DSCF0093 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

DSCF0093 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! Mick the H ead Thwaite spied on Flickr

86 to Tesco.

A hearty repast of curry and rice at the mission. Anns soul food. Trotted on to the bus two young smoking scalls. One with red horns and fishnets and a variety of hallowee'n regalia. She wishes me happy halloween. I wish I knew an appropriate wiccan response. Tempted to reply with may the seed of your loin be fruitful in the belly of your woman. (Tis a quote from neil off the young ones). On the bus a screaming woman and her screaming child are trying to outdo one another. She seems to have more of a problem than the kid to me. Need to purchase drain cleaner and other stuff.

Off to pick up post

Got up late, leisurely Tuesday am after a long monday. Started with the good doctor holcroft testing my head then moved on to the sefton suite phonecalls a bit of real mursing with a non bariatric patient then a new patient clinic with mr mc adam. Home late and spied the chief constable of merseyside observing pc's enforcing asbos on mischief night. BTW WTF is mischief night when did it start why did no one tell me. Watched spooks (same riproaring plot this time it war fundamentalist christians). Off to bed. Anyways back to today kim binned me off she's playing nurse to pete. So I am off to post office for charity mail. Will pop into the mission for me dinner all being well. Need tostart carrying me camera but wonder if I would have used it last night on chief con. I want a new coffee machine. Every now and again I get the fancyin for coffee. Perhaps save me dosh and stick to the costa/starbucks thing. Sat on this bus someone is wearing nannies perfume. Hers was characteristic old lady niff. To be honest I just thought she smelt that way. Its a kind of erau de toilette on homeless.

RTFM

My Macro lens delivers better magnification after I read the manual. 

Edge Lane Project | Liverpool Land Development Company | Home Page

Edge Lane Project Liverpool Land Development Company Home Page Went to Beas was amused to see a sign advertising this web site on Edge Lane.

Epileptic with a shattered clutch

Just about how I feel. RAC man tows Jean home - speak to nice RAC man about service policy and leave it all for tomorrow feel somewhat overwhelmed to be honest this may cost money I can ill afford - especially sticking in the craw as I have not been driving it.

I love my rabbit

 

Jean put the car in for MOT this am I had a lie in. We went out for lunch at the patio. Got the call from Ally halfway through that quote was ready. Didn't really settle or enjoy meal from that point. Rang from outside pub 300 notes. Bummer once again at car mans behest and feel vulnerable. Then its off to pick car and off to speke for storage solutions and essential b and q items. Heavy bummer on way home in that car breaks down and results in call to RAC. I don't know much about cars but it sounds like the clutch has gone. Here am I sat unhappilly banned from driving in a car with no MOT on double yellow lines. Sorry officer.

Filming Wednesday

Started off at Sefton Suite with a really great guy. I am always amazed at how willing people are to participate in the filming. I think everyone sees it as part of the helping others and getting the message across. It all goes well - one member of staff wanders into shot and doesnt want to be seen so we had to reshoot. Off then to our house where it goes less well. Erina had done some lines and I found it relly hard to put what I had experiencedinto someone elses words. The film crew dont feel it but I get emotional still every time I talk about where I was physically and mentally. Ring the DVLA - I am still Epileptic - and unhappy.

Tuesday evening

Nipped down to Sefton park - which would have been easier in my car did some pictures looked increasingly perv like stalking through the park at twilight. Quiet but satisfying support group which ended up with me drawing diagrams. Feel like I let people down as I guy who had emailed me ages ago finally caught up with me and I am embarrassed to admit I hadnt been back in touch. Several people arrive at the support group looking considerably lighter. Ally was off out to see the Puppini sisters at the carling academy. Good gig by all accounts.

'The 39 Steps' - e-Flyers

'The 39 Steps' - e-Flyers
Noticed in the Guardian.

