Notts Nurse

Bugger it has been a while.

2010-07-20T23:29:00.001Z

Back

2009-02-26T16:25:00.002Z

I found myself at a lose end today and decided to trawl through the Internet. I have a rare day off and too much time on my hands and not enough money in my pocket. It suddenly struck me - write a blog. I have not done so for a very long time and now seemed the ideal oppertunity. So here goes ...

What has happened to me.

1) My job is going well. I have been therre 18 months now (doesnt time fly) and am still loving it. I have leart many new skills and now feel like a real nurse. whilst my job is very safe (great thing in the current economical climate) I am still unsure where my future will be.

2) Im still single - enough said.

3) Im off on holiday to Australia in October for 3 weeks. Now financially sound and debt free I had some oppertunities for a nice holiday. I met a very nice Australia last year in the summer. He moved back to Oz but we still keep in touch. I told him I had always wanted to visit there and he gave me the inspriation and detemination to make it happen. I saved up the cash (with a mountain of overtime and not going out) and now it is paid for. I also have many months to ssave up cash to have fun with aand buy myself some new clothes.

4) Im debt free (as mentioned above). I had a reasonable amount of savings but a large debt hanging over me like some great albatross. I bit the bullet and it has now gone along with all the bad memories attached to it.

5) I plan to blog a little more now - well atleast twice a month.

Bye for now.

Hello

2008-04-14T09:20:00.002Z

Hello. I have been away for a while (not prison - just very busy with work) but now hope to get back to writing a few things.

This did catch my interest though. It is a cunning little puzzle that drove me mad for about 30 mins and then I got it and boy did I feel stupid that it took me so long> By all accounts it takes some people even longer and some may never get it. Read on and have fun - but enter into the spirit and promise not to reveal the secret with others. It adds to the mystique !!!

Petals Around a Rose

Life’s Little Mysteries

2007-11-14T11:30:00.000Z

Why do washing machines have so many settings and yet we use so few ?

I have lived in my house for four years now and still have only ever used two settings, C (normal wash) and S (spin) despite it to have over 12 settings for me to use. I can’t even work out what some of them are used for !

Amsterdam Trip

2007-11-14T11:27:00.000Z

I must have been one of the few people who had never been to Amsterdam … or so it seamed. Everyone I talked to had a tale to tell about there visit, most of which revolved around vast amounts of drug consumption ! Now I am no angel but this sort of thing does not appeal to me any longer (honest). I needed a holiday and the added incentive was that fact that the Reluctant Nomad was there. I contacted him a said that I wanted to visit and he was more than happy. Another friend, P, was also planning to go at the same time.

My flight was booked and I counted down the days. I arrived at the airport and consumed the customary pint of Stella at 6am and waited to board. Going through to departures I noticed a man who I recently pulled at a club. Should I say hello ? My mind was soon made up for me when I spotted him with his wife and young child !!! Bastard. Hey Ho. The flight was quick and uneventful and then I was in Amsterdam.

My first thoughts – lots of water – lots of bikes - very flat – everyone is so bloody tall. Train and tram and I was at my destination, the flat of the Nomad. A very comfortable and stylish abode apart from the bloody awful picture of what can only be described as a devil dog that hung above his bed. Ask the Nomad for more details about tis monstrosity.

So the weekend went on. Much fun was had. I must admit that it was a few months ago and I can recount all the details and do not wish to tell about others but it must be said it was one of the best holidays I have ever had.

A few details:

The boat trip. During which we almost crashed – twice !

Dinner. The Nomad is a wonderful cook (beware to typing slips there) and I am sure that anyone who has read his blog will be aware of the number of recipes he adds from time to time. You should really try to get him to cook for you at least once. P and myself managed this every night for the whole holiday ! We did buy him lunch at a very nice restaurant to say thanks for his hospitality.

The bars. Fun, friendly and the ability to smoke inside ! God how I miss that so much. Drinking played such a big part of the holiday but it was not just the consumption of alcohol that was important but the relaxed atmosphere that greeted me on every visit to the pub. Even Spyker, a leather bar that the Nomad took us to for shock value and maybe the hardcore porn playing on two TVs in the corner.

The sights. Wonderful architecture and some stunning young men. The city is clean and easy to get around and the people are very friendly.

So much happened and I seem to have written so little but hopefully that will be put to rest in the New Year as I have already booked my return visit. I hope to write much more then. So until then Prost.

Leave of Absence

2007-11-14T11:26:00.000Z

I have not blogged now for a number of months. This is due mostly in part to my new job. It has taken up a huge amount of my time and I have found myself unable to concentrate on much else. It is not that I have not wanted to put my thoughts and whims onto the web but time just seems to have flown by and before I knew when or when it was I found myself in November !

It has not just been about getting up for work each day that has done me in but all the new things that I have had to get used too. My responsibility has increased and it seems that three years at University did little to prepare me for what nursing really was. Also I have has to do so much work for extended roles for my job it often feels like I never left formal education.

But now they are done (for the most part) and I have some time before I can start the next lot (thank God) so I think that I now have the time and the inclination to spend a little more time blogging.

So what have I been up to ? Well work as mentioned but a few more exciting things too. A trip to Amsterdam (to visit the Reluctant Nomad) which was great fun, many alcohol fuelled nights out with friends, my 31st birthday (so much alcohol) and the return of one of my guilty pleasures – Strictly Come Dancing.

So here is more to come …

Old Friends Re-United

2007-08-08T08:41:00.000Z

Many years ago I used to be the assistant manager of a bar in Nottingham. Over the time I was there we employed many staff but one in particular became a close friend; Sophie. We got on like a house on fire and had many a drunken time together. We soon became the best of mates and used to tell each other everything. For some time we shared a house.

But then it all went wrong !

We fell out. Even to this day I don’t know what it was over or even who started it. It upset me a great deal but my stubborn nature refused to allow me to apologise and we drifted apart and she moved out and we both moved on. We did meet briefly in the street some months after losing touch but we were both in a rush and did little to reconfirm our once strong friendship.

Years later, whilst I still remembered Sophie fondly I had one little to try and get back in touch. That was until I was looking through some old things of mine and found the first Christmas card she had ever sent me. It said some very nice things and made me realise what a fool I had been to let such a good friend go (you don’t get too many). All I knew was that she had a very unusual surname (not going to mention it here) and I remembered that she had planned to move to London to study medicine. My search began.

I googled her … all I got was a research paper that she had co-wrote whilst at Nottingham University. I trawled the phone book (I remembered the town her parents were from) but despite the unusual surname there where too many names for me to call up. What next ? Friends Re-United … no luck !!! Then one day my sister phone me to say that she had seen some of my old school mates on Facebook. I wasn’t that bothered in contacting them but did ask her to look up Sophie … success !!!

I sent her a message and she replied. I felt so good to hear from her again. We both apologised but neither of us remembered why. Unfortunately she is in South Africa at the moment as part of her medical studies but we have planned to meet up when she gets back in October. I cant wait and I am sure that we will have a great drunken night out (or maybe two) as we have so much to catch up on.

Blade Runner

2007-08-08T08:39:00.000Z

Everyone has heard of the Olympics and most people are aware of the Paralympics but where does on end and the other begin ? I am referring of course to Oscar Piturious the South African sprinter who is known as the “Fastest Man On No Legs”. A birth defect left him as a double below knee amputee but he did not let this get in his way and took up running.

