So off to MRI first thing yesterday with Madam and her ears. Looking better there and I'm no longer having to shout...
Thence to Wythenshawe in the afternoon to see Dr Yvonne. She agrees I'm overweight but she's not worried about that (although I am - she's not seen me sunbathing in a swimming costume!). News from the X ray is that my lung tumour hasn't grown since the end of my treatment which is very good news. The MRI scan has shown cancer on my spine but this too seems to have responded to the chemotherapy. I do need to be very careful about this though. Spines are tricky things and there's all sorts of nerves involved. So I need to keep an eye out for random nerve pain or numbness and report it immediately. Otherwise she'll see me in 6 weeks. I'm happy with all that.
Asked about travel insurance. The problem is "repatriation". One can get treated in Europe for emergency medical events under the EHIC card. However, if one falls ill and needs longer term treatment then one needs to be repatriated and that costs (air ambulances etc don't come cheap). However Dr Yvonne told me about Swiss Assist. This is a card you can buy for €60 and you are covered for air ambulance travel home for a year and it covers the whole of Europe. Doesn't matter if you're already ill when you buy the card just so long as you're not in an "acute" phase of your illness. Sorted. Just now need to get the £30 insurance to cover my luggage etc. obviously it means I can't travel outside Europe but then I wasn't planning to anyway.
Cinema last night to see Cloud Atlas which is a very strange film. It has a stellar cast though all playing multiple roles. It didn't help that the heating system in the cinema wasn't working properly either. After about half an hour I thought I wasn't going to enjoy it but as the film went on the more you got drawn in. There are some lovely humorous bits in there (especially in the high security rest home) and seeing the lovely Ben Whishaw snogging a man is worth anyone's money. The various stories gradually have points of intersection and its quite fun spotting where they overlap. It's a long film though - going on for 3 hours - so you do need to persevere. I'd probably recommend waiting until its shown on telly and seeing it then.
Lunch with Nurse Jackie today at Alchemist. Looking forward to seeing her. That's all for now. J x
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Two Hospitals And The Cinema
That's either the title for a film or my schedule for the day... :-)
MRI at 9830 (not my appointment) followed by Wythenshawe at 1330 (my appointment) and then the cinema at 1730. Phew. It's almost like I could do with a holiday...
... which is proving a little problematic. Thought I'd cruise the net for some travel insurance yesterday and those few companies that are willing to insure me are coming in at between £1100 and £1600. For a four day trip to Paris. Unbelievable. I thought the whole point of insurance was that you lot paid a little extra on your insurance so that I could have a reasonably priced holiday. If its all tied into individual circumstances what is the f***ing point? Might as well just self-insure. So come on you lot. Get in touch with your insurance companies and tell them you want to pay extra... The alternative of course is to exclude the cancer from the insurance. In which case the premium comes down to £30. I will be talking to my consultant this afternoon about what to do for the best.
Helpline last night and had two calls. One of them a wank call which is always refreshing. Trust me, he didn't stay on the line long once I realised what was happening. The other call lasted for an hour with a clinically depressed person who has all sorts of things going on in their life. Hope I helped.
Seeing Cloud Atlas tonight with the lovely Gill. Not sure quite what it's all about but am fairly sure it won't be as bad as Broken City which we saw last week. That's all. J x
MRI at 9830 (not my appointment) followed by Wythenshawe at 1330 (my appointment) and then the cinema at 1730. Phew. It's almost like I could do with a holiday...
... which is proving a little problematic. Thought I'd cruise the net for some travel insurance yesterday and those few companies that are willing to insure me are coming in at between £1100 and £1600. For a four day trip to Paris. Unbelievable. I thought the whole point of insurance was that you lot paid a little extra on your insurance so that I could have a reasonably priced holiday. If its all tied into individual circumstances what is the f***ing point? Might as well just self-insure. So come on you lot. Get in touch with your insurance companies and tell them you want to pay extra... The alternative of course is to exclude the cancer from the insurance. In which case the premium comes down to £30. I will be talking to my consultant this afternoon about what to do for the best.
Helpline last night and had two calls. One of them a wank call which is always refreshing. Trust me, he didn't stay on the line long once I realised what was happening. The other call lasted for an hour with a clinically depressed person who has all sorts of things going on in their life. Hope I helped.