Sefton Park in Autumn

 

I was happy till you called me epileptic

Thats what it says in the letter from the DVLA. So I cant drive - to say I am pissed off is an understatement. The nice lady tells me that my fits and my subarachnoid bleed were not related (according to the medical evidence she has). I text Frank to see if he can help - hes probably had enough after trying to sort out my mum this morning. Looks like she needs insulin to him referral to specialist diabetes nurse/ and then maybe the nephrology team. Happy days. Need to ring work see if its ok to get a taxi in again. I know its not life and death about the driving licence but it feels like it. Jeans off to work I had planned to take myself to the park with my camera for a macro session but the rains been beating down and the light is pooh. I cant be bothered. Anyway it will be of half term kids and worse still their grandads handing out bloody werthers.
As soon as I write that the sun peeks round the corner of a cloud. Should ring Mrs Mc Naught I owe her a call and need to mention the 2-0 defeat of the redshites on Sunday. Constipation still a problem and I have changed the pain killing medication in a bid to debung me. Knowing my luck I will get tothe park it will pee down and I'll need a dump. Think I will stop in and maybe have a kip - though taking to my bed seems like the act of a depressive. Alternatively I could be creative with software with photographs or make a serious start on the writing. Both of which activities could result in accusations of hypomanic swing. All I am clear about is my head is truly wedged up my own bum. Mindful I have the support group tonight and filming tomorrow - and work. Then 2 days off. Want to do some serious macro shooting - Jean will not be impressed for sure.
Thats blue sky - not much but some its windy - Hmm wonder what its like in the palm house to shoot. Could get down there early to do sunset if its nice.

In the barbers chair.

Well waiting to get into it. Adele is the hairdresser of choice alas Frank no more. I even jumped the bus down here as its easier. Feel knakkered as per usual. Car booked in for MOT thursday, mum booked in for hers at Franks 9.20 tomorrow. No filming tomorrow daytime/nighttime just wednesday am. Had a good morning this morning and extended to the pm. Still need gto make one call.

I know I am paranoid but.....

I dont mind spam emails offering me viagra, cialis, hair restorer growth forula but when I get email targetting me for online purchase of my prescription only medicine I get suspicious - is the NHS computer being hacked or are they just lucky.

Come dancing

Why I am I watching it. Cant be arsed not watching. They are assassinatingsome irl from casualty who I thought did well just walking in her shoes. Tis shite telly but I feel starngely engaged. I just read a chapter of a book called how to write a book which reveals it takes 24 x 10 hour working days to do 50000 words should take me about 4 years then. Feel like I am on a bit of a downward swing. Could be that someone commented yesterday that I was more reliable than people expected and Jean said I looked a bit low. Bloody feel unreliable and down now.
I used to look forward to come dancing on a friday night - I think it was peter west of pissed up cricketing fame. Good article in guardian weekend about noel edmonds deal no deal.
Macro lens came and a skylight filter I ordered a 350d instruction manual from ebay and immediatly my getting the most from book turns up. I break a piece of gaudi pottery I was photographin and lose my blob.

Tuesday October 17th

http://www.historymatters.org.uk/output/Page1.asp

Start the day with a mug of tea here http://www.livercm.org.uk/ in the city centre caff run by ann and her team if you pass go in. If you are lucky you may spy the early morning Cozzie who gives breakfast and ministry to people struggling.
Park in Mount Pleasant - not sure how long for so spend a fiver and its off to Lime street to meet Gill off the London train. Shes a publisher and we are meeting to discuss what I hope will be a book. She is the nicest possible publisher I could imagine, though I am not behind yet. We natter and lunch in the Marriot. Then its off to home feeling strange. Cook tea then off to a meeting. Some faces missing and one I must chase.

AGM

Saturday 14th - was a great event friends old and new. I am still whirring but it went well and the pics are here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigsteve2006/sets/72157594336044972/ and here http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclareblog/sets/72157594331412708/ if you see yourself put your name on it.

Just when things are going well

Everything goes tits up. Phone call from a Doctor Reid. Mums potassium is up the swannee and she needs admitting. Ally tried to deflect the call (bless her) when she realised the gravity of the situation she dealt appropriately.