He uses specially modified running blades which allows him to complete against other amputee athletes. He has done this with great effect. He has a number of Paralympic gold medals and holds the world record for 100m, 200m and 400m. But he his now so far ahead of the rest of the disabled world he wants a new challenge – racing against able bodied athletes. He has already had a few races in his native South Africa against athletes with both legs and did quite well. Well better than most people expected. But where to now ?

His dream is to compete at the able bodied Olympics but there are many people that wish to stand in his way. He is quick. His personal bests would have won him the gold medal in the womens sprit races at last years World Championships and he is improving at a great speed (pardon the pun). However, many people say that his “blades” give him an unfair advantage over able body athletes normal legs by giving him a greater stride length and more recoil of the track. At present the IAAF (the governing body of athletics) have given him the go ahead to compete in able bodied events but it is still unclear weather he can go to the forthcoming World Champs in Osaka and next years Olympics.

Checks on the fairness of his blades are currently been undertaken and the sports world awaits the decision. And I am all for his inclusion. That is what the Olympics is all about; inclusion. He is a talented sports man who is so far ahead of his peers he wants a new challenge. His blades allow him to run and a long stride length is not the be all and end all of good running. Whilst a number of sprinters have been successful with long stride lengths (Roger Black and Marie Jose Perec were said to have a stride length pushing 4 metres) the greatest sprinter of the modern era, Michael Johnson had a very short stride and went on to hold the world record over 200 and 400m as well as numerous World and Olympic medals.

I feel he will be a breath of fresh air in the sport and at least he is clean ! The sport of athletics has had a bad reputation recently with a number of high profile drug cheats being exposed. Lets hope that the governing body see sense and allow him to run or at least try.

A Job !!!

2007-06-04T08:57:00.000Z

At last I have a job. After many months of worrying about the current status of the NHS I have secured employment. The interview was two weeks ago and I thought that it went very well. Despite this I still wasn’t sure if I had got the job and had to wait until last Thursday to get the conformation. I now have a start date (9th July) and can look forward to many (happy) years in the Health Service.

Once again I would like to say thanks to everyone that has helped me over the last three years and good luck to all those that I graduated with.

Odd facts from a bored mind.

2007-05-04T03:40:00.001Z

Here are some odd facts that I have discovered whilst trawling the Internet.

A cockroach can live several days without a head – but will eventually die of starvation.

Men are six times more likely to be struck by lightning than women.

To be considered for the Olympics a sport must be widely practiced by men in 75 countries on four continents and by women in 40 countries on three continents.

The youngest parents ever where a Chinese boy aged nine and a girl aged eight !

A human could swim through a blue whales aorta.

Eighty-five percent of all plants and animals are to be found underwater.

A dentist invented the electric chair – he was put to death by it for murder too !

More to follow when I next get bored.

Problem solved

2007-04-26T18:21:00.000Z

The perfect package belongs to Matt Shirvington, an Australian athlete. He was very good when younger but had to retire due to many injuries. You can find out a bit more about him here.

The perfect packet

2007-04-02T12:09:00.000Z

I am not sure who this is but I am trying to find out. You dont see too much so keep your eyes peeled. More pics when I find out who it is. any thoughts on his identity will be appreciated. I have an idea but not 100% as yet.

Czech it out.

2007-03-17T05:10:00.000Z

I have recently returned from city break in Prague where I went with Craig as a treat fro completing my nursing course. I did not know what to expect having never been to a former Communist country before but I was determined to enjoy myself. It was one of the quickest check-in/flight/check-out I had ever experienced and the whole travel thing was hassle free. Prague airport if very modern and better than most I have seen in the UK. Now for the trip to the hotel.

Myself, Craig and seven others crammed into a minibus (much cheaper than a cab) and the driver set off at 90mph around the narrow and busy streets. We had only been in Prague for 20mins when the minibus driver (and so the passengers too) was almost involved in an accident. But we arrived at the hotel in one piece. It looked a little stark from the front but the receptionist (Svetlana – how very Communist) was polite, the room large and clean and the mini-bar full and cheap ! Now to explore the city.

We set off map in hand (looking very touristy) to see the sights. Unfortunately, the map was not that good and it was starting to get dark so we decided to eat and drink (and me smoke) and save the exploring for the morning. Now I don’t want to go into great detail about every little thing that we got up to whilst away but I must say that Prague is a wonderful city and the Czech people were nothing but hospitable. A place that you must go and see. Now here are my five tips for having fun in Prague:

1. Leave the map at home.
There are enough large and visible landmarks to prevent you from getting completely lost and anyway you will never see anything with your head stuck in a map. Explore, get lost, explore some more – it is much more fun.

2. Sturdy shoes.
The best way to explore Prague is by foot but be warned, there are lots of hills and cobbled paths both of which can be enough to cripple you. Maybe that is why we saw many people with crutches whilst we where there.

3. Be careful on the roads.
Not many drivers take too much notice of the zebra crossings and you don’t get that much time to cross them. Drivers rarely indicate and never use their breaks ! The trams travel at a surprising fast speed and stop for no man. Look both ways, look again, make sure your life insurance is up to date, run to the safety of the other side.

4. Shop around.
Weather it is for sights, food or presents look around. Get off the main tourist places and look further a field. You will experience much more of the real Prague if you avoid the garish neon signs and gaudy hoardings of Wenceslaus Square and head into the Jewish and Old Quarters. Food is slightly cheaper than the UK but the Czechs don’t seem to have a concept of portion control – you will get loads for your money. Beer is always cheap (60p for ½ litre) and so are cigarettes (£1.60 for 20 Marlboro Lights).

5. Look up.
One of the best things about Prague is the gorgeous architecture but most of it is just above normal eye level. Don’t stare at your feet – look above the horizon and see the wonders of the art-deco hotels, the history of the Jewish Quarter and the starkness of the Communist tenements (strangely beautiful in an odd way). Also the graffiti can be very attractive in places and can also be used as handy landmarks.

Graduation

2007-03-02T12:45:00.000Z

I am about to graduate ! Three years of training are about to come to an end and I face the big bad world as a qualified nurse. And I am shitting myself !!! But the panic can hold off for a moment as I still do not have a job. Looking hard but the funding crisis within the NHS has hit hard and newly qualified staff seem to be bearing the brunt of it all. But here is to happier times to come.

I would just like this opportunity to thank (well the Oscars have only just gone) everyone who has supported me over the last three years and got me to where I am today – an un-employed nurse. No, seriously I couldn’t have done it without you all.

Thanks again.

Get the point !

2007-02-21T07:47:00.000Z

Carrying on with my theme of athletes here is a piece about one of my favourite track and field stars. Roman Sebrle is Czech decathlete who currently holds the world record at a staggering 9026 points. This may not mean much too many but 9000 points was considered the ceiling in the decathlon world and many great names (Daley Thompson, Dan O’Brian) never achieved this.

Roman’s body has been through the mill as a decathlete and he has had his fair share of injuries. However, one injury sustained recently was quite amazing. Whilst training in South Africa he forgot to pay attention to the other athletes on the track. As a result he was hit in the shoulder by a javelin. “Hit in the shoulder” is a bit of an understatement as it actually went in one side of his shoulder and came out the other ! He is a resilient chap though and seems none the worse for it and hopes to be in the mix for a gold medal at the World Athletic Championships later this year in Japan.

Athletics - the fun of the sport.

2007-02-20T08:06:00.000Z

People ask me what I love about the sport of athletics. Is it the power, the speed the strength ? Yes, yes and yes I answer - but it is also something much more powerful. Its the rivalry, being the best in the world, the olympics, lycra, blond Finns with thight bums and a big dick !!! There is so much more to it than running !!!