Seeing Cloud Atlas tonight with the lovely Gill. Not sure quite what it's all about but am fairly sure it won't be as bad as Broken City which we saw last week. That's all. J x
Monday, March 25, 2013
Momentous Events (Not Really)
So, this blog approaches its 7 year anniversary (27 March 2006 was my first ever posting) and I approach my 1000th post (this posting is number 995). And Hilda is 80 years old. Fantastic stuff.
Anyway, in respect of the latter event, DD and I took her out for a curry yesterday and very nice it was too. Bloody freezing out in the open though. We went to the Radisson first for champagne and vodka. Unfortunately the place was somewhat overrun by hairdressers (yes, there was an actual convention) and tall wispy models who's up-dos had been mostly annihilated by the wind. So service was a little slow. In recognition of this the rather cute barman gave us our drinks for free. How fab is that?
Then it was back to DDs for coffee, Countryfile and Corrie to find out who died in the fire (we still don't know). Altogether a lovely day.
Not much on the agenda today. Indeed nothing until my helpline shift this evening. I shall endeavour to tackle mountains of paperwork therefore. Just as soon as I've made myself another coffee. And maybe a biscuit or two... That's all. J x
Anyway, in respect of the latter event, DD and I took her out for a curry yesterday and very nice it was too. Bloody freezing out in the open though. We went to the Radisson first for champagne and vodka. Unfortunately the place was somewhat overrun by hairdressers (yes, there was an actual convention) and tall wispy models who's up-dos had been mostly annihilated by the wind. So service was a little slow. In recognition of this the rather cute barman gave us our drinks for free. How fab is that?
Then it was back to DDs for coffee, Countryfile and Corrie to find out who died in the fire (we still don't know). Altogether a lovely day.
Not much on the agenda today. Indeed nothing until my helpline shift this evening. I shall endeavour to tackle mountains of paperwork therefore. Just as soon as I've made myself another coffee. And maybe a biscuit or two... That's all. J x
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Wouldn't You Simply Die Without Mahler?
Ten points to anyone who can tell me who spoke those words and in which film. At least that's how I remember the quote anyway. Best of luck.
But, frankly, Mahler is pants. I'm reliably informed that his 10th symphony - which is the one we saw - is his worst. And it wasn't even wholly written by him as he dies before he finished it and someone else came along and made it all even more unintelligible. And the slew of hemiolas in the fifth movement really put the icing on the cake for me. Although the notes tangling like bindweed through the orchestra ran this a close second. I am paraphrasing the programme notes here...
Anyway, if you're going to see some Mahler apparently his 2nd symphony is the one to see.
Had a good night out in Liverpool anyway (words I thought I would never write) as we went to Alan's favourite bar and restaurant. They're now also my favourite bar and restaurant in Liverpool. And they're just around the corner from the Philharmonic Hall which was convenient as we were late leaving the restaurant and had to run through the snow. Train was delayed coming home so had to wait 20 minutes on the platform but no one killed us which was good.
Curry for lunch today. Yum. Followed by Coronation Street round at DD's. That's all. J x
But, frankly, Mahler is pants. I'm reliably informed that his 10th symphony - which is the one we saw - is his worst. And it wasn't even wholly written by him as he dies before he finished it and someone else came along and made it all even more unintelligible. And the slew of hemiolas in the fifth movement really put the icing on the cake for me. Although the notes tangling like bindweed through the orchestra ran this a close second. I am paraphrasing the programme notes here...
Anyway, if you're going to see some Mahler apparently his 2nd symphony is the one to see.
Had a good night out in Liverpool anyway (words I thought I would never write) as we went to Alan's favourite bar and restaurant. They're now also my favourite bar and restaurant in Liverpool. And they're just around the corner from the Philharmonic Hall which was convenient as we were late leaving the restaurant and had to run through the snow. Train was delayed coming home so had to wait 20 minutes on the platform but no one killed us which was good.
Curry for lunch today. Yum. Followed by Coronation Street round at DD's. That's all. J x
Saturday, March 23, 2013
It's a Cold
Had an OK night last night although I did have one of my (now luckily rare) night sweats. And my temperature is back to normal. But I'm coughing and sneezing today so I think the whole temperature vomiting thing was just the start of a cold. Lets hope so anyway. I'm seeing my consultant on Tuesday for the results of the MRI scan so if anything is still worrying me then I can ask her.
