have a good jangle he is off to Glasgow, I offer to go in a fit of impetuousness, but since I drove to Romania Glasgow seems not far away. He is planning to stay though so its a non starter. Phew he declines I have been in trouble before for rash escapades to strangelands without prior approval from Mrs C.

I write to satisfy my muse

Which is is a quote from an Alan Partridge, the radio shows of which remain one of my fave ever things. Like Dead Ringers it should have stayed on the wireless, much better. Anyway I penned a piece over christmas and sent it off to the Nursing Standard - it looks like they are gonna publish it - cool. It is about being ill, which I apprear to be very good at. Started the day with a plan of gym and lunch at Greenbank but spend till 3pm waiting for a phone call from Glaxo Centre where we hold our Weight Loss Surgery Support Group. Consequently nowt physical gets done but several outstading techie bits on the PC get sorted. Tal to plenty of people on the phone or MSN notably Rebecca and Nell. Amazing how little I have managed to do whilst I have been off - swimming in concrete thoughfor most of November and December. Still looking back I feel I am on solid ground and as Labour famously said Things Can only get Better.
Phone call from Frank then the girls arrive in tea, sort of pasta ready thing, I add more meat and chuck past away. Off to Beas where we plan an excursion for Saturday to see Return of the King at a local cinema.
A cautionary note about being mentioned in the blog - the rule of paradoxical intent:-
Complain about being mentioned and you will be mentioned more and more - tell me something that shouldn't go in here and....
Complain about not being mentioned and well you wont be....So there you go mystery person you got a mention sort of, but no names.
Of course what doesnt go in the blog is of course sometimes more interesting. Things about confidentiality, losing friends, family or job, though at times these boundaries have been stretched.

Welcome to the Scottish Blogs WebRing

Welcome to the Scottish Blogs WebRing Some gems in here, I feel the urge to go North of the Border.

It's Funny Because It's Shit

It's Funny Because It's Shit A few giggles in here as well.

Raised by Chaffinches

Raised by Chaffinches Had me in stitches - no xml though - seems to be the territory of geeks and me and kieran.

Monday a big day.

Went to see My surgeon Mr Kerrigan today. Clinic 3 Walton OPD. 16 months one day post op open Roux-en-Y.
The everpresent Gail (nursing asst)weighed me. Weighing in at 17 8lb I guess 5 kilos less than last time I was here. According to the stats
BMI down from 64 to 33 80% of excess gone. Have to say weight isn't the issue it was. I have been down as low as 16st 11lb according to the gym scales. but hey who is counting.
guts fine weight loss good - mental health discussed and how it relates to bypass. Bowels fine - fat does the job - dumping discussed -aint an issue. Diet fine - loosened up over christmas, exercise excellent.
Taking zinc, B1 Multivitamins and Zoton.
Blood tests reviewed from last time feritin consistently low which may point to low iron stores.
Blood tests ordered.
Liver profile.
Bone profile
Full Blood Count
Iron studies
B12 Magnesium Zinc Vit D
Phlebotomist remembered me from last time - she has been on the site looking at pics says it great to see people shrinking.
Coffee and bics in the WRVS.
Result
Then off home for a brief brew and onto the matchworks to meet with Caroline from HR and Val. The presence of Kim whilst I am waiting helps me relax though I feel very anxious. Very productive result being that I start a phased return next week. I meet Derek who is Chief Exec from Central PCT he hasn't seen me for a while and doesnt recognise me, not surprising really. Off home and feel quite buoyant and upbeat. Thats a new feeling.

Red Chic's Shit!: Day to day stuff

Red Chic's Shit!: Day to day stuff One for Kieran I think a few smiles in there.

Sunday - belly warch

things are aching not clever, and ouch a periumbilical pain. Not good. Bowels ropey too - whats that all about. Not impressed. We go for a 45 minute walk brisk and enjoyable. I note I am 16 months post op today perhaps the guts are just announcing it.

Saturday - lazy days again

The gym remains elusive but mood is lifting well. Things are on the up and moving I feel well. Seem to have developed an excellent ability to fill time doing not ver much. Off to pick mother up and then back home we attempt a game og civilisation with not very good results - then worse news still Jean finds out it cost 49.99 our defence that we had 30 quid worth of vouchers don't cut much. Hmmm. Heard from Sandra in China as well today must send a letter/email.

HighBeam Research

HighBeam Research Came across this will have to ask Kieran if he knows it.

Purple Medical Blog

Purple Medical Blog Interesting gaff nowt sure about the science but the glucose monitoring tatoo very cool.

Fridays report.