This Little Piggy

2007-02-20T07:45:00.000Z

It is now the Chinese year of the pig. The pig is honest, tolerant and makes a good friend. However, they can often become disappointed by their friends due to their own high standards. Well known pigs include Dudley Moore, David Bowie, Elton John and Reluctant Nomad.

Passport Thoughts

2007-02-05T19:55:00.000Z

I recently had to apply for a new passport as my old one was somewhat out of date and I am planning to go away just after I qualify. I finally got together all the relevant documents and the fee and sent it off hoping that it would be back in time for me to travel when planned. To my surprise my new passport returned within 10 days despite a warning on the forms saying it could take up to 3 weeks.

Although the speedy return did surprise me it was what was posted with my passport that gave me a greater shock. Among the usual bunk of helpful reminders of what to take on holiday with you was a donor card registration form. Do the passport office know something that I don’t about the safety of air travel ? I was always under the impression it was one of the safest ways to travel but the inclusion of this application form got me thinking.

Another thought that entered my head at the time of receiving this form was do you manage to get a successful organ harvest from the site of a plane crash ? When I have ever seen them on TV they always look like – well a plane crash ! Carnage everywhere and a tangled mass of steel and bodies. Just how do they expect to retrieve a suitable set of corneas or a kidney from such a melee ? And just say that among the carnage they do find an organ still in a fit enough for transplant how do they know if the donor card that has come to rest on the body after the crash belongs to that specific person ? Getting a positive ID could take much longer than the window of opportunity they have to transplant the organ.

When all is said and done though I feel that I allowed my mind to long to wonder over the subject and it should be put to better use like booking the holiday in the first place.

Incidentally, I did fill in the donor registration form and return it saying that they could have what they liked but it is hard to tell which organs if any will be fit for another after the abuse I have put them through !!!

Jean Galfione

2007-01-18T02:33:00.000Z

Was bored so thought I would add some pics of one of my favorite athletes Jean Galfione. More to come soon.

The Nigth Shift

2007-01-18T01:49:00.000Z

I am back doing nights again. It is not that I particularly want too but I have some time off from Uni and I could do with the cash. I have worked on a number of different places and have enjoyed them and cant wait to get paid. The money wont last long though as I have a number of out goings and am skint post Christmas.

1. Bills, bills and more bills.
2. New passport (£66) so I can go on holiday in March.
3. The holiday in March.
4. Suit for my graduation ball.
5. Drinks at the graduation ball.

Despite the money leaving my bank account as quick as it will enter the nights have been good and I have got off my arse and done some work. Also I have slept very well during the day. Well back to work !!!

Seven things I hate about Christmas

2006-12-20T09:53:00.000Z

1. Panic Buying
Food disappears off the shelves like people are stocking up for a nuclear war and alcohol is brought like the public expect prohibition to start in the New Year

2. Pub Price Hike
Just because the pub puts up a bit of tinsel and the bar staff all don Santa hats it does not mean that they can double the entrance price and put a quid on the cost of drinks.

3. Christmas Food
Mince Pies, Xmas Pudding, bread sauce, cranberry sauce; the list of awful food goes on.

4. Shit Songs
I hate Xmas songs and the same old shite is thrown into the charts again and again every Christmas – will Slade please write a new song and Cliff Richard stop writing songs.

5. No Snow.
Years ago we were guaranteed a good two foot of snow and now if we are lucky we get a miserable half inch of slush.

6. Shit TV
Five hours of Eastenders, Xmas special after Xmas special and endless repeats.

7. Carole Singers
Three ASBO wielding youths singing (off key) the first verse of “Silent Night” over and over again is not my idea of entertainment.

Manners, manners everywhere but no-one stops to think

2006-12-07T11:52:00.000Z

Arriving at University today I was in a bad mood - lost to do and not enough time. my bad mood did not improve when I started work and found that the computers were very slow ! I went outside for a breath of fresh air (cigarette break) and opend a door for someone. To my surprise she turned to me, smiled and said thank-you. All of a sudden my bad mood had lifted. It is amazing how such a small gesture can do so much. I returned to my desk and even the slow computer seemed to be working faster now my mood had improved. Time passed and I popped outside for another break. I opened a door for another person - not a good move. She turned away, said nothing and carried on walking !!! Instant bad mood. Are manners being rationed out at the moment as they seem to be in short supply.

Here is what a few other people have to say on the subject of manners.

“The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any.”
Fred Astaire quotes (American stage and motion pictures Dancer, Actor and Choreographer, best known for a number of highly successful musical comedy films in which he starred with Ginger Rogers.1899-1987)

“Children are natural mimics who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners” Anon

“Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr. quotes (American best selling writer, author of Life's Little Instruction Book)

“Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.”
Clarence Thomas quotes

“Good manners is the art of making those people easy with whom we converse. Whoever makes the fewest people uneasy is the best bred in the room.”
Jonathan Swift quotes (Irish Author and Satirist of prose, 1667-1745)

“You can get through life with bad manners, but it's easier with good manners.”
Lillian Gish quotes (American Actress, regarded as one of the most creative cinema artists. 1896-1993)

National AIDS Day

2006-12-01T12:58:00.000Z

Today is National AIDS Day and I hope that people who support this cause are doing their bit to help. As I am going out into town tonight I am sure that I will be tapped for money in every pub I go to. Have fun and be safe.

Ryk Neethling

2006-11-29T12:55:00.000Z

There was no real reason for this post - just a chance to see some nice pictures of Ryk.

How observant are you

2006-11-28T12:51:00.000Z

There are two identical pictures that will appear on the screen. Almost 8,000 people were tested to see if they could find the 3 differences in the two pictures and only 19 found all 3. See how observant you are. If you find all 3, you're one of very few people who are able to do this.
P.S. The text is in German and simply says look for the 3 differences CLICK

Me in the USA

2006-11-20T15:37:00.000Z

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
1,469
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

A Nurses Reply

2006-11-09T15:06:00.000Z

But nurses are human too and as much as they try there are still only 24 hours in the day.

What do we see, you ask, what do we see?
Yes, we are thinking when looking at thee!
We may seem to be hard when we hurry and fuss,
But there's many of you, and too few of us.
We would like far more time to sit by you and talk,
To bath you and feed you and help you to walk.
To hear of your lives and the things you have done;
Your childhood, your husband, your daughter, your son. But time is against us, there's too much to do -
Patients too many, and nurses too few.
We grieve when we see you so sad and alone,
With nobody near you, no friends of your own.
We feel all your pain, and know of your fear
That nobody cares now your end is so near.
But nurses are people with feelings as well,
And when we're together you'll often hear tell
Of the dearest old Gran in the very end bed,
And the lovely old Dad, and the things that he said,
We speak with compassion and love, and feel sad
When we think of your lives and the joy that you've had,
When the time has arrived for you to depart,
You leave us behind with an ache in our heart.
When you sleep the long sleep, no more worry or care,
There are other old people, and we must be there.
So please understand if we hurry and fuss -
There are many of you, And so few of us.

This was written by a Liverpool nurse in reply to the Crabbit Old Woman.

Crabbit Old Woman

2006-11-09T15:01:00.000Z

Nursing is not always an easy task. There never seems enough time in the day. But the following poem often makes me think and realise that I shold try to make time as much as I can.