Off to Liverpool this evening to see the Liverpool Philharmonic play Mahler. I trust that it will be a little more intelligible than what we saw them do last time (no, can't remember) but I'm fairly sure the composer won't turn up this time. :-)
Hopefully the wind won't blow the train off the tracks although it did manage to blow one of the trees on my terrace over last night. No one was hurt. But I've got to go out there and put it back up soon.
Out for a(nother) curry tomorrow but otherwise taking things easy ahead of my Warrington leaving do followed by London & Paris & Manchester leaving do. Phew. That's all for now. J x
Off to Liverpool this evening to see the Liverpool Philharmonic play Mahler. I trust that it will be a little more intelligible than what we saw them do last time (no, can't remember) but I'm fairly sure the composer won't turn up this time. :-)
Hopefully the wind won't blow the train off the tracks although it did manage to blow one of the trees on my terrace over last night. No one was hurt. But I've got to go out there and put it back up soon.
Out for a(nother) curry tomorrow but otherwise taking things easy ahead of my Warrington leaving do followed by London & Paris & Manchester leaving do. Phew. That's all for now. J x
Friday, March 22, 2013
Update
So today hasn't been too bad although I'm starting to feel achy and shivery now. Temperature has stayed down though (36.6 at the moment). Should probably go to bed early but it's The Walking Dead tonight and I love that...
Had a haircut this afternoon and Cameron has worked his usual magic. I look much better. :-) And Hilda is back from Cyprus so my flat looks much nicer too. J x
Had a haircut this afternoon and Cameron has worked his usual magic. I look much better. :-) And Hilda is back from Cyprus so my flat looks much nicer too. J x
Oh and just so we're clear...
... I had one pint of Peroni yesterday. At lunchtime. With food (and with good company). This is not drink related. Thank you. J x
Temperature at 37.0
That's a bit better and hopefully it will continue to fall. Not been sick again and managed a couple of hours sleep. Feel tired and rotten now though. And my cleaner is coming today. May retire to the spare room...
Temperature at 37.8
That isn't good. If it stays there too long I'll have to call the chemotherapy unit. Bollocks. Have taken paracetomol to see if it comes down.
But whilst lying here it suddenly occurs to me that I haven't seen my good friends the Murrays for far too long. Jane and Bill, once this temperature is sorted out I'm coming for you... :-) J x
But whilst lying here it suddenly occurs to me that I haven't seen my good friends the Murrays for far too long. Jane and Bill, once this temperature is sorted out I'm coming for you... :-) J x
Apropos of nothing...
... I've just been sick. Not violently but vomiting nonetheless. Still feeling a bit hot and shivery so anticipate maybe being sick again. I will monitor and let you know. Wish I hadn't let that carer go otherwise I'd be straight on the phone to her... :-) J x
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Cooking Doesn't Get Tougher Than This
Enjoying the new series of Masterchef. Dale is my favourite so far. Early days yet though.
Had lunch at Carluccio's today with Liverpool's brand new BLM. He seems very excited to have the job and is full of ideas. The other BLMs will love that. He enjoyed the food and I enjoyed looking at the pretty new waiter...
Off to the cinema later with the lovely Gill (birthday girl for tomorrow) but not quite sure what we're seeing. It's got Marky Mark in it though so let's hope he flashes his pants. He does still do that doesn't he?
Gone bloody cold again. Will Spring never arrive? Thank God for all my foreign trips... J x
Had lunch at Carluccio's today with Liverpool's brand new BLM. He seems very excited to have the job and is full of ideas. The other BLMs will love that. He enjoyed the food and I enjoyed looking at the pretty new waiter...
Off to the cinema later with the lovely Gill (birthday girl for tomorrow) but not quite sure what we're seeing. It's got Marky Mark in it though so let's hope he flashes his pants. He does still do that doesn't he?
Gone bloody cold again. Will Spring never arrive? Thank God for all my foreign trips... J x
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
You Know What?
When one has a terminal illness, there is almost nothing finer in the world than to get pissed with good friends. I just want to say thank you to all my good friends for getting pissed with me (or at the very least watching me get pissed without being all censorious about it). Cirrhosis, Schmirrhosis.... :-) J x
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Moan Moan Moan
So some readers are complaining that I don't blog enough (you know who you are). Tough. This isn't a democracy. This is my blog and I'll not blog if I want to.
