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.

Tuesday

Met with the inspirational Diane Brennan who is doin ggod stuff with the elderly in speke. Gonna do a joint presntation with her at HC 2004.
Trying to get her sorted, advised her to ring Kieran , loopy boy. Then a emis pcs demo from rhiannon wery good, I am impressed. Home then off to gym where i do 5k in 52 mins which was nice. Then i broke me glasses int he shower had to ring Jean to come and get me. I eat in the restaurant and then meet dave and maria who i dont recognise, they look well when I am close enuff.

Monday -

Matchworks in the mornin and then Dave B in the afternnon with Veronica. It goes well and we get our heads round the issues. Then me and v, then CHI visit with Michele a lot of work. Cottage pie for tea , a sea change but a special offer so thats cool. Enjoyed ally lees banana and walnut cake at work look forward to carrot cake later in the week. Online meeting later, doesnt go well.

Sunday

Usual morning surfing the Web and sorting out website stuff. Go to Ruth and Pauls for lunch, where I managed to eat an almost normal looking meal. Meat potatoes and vegetables, it was delicious. Watch the unusual phenomena of England doing well at test cricket against South Africa. Still bemused at the thought they could win. Back home to more website stuff, and sorting out stuff for work

Saturday

I have made a rash new purchase. I have bought a copy of DragonDictate, speech recognition software which seems very impressive at first glance. It will however have to be carefully trained to recognise my unusual accident. It is doing very well and the technology has come a long way since last I loved it is (Looked at it). Been to the gym this afternoon, and done 5K in 54 minutes which includes the gradient for Upper Parliament Street the hill. Even managed several minutes jogging, though the loose flesh tends to batter the rest of my body. It produces a graphic slapping sound which disturbs most of the gym members. The contusions it creates may prove embarrassing if examined medically later today! Usual trip to Nannie Banks' and then drop mother off. Mother is as barking as ever, but in her own merry way. At least she is happy, and we can ask for little more.
Off out at night to Mustard for Donnas leaving party Donna runs the gym/restaurant. She is the tops and drink to much guinness, in the absence of real ale and reflect on life and the skimpiness of young girls clothes with Jack my trainer and guru.

Friday

Wale up in the Leofric strange gaff. Only two coffee sachets, they soon go. off for breakfast coffee machine is broke so its jugs. Smoked haddock so the lady feels bound to tell me of her time as a fish gutter. No need honest. Leave the hotel engage the ring road again. not pleasant but find the Conference venue. get there in the end quite pleasnt. Sign in delegate pack and off to the liason desk to find a gaff for presentation writing purposes. Find same and set up base camp. Goes well, finds lady who is faint who first aid staff bring in here. Turns out it is the green room type space. Meet a couple of speakers. Finish presentation eventually. Give it to Brenda the manager. HAve a look at the conference exhibition a place I dont enjoy. Go to lunch have salmon, and pasta and a bit of chicken. Meet three docs ok in parts I guess. They notice I am a speaker hear what I am talking about then dont come. Lunch lays heavy - nerves? Then over to the arts centre for the gig. The first speaker doesnt turn up so it all gets a bit fraught. Goes well though my obesity ad goes on a bit I enjoyed it thought lights and radio mikes aint for me. Leave coventry at 3 arrive Hilton park 5.30 due to queues and a grass fire. Chicken soup and a pancake in Little Chef. Drive home phone calls and a load of yes on the way. Top stuff straight to Beas then home good to be back.

Thursday

wednesday

Tuesday - good day all round

Wake up 7 am on to the site,email to Roger Lyon a geezer I worked with. He repiles later and I plan to go live with him 11/09/03. Busy in the moning Rebecca discovers the webcam and its Allys first day back at school. 10 am heads of informatics meeting at Hammy House do well on the sponsorship front. Back to Matchworks meet Julia from In practice systems their scanning solution is excellent. Get her carded and sponsoring me then its a chat with the irrepressible Kim and then Andy. A management accountant geezer and top man. Off to Storrsdale to meet Julie the PM and learn about the new EMISsolution. It looks good and I need to sort out my talk for friday. Back home and learn we have been shortlisted for the AwardRing the judge then its off to Ruth and Pauls for Bee (ma in laws 79th birthday) back home and then a bit of work. I am busy.