What do you see, what do you see?
Are you thinking, when you look at me-
A crabbit old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice,
I do wish you'd try.
Who seems not to notice the things that you do
And forever is loosing a stocking or shoe.
Who, unresisting or not; lets you do as you will
With bathing and feeding the long day is fill.
Is that what you're thinking,
Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes,
nurse, you're looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still!
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of 10 with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who loved one another-
A young girl of 16 with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet,
A bride soon at 20- my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
At 25 now I have young of my own
Who need me to build a secure happy home;
A woman of 30, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last;
At 40, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn;
At 50 once more babies play around my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread,
For my young are all rearing young of their own.
And I think of the years and the love that I've known;
I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel-
Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart,
But inside this old carcass, a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells,
I remember the joy, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years all too few- gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last-
So open your eyes, nurse, open and see,
Not a crabbit old woman, look closer-
See Me.

The writer of this poem was unable to speak but was occasionally seen to write. After her death her locker was emptied and this poem was found.

Locked in and lucked out.

2006-11-07T15:25:00.000Z

I have not had much luck with the houses that I have lived in over my years in Nottingham or rather I have not had mush luck with the keys to the houses I have lived in. I have had to break into or call a locksmith to each and every premises at least twice. My current house is some what better as I have only had problems once. That was all to change on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th November when I would not only be locked out but also locked in !

Craig had come down to visit and we had headed off into town to meet friends at around 9.30pm. As we left the house Craig reminded me to double lock the front door – something I never normally do. I did it and thought nothing more of it. We headed home around 1.30am much the worse for wear. On reaching the front door I went fro my keys only to find they were not in my pocket. I searched frantically but to no avail, I had lost them. Craig was less than happy, it was late, we were both drunk and it was very cold. What the hell do we do now ?

Call the landlord ? It was 1.30am !!!
Call the neighbours ? It was 1.30am !!!
Call the friend we had gone out with to stay at theirs ? He had pulled !!!

There was only on thing to do, I would climb the large pointy gate that would allow me to get to the back gardens. Maybe I could break in through the back door. Jumping onto a bin with all the grace I could muster in my condition I scaled the dangerous looking gate and headed round to the back door. To my amazement (and later shock) it was unlocked ! I let myself in and rushed to the front door to let Craig in. Shit – I had double locked it and there was no spare key in the house and my housemate wouldn’t be home until Sunday evening. I rushed back to the gate.

Alan “You will have to climb over the gate, the back door is open.”
Craig “I bloody wont be climbing over the gate.”
Alan “You have to.”
Craig “I wont.”

This went on for some time and eventually he agreed and clambered over. We got into the house, had a drink and went to bed. All would be OK in the morning. I would go to one of my neighbours and ask to borrow their gate key and we could come and go as we please until my house mate returned and new keys could be cut.

My master plan had one fault – the only neighbour who was in on Saturday morning did not have a gate key ! However, she did let me out through her house so I could go to the shops. I stacked up on the essentials, fags, beer and food. Craig was slightly annoyed as I forgot wine and chocolate but I was already weighed down with five bags of shopping. We spent the whole of Saturday in the house. This is something we would normally do but as we couldn’t leave we wanted to more and more as the day went on. I think at one point cabin fever started to set in. On Sunday things finally went our way – a neighbour was in whom had a gate key. We let ourselves out, rushed into town and spent the afternoon in a pub. My housemate returned on the evening and on Monday we were able to get some keys cut.

Eventful but I really could do without that sort of thing now. I have to be more careful with my keys.

Fun with Predictive Text

2006-10-25T19:18:00.000Z

I know it may sound a very childish thing to do but I like to have fun with predictive text. I don’t do it on purpose but when I am writing a text I see what other word come up when I type in the one I want. Some interesting ones to arise :

PINT also gives SHOT and RIOT

QUEER also gives PUFFS

COCK also gives ANAL

I am sure there must be loads more so let me know what you find.

Almost winter

2006-10-25T19:04:00.000Z

Two weeks ago I went to Sheringham to see Craig. The seaside town had changed so much since my last visit a month before. It was clear to see that it was quickly approaching winter. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, cold and windy, and the town was close to empty. On my last visit it had been sunny, warm and very busy but now there was a cruel wind coming off the see front and the streets were close to deserted. The town was starting to close down and go into hibernation.

In this respect some seaside towns remind me of a hedgehog – not because they are prickly and full of parasites but because they sleep for the winter months. Both need to build up their resources to last them the harsh time ahead. The hedgehog must put on enough fat to last it through its long sleep and the seaside town must gain enough financial bulk to last it the lean times to come. A wet cold summer can lead to disaster for both with a lack of worms or tourists meaning they may not survive. But luckily for both the summer was good and a mild and dryish (except for the last few days) October has given them extra time to fatten up.

I expect the next time I visit Sheringham it will start to look like a ghost town and have a gale blowing in off the sea. On the up side it may now be a little easier to get served in most of the pubs without the crowds.

Monty Python - Why ?

2006-10-19T12:01:00.000Z

Monty Python is getting a bit of a resurgence on TV over the past few weeks. The musical Spam-a-Lot is big and there have been a great number of programmes about the cast, how they met, the writing of the series and what they are all up to now. Please, please stop ! I have never been a great fan of Monty Python and never found them that funny despite having a great liking for that style of humour. I know they invented that mad cap style of irreverence and anarchic comedy and led the way for many other comedians and comedy series but I just don’t like them.

In this country though it seems to be the 11th Commandment –

“Thou shall like Python and repeat famous sketches when drunk.”

Much like the 12th Commandment –

“Thou shall like Bohemian Rhapsody and sing it whenever drunk.”

As it goes I don’t like Bohemian Rhapsody either. In fact I would go as far to say I hate the bloody song !!! Hating both of these things in Britain is as close to treason as you can get without killing a member of the royal family. It seems that you should like it without question even though many people are not sure why they do.

So please, the powers that be, put all of the Python related stuff on a special channel and call it Python TV so I know to avoid it.

Does a duck's quack echo ?

2006-10-17T14:07:00.000Z

Apparently not ! Much to my great disappointment it turns out that a ducks quack does indeed echo. One of my great nuggets of useless and pointless trivial is now dead and buried. Mythbusters on BBC2 used fancy hi-tech sound recording equipment to break this long held and much derided myth. It turns out that there is an echo but it is very difficult to pick up with the human ear without technological help.

Next they will be telling me that most polar bears are not left-handed.

NB This urban myth/statement started when researchers studying polar bears in the artic monitored their hunting habits. They found that when hunting the right paw was used to hide their black nose and the left to kill the prey (seals mostly). It was surmised that the killing required the greater skill and so the dominant paw must be used. Therefore, most polar bears are left-handed !

Great Cricket Insults

2006-10-11T12:00:00.000Z

I have always imagined cricket as a sedate Sunday game played by middle aged business men on the local church green. But slating and bad mouthing the opposition are common place when professionals come to the crease and here are a few examples.

1. Rod Marsh & Ian Botham: When Botham took guard in an Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal
words:
"So how's your wife & my kids?"

2. Daryll Cullinan & Shane Warne:As Cullinan was on
his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had Been waiting 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. "Looks like you spent it
eating,"Cullinan retorted.

3. Glenn McGrath (bowling to portly Zimbabwean
chicken farmer Eddo Brandes): "Hey Eddo, why are you so F**ing Fat?"
Eddo Brandes: "Because everytime I F*** your wife, she throws me a
biscuit

4. Robin Smith & Merv Hughes:During 1989 Lords Test Hughes said to Smith after he played & missed:"You can't f**king bat". Smith to Hughes
after he smacked him to the boundary: "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I
can't f**king bat & you can't f**king bowl."