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society Guardian | The view from the blogosphere

SocietyGuardian.co.uk Society Guardian The view from the blogosphere

Thanks Kieran

Met with publisher

My publisher. Ha ha sounds so luvvyish. Went throiugh draft project plan/outline thing she is made up. Happy days. What a fine woman. We meet in lime street. I am concerned I may not recognise her. I'll be the woman in the red jacket she says. Yeah you and the rest of the virgin staff. So add author to skill set and cv. Just got to right the bloody thing now. No probs. Speak to one of my chapter writers today. No problem says he.

Observed in Lime Street

 

Beware I am driving again

And its funkadelic. Amazing - really pleased. Went to work but Jean had keys so I used delta for one last time. Went to my mums at night how close and quick everything is in a car. Only 7 months it all comes back easy. Off to borders in the evening.
Thursday work
Friday - Greeenbank - counselling then work.
Need to sort out the badges for AGM

I'm in the news today oh boy

Well in the background on the 8am bulletin. Quite clearly there though and to be honest I got a shock turned telly on saw a familiar face looking back. Hahaha. Late breakfast( of poached eggs delicious). Off up to the room and strut my exhibiting stuff. More tired than if I had a skinful (well mebbe not) but still got exhibitors feet. I need to lay down with a drawer under my mattress to elevate my plates of meat. (An old nurses trick (alternatively try an old nurse under your mattress to same effect). On the next stand are the www.weightlossresources.co.uk agreat bunch of girls and one lad with hilary briss sideburns. They think I am a rascal think if I had been drinking I would have been out with them. Still feel better that I didn't. Wonder how much I saved they were banging back champagne cocktails. Of course as bonviveur I would troughed with the best of em. I note to contact them see if wecan do a deal for website members. They gave out a free book too. I shall get some more I think. Also met with two women from ethicon simona and johnna.
Bagged a couple of potential sponsors for our training too. Caught up with annette and paul who went to see the 39 steps on my recommendation. Fortunately they loved it too. Paul gives me big positive vibes. He bigs me up to maria too. After the conf I go for a walk then sit and chat with the NOF gang. I was going to buy me a lens for felt 200notes was taking the piss a bit. I need to ring peter kindermans secretary and work and sort AGM stuff. Oh and 1 million other things.
Jump a taxi to euston with jane, the accountant and the banker.
On the train I spy john ashton erstwhile something or other for north west. He resigned apparently to pursue other avenues. He was reading private eye and the economist. Poor fella has a bad chest and needs a sinus washout. Have to crank thhe ipod up a notch or two.

Monday night

So met rebecca in the drinks reception. Mingled only slightly. Went in to dinner shared table with bill (with new liver). Louise and a delightful company who run a software firm. Dinner was smoked salmon and gravad lax. Mains shoulder of lamb and followed with a raspberry charlotte. Twas tasty. The wine flowed freely for those drinking. I stuck to water. Went down to bar. I found it difficult to stay awake, and interested. Saw rebecca to cab and then returned just as the people I was with gravitated to the lagavulin. Off to bed for me

Morning comes too soon

Twas morning before I knew it. I was up and at em fairly sharpish. Met louise for breakfast and enjoyed the company of jane DVA, her son and colin waine. Then set up have a chat with jane and on with the exhibiting. I joined the first session for the keynote from john wilding top bloke with mentions of surgery ++. Then Jane then off. Saw several people I knew some more expected than others. Highlight of the day for me was the lady who had taken a leaflet for a patient of hers 2 years ago patients now 3 months post op and doing well. She wanted to tell me which was touching. Afternoon session was long. Feet up now tired.

Food was good

Despite the fact that something was going on downstairs in the restaurant . I counted14 men go downstairs. While they have been having a christian fellowship meeting my fear and underlying racism fed a fertile imagination and I was too frightened to go to the tolet. I was carrying a camera, blackberry and a monopod (a piece of camera kit that looks like a truncheon). They didnt like the look of me, all were hostile they were clearly waiting for me to piss off so they could start their people trafficking, gambling or hymn singing. The lady who served me was very nice and the wortip with vingar and duck with rice bowl was fantastic. She was whisked away for making me too happy, I got back on to the tube and looked behind me all the way home. Back to the hotel and on the phone to louise diss who is a tonic.