Having said that, I am very sensitive to my dear readers' views and will therefore try to do better. So what's been happening? Usual busy stuff -
Mockingbird at The Royal Exchange last night. Absolutely brilliant. Great cast, great production although the story is a little dated now. But still powerful. Followed by drinks at Annie's (despite the "closed" notice on the door (nothing stops DD). Great to see Chris and Dave too. And food at DD's was great.
Lunch today with the lovely Jim at Bents. Went looking for a plant stand but didn't find what I was looking for and so have ordered one on Amazon. It's to grow my seeds on should I manage to germinate any of the ones currently living in my fridge.
Helpline tonight after watching the Coronation Street fire at DD's first. Have heard from the LGF on my ideas to end homophobia and I have been referred to Graham and Andrew whoever they might be. Please continue to watch this space.
Have also received an offer on the flat in Brighton. And there are 2 people interested so let's hope they get into a fierce bidding war... And that's all for now. J x
Having said that, I am very sensitive to my dear readers' views and will therefore try to do better. So what's been happening? Usual busy stuff -
Mockingbird at The Royal Exchange last night. Absolutely brilliant. Great cast, great production although the story is a little dated now. But still powerful. Followed by drinks at Annie's (despite the "closed" notice on the door (nothing stops DD). Great to see Chris and Dave too. And food at DD's was great.
Lunch today with the lovely Jim at Bents. Went looking for a plant stand but didn't find what I was looking for and so have ordered one on Amazon. It's to grow my seeds on should I manage to germinate any of the ones currently living in my fridge.
Helpline tonight after watching the Coronation Street fire at DD's first. Have heard from the LGF on my ideas to end homophobia and I have been referred to Graham and Andrew whoever they might be. Please continue to watch this space.
Have also received an offer on the flat in Brighton. And there are 2 people interested so let's hope they get into a fierce bidding war... And that's all for now. J x
Saturday, March 16, 2013
What's the buzz....
.... tell me what's a happening. Honestly, I wish I knew. The past is like a foreign country to me. My memory is so fucked that I can barely remember my name. I'm not blaming the cancer for this (for once) as I think it's just that senility has set in early for me. I know its a real trial for my friends (whoever they might be). Rest assured that you all are still important to me. It's that I just can't remember why. Or indeed who you are.
So want can I remember? I can remember coming third in the quiz at the Ape & Apple. I can remember going clubbing with Ben and Nic after the quiz (at an Hawaiian cocktail bar). And I can remember enjoying it. I can remember defending PMR to a bunch of trainees. I can remember getting into an argument about the holocaust with one particular trainee (yes, trainees can be Nazis). And that's about it.
Subsequently I can remember having an MRI scan at Wythenshawe hospital. But that was uneventful apart from the fact that the radiographers (I don't think they're actually called that but I don't know the technical term is for a person who operates an MRI scanner) were twats. I can remember going for a curry with DD and Ev and Cyril at that new place on Deansgate (Imli?) and enjoying the food and the company.
I can remember going to the Glam exhibition at Tate Liverpool with Ronda. I didn't particularly enjoy the exhibition but I enjoyed Ronda and I bought a present for the lovely Fig.
Oh, and I also remember getting a Premium Bond win. £25. Can't be bad... That's all for now. J x
So want can I remember? I can remember coming third in the quiz at the Ape & Apple. I can remember going clubbing with Ben and Nic after the quiz (at an Hawaiian cocktail bar). And I can remember enjoying it. I can remember defending PMR to a bunch of trainees. I can remember getting into an argument about the holocaust with one particular trainee (yes, trainees can be Nazis). And that's about it.
Subsequently I can remember having an MRI scan at Wythenshawe hospital. But that was uneventful apart from the fact that the radiographers (I don't think they're actually called that but I don't know the technical term is for a person who operates an MRI scanner) were twats. I can remember going for a curry with DD and Ev and Cyril at that new place on Deansgate (Imli?) and enjoying the food and the company.
I can remember going to the Glam exhibition at Tate Liverpool with Ronda. I didn't particularly enjoy the exhibition but I enjoyed Ronda and I bought a present for the lovely Fig.