5. Merv Hughes & Javed Miandad:During 1991 Adelaide
Test, Javed called Merv a fat bus conductor. A few balls later Merv
dismissed Javed: "Tickets please", Merv called out as he ran past the
departing batsman.

6. Merv Hughes & Viv Richards:During a test match in
the West Indies, Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare
at him after deliveries.
"This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring
at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he
dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say
f**k off."

7. And of course you can't forget Ian Healy's
legendary comment which was picked up by the Channel 9 microphones when
Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a
one dayer in Sydney... "You don't get a runner for being an overweight,
unfit, fat c**t!!!"

8. James Ormond had just come out to bat on an ashes
tour and was greeted by
Mark Waugh....... MW : "F**&^$#@ me, look who it is.
Mate, what are you doing out here, there's no way you're good enough to
play for England" JO : "Maybe not, but at least i'm the best player in my family"

9. McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan: "So what does Brian
Lara's d**&^$#@ taste like?" Sarwan: "I don't know. Ask your wife." McGrath
(losing it): "If you ever F*&king mention my wife again, I'll F*ing rip your

10. Mark Waugh standing at second slip, the new
player (Adam Parore) comes to the crease playing & missing the
first ball. Mark - "Ohh, I remember you from a couple years ago in
Australia.
You were sh*t then, you're fu*king useless now". Parore- (Turning
around) "Yeah, that's me & when I was there you were going out with that
old,ugly sl*t & now I hear you've married her. You dumb c*nt".

11. Yet another Australian witticism with this time
porky Sri Lankan batsman Arjuna Ranatunga the victim. Shane Warne,
trying to tempt the batsman out of his crease mused what it took to get
the plump character to get out of his crease and drive. Wicketkeeper Ian
piped up, "Put a Mars Bar on a good length. That should do it."

12. Ravi shastri v/s the aussie 12th man (don't remember who, and don't
want
to slander anyone ) shastri hits it to this guy and
looks for a single...this guy gets the ball in and says "if you leave the
crease i'll break your f***ing head" Shastri: "if you could bat as well as you can talk you wouldn't be the f***ing 12th man"

13. Malcolm Marshall was bowling to David Boon who had played and missed a couple of times. Marshall : "Now David, Are you going to get out now
or am I going to have to bowl around the wicket and kill you?"

14. Fred Trueman bowling. The batsman edges and the
ball goes to first slip,and right between Raman Subba Row's legs. Fred
doesn't say a word. At the end of the over, Row ambles past Trueman and
apologises sheepishly. "I should've kept my legs together, Fred". "So
should your mother" he replied.

Bugz in the Attic

2006-10-02T13:25:00.000Z

On the 25th of September I was walking home when I passed my usual haunt The Lord Roberts. Through the window I saw a friend and popped in to say hi. I was the last day of being in my 20s as I turned 30 the following day and was not yet ready to go home. We chatted for a while and he asked me if I wanted to go to a live gig with him which he would be reviewing for a local newspaper. I can’t remember the last live music I heard and as the night was still young I agreed to be his plus one on the guest list.

The venue was a typical student place, very dark, not much furniture and beer served in plastic glasses ! I had been there a few times in the past and little had changed. Cans of Red Stripe were aplenty as was the smell of cannabis. I was told that the band was a mix of soul, funk and jazz – not my favourite combination of music but I was looking forward to in none the less. And then the band came on …

Lead Singer (Female) – Amazing voice and great stage presence. Needed a stronger bra though as she kept threatening to pop out of it during the performance which could have caused huge damage to the front row of the audience.

Lead Singer (Male) – Boiler suit and VW badge. Good voice and did well at getting the crowd going.

Keyboards (Male) – Another boiler suit and looked like a doorman I used to work with. Played well and loads of enthusiasm.

Keyboards (Female) – Thought she was a drum stick to start off with. Needed a few good meals. Also sang and had a very soulful voice.

Drummer (Male) – Very fit man and the live drumming added a great spark to the sound of the group.

Keyboard (Male) – Didn’t see much of him throughout the gig. May have been shy or just stood behind the lead singer.

DJ (Male) – The easiest job of the whole evening and whole group. Another boiler suit and big afro. Did not see him actually mixing any records. Occasionally played some small percussion instruments and set of a siren that indicated the end of one song and the start of the next.

Despite the varied mix of the band members they complemented each other well and their music was great. A little slow to get started but by track four they were in full swing. A blend of Band New Heavies meets Basement Jaxx and whilst these may not be my favourite bands I couldn’t help but dance and sway to the infectious beats. A top night and a brilliant way to say goodbye to my 20s and hello to my 30s.

This week I am off to see Journey South ! God help me !

Good News Bad News

2006-10-02T08:10:00.000Z

On the 26th of September it was my 30th Birthday ! I approached it with some trepidation but on the whole was looking forward to it. The day was set up by a visit from my boyfriend the previous week during which we spent much time eating out and drinking vast amounts of alcohol. He left on the Sunday before but not without leaving me a bundle of presents and a card to open on the big day.

The day arrived and I awoke somewhat bleary eyed (a night out with Mike at a gig which I shall write about soon) and looked at the bottom of my bed expecting to see the Grim Reaper looking at his watch – he wasn’t there. I opened Craig’s presents (lighter, aftershave and boxer shorts – very nice) and popped downstairs for the post. A nice jumble of cards from friends and relatives were on the door mat. The rest of the day was spent doing very little, a favourite of mine.

The evening approached and I set of to the Roberts for a Birthday drink with friends. A very nice present from Alan (Scissor Sisters album) and many rounds of drinks from the others. And then the bad news came – JP a close friend of all of us had been involved in a road accident whilst working in China ! He had sustained a head injury and as a nurse I expected the worst. But all does not seem that bad. Mike had been in constant contact with work colleagues who were with JP at the time and although not at his best he was at least stable.

I felt quiet bad trying to celebrate a Birthday when being faced with such bad news, but was reminded by a friend that JP would have wanted us to carry on with the party and drink as much as we could. So in honour of him we carried on, many toasts were made and a good night was had by all.

JP has now been flown to a hospital in Hong Kong where he is receiving excellent treatment. His partner is also with him. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

Do as I say and not as I do

2006-09-19T10:40:00.000Z

I was recently talking to a friend of a friend who was horrified to learn that I smoked and was training to become a nurse. They felt that it was my moral and professional duty to stop smoking and promote a healthy lifestyle. If fact, they commented “that if they had their way people who smoked would not be able to train as nurses”.

I am aware that smoking is bad for you and it is my duty to promote health, but how much should my job impinge upon my private life ? I do not smoke in-front of patients, not do I encourage them to smoke. However, I do not tell them to stop. As well as being hypocritical it would also be poor health promotion. As soon as you tell someone they can’t do something they want to do it more. I provide them with the relevant information and allow the individual to make an informed decision based on the best available knowledge.

I must also mention that the person who made these comments was slightly overweight and did not take to kindly when I mentioned this and the negative health effects that obesity had (equal to smoking). Should people wanting to become nurses have their BMI measured and those who are too fat be told they will not be accepted into nursing as they are setting a bad example to patients ?

When it comes down to it there are fat nurses, thin ones, ones who smoke, ones who drink too much and those that take part in many other activities that would be classed as not appropriate for health professional, but they all provide great care.

So do as I say and not as I do.