Monday

The day starts as usual at the PC with much thought and work about stuff. I become engrossed as ever in what the family now refer to as "Planet Obesity" I occasionally call in to Planet earth for a reality check. I lose track of time, PO has its own system and end up in a mad dash for my appt with The surgeon Mr K. I field phone calls in the dash up Queens drive, the delightful Rebecca a HR manager who does the site admin. I cant say where she works but when you ring her it says Good morning World ********* Council its impressive for sure I imagine it to be a top gaff somewhere like Geneva a bit like The Champions sorry I have come over weak. 1968 I was seven boy did I have the hots for alexander bastedo.
Anyway Walton Hospital is being knocked down, I arrive at OutPatients in the nick of time, to wait 30 mins which aint bad for the man. I get weighed by an embryonic Health Care Assistant who insists my name is Clare Kenneth. Look sonny its my name I know how to use it. I have taken to wearing my badge in there now. To no avail he is clearly illiterate. He weighs me on scales from the ark, he sees my desire to remove my jacket as an inconvenience too far. Though as he holds it he realises why. The satellite equipment alone weighs hundreds of pounds. A wait in the waiting area. I still instinctively sit in the fat guy seats (noarms) even though I surely fit in normal blokey section. I amuse myself fiddling with my Blackberry. Seriously though it costs 28 squid a month it enables me to send email from anywhere a boon. In to see the man. Spend an age talkin about matters WLS (Weight Loss Surgery Dearie). Nanoseconds talking about me, I manage to glean that even with their lousy equipment I have lost 77% of my excess body weight. I express concerns about diet and alcohol intake about which he makes the right noises. He sends me for a ruck of tests, where wrong name has now acquired a needle. I have no intention of letting a modern apprentice approach this regal man. His colleague an able lady who recognises me from the echo article sorts me. Off to Sainsburys across the road. Some top prawns, better than Tesco. Eat lunch with a delightful gang. Chased by a journo in the afternoon and refer her to my PR person Becky. Off home surprise Lasagne, off to see Jack, at the gym get weighed, going the right way and I aint bothered to be sure. I feel good. Sort exercise plan, 5k Wednesday, Saturday and next Wednesday. Go for it. Its tough but its a plan. Get home but the support group call guy I am meant to speaking to is working do park that. Website then relax.

Sunday

Much webbing and guilt about the Blog must get the files the youngster has done. She is tired and has a sub clinical URTI. I dabble in the kitchen at lunchtime and discover I have not a clue how to make gravy anymore. It comes back and I save the day. Chicken mash and gravy its the tops. After lunch we go to town to practice walking. We do about 2.2k including the hill in the corporate cup course. I see a really nice part of town up front and personal. Incorporating a substantial bit of the Ropewalks development zone. See a couple of red admirals and some fine buddlea on the way round. The hill near kills me I am minded of Sean Connerys Hill. His best film - I don't think so. What about the Japanese cop one or Clancy blockbuster Red October. I lose the girls due more to length of pace than speed and proceed alone up Upper Parliament Street. I am passed by a ambulance with blues and twos, how kind of the girls I think. But it passes me by, I have a boyish fascination with blue flashing lights and nearly fall down a fire hydrant that some one has left uncovered. Still its a good walk and back home for some healing ice cream.
Off to the Ship and Mitre my favourite aleouse for some Farmers boy and the preferable Jekylls Gold from Hydes. Meet a pre op and a post op boy we laff and what stuff we talk about.

Saturday

A busy day ferrying me mum back and to avoiding a family party by me Nan's able to claim exemption on grounds I am too young. Genrally the same Saturday as usual, punctuated with a visit from Ally and the delightful Archie. Me and the boy walk up and down the street swishing the leaves with our sticks. He wanted to stop but I pleaded with him to let me carry on. He and Ally have become part of the Clare household (loosely) a fact confirmed when Ally helps put the Tesco homeshop away. A quiet nite in very good.