Oh, and I also remember getting a Premium Bond win. £25. Can't be bad... That's all for now. J x
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Crane Watch
I can see two new cranes from my windows this morning. Proof of the economy picking up? Watch this space.... Pub quiz tonight. In the Ape & Apple. Indeed. No more to be said.... J x
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Good News
Gill passed her resit. Hurrah. Masterchef is back on TV. Double hurrah. Hoping for more good news too from today's interviews although I shouldn't think we'll hear today.
Less good news is the fact that I was unable to completely end homophobia in football yesterday. It may take me a little longer... However, I've floated the idea with the LGF and they're going to have a think about my suggestions and get back to me. I'll let you know how that goes.
Lunch is on the menu for today but other than that its paperwork and cleaning kitchen cupboards (no, I haven't finished them yet). That's all for now. J x
Less good news is the fact that I was unable to completely end homophobia in football yesterday. It may take me a little longer... However, I've floated the idea with the LGF and they're going to have a think about my suggestions and get back to me. I'll let you know how that goes.
Lunch is on the menu for today but other than that its paperwork and cleaning kitchen cupboards (no, I haven't finished them yet). That's all for now. J x
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Morning All
Brrrr. Bit parky yesterday. And I chose to visit a garden - albeit a winter garden - at Dunham Massey in the company of the redoubtable Madame La T. It was bloody freezing and bloody expensive and the soup was rubbish. Not something I'd recommend. Except of course I'd always recommend spending time with Mrs T as she is like a sunny day and a warm hug all wrapped up in a bundle of loveliness.
Then to the Rain Bar for drinks and more interview trial runs. That was dead quiet and cold too.
Mother is doing not too badly at the moment as she's over the side effects of her first chemo cycle but has developed a cold. Father too has a cold which, as ever, has gone to his chest so he is on antibiotics at the moment. I wish them both the best for a speedy recovery.
Of course today I'll be ending homophobia in football (at about 1130) so I'll let you know how that goes later. That's all for now. J x
P.S. Good luck to Gill for her results today. J xxxxxxx
Then to the Rain Bar for drinks and more interview trial runs. That was dead quiet and cold too.
Mother is doing not too badly at the moment as she's over the side effects of her first chemo cycle but has developed a cold. Father too has a cold which, as ever, has gone to his chest so he is on antibiotics at the moment. I wish them both the best for a speedy recovery.
Of course today I'll be ending homophobia in football (at about 1130) so I'll let you know how that goes later. That's all for now. J x
P.S. Good luck to Gill for her results today. J xxxxxxx
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Priorities People
So I blog about cancer activism and ending homophobia and not a peep from anyone in comments. However, as soon as I mention Bonnie Tyler and Eurovision things start kicking off. I blame the coalition....
But anyway.... So the cancer conference was good. Lots of goodwill from some incredibly clever and talented people who genuinely want to do the best for patients (or "users" as we're called - could be worse, could be customers: actually I don't mind the use of the term "customer" but that's a whole other debate). They are also, properly to my mind, concerned with value for money and efficiency. I hope I brought a touch of realism to proceedings e.g. When the Director of Nursing stated that nurses wanted to do a brilliant job I pointed out that there were a large group of nurses who actually didn't care whether they did a brilliant job or not. I pulled the Director of St Anne's Hospice up on a statement she made (but don't worry, I checked afterwards that it would still be OK for me to go there!). I felt like I added real value. I even got interviewed for a Macmillan DVD... Plus I think I've been co-opted onto the Strategic Programme Management Group which sounds like a whole lotta fun :-) My next meeting is on 10/04 (don't know where yet) so I'll keep you informed. I'll be ending homophobia on Tuesday next week.
Michele came round last night to trial run her canapés. That woman is super-talented in the kitchen and the canapés were fantastic. We also watched Argo on blu-ray. Fab film. Deserved the Oscar. We then watched a programme on BBC4 about New York Rock Gods. All the usual suspects, Lou Reed, New York Dolls etc but also Antony Hegarty which seemed a touch incongruous to me. I love his voice though and maybe need to do a little background research on him.