Fun

2006-09-14T10:35:00.000Z

I just found this from another blog and it has just kept me occupied for 10 minutes. Have scored 8 so far ! FUN

Thirty Something

2006-09-14T10:17:00.000Z

It is now rapidly approaching my 30th birthday (26th September) and it was filling me with dread. But now I have decided to put a positive spin on it rather than the trepidation that normally accompanies my birthdays. My last three land mark birthdays (18th, 21st and 25th) were all a drunken haze and not much happened at all. In fact they were quite a disappointment. But this time things will be different. My boyfriend is coming down for a week before hand and is taking me out for dinner. I have already arranged dinner with another group of friends (University) and lunch with some more (old work colleagues). I am now quite looking forward to it and am not even bothered about becoming 30.

Now onto presents. The Reluctant Nomad used his blog to tout for presents. I thought about doing the same but my mate who read this have no way of getting in touch with each other which could mean that I end up with several copies of the new Scissor Sisters album ! So I am not going to ask for anything and do not expect anything. This way I am never disappointed and always mildly surprised.

Being 30 is not going to be so bad. In fact, I plan to use it as a bit of a watershed. All the bad things can be put in the past as I draw a line under my life to date and get on with the important things. I have a wonderful partner, great friends and the potential for a long and happy career as a nurse (if I can find a job).

So here is to being 30 !!!

Almost Done

2006-09-06T11:13:00.000Z

I am now only six moths away from qualifying as a nurse and the hunt for jobs among my intake has already begun. The problem is that there aren’t that many jobs around for nurses at the moment – or put another way – there are plenty of jobs for nurses at the moment but there is no money to pay them. Despite nursing being know as the “caring profession” I can assure you that after three years of study I will not be doing the job for free !

But what options do I have now ? It looks like that I will have to take any job that becomes available to me even if I don’t want to work in that particular area of field. Anything will be better than nothing and at least I will have a foot in the door.

So just be aware that from the 5th of March I could be in a hospital near you.

The odd things we talk about.

2006-08-16T12:08:00.000Z

You quite often find yourself talking about odd things when you are in the pub, especially after a few pints and last night we got onto the subject of Sociopaths and Sociopathic tendencies. An odd subject I know but it some how cropped up in the conversation and a good discussion followed.

After many attempts to come up with an accurate definition (and failing) we decided that all of us around the table had exhibited some Sociopathic tendencies during our life. Still intrigued by the subject I Googled it today and found a list of defining characteristics.

not learning from experience
no sense of responsibility
inability to form meaningful relationships
inability to control impulses
lack of moral sense
chronically antisocial behaviour
no change in behaviour after punishment
emotional immaturity
lack of guilt
self-centeredness

I know that I have suffered from many of the things on this list at one time or another, but does that mean the I am a Sociopath ? I hope not ! I guess it just shows that we all have the potential to be a little mad from time to time

Nursing

2006-08-14T12:05:00.000Z

Nursing is a profession that I love and feel very strongly about, but it does come with a number of problems.

I am the only person when in the pub that is never asked or allowed to ask how their day went.

When people find out I am a nurse I am suddenly expected to examine every spot and rogue pimple on their body.

I am not allowed to watch hospital soaps on the TV with friends as I constantly complain about what is being done wrong.

But on the whole I am very pleased to be a nurse and put up with all the crap that comes with it (literally).

What to say in bed ?

2006-08-03T17:23:00.000Z

It would be fair to say that over the years I have been around the block a few times. But in all that time I have only had three serious relationships and have just started my forth (Craig of Sherringham has decided that he is mad enough to want a relationship with me and I was very happy to accept). But what do you say in bed to a new long term partner ? With a one night stand it never mattered as you were never going to see them again – but a partner is a whole different game.

After much thinking I came up with three main headings (Yes, No and Maybe) under which things to bed said in bed can be put.

Yes
• That was great (everyone wants a compliment)
• “Moans of delight” (but don’t over do it)

No
• Have you finished yet ?
• My Ex was better than that !
• Wake me up when you are done.

Maybe
• Directions – left a bit, right a bit (its always best to hit the right spot but too many directions can sound like your trying to put flat pack furniture together)
• Lets do it again (can be flattering but may sound like you didn’t enjoy it the first time)

This is not an exhaustive list and hopefully you and I can add to it over time.

Time

2006-07-19T11:40:00.000Z

I have suddenly realised that I don't seem to have much time for anything recently aprt from work and assignments. This is not fun ! With all the good weather (and not knowing how long it will last) I feel that I should be spending more time relaxing ... but alas I am unable to organise my time in an effective manner.

I decided to look on death clock to see how much time I had left and therefor if it was worth being organised now or leave it for the masses of time I had left. The first go said that I would be dead by early 2010 !!! Shit I thought. Best two out of three as I entered another set of details in. Much better now - Wed 24th Jan 2043. So I still have a little time to play with but have decided to be a little more organised just in case.

The Long Trip and the Olde Trip

2006-07-11T14:45:00.000Z

On Friday Craig made the long trip down from Sherringham to see me in Nottingham. Whilst I had only visited him the weekend before I was looking forward to it very much. I had cleaned the house (to the best of my ability as I am not that way domestically inclined) and stocked up on food (as I had promised to cook dinner and my friends suggested I cook breakfast in bed). He arrived at 19.30 and dinner was ready spot on time as he walked through the door. A nice bottle of South African white to help it along was also ready chilled. Then off to the pub for a few drinks. We both saw friends (Craig used to live in Notts) and we chatted all night about this and that.

Saturday morning and I didn’t quite manage breakfast in bed but I did cook it and we ate watching the TV downstairs. Then it was time to head for The Olde Trip to Jerusalem. Here we met one of my best friends Theresa. More drinks ensued and we all chatted. Craig and Theresa got on very well and we were soon all having a laugh. The fun was suddenly brought to an abrupt end by a policeman. He informed us and a number of other people sitting on the grass next to the pub that we could not sit there (due to a bye-law) and if we did not move we would receive an £80 fine. We drank up and left !

A spot of dinner and tennis on the TV (very good mixed doubles match) and then off to the Lord Roberts to meet Alan and hopefully a friend of mine from Uni. My Uni friend couldn’t make it but Alan was as reliable as ever (when it comes to drinking). The Roberts was very busy to start and we were forced to stand, but it started to empty out and we all sat and chatted until closing. Now it was time for a move to The Forrester’s. More drink followed and as with Theresa, Alan got on very well with Craig and informed me “I had met a very nice bloke” which was high praise indeed from Alan.

No breakfast in bed on Sunday morning but I did do him fried eggs on toast as we watched the men’s tennis final (at last a bloke who likes sport). Soon it was time for him to call a cab and head to the train station for the long trip back. Once again we both cant wait to meet up again but this time we will have to wait 3 weeks ! But it will be Nottingham Pride then so it should be a very good weekend. And to top it all off two of my close friends really liked Craig and he liked them. What more could I ask for ?

Sherringham Weekend

2006-07-04T11:17:00.000Z

The weekend just gone I enjoyed the most fantastic time away in Sherringham on the Norfolk coast. I had gone there to meet Craig (he of the Top Day). Since our first meeting we had kept in touch via text and Email and it became obvious that we both wanted to meet up again so I arranged to get the train down.

We met up in Norwich where he works and after a few drinks caught another train to Sherringham. A few more drinks and a takeaway and it was time to call it an night – the train journey had really taken it out of me. Up early on Saturday and a grand tour of the town. It is all you could want from a picturesque seaside town. Great people, lovely pubs and a great atmosphere (ever if there was a Morris Dancing festival on). Lunch at the pub and then over to Craig’s sisters to watch the football. Wasn’t too fussed about he result as I am not a great footie fan. Back to his for a shower and changer and then hit the town.