Quiet day rose late despite plans to the contrary. Enjoyed the diversion of Guns at BatasiScooted off to Borders in Speke. Mission spend gift vouchers. Ally got loads and I got one. So I sit in Borders/Starbucks.Persuade Ally to go halves on this looks interesting. We both liked the PC version. Pick mum and decide I should start a page of her malapropisms. Get home shove some chilli in and then we are off to Beas its Friday.

Friday Five

What one thing are you most looking forward to . . .

1. ...today?
Feeling well, which is a change.
2. ...over the next week?
Going to see my boss to sort return to work.
3. ...this year?
health
4. ...over the next five years?
Seeing Ally grow
5. ...for the rest of your life?
making a difference
That was hard

New Years Day

Well wake up late and laze around. Fairly unremarkable but feel a lightness in me. We mooch off to Ruth and Pauls for tea in the evening. A very pleasant affair with fish and meat a go-go. Good food good company good time. I call the Bingo and a good time is had by all. Good stuff.
Happy New Year everyone.

myboyfriendisa****.com

myboyfriendisa****.com Zoe seriously amuses me.

New Years Eve.

A lot of reflection, despite some achievements we have had a ropey 2003. Still I feel I have something like a plan to go forward, hope I have the credibility and personal resources left to carry it off. I guess what steels me is we have come through worse. So navel gazing over up and at 'em.
Got a meeting at work to discuss return and a guess I need a phased plan and some support, so much has changed. There was stuff happening when I had my op that I never really got my head round - NPfIT etc, I guess theres other stuff now, LSP's and all that are a complete mystery. Plan to talk to Fran and the LIS gang to get some help. We shall see.
Despite my best intentions Ally lazed about in bed most of the morning. I helped Babsie from the site sort her email which was truly rewarding Jean got home after lunch and we didnt do much cept prepare for our New Years Eve supper. I nipped out in a wintry shower to get me mam, who had left earlier thinking I wasn't coming. Cock up there then. Have to stand on the step for 10 minutes whilst me Nan comes to the door. Hard for her and mean on me. Its like a wind tunnel her street and this is straight from Siberia.
Get home and mooch. Then a panic hits me there is nowt for Ruth my gluten free sister in law to drink. Every new year we are embarrassed by the lack of something, usually lime for her lager. Jean tells me lager is off limits so relax no lime but..... Off I trot, quite literally, to the offy. The weather is by now horrific, who was that guy who said "I may be gone some time." The rapidly diminishing Ken (as Kieran (now incorrectly) refers to me ) has very little in the way of wet weather protection. So I try my best by dodging sleet and relying on sheer speed. Protection afforded only by M&S fleece, and my disney racoon skin cap. Trousers may have helped but I was rushing. I hot footed it to the off licence. one was shut and it wasn't bargain booze. Bargain booze I is how can I say a box shifter. Fine for a slab of lager but not for choosing quality beverages, not very deep down I am, I suppose, a snob. They seem to do two types of assistant and three types of port.
Assistants teenager with muscles for lifting slabs, and lady who has been on the sunbed perhaps a tad too long. Port is 3.99 a litre 4.99 a bottle or 7.99 for cockburns special reserve , 4.99 at ASDA. Bargain booze my Jim Royle. I decided to remove my headwear in the shop and stuff it in the fleece pocket. The dripping racoon fur tail raised a few eyebrows. I gave them my best Deliverance tooth less backwoods man grin. Anyway back home through the weather.
The guests arrive and we settle down to a light supper and TOTP2 till This happens New years eve and Telly breaks Harumph.
So I attempt to reboot the cable box - we get nowhere, which is unusual as Ally seems to be netting away merrily upstairs. Hmmmmm what shall we do. Then Ally comes down stairs as a result of A national t'internet access outage later downgraded as it only appled to Liverpool after all. We retuned the telly to terrestial and watched the excellent hootennay with Jools. Jools third and friends album found its way into my stocking along with League series 3 Good Stuff. Lots of fireworks see in the new year and guests away home. Need my sleep calling the bingo tomorrow at the New Year bash.. will this pleasure never cease.

Continue to experiment with colours etc.

I aint colour blind just tasteless.
Drop Ally off at her mates and wander off to the Tip, post Christmas tradition in these parts. Flex 7 15 seconds to change the seats, well Opel must do something different to Vauxhall. Anyway stuffed to the gunnels I enjoy the trip. The bottle recycling section is roped off chocker apparently. Then to Greenbank for a lunch of spiced lentil soup. Off to Franks for a haircut. Frank is off sick and a dysphoric Peter does the deed. Nice guy, not had the best Christmas, chest infection and a bit depressed. Cold on the way home though Not much left up top for sure. Off to somerfield and score some teabags and other essentials. Back home and heat the chilli through. Very good and some to freeze.
Off to Beas and then to tesco old Swan. Ally scores some Jeans and we get the gear for the New Years Eve Supper. Plus some freezer boxes in the sale. Good stuff.