Quiet day today - more kitchen cupboard cleaning if I can be bothered. Followed by a mock interview to conduct later. DD will also be taking part so I'm expecting questions on how HMRC solves its post-room problems.... :-) That's all for now. J x
But anyway.... So the cancer conference was good. Lots of goodwill from some incredibly clever and talented people who genuinely want to do the best for patients (or "users" as we're called - could be worse, could be customers: actually I don't mind the use of the term "customer" but that's a whole other debate). They are also, properly to my mind, concerned with value for money and efficiency. I hope I brought a touch of realism to proceedings e.g. When the Director of Nursing stated that nurses wanted to do a brilliant job I pointed out that there were a large group of nurses who actually didn't care whether they did a brilliant job or not. I pulled the Director of St Anne's Hospice up on a statement she made (but don't worry, I checked afterwards that it would still be OK for me to go there!). I felt like I added real value. I even got interviewed for a Macmillan DVD... Plus I think I've been co-opted onto the Strategic Programme Management Group which sounds like a whole lotta fun :-) My next meeting is on 10/04 (don't know where yet) so I'll keep you informed. I'll be ending homophobia on Tuesday next week.
Michele came round last night to trial run her canapés. That woman is super-talented in the kitchen and the canapés were fantastic. We also watched Argo on blu-ray. Fab film. Deserved the Oscar. We then watched a programme on BBC4 about New York Rock Gods. All the usual suspects, Lou Reed, New York Dolls etc but also Antony Hegarty which seemed a touch incongruous to me. I love his voice though and maybe need to do a little background research on him.
Quiet day today - more kitchen cupboard cleaning if I can be bothered. Followed by a mock interview to conduct later. DD will also be taking part so I'm expecting questions on how HMRC solves its post-room problems.... :-) That's all for now. J x
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Had to blog...
...as just discovered that Bonnie Tyler will be representing me (I mean us) at Eurovision this year (May 18 - mark your diaries now). Boom. Guaranteed win for the UK.... :-) J x
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Busy And Hungover
So out with Toby last night for a drink which turned into a meal and lots of drinks. How does that happen? He brought Chris, his tutor, along initially and it was great to see her as have not seen her for ages.
Today was my pre- meeting meeting with the Macmillan cancer people ahead of the conference on Friday. Have been given a list of attendees and its all Director of this, Chief Finance Officer of that. All pretty high profile. Will be interesting to see how I get along with them all. Macmillan people seemed to be suitably impressed with me (and why wouldn't they be?) and have asked me to consider joining the steering group for this project (which is planned to last for 3 years and has a budget of £6m). Obviously I haven't got 3 years but I think I may well join the steering group as there are lots of London conferences to attend and you get your expenses paid! Obviously that wouldn't be my prime motivation (no seriously, it isn't) but I do have a lot to say on the provision of care (as any reader of this blog will know) and I do want to be able to make a difference.
Then it was on to more prosaic pursuits this evening and a visit to the cinema with the lovely Gill to see the latest Die Hard which is pretty much exactly how you expect a Die Hard film to be and none the worse for that. Had fun.
Tomorrow is another busy day (but with the benefit of an early night tonight) as am having lunch with Jude at Carluccio's, doing a load of pre-reading for Friday and doing my first shift in six months on the Helpline. Phew. Incidentally I have arranged a meeting with the LGF volunteer coordinator for next week to discuss how I will be ending homophobia in the football community. Wish me luck. And that's all for tonight. I'm sure there's loads I've forgotten but I want to get an early night... :-) J x
Today was my pre- meeting meeting with the Macmillan cancer people ahead of the conference on Friday. Have been given a list of attendees and its all Director of this, Chief Finance Officer of that. All pretty high profile. Will be interesting to see how I get along with them all. Macmillan people seemed to be suitably impressed with me (and why wouldn't they be?) and have asked me to consider joining the steering group for this project (which is planned to last for 3 years and has a budget of £6m). Obviously I haven't got 3 years but I think I may well join the steering group as there are lots of London conferences to attend and you get your expenses paid! Obviously that wouldn't be my prime motivation (no seriously, it isn't) but I do have a lot to say on the provision of care (as any reader of this blog will know) and I do want to be able to make a difference.
Then it was on to more prosaic pursuits this evening and a visit to the cinema with the lovely Gill to see the latest Die Hard which is pretty much exactly how you expect a Die Hard film to be and none the worse for that. Had fun.