Whilst Sherringham is a million miles away from what I normally get in the meat market pubs and clubs of Nottingham I enjoyed it immensely. It was relaxing and I had great company to share the experience with. Another lazy day on Sunday. Another pub lunch and a few more drinks before the train home. It was a bit of a wrench leaving Craig as it seemed that we had had very little time together. The train home was uneventful and I was back to work on Monday.

It was a top weekend, one of the best over the past few months and I hope it to be repeated when Craig comes to visit me this weekend !

Road Kill !

2006-06-22T11:16:00.000Z

Last Friday (I know it is now Thursday but I have been busy) me and my friends had a large and stressful practical to complete at University as part of our nursing course (Thanks to all the people who wished me luck). It all went well so once finished we all set off to celebrate at the Rose and Crown on Derby Road. Much beer and food was consumed. It was then decided that as it was such a nice day we all head into town to the beer gardens around the castle. So off we set.

As we got off the bus we all rushed to cross Parliament Street but the lights changed on us. One of the group commented:

“We shouldn’t chance crossing as the traffic is notoriously dangerous here”

To which I commented:

“Look at the pigeons, they have never read the Green Cross Code and they never seem to have a problem with the traffic”

At which point a large truck went past and scattered the birds. Once the truck had gone we noticed that one pigeon would have been better off taking my friends advice as it was now splattered across the road !

A comedic moment and divine justice as I am not a great fan of town pigeons.

I Have Never ...

2006-06-21T11:45:00.000Z

I will list 3 things that I've never done at the bottom of this post. They all begin: "I have never..."

You should copy these instructions and my list to your blog. BUT you should remove the top item and add a new item to the bottom of the list - it should be something that YOU have never done, and it can be about anything you like.

You should also go back over the remaining 2 things I listed and highlight (in bold, a different colour, italics, however you want) the things that are not true for you (ie You have done them).

This way, the list is constantly evolving and changing through every iteration.

You can only repost a list to your blog if none of the previous "I have never..."'s that you have answered are there.

PS - Dont forget to post a comment here if you are playing the game!

Here goes:
I have never used a dildo.
I have never had an orgy.
I have never had sex with a woman.

Never a Cross Word

2006-06-13T10:44:00.000Z

Over the past year I have become a great fan of cryptic crosswords. I never used to be able to do them but after much time consulting dictionaries, and swearing I came through. Here are a few of some of my recent favorite clues.

Round letter (8)
Re boxing match, perhaps (5)
Does this temp husband have no where to sit ? (8,4)

Answers to come in a few days.

James Dean

2006-06-13T10:42:00.000Z

James Dean was an icon to millions with his good looks and bad boy image. The motto of “Live fast, die young” attributed to him was certainly when he died in 1955 at the tender age of 24. This motto has always held a sort of attraction for me. Like I have never wanted to be fat I have also never wanted to be old.

I have no-way lived anything close to the devil attitude of Dean but I have done many things in my life that may have resulted in many years being knocked off it. I am now coming up to my 30th birthday and far from it filling me with dread (as I thought it would) I am quite looking forward to it. I feel it will be a new lease of life for me. I will be almost qualified as a nurse and have a whole new chapter in-front of me to live. However, do I still want to get old ?

The population in this country is getting older. People are now living well into their 70s and in many cases their 80s and 90s. But do they have a standard of life that I would want ? Many elderly people that I have come across may have lived much longer than the Biblical “three score years and ten” but have found much of their life past 70 not how they would wish it. Many are debilitated by cardiac, respiratory, and skeletal problems that prevent them from living an independent and fulfilling old age. Do I want this ? I think not. Whilst getting old does not fill me with as much fear as it once did I want to be able to enjoy it and not be confined to my house or a nursing home.

Therefore, I feel motto (in homage to Mr Dean) will be:

“ Live long, die fast”

Top Day

2006-06-07T10:40:00.000Z

Yesterday was a wonderfully sunny day I was going to meet a very good friend of mine for lunch. I used to work with D in Accident and Emergency and now she works for the Ambulance Service. We have tried several times to meet recently but it had always been cancelled due to various problems. Today was set though. We met at 1pm at the lions in Market Square (not very original I know) and set off to Walkabout. The food was very good and the conversation was excellent. We caught up on each others lives and swapped gossip. A few drinks and it was time to go.

Whilst she had things to do at home we were both having fun and decided to go for a few more drinks at The Lord Roberts. The conversation continued and soon it was early evening. A bloke in the pub just sitting across from us caught my eye and I couldn’t help notice that he seemed interested in me too. But D and I were firmly engrossed in our gossip and I put him out of my mind. By half six it was time for her to go. I walked her to where her boyfriend was picking her up and we said bye. A wonderful evening which we have planned to repeat soon.

I walked back to the Roberts and wondered if the nice bloke would still be there. He was. I chatted to some friends who were sitting at the same table as him and as the left stuck up a conversation with him. He lived near Norwich and was visiting friends. We continued to chat and soon two friends A and J walked in and the chat carried on. A left quite early and J soon after. I was again left with Craig (the blokes name) alone again. A few more drinks should oil the workings. He seemed genuinely interested in me. Result ! By midnight we were walking back to mine and by half past in bed !

A brilliant day topped of with a fabulous evening. He is back down to Nottingham again soon and he wants to meet up. All in all the best day of the year so far.

The fun things you learn.

2006-06-01T11:38:00.000Z

My recent lectures and placement at University have all been concerned with acute Medicine. That is all the things that happen very suddenly and what you need to know as a nurse in these situations when they arise. One subject that I had never really considered to exist under the term of Acute Medicine is suicide. The subject of suicide is very diverse within the field of nursing but is generally connected to the Mental Health branch. However, individuals that survive will come into A&E which is Acute Medicine. So I sat down for the lecture (it was in-fact yesterday but I have only just got around to writing about it). It was, much to my surprise not as depressing as I first thought as the lecture tried to present the material in a “light-hearted” way. Well as light-hearted as you can be all things considered. By the end of the lecture though I suddenly became aware that I was in one of the highest risk categories for suicide. That being I am a single white male between the age of 18 and 35. I have a high intake of nicotine and alcohol and have what can be considered a stressful job. My work also gives me access to potentially dangerous chemicals and I have the knowledge of how to use them to detrimental effect ! And there was me thinking that smoking would get me first.

Great Weekend !

2006-05-30T13:07:00.000Z

If I manage one good day out of a whole weekend it is pretty good for me. So when the last Bank Holiday weekend came along with its extra day off I was braced for a dire time. But to my amazement I had one of the best long weekends for many a year.

Thursday
• drink with housemate in the pub (rare occasion as he doesn’t go out too much these days)
• met a few friends
• met some more friends
• finished off at the Irish (sad, but very enjoyable)

Friday
• drink with few friends
• learnt something new about computing and Blogs (always like to learn new things)
• built a few bridges with a new friend (I hope)
• danced loads at NG1 (predictable but fun)
• pulled !!!

Saturday
• finished the crossword in record time
• went out for a quiet drink
• met a few friends
• very good conversation
• danced loads again at NG1
• pulled again !!!

Sunday
• no hangover and money still left from Saturday night (always happy when I have cash left over)
• met best mate for quiet drink

I am proud to say that it is more often than not the simple pleasures in life that bring me the most fun. A few drinks with good mates, great conversation and the odd man at the end of the night.

G.A.Y at the B.N.P ?