Kieran has shouted out

Well shout out is ok but it dont tell me if you shouted so Unless I look at the front of the shop it dont work right.
Lets have a go of this and sort out xml as per the loopyboys comments.

I don't like Mondays

Alison and I go into serious post Christmas pre New Year apathy and doss big time. I have a thousand and one things I could be doing but we barely scrape the energy to go to the supermarket where we lunch and shop. Entertained by a visit from the delightful Gordon of Mental health days. He looks well and his very presence is therapeutic in the extreme. Back home cook a chilli for tomorrow and go to pick mama up, lasagne for tea. Back home and chilling. No christmas treats for me of a liquid or solid calorific nature. Boring but back to the grindstone. Enjoy Time Team abort the Canterbury show in favour of Chrimbo Corries then watch the Big Dig spesh at nine. Catch a Little Britain Repeat on Beeb 3.

Children's Hospitals and Clinics

Children's Hospitals and Clinics a web based patient held record now thats impressive.The NHS are planning something similar I believe.

Sunday Brunch

Off to Ruth and Pauls for a meal I am nervous about it goes ok. I eat things of very dubious food value my diet is poop at the mo. Too much bad stuff around still its Christmas. Back home and leisurely relaxing. Mood feeling palpably better. We mooch in the kitchen for scraps to eat. Goes well generally though I do better than the girls I think. The evening sees the return of Mr Moey - ourneighbour who gave up the day job to set up the Drop off Ironing CO. A great service at 50 pence a shirt, want his details gives us a shout. He drops em off 24 hours later on a hanger in a plastic bag. That'll do nicely.

Sunshine Saturday in Halewood

Whisk Ally off to Whiston she s off to see Return of the King with Emma. We decide on a walk, had planned to Do this one but ended up in Halewood. As we walk I wonder where Loopyboy lives. Its cool and we both enjoy it. This is complete our lives have changed type stuff and I am made up every time we do something like that. Get home tootle off to Jubilee Drive to get em mam and back home for chilling. Surprised at the lack of Corrie even more surprised to learnt thats coz its Saturday. The Office special is good - part 2 saves the day.

Notes from a North Sea Island: Orkney .... Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Notes from a North Sea Island: Orkney .... Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Makes me want to go there...very nice pictures.

Who Owns the Alphabet?

Who Owns the Alphabet? now this geezer has too much time on his hands. Still I must too, as I was sad enough to read it.

Vodka & Dothiepin: Case Study: Vodka & Dothiepin

Vodka & Dothiepin: Case Study: Vodka & DothiepinAnd this one.

20six — Weblogs. Blog via the web, MMS or E-Mail.

20six — Weblogs. Blog via the web, MMS or E-Mail. I have been looking at some good sites here. Some real gems. This chappie from the camera shop is funny.

meish.org : mayfly project 2003

meish.org : mayfly project 2003 Sum up the year in 20 words a bit of a challenge don't know if I am up to it.

Boxing Day report

Initially woke at 8 with the plan of getting up and back into real life sleep pattern rolled over till 11am. Never mind. Idled around, till the girls arose, then we were joined by colin to collect his crockery and car. He had eaten his breakfast cereal out of a gravy boat, due to his being press ganged here. Lunch was a cold meat and pick sort of affair. Vitamins were not taken, ut psychotropics et al stay on the list. Jean and I watched a Hugh fest on a cable channel. A man the jury is still out on, he gets on my nerves then i find myself strangely endeared to him. Ater moochin we smooth on out to Ruth and Pauls. For a very pleasant evening. mostly in the dining room in the company of Alan Paul Colin and Tommy. Tommy has been done for using is mobile whilst driving on the 13th December. he wasnt impressed though arguing with the coppers never did me any good 9allusions to my shady past there). Anyway unlucky Tom but thanks for giving us the best laff of the festive season, There is nowt like anothers misfortune is there. Cheery stuff. After some Tex mex its home and telly. Still not very good, very dissapointed with The christmas spesh part one. Still a chance of redemption tonight.

E-government

The Kings Chrimbo message which he handwrites then a geezer scans. The King of Cambodias website isn't exactly top of my list.

Saturday Morning Blog Messing

Amphetadesk and RSS feedreader play lots of fun for me.

Toothpasteworld - World's Largest Toothpaste Collection

Toothpasteworld - World's Largest Toothpaste Collection Oh dear, dear, dear.

AmphetaDesk - Syndicated Aggregator

AmphetaDesk - Syndicated Aggregator I have been messng about and now this seems to be the boy I need.