Tomorrow is another busy day (but with the benefit of an early night tonight) as am having lunch with Jude at Carluccio's, doing a load of pre-reading for Friday and doing my first shift in six months on the Helpline. Phew. Incidentally I have arranged a meeting with the LGF volunteer coordinator for next week to discuss how I will be ending homophobia in the football community. Wish me luck. And that's all for tonight. I'm sure there's loads I've forgotten but I want to get an early night... :-) J x
Monday, March 04, 2013
Two Days
So it's been 2 days since I last posted. Sorry about that. Clearly I've just been having too much fun (and too many hangovers!).
So Friday night was martinis in Panacea with DD and Ev. That was very nice and not been there for ages. Felt a little delicate on Saturday morning but it was off to Manchester Art Gallery for the Raqib Shaw exhibition. The artist has decorated the outside of the gallery too with plants and flowers which look fantastic - do get down there and have a look if you get a chance. Also please make the effort to see the exhibition inside as it will blow your mind. The colour and sparkle and vibrancy of the paintings is overwhelming and really worth the effort. I'll definitely be going back to see it.
Saturday night was a night out with my trainees at the Comedy Store on Deansgate Locks. What a brilliant night. Of course it was the usual thing with the comedians with 2 of them being really good and 2 of them being just OK. But a great night out nevertheless with the guys and their (for the most part) pregnant partners. To Atlas Bar for after-show drinks and then to Neighbourhood with Daniel and Sharon who stuck it out longer than most (hard drinking Yorkshire persons that they are!). We must do it again and I'm suggesting we go to the new upmarket bowling alley in the Great Northern. Will check it out with DD and others first to make sure it's worth the trip to Manchester for the rest of them.
Then yesterday was a late lunch (once early morning hangovers had been dealt with) with DD and Lesley at Rosso (my first time there) and I was impressed both with the venue and the food and the martinis (yes, more vodka). I think the service left a little to be desired though. We then popped into Avalnche and Albert's Chop House before Lesely and DD headed off for a pub quiz in Castlefield. I was flagging by this stage and so made my excuses and left.
Busy week ahead (starting with lunch today with my very good friend Pat from Wrexham) and then loads of other stuff that I'll fill you in on as the week progresses. DD is having one of her incommunicado weeks (which given her continuing deafness is probably no bad thing since I know she finds it very frustrating) so I won't see her until next weekend.
And that's all I can think of to tell you about at the moment. Good luck to Gill with her resit which happens today. J x
So Friday night was martinis in Panacea with DD and Ev. That was very nice and not been there for ages. Felt a little delicate on Saturday morning but it was off to Manchester Art Gallery for the Raqib Shaw exhibition. The artist has decorated the outside of the gallery too with plants and flowers which look fantastic - do get down there and have a look if you get a chance. Also please make the effort to see the exhibition inside as it will blow your mind. The colour and sparkle and vibrancy of the paintings is overwhelming and really worth the effort. I'll definitely be going back to see it.
Saturday night was a night out with my trainees at the Comedy Store on Deansgate Locks. What a brilliant night. Of course it was the usual thing with the comedians with 2 of them being really good and 2 of them being just OK. But a great night out nevertheless with the guys and their (for the most part) pregnant partners. To Atlas Bar for after-show drinks and then to Neighbourhood with Daniel and Sharon who stuck it out longer than most (hard drinking Yorkshire persons that they are!). We must do it again and I'm suggesting we go to the new upmarket bowling alley in the Great Northern. Will check it out with DD and others first to make sure it's worth the trip to Manchester for the rest of them.
Then yesterday was a late lunch (once early morning hangovers had been dealt with) with DD and Lesley at Rosso (my first time there) and I was impressed both with the venue and the food and the martinis (yes, more vodka). I think the service left a little to be desired though. We then popped into Avalnche and Albert's Chop House before Lesely and DD headed off for a pub quiz in Castlefield. I was flagging by this stage and so made my excuses and left.
Busy week ahead (starting with lunch today with my very good friend Pat from Wrexham) and then loads of other stuff that I'll fill you in on as the week progresses. DD is having one of her incommunicado weeks (which given her continuing deafness is probably no bad thing since I know she finds it very frustrating) so I won't see her until next weekend.
And that's all I can think of to tell you about at the moment. Good luck to Gill with her resit which happens today. J x
Friday, March 01, 2013
Happy St David's Day
First of all, congratulations to the Lib Dems on winning Eastleigh. A very good result. Ooooooh, politics. Controversial!