Down by the riverside

Nice view from the bridge by westminster 

afternoon tea

Ten quid in the courtyard at british museum. 3 finger butties and 2 scones. Very pleasant surroundings.

Diary of day

I opted for a walk through covent garden along charing cross road and a circuitous mooch. Got back to hotel checked in home uploaded picd tried to remotely fix a problem with chat client. Think I suceeded. Got tube down to embankment in search of nightime pics using beanbag and monopod looked a complete gonk. Tube back to leicester square now in a restaurant. I aint sure what I ordered but I like to gamble. Hopefully something like wortip and duck of some sort. Ten to eight should look in on exhibition when I get back but can't really be bothered. I should just point out I ironed a shirt tonight listening to music. In nurse training days sunday night was always ironing night (listening to top of the pops on the wireless). It was quite nostalgic, it reminded me how priveleged I felt when phil rowe told me my washing could be washed and ironed for free.

How could I forget

This dude in the restaurant filming his tea for at least 5 minutes. 

Shopping and theatre

So after museum we headed fopr new oxford street. I only took us a mile in the wrong direction. Ho humm. New oxford was too busy for me. I did score the required socks and scrons and a new coat. Collezione in M+S. Had a drink in starbucks then wandered. Jean did present shopping I sat outside selfridges. Went b ack to the hotel jean had a kip I wandered looking for shops. Found a jessops closing down. Got me a monopod a tripod bag and a beanbag. Happydays. Woke jean went to china town for tea. Very nice lady talked us slowly through what we wanted. Had the best ever wor tip. Known here as grilled pork dumplings, har gau and spring rolls. Then a portion of duck some noodles and pak choi with garlic. Then found criterion theatre at piccadilly circus where we laffed our way through the 39 steps. It was a hoot home via tube drink in bar then bed. Will need an early night tonight. Saw jean off to euston in a cab then got tube from to charing cross. Arrived at national portrait gallery and enjoyed angus mcbean exhibition. Then to main gallery and then shop and gafff. Now sat on steps of national gallery wondering what to do next. Royal stuff? Parliament stuff? Museum stuff or shopping stuff. Shopping equals second hand camera stuff by the way. Sitting in the sun is another option. If it stays out. I also need to draft a change to the charity bye laws re constitution. Oh write my annual report and a chapter for my meeting with the publisher. So much to do but sod it here's the sun. I will top up my weathered look for tomorrow. The NOF - force in ascendancy or on its way out - discuss. Certainly my view opf what I am doing there in the last 3 years has changed. Initially they thought surgery was fringe. Now it is more mainstream, but the british economic side seems a heap bigger business. I am concerned that individuals will be forced into "quick fix" solutions that aren't for them.

From British museum

Met Jean after sheananigans with her minicab she had the predicted kip. I trotted along TCR. Not much still open which was good, meant I didn't waste money. Found essential goods mooched and wandered back. Booked ino luthyens restaurant as we were both goosed. Had a chicken lemongrass wan ton starter jean had a duck spring roll. She had sea bass I had rack of lamb with sweetpotato and spinach spring roll. Most delicious sweets looked excellent but we were both full. Retreated to bed and watched TV. I felll asleep before Jonny Ross. Good breakfast in the am then sauntered up to the british museum. Did the main highlights then caught a volunteers guide doing the sutton hoo room. He was crap, he didn't even know what ashield boss was. Some yank read it out and he said oh yes a very small shield - yeah right for the 6inch pygmies of viking land. Doesn't he watch time team. Still the exhibits impressed Jean. Highlight for me was getting up close and personal with the rosetta stone. Last time I visited with mqargerison it was chokka and I didn't get an eyeful. I must read some more about the thing but it seems to have three versions of the same decree which allows us to translate evrything. Cool.
Elgin marbles - verdict cack give em back. In fact if you give everything back we robbed there would be shag all here.