Friday five - an insight

1. What was your biggest accomplishment this year?
Creating WLSINFO a support and information website, which has helped a few people.

2. What was your biggest disappointment?
Tough question - not being shortlisted for the Bupa Communication Awards - gonna be next year though. (In some way).

3. What do you hope the new year brings?
Mental health.
Family Health
More comprehensive NHS Bariatric services more widely available.

4. Will you be making any New Year's resolutions? If yes, what will they be?
Nope

5. What are your plans for New Year's Eve?
Have to check with my wife - not confirmed as yet but usually we spend it with Mother in Law and Sister/bro in Law.
And Jools Holland
The Friday Five

Boxing day

Woke at 8 for a visit to the loo and planned to get up. Bed beckoned and I returned, till 11, get up chill a bit Colin arrives to pick up his crockery and brings disturbing news that he eat his breakfast from a gravy boat. Lunch and chilling till out for tea at Ruth and Pauls at 5pm. Mess with XML.

OFF THE TELLY: Features/Festive Television

OFF THE TELLY: Features/Festive Television I was lookin for Our Kid on the Net. I was posting on wlsinfo about "our kid" new faces winners of the 76 season. They were truly memorable, dissapointingly no image is available.

its boxing day

thats a headline 00:12

It'll be Lonely this Chrissmas...not

With 11 guests, it went well all ready as it should be how it should far too much of it left and everyone full to bursting. It was a success, very pleasing, though if I say it myself my wife and I are fairly good at a bit of catering. Drop Hannah and Jenni off at their Nans in Walton then Colin near the park. then its back home. Jean has a kip and I take the opportunity to blog.
The constipation which has plagued has been relieved though it has left me with a vicious gas problem. Constipation has only been a feature of my liife once post op. I am attributing this to the SSRI's which i am ingesting at the moment, though I note I could also do with upping my fluid intake generally.
The gas continues though mum has a dog to blame. Pleasant evening and light tea at mums, dave maria mary john ann and nanny in attendance. Correctly berated by brother Dave for not responding to comments. Have amended and responded. Get home and to be honest extremely fatigued. Enjoy some red wine and port.
The bowels continue with vengeance.

So here it is Merry Xmas (sic)

Roasties done need reheating meat carved serve cold, when you are cookin for 14 its minimal,intervention. stuff. Guests arrive in21 mins and I need a bath.

Its Christmas time...

I hate Christmas music doesnt everyone why do we have it.
Wake up sixish and rouse Jean at 7.15 Ally at 8.30 and its down stairs for presies we are all made up. Highlights for me, Ally being impressed that I had sought out pins on ebay. My best pressie Joools who we saw live earlier this year. Then hit the kitchen. Roasties like alliance bombers come in waves and like new surgical techniques and pancakes you get a few wrong before you get em right. Still we are cooking its 10.40 last load bar one is inand all looks rosy. Summats gonna go wrong but what. Right back to my taters..see ya later blogwatchers.

Wednesday - so that'll be Christmas Eve

Oh what a bad nights kip - difficulty getting off meets early morning wakening, not big and not clever. Got up at 6 and messed about. Common decency prevents me using the most precise word which describes my actual activities, suffice to say aimless shuffling on the bum figures heavily in there. The all efficient garbos from Onyx turn up on cue. More efficient and no tipping allowed (officially) time was the binmen would torch ya house if ya didnt give em a tip. I did plan to expound a treatise on tipping poicies both in general and in the festive season but apathy won the day. No shopping today but mother rings to commission a case of lager for Nannie banks, somewhat underpriced swap if you ask me. Given mothers Malapropisms (more of which anon) a case of Harlekin (quin) is ordered. After much thought as to whether to brave the Somerfield or some other chain I elect to trot to the shops at the top. Jean has made her annual pilgrimage to her aunties (who died last year I think) and Ally has made her annual trip to the Albert Dock for Hannahs birthday lunch. We have purchased the best of REM for Hannah, a strange but requested gift for a 13 yr old I felt. She is unimpressed with my offer of a loan of my collection of Yes CD's though. Meanwhile meat is roasting and boiling. i trot to the shops and see Neil the singing chropodist. Nice geezer whoalways shares a chuckle and will be glad to get a mention here during Chanukah. He is off to get some candles which after reading this link, running out of them sounds a serious occurrence. Did I mention where we live is a big Jewish community?
Any way bargainbooze lager bought. Nanny or her guests wont be happy, they never are. It will be weak, strong, cheap dear, foreign, english or worse Australian, c'mon cobber its 4x its sterilised in an industrial estate in Scunthorpe or such.
Then its veggy prep, a visit from Phil - much respect. Pick mother up, swap her for lager Nanny not happy. Curry for tea more gravy making and present wrapping. A drink. And bed. Its Christmas.