Attended a training session at the LGF last night on "talking to strangers". It was mostly about good communication techniques and strategies and so didn't tell me anything terribly new. Was good fun though and met some new people (i.e. I talked to some strangers!). Job done. It also allowed me to sign up for some helpline sessions in March so I'm now officially back on the rota which I'm really pleased about. There was a guy on the helpline whilst I was signing on the rota who I'd helped train months and months ago (of course I had no recollection and so it was like talking to another stranger!). He reminded me that we'd discussed where he was going with his life and I'd encouraged him to apply to university to follow his dream of getting a qualification (and thereby a career) in mental health nursing (which was the field he was already working in). And guess what? He did so and has been accepted on a degree course at Salford University. I am over the moon about that and was able to hide my disappointment that the university is in Salford... Good for him. Really pleased.
Have also decided that the LGF needs to raise its game a bit. They talk about "fighting homophobia" as their raison d'être and yet appear to be doing no work in the football community, the catholic community or the black community. All communities where homophobia is particularly visible. I suspect this is because they are seen as difficult areas to tackle but that's no reason not to try. My mission now is to get the organisation involved in these areas. I'll let you know how I get on.
And talking of activism, I've also been contacted by the Macmillan cancer charity about the "Cancer Voices" initiative I signed up for. I'm now getting involved in a project shaping the delivery of cancer services in Manchester (primary care - GPs, secondary care - hospitals, and community care - social services and local councils and including palliative care). Quite excited about this and it sounds like there's a big budget and its high profile. I'm going to a conference at Old Trafford cricket ground next week involving all sorts of high profile people. In fact, this is so high profile that I have to attend a pre-meeting meeting at Wythenshawe hospital on 06/03! Good job I'm now able to talk to strangers. No idea yet what I'm going to wear though.... suit? jeans? onesie? We didn't cover what to wear when talking to strangers at my training. Something else I'll need to sort out clearly...
Also now learned what the programme for the Manchester International Festival will be in July and so trying to arrange dates and events to attend. Not easy at all.... But I have a clear day today so need to crack on with this and also start to tackle the mound of paperwork I have. May have chance to blog later but given the length of this entry you should all have enough to be getting on with :-) That's all. J x
Attended a training session at the LGF last night on "talking to strangers". It was mostly about good communication techniques and strategies and so didn't tell me anything terribly new. Was good fun though and met some new people (i.e. I talked to some strangers!). Job done. It also allowed me to sign up for some helpline sessions in March so I'm now officially back on the rota which I'm really pleased about. There was a guy on the helpline whilst I was signing on the rota who I'd helped train months and months ago (of course I had no recollection and so it was like talking to another stranger!). He reminded me that we'd discussed where he was going with his life and I'd encouraged him to apply to university to follow his dream of getting a qualification (and thereby a career) in mental health nursing (which was the field he was already working in). And guess what? He did so and has been accepted on a degree course at Salford University. I am over the moon about that and was able to hide my disappointment that the university is in Salford... Good for him. Really pleased.
Have also decided that the LGF needs to raise its game a bit. They talk about "fighting homophobia" as their raison d'être and yet appear to be doing no work in the football community, the catholic community or the black community. All communities where homophobia is particularly visible. I suspect this is because they are seen as difficult areas to tackle but that's no reason not to try. My mission now is to get the organisation involved in these areas. I'll let you know how I get on.
And talking of activism, I've also been contacted by the Macmillan cancer charity about the "Cancer Voices" initiative I signed up for. I'm now getting involved in a project shaping the delivery of cancer services in Manchester (primary care - GPs, secondary care - hospitals, and community care - social services and local councils and including palliative care). Quite excited about this and it sounds like there's a big budget and its high profile. I'm going to a conference at Old Trafford cricket ground next week involving all sorts of high profile people. In fact, this is so high profile that I have to attend a pre-meeting meeting at Wythenshawe hospital on 06/03! Good job I'm now able to talk to strangers. No idea yet what I'm going to wear though.... suit? jeans? onesie? We didn't cover what to wear when talking to strangers at my training. Something else I'll need to sort out clearly...
Also now learned what the programme for the Manchester International Festival will be in July and so trying to arrange dates and events to attend. Not easy at all.... But I have a clear day today so need to crack on with this and also start to tackle the mound of paperwork I have. May have chance to blog later but given the length of this entry you should all have enough to be getting on with :-) That's all. J x
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