Lost one post on the train

Bout the taxi driver and the train. Just had a butty off the nice people. OJ and two tins of diet coke aint sobriety fun. Its all new to me. (Well relatively, I reflect that this is my first sober train journey in years). Once again smug self satisfaction rings out. I have left my 3G card at home so minimal surfing for me I think. Anyway tonight and tomorrow I am tourist at large. Or large tourist. Looking foward to it in the extreme.

No laminates in smiths.

Not my day is it. I will take the slides and and I have bought sonme card to reprint them on.
New Blackberry battery arriovee yesterday and it seems to be doing well. Did I tell you it gave up the ghost 1 day before the 6 month guarantee ran out.

The garbos didn't take the rubbish on Wednesday.

Obviously too full for them. Course its full it needs freakin emptying. So its even fuller now and I just spent an hour dancing on it to compress it. Grrr. Just been for a haircut it wasn't adele so apologies in advance if it looks mean. Now sat in hampers cafe waiting for a brew and a snackette. Then craigs pharmacy and pet shop. Home laminating then cab to station. Euston cab to jurys great russell street then a trotalong tottenham court road while jean kips I guess then out for tea. Then I want to take some late night pics. Picadilly circus or parliament seems good. Ally got up well this am I am proud. AGM and charity causing me grief. Deep joy.

HMS Victory

 

Thursday Early start for me

Try to get in to the suite post haste but end up dressing in the taxi, at one point I have 1 shoe, no belt, a tie, no shirt, bill grundies and an anorak. Eventually leave just minus keys. Hit the suite go and weigh a mate (as you do). Then its into the first meeting, a lady commissioner from the darkest south west. Nice lady and the team do a good turn, all looking joined up. Then its in to the RGN ward meeting where I end up doing a mini intro - I feel a complete tit introducing myself to people who have been working with me for months. Its worth it though, one person didnt realise I was a nurse I tried to dispel the professional chatter myth and got willingly roped in to do some gigs on staff training. I wonder what they think I have been doing - I decide its better not to ask. I help someone with powerpoint then get on do with the patient 5 to see. I witness courage and honesty that is humbling. I go home feeling kinda nursey - florence would be proud. Off to london tomorrow so need to go to the airdressers (note not frank) and get me locks shorn. Need prescription and other crap s0rting to.

The Diary - Film and Television Crewing

The Diary - Film and Television Crewing
Paul the cool cameraman from New York (well Devon)

Guardian Unlimited | Comment is free | No big NHS ideas? It's a chronic problem

Guardian Unlimited Comment is free No big NHS ideas? It's a chronic problem
Surely weight is a major problem where patients partnership organisations are the way forward.

Late start fasting blood sugar

Did mention I think I may be diabetic, bad thirst, polyuria, tiredness oh and I am a hypochondriac. You cant just feel tired in work they have you wired up and monitor 20 of your body functioning parameters - I fail on most of them. I had a fasting blood sugar done( thanks Nikki). Busy but most of my patients are asleep in theatre or off the unit. I wish i could find a way to blog without breaching confidentiality. i am learning so much from people in my job. I feel truly priveliged to be there and someone even pays me. Ann from PR gets in touch re filming at the end of the month. Have a good natter with Margaret from theatre about "the good old days"
Off to mums at tea time - roast dinner and then off to HMV where I spend a tenner and pick up Led Zeps song remains the same and The Smiths - The complete picture. Then into Borders where I blog (like right now) speak to Jean, Ally goes to M&S, I buy You dont have to be famous to have manic depression. home for wire in the blood I think.