More RSS

Getting boring now.

Tuesday - See the Prof - What a carry on

Off to the prof interesting Man -- got a lot of time for him, shrewd clinician. Once again reflect how fortunate I am in the medics I am involved with. Diagnosis whilst not unexpected is still another percieved hurdle. He does well and i am impressed. Come home and really I am in a bit of a state of shock and aint sure what's going on. In the meantime Jeans brother rings and we now have three extra guests for lunch on Thursday. Hmmm, seems turkey choice wasn't briliant so its off to Tesco Woolton where the object of my desire, Christmas Ham is nowhere to be seen. Replaced now by easter eggs, smoked salmon really, but easter eggs has more dramatic effect. Augment my vegetables too, in a carry on sort of way (Matron). Ruth and Paul drop the table, chairs extra crackers and silverware off. Hmmmm. still Ho hum. No need to pick mother up tonight she is "off" so we enjoy a prawn curry/chicken curry whilst Ally is out.

RSS

Under the guidance of the boy lamb.
I shall try again.

Monday - oversleep - Turkey Shoot.

Ally and I oversleep, iIhad a very poor nights kip. Its off to Woolton, a local genteel village type gaff. Pick up a turkey at Tescos first then off to park in Sainsburys and hit the local Hallmark card shop which also benefits from a Thorntons francise. The turkey was a tough decision we were I judged on the cusp of a large and extra large so we golarge. Ah Woolton village I used to spend school lunchtimes there eating chips with Scottie and Ormey (When I wasnt sagging off) of course. We weren't allowed ou tof school at lunchtime. So in honour of the villages esteemed place in my personal history Ally and I go to the chippy. I eat about 40% of a piece of fish, and a few chips and jolly enjoyable they were too. Into Sainsburys then home. Drop Ally and her mates at the pics to see freaky friday and then pick Mother up from Nannies. She has brought Christmas tree lights, her fibre optic extavanganza having bitten the dust. So she has invested 99p in a merry christmas sign Pity that it only works on a car battery. Still it is pressed into use on the Zafira. Deep Joy.

Stratford Upon Avon-The Truth

Stratford Upon Avon-The Truth Bit full of Luvvies but a couple of smiles in there.

Speaking as a parent

Speaking as a parent A bit pompey(pompous) but some stuff resonates in there.

Colour changes

This is getting serious - and worse.

More template messing

Looking at centreing and other such phenomena at the minute. Amusing. Shall I put pictures in here - not sure. What of?

Sunday - not out much today

After last Sunday morns shocker about Saddam the world is shook today by the news that John McCoys Big Black Bus is no more. Visted by the delightful MaryB from the north west support group and her husband Les a great couple. Lovely people. Mary confesses to having tacky Chrimbo lights.
By 8pm I reckon its time to leave the house and Ally and I go for a walk around the local streets, inspired by Marys revelation. Mainly to gegg (gegg is slang for spy on - I check But not a mention )on Christmas lights - how sad are we. Its cold and the extra layers make little difference. Post WLS I am chilled to the marrow. Towers Road provides some classiscs. Whats it about, a phenomenon that I just don't get at all ... must buy some next year.

Welcome to MusicBrainz!

Welcome to MusicBrainz! This is very clever and potentially useful if you used mp3 tracks, which of course I dont much apart from to download stuff I already purchased.

Messing with the template

Wish I'd listened to the HTML classes at Uni.
Template messing is scary stuff.
And doesnt always work.

diamond geezer

diamond geezer Printing out the lyric quiz to annoy people over Christmas.

Haywood Jahelpme - aka Tech Support Hell

Haywood Jahelpme - aka Tech Support Hell If there is any ever doubt that tech support is tough enjoy this Amerivam geezers musings.

Saturday - just chillin

Dont go the gym, dont do much just messing about. Jean whisks her mum off to Tesco. Ally and I do what we do best, lazing around. I attempt a kip in the afternoon after a fitful nights sleep but fail. Jean helps me tidy the head office of WLSINFO, or the spare bedroom as some may call it. Off to pick me mum up at Nannies, Nan seems brighter but choses to play this down. Christmas is undoubtedly coming.

Working With Dead People: My home page

Working With Dead People: My home page Another one that cracks me right up

Friday

Jeans off and off to the hairdressers at 10 for the Christmas trim. Remember that I need to see Frank next week, Barber not Doctor. Jean nips off to a work lunch at the Queens Drive. Ally and I scoot off to Tesco Allerton. Check out veg lasagne in the caff while Ally tucks in to a bacon and sausage stick. Cheaper than yesterday and just as good. Back home and Jeans off to a Christmas meal at Jalons. Ally is off to see Blue with Hannah B for her birthday party.