ITunes Tuesday

I have a day off from the day job today so thats good. I immerse myself in some me time. After getting Ally up and off to school ( ajob she needs no help with) I lie in and relax. I do some charity work and some wholesale surfing. Lunchtime finds me heading to Allerton Road and aftersome indecision I settle for hampers. I opt for the club sandwich - and while tea is served I ponder the fellow diners. Polish builder, retired couple, undertakers receptionsts( one who looks like the practice doll for the funeral parlours make up artist, camp estate agent, old lady with two therapists, and sad old git sat on his own (no thats me). Sandwich is bigger than I need,but tasty. i get the 75a home and end up getting lobbed off one bus - shoved on to another then told to get off there. I end up cursing both stagecoach drivers and get rained on. Gits. mutter mutter mutter, I wander along with Ipod in bopping and doing local looney impression. I am dancin to the puppini sisters version of the smiths panic (you need to hear it to understand).
Arrive home and more chilling. Surfing. Ally and I do enchilladas and lasagne, ggod stuff. Regular readers will note regularity of lasagne intake - ask ally I was an addict. After tea I hatch a cunning plot to give health advice to cab drivers and bus passengers - captive audiences. Then its off to ma in laws despite absence of Jean (who phonestwice and is enoying herself). At home I surf and discover ITunes and have pleasure downloading toons. Then go to bed watching a raunchy DVD. It is actually the official history of the aircraft carrier "the Ark Royal" but having complete control of the telly I am in serious pleasureville. I fellasleep before the end though which is a major dissapointment. Fell asleep at the point she was downgraded to a through deck cruiser - what we want is a big floating city type thing American fashion. Though I note George Dubyas policy is to use the British isles as a sort of aircraft carrier to extend his reach. I get grumpy about American foreign policy.

Arkell v. Pressdram - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arkell v. Pressdram - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A good wiki stumble

Monday moaning

Blackberry Alarm goes off insistently at 6.45 Jean rings at 7 I am up and at it in a semi concinpus type of way. Ally is a star going to school. I consume some tea some more tea then some flakes. About 9.30 I have a sort of hypo attack and end up eating digestives chocolate and milk to correct. Feel better jump delta to work. Arrive and doing ok. Sort out some pre op assesment business then its on to post op its all go. Louise and Lesley are off to Sheffield on a training gig. Then I am home with a Delta man who has a brother who had a bypass and sings the praises of the sefton suite. Ally gets in and we sort tea meanwhile a call from Erina at Mentorn about some filming in late October. Ally and I get on well mickey browne calls wioth an update on his dad. Then its spooks after autumn watch then bed. Nighty night.

Cards in France

 

Sunday

Woke up with a screaming headache this time focussed over my right eye which is unusual. Panic says its another bleed logic says I am less likely to have one than you. (My nut has been thouroughly examined). Take painkillers +++ and put it down to weariness.
Jean gets prepared and gets a lift to Lime Street Station. I plonk myself in fron tof the telly and to Allys disgust I watch the star studded http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056197/ The longest day best of all an appearance by star of ER Red Buttons look at this for credits ER Fantasy Island (which I never saw) and Love boat (which my mother loved). After tea and much busying with charity stuff its Cracker - catch up with Mickey on his Dad and fall asleep before the end of Cracker.

The Saturday Habit

Hope it isnt starting woke up late and then went to mums after a bit of tidying here. Mary (big sis) we had a good natter about our childhood with mum. Mary gave me a lift to Tesco I went the pet shop then confess to buying the daily mail to read the anne diamond exclusive. Hmmmm.
Got home then general chilling. Jean getting ready to go on her course tomorrow - sunday that is. Plan is I meet her down in the smoke on Friday we are going to see 39 steps national portrait gallery and british museum. London at night too. Looking forward to it.

Friday lets get clinical and see doc hibbert first

Not the doc hibbert from the simpsons http://animatedtv.about.com/library/gallerysimpsons/blphoto_other_hibbert.htm but the equably affable occ health doc at what used to be the stratchclyde unit. Running late as ever, I get there and the fella seems pleased to see me. He is the chap who retired me on ill health grounds last year seemed sorry to hear about the sub arachnoid. He was happy to sign me fit to return with some provisos. I wont be doing full nursing and no calculating drug dosages but happy to be back. Back to the sefton suite and I set up for a preop clinic and see a post opper who I have never met but find her words heartening. Catch up with the inpatients ward staff and Louise and Lesley. I work late and go straight to ma in laws stopping to take pics on the way.