The Human Clock - A Photo for Every Minute of the Day

The Human Clock - A Photo for Every Minute of the Day Amuses me I am sad to say.

Welcome to Ugly Christmas Lights.com!

Welcome to Ugly Christmas Lights.com! A site with so much potential that doesnt really cut the mustard for me. Poor quality photographs, spoil it as well as the us focus.

Friday again.

1. List your five favorite beverages.
Tea - hot strong no sugar
Fresh Orange Juice.
Real Beer - Something by Roosters though I am on the wagon at the mo.
Red Wine - Full South African - ditto
Port LBV
Used to be coffee till the op.


2. List your five favorite websites.
WLSINFO interest declared
Kieran the boy
Ebay
Call centre confidential
My Boyfriend is a ****

3. List your five favorite snack foods.
Crisps
Bananas
Nuts


4. List your five favorite board and/or card games.
Monopoly
Risk
Diplomacy
Cribbage
Scrabble

5. List your five favorite computer and/or game system games.
Civ
Scrabble for the pocket PC
3D Pinball - have to stop now and have a game
Crash Bandicoot
Phoenix - 80's pub table game

Thursday

Woke up feeling brighter once again things start to look like they are on the up. Feeling palpably better. Get off to the gym and just do some cardio-vascular work. Pick Ally and her friends up from school. It is a half day as tonight is the carol service at the cathedral. Ally and I take lunch in Neighbourhood a sort of Bistro type place. Ally opts for a BBQ chicken sandwich and I risk spaghetti and meatballs. Bit pricey but tasty. Then its off to tesco, Woolton. Pick mother up from Nans who has been dischargd today. Busy busy busy. I cock up and take jeans car keys, I am not popular when I get back. I eat a ready made curry for my evening meal. A bit of a first.

Call Centre Confidential

Call Centre ConfidentialIts been mentioned here befre but it came second inthe Grauniad comp - its class and it uses a kewl template.

posts missing

Not sure whats happening here some stuff went missing. Which isnt funny, most of it was a tale of internet connectivity woe which started with router firmware upgrades and ended with lost connection. Sorted now and all the better. Just to replay Wednesday - didnt gym, went to lunch with Ali and Kim which was excellent. What a fine brace of friends. We laffed, mostly at the poor geezers who had booked their Christmas lunch and recieved the worst service in Christendom, it was appalling. I had soup and some smoked salmon and spud nice. Then off to Tesco where i scored a loaf and bacon. Back home and and a quick butty before I wandered out. A little too quick as i had to vomit in the car. Fortunately there was a well placed tesco bag. I arrived at the Brownes after a very dodgy journey where further vomit seemed inevitable but didnt occur. The bandsters on the site call it pb'ing. Which I think means productive burp, but aint sure if this is just a vomit, or more or less. Anyway dear reader enough vomit for you. The it was off to get adair and nip to the Dragon and Phoenix in Newton.

Handheld blogging

Live from my bed with the axim. I t hink I have this sorted. But cannot be certain. It is 5.50 and i had about 5 and a bit hours sleep. That isn't the best.

can;t work this out

oh dear.

BBC SPORT | TV/Radio Listings | Sports Personality | Nobby named unsung hero

BBC SPORT | TV/Radio Listings | Sports Personality | Nobby named unsung hero Was I alone in being amused by finding this mans name amusing?

Tuesday - another bad night

This isn't good, sleep is important and I am not getting enough. Wake after restlessness at 07.05. Slip back into snooze mode and rise again at 9.30. Legs and arms feeling drained, energy levels low. Try to catch up with email inbox but its hard. My inability to complete even the simplest of tasks is astounding, I am drained. I need to set realistic targets today it aint easy. Not feeling brilliant. Natter with Rebecca andthe mystery of the absent JK is sorted.

Monday dont sleep so good

Dont know if I did or I didnt or if I just dreamt I didnt, still don't feel very refreshed this AM. Slow start though sort a couple of things then chunner off to the gym. Not sure what muscles were in play today but my arms are glowing if thats a good sign. In to the caff for a broccoli and spinach soup which is muchly warming. Meander back home, go to pick mother up, Ally is off to her cell group christmas party.

Sunday family lunch.

Our turn today and we had to pie and mash land in attempt to move away from the roast territory of Christmas. Goes well despite the cockney overtones. We light our first festive fire, in honour of Ruth , who has bought some blue burning pine cones for us. Most festive in appearance. Ally scoots off to the pathfinders party and Jean watches sports personlaity on the BBC - dreadful telly with yet another phone in. Am I alone in believing there is some massive conspiracy with TV companies and phone companies in cahoots? I think not.

The National Health Service - Welcome to the National Health Service

The National Health Service - Welcome to the National Health ServiceKierans news digest tells me this won an award - I aint reviewing it now but has it got heaps better than the last time I looked.

late friday five

1. Do you enjoy the cold weather and snow for the holidays?

2. What is your ideal holiday celebration? How, where, with whom would you celebrate to make things perfect?

3. Do you do have any holiday traditions?

4. Do you do anything to help the needy?

5. What one gift would you like for yourself?
from here
answers tomorrow when I recover from the christmas tree

Didn't sleep well last night

I am still feeling it. I feel drained absolutely shot at and finding it near impossible to motivate myself. Jean assists and drags me out to Williams Garden Centre the annual scene of our Christmas Tree pilgrimage. Deep joy how I love this day, a lowpoint of the festive season. It is acquired easily enough and at incredibly reasonable rate of 29.99 for a noble fir. Seems too easy and it is. The helpful boy trims it up to fit in the red container. Well when we get it hoe we realise his red containers are different size wise to our red containers. So off into the garden to trim it up. As well prepared as I am in the DIY line I attack it with a teaspoon. Not good. Hell I am traumatised, I was severely disturbed by the notices in the garden centre tellin me that I need to chop a centimetre off the end and stand in water for five hours then stay outside till the 20th December...me or the tree? I dunno.
So after much shenanigans its off to the garden centre for Jean to purchase the right size pot for the tree. I meanwhile busy myself drawing up a rota for watering the boy through the night. the sign said five litres a day, thats more than me.
After a fuss we get it in. Humph - don't like this day very much. After a lasagne lunch its off to the gym, for triceps and shoulders. Cardio wise I am slow but steady. Eva is there and its her last day before a month off and a trip home to Belgium. She lives in Leuvel.
Then its off home and Jean had started the Christmas preparations. Tesco online shop arrives ad it is without doubt the biggest mess we have ever had. I am not impressed. We were doing the soft drinks shop to stock up and a take advantage of their triple points offer. We are last on the van run and the geezer says he is empty - so someone is enjoying our coke lemo water etc. A call to Tesco.com call centre sorts out the refund and the re-delivery of our missing items tomorrow. Shock as pop idol kicks out smug boy who looked set to win. Excellent piece slating him and the show in screen burns in the Guardian guide.

Ken Clare Excersise Program

Ken Clare Excersise Program Found this a very amusing summary of my original exercise plan. Not bad progress in a shade under 14 months.

Messing with template

Let's see how it goes.

Friday evening

Well what better way to celebrate a visit to M&S then with a pastichio see blogs passim. A sort of lasagne with attitude. Then Beas in the evening, no colin and the girls for reasons not shared it me (or forgotten). Rick Wakeman is a guest on " Have I got News for You " which I enjoy immensely.

Sword Umbrella

Sword Umbrella I was looking for Maplins -Honest.

Friday and Christmas is coming

Well my sleep was initially disturbed last night night. I found the website of This Gang. I suppose part of me should be happy when an organisation with similar aims to your own comes along, but I am not. I aint sure why but instead of working with us - they set up on their own, with very similar aims - why? Time will tell.
Still our branding is about being consumer led and driven thats what we excel at.
Friday and I wake up with a chemical hangover may well try reducing the sedation tonight. Chill around the house while Jean goes into ful ontidy mode. Then its off to Gemini - Marks and Spencers Retail palace at Warrington. The only shop big enough to have its own motorway junction. I remember years ago comin in and seeing the commons debating the proposal - now its here and the M6 Toll road too.

Search By Number (Google Weblog)

Search By Number (Google Weblog)Fairly impressive if you live in the states.

Thursday

Wake up about 9.15 and get me act together, sort things round the house and get ready for jean coming in. Plan to do lunch but an unplanned meeting causes her to be late. We end up in Tescos old swan I have lasagne and Jean some sort of cooked breakfast combo. They place is busy and we stock up on Christmas stuff. Goes well. Jean benefitted from her shopping half day.

So Wednesday where did you go

Once I fit in meds and personal hygiene there doesn't seem much else for the day. Manage to get to the gym where after a bit of Cardio work I engage in stepping machine then arms and shoulders type stuff. Feels good. Vegetable soup and prawns, do I detect a theme here? Then it'ss off to Tesco woolton to collect the remained of my script. Home and prepare food for the gals, then off to pick mum up Nanny lookin better. Settle down to watch a surreal episode of Corrie followed by the Bill. British Comedy Awards is good.most enjoyable. Ricky Gervais is excellent and David Walliams makes a very strange acceptance gesture - good stuff. Leslie Phillips and Jordan surreal.

Little Britain Character Gallery

Little Britain Character GalleryThis is impressive we watched it on Monday night and were well impressed. Excellent characters, and in the spirit of League Of Gentlemen.

Cell - a good time

Cell at Franks tonight, a good meet. Kitchen Mal - top man, Fords Jimmy and Sid, Doctor Chris, Phil who is struggling, quiet Phil and Taxi Billy. We look at Romans 8 and try to make sense of addictions. Neither of which ie easy. I arrive home after negotiating thick fog. Drug induced haze here we come caramba.

Lunch good as ever

Kim and I hit the Bear and Staff, nice lunch, although it started off good here there is a sense that it is going off a bit. i hit Spinach soup and a combo starter of prawns and chicken satay. Then its off to Tesco Woolton to pick up the prescription. That done I try to contact Caroline HR unsuccessfully and go to the postie to post Rebeccas frock back to her - Jean was going to borrow it not me. Sid from cell rings me up at teatime checking how I am thinking I aint going tonight. I struggle on the fish I had prepared so a danish and Brunch bar is pressed into service.

Tuesday motivation poor

Had a good sleep, but felt miserable as soon as I woke up. I seem unable to complete even the simplest of tasks. Everything seems harder than it should be I try to focus in on simple things and complete them but they are hard. I manage breakfast and plan to hit the gym that soon goes by the wayside. Need to get prescriptions filled out and motor on to Tesco for some potatoes for Jeans tea. Stopping only at the Bear and staff for some lunch with Kim. And decide to use the spell checker well I thought it would make a change. Wonder will anyone notice.

I remain positive in the light of developments.

Not the best of days but I put it down to experience count my blessings and move on, feeling a certain inner calm. Definitely making progress. Tomorrows another day.

Things can only get better

I'm off to see Frank and get the repeat scripts required. He had asked work about my half pay situation last week and it would appear I am already on it deep joy. It seems catatrosphic at the time but soon takes on more realistic dimensions. Not the best news though. In touch with Kim who is meeting me for lunch tomorrow.
Get home and fall into bed more through inertia than tiredness though drop off. Wake about one and hotfoot it to Greenbank for a bowl of soup. Most enjoyable.
Then its a quick nip up queens drive to Walton hospital, where even more demolition has taken place since I was last there.
The clinic is poorly set up admin wise though the presence of Gail from weight management clinic days is pleasing. She weighs me , about 5k out I reckon or things really are bad.. Still its the balance scale and they are a pile of poop. Then into see Mr James - "so you have skinfolds" what problem does that cause you? Interesting question had I been less depressed I might have fashioned a more interesting answer. He doesn't seem enamoured with the concept of plastics for post bariatric boys. He tries to tell me of the risks of surgery. He then points out that what he thinks is secondary to what the PCT will pay for which I knew. Not much good news generally don't do skin fold on people with BMI >26 mine is 34 according to him thought 32 in my book. Hmmmmm doesn't go well, he sort of tells me how this bariatric thing aint been thought through and people should have clarified this, he then gives me some population based data about quality of life. I guess I end up feeling a bit sorry for him coz he probably has more people to treat than operating capacity. Things don't seem helped by the fact I should be at Whiston really either. So loose more weight, and find someone more friendly to bariatrics. That's the plan.

Bad Blogger Sunday

Dont like that even email posts went missing, where are they? In a holding pattern in cyberspace - I dunno guess we should be told. Sleep well and surprisingly again dream free, though I am disturbed by Jean up to no good in the night with the toasster. not munchies but a fear that it would explode - it is goosed. Needs replacing. Monday brings a visit to frank and then the plasticcs man at Walton Mr james. Interesting.

Sunday hang yer head in shame

It happens every 3/4 months or so the papers stop coming we get a bill and then I have to go up and pay for them. It happens but it dont get easier. Jean has been off to Tesco and we spend the afternoon writing more lists, getting things sorted for christmas all serious stuff. Ally is off to church mid afternoon for a double header christingle service.

Saturday evening catch up

I pick Ally up from the childwall school fair and we whip to tesco woolton for some shopping and to pick up the fotos from DLP. Most pleasing I take an americano and a packet of wafers. Return home for a spell thats its Ally and I off to get some chrimbo pressies at Borders. BAck home and M&S have come up trumps. Their excellent Pastichio first sighted in June and now seen again , delicious.Chilling generally and things are cool

The Pig's Lip

The Pig's Lip An interesting Blog that reminds me of Mick from WLSINFO - not for any reason other than it talks about the lovely plaes near where he lives.