2006-05-22T13:02:00.000Z

I have always thought that the racist and homophobic policise of the BNP have been driven by fear and hatred rather than any political mandate. And I have always hoped that the laziness of the French voters a few year ago that allowed far Rght politician Le Pen to get some power would never be repeated in this country. Fortunatly that has been true and wins that they have had have been very small. But recently they took an unprecidented 11 seats a council elevetion. The man responsible for this is Richard Barnbrook, but his sucess does not seem to be running too smoothly. It has been brought to light that in 1989 he produced and directed an "erotic gay movie". Not the sort of thing that your normal gay hater does. It features a number of men, some dressed as sailors, groping, fondeling and stripping each other. Mr Barnbrook described HMS Discovery: A Love Story as being "about sexuality and not homosexuality". Strange, I thought as I read this comment - I have awalys found sex with men a very sexual experience. Nick Griffin (leader of the BNP) says he was made aware of the film some years ago by Mr Barnbrook and after watching two-thirds of it described it as "arty rubbish ... but not porn". Maybe all the porn was in the third he failed to watch ? It seems that BNP is being un-done by one of the things it hates the most.

Bloody Weather

2006-05-22T12:49:00.000Z

What the hell is going on with the weather ? Sunny, bit cold, hot and then pissing down all within the space of a few minutes ! Well not that quickly but it is starting to feel that way. Can't we just settle on one weather condition (hot) and stay that way for the duration of the summer ?

National Nurse's Day

2006-05-12T12:41:00.000Z

Today is National Nurse's day. A time to pay homage to the hard working men and women who work tirelessly to patch up all your ills. I am very tired of nurses and the NHS in general getting a bad press. The media never tell of the hard work put in on a daily basis by all the staff and what they have to put up with. So today at least, say thanks to a nurse. The next time you have cause to see a nurse be polite, say please and thank-you and smile. It makes all the difference to us and is a small price to pay for excellent service.

Stress Buster

2006-05-10T12:44:00.000Z

i have been very stressed recently with work and tried to think of ways of beating it. I tried the old favorites, beer and random sex with strangers. Both only turned out to be short time answers and the stress was soon back. I needed something big to beat this. Bubble Wrap ! It had always been fun when I ws younger and somehow popping all those bulbbles got rid of stress within a few seconds. But where to get it now ? The my friend gave me the answer - Virtual Bubble Wrap. Now I can pop away on line whenever thing get too stressful. have fun popping and beat the stress.

Night Owl

2006-05-03T13:05:00.000Z

I have just finished a weekend of nights at work and have now returned to day shifts. The swap in body clock from day to night back to day in a short space of time has somewhat thrown me and I am still a little dazed and confused (much like normal but without the alcohol). I hope to regain normal function soon and then get back to putting on a Blog or two.

Unlucky in love

2006-04-25T11:57:00.000Z

I have only ever been in love three times in my life and all in just the last 5 years. Before then I had seen people but had never really experienced the true feeling of love. I hoped that when I did finally fall in love it would be a wonderful experience that would last forever. How wrong I was ... it was great, but on each occasion it neve quite worked out.

Love One - The Cheating Love
My first ever long term relationship that lasted for three years. As it was my first love experience I wanted it to work so much. We met whilst out clubbing and he moved in with me after a few months. I forgave him the first time he cheated but it was harder the second. The third was too much and it all fell apart.

Love Two - The Preoccupied Love
We met a University on our first placement. We had loads in common and got on very well straight away. After many nights out drinking it soon moverd onto a relationship. Through the whole thing though he was constantly preoccupied with his Ex. This was his first love and I could never live up to this. When ever his Ex would call I would be second best. Whilst he never cheated on me I found it hard to play second fiddle to the Ex and things soon fizzled out.

Love Three - The Reluctant Love
I met him at a nightclub and stayed at his that night. We met again the next week and soon it became a regular thing. We got on well and I felt a connection. One day he introduced me to some of his mates as his partner and that was that. We just sort of fell into a relationship. Although I was happy with him I couldn't help but feel that he was a reluctant partner in the whole thing. I was just a stop gap until something better came along. His reluctance ment that he never fully committed and I always felt left out . Something better did come along and I was pushed aside.

All three have now moved on and are in new relationships and seem relativly happy with their lives. I can only think about what could have been and hope that number four will be better. My luck will have to change soon, wont it ?

What happened to spring ?

2006-04-25T11:49:00.000Z

I recently commented that it was now Spring as I could leave the house on a Friday night without a coat ... where is that weather now ? Going to leave the house the other night I was confronted by a downpour of Biblical proportions and got soaked to the bone. On Friday I ws that cold I had to put on my big coat ! I for one cant wait for the summer and wish that Global Warming could happen that little bit quicker.

The Lighters go out Across Europe

2006-04-20T13:00:00.000Z

What is a smoker to do, apart from stand outside and get cold whilst losing their seat in the pub. Many Scandinavian and mainland Eurpoean countries have tightened their grip on smoking in public places. Ireland and Scotland have now outlawed it. Northern Ireland is soon to follow and England will ban it next August. I know it is bad for your health and it offends many people but it is one of the few pleasures that I have and enjoy. I may be forced into quitting (which may not be a bad thing) but I would have liked some say in the matter. They could have left it up to individual pubs and bars to decide how they would like to go. I recently went to a non-smoking pub (not by choice) and thought it odd to see that they still had a cigarette vending machine. Like the Government, it seems that bars still want the revenue from smokers just not the smoke !

Food for Thought

2006-04-20T12:12:00.000Z

I have always had a strange relationship with food. Dont get me wrong, I love to eat and you cant bet a good curry or Sunday Roast. But as much as I love to eat I have always had a fear of getting fat. This fear weighed so heavy on my mind and consumed so much of my thoughts (sorry about the puns) that some years ago I developed an eating disorder. My bulimia was never full blown as I always managed to exhibit some degree of self control. I would rarely binge and could go for several days without vomiting. But when it was bad I would purge several times a week, skip meals, go on long runs to burn calories and smoke heavily to surpress my appitite.

This carried on for many months and the weight fell off. Soon I was down to below 8 stone. I had little body fat and my skin was pulled tight across my frame. The fun of thin soon wore off when I discovered I had no energy for anything, cound not concentrate and suffered terrible headaches. As a result my social life and University work suffered. I needed help but was not willing to admit that I had a problem. My idea for salvation was to go to my Doctors. They would find out that I had an eating disorder, I would own up and all would be solved. This did not prove that easy. Of the five GPs I saw three put my weight loss down to stress and one sent me for a HIV test as he associated weight loss and gay men with AIDS. Only asked enough probing questions for me to admit my problem. I was not serious enough to need hospitalisation but did need to see my GP for regular blood tests and with her help and that of a Dietician I was soon on the road to recovery.

I have not made my self vomint for over two years now and am happy with my weight but I still think about how bad it could have got and how easy I could have slipped un-noticed from the Doctors attention. It turns out that during their five years of training they only recieve a few hours on eating disorders and the main focus of this is teenage girls. It is now thought that 15-20% of all people with eating disorders are men and the number is growing. Actor Dennis Quaid recently admitted to suffering from "manorexia" after losing weight for a film role during the 1990's. The problem is on the increase and often goes un-noticed but help is needed. If you think a friend may have an eating disorder talk to them and try to get them to seek help. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/

Wedded Bliss

2006-04-20T12:04:00.000Z

I would like to take this opportunity to wish two very good friends of mine many congratulations on their engagement. Theresa and Row make a perfect couple and I am sure that they will have many happy years together. Their love of bikes, beer and me make them perfectly suited ! Their wedding, next August, will the first I have been to outside of my family (until now most of my friends have not been the marrying types) and I am looking forward to it so much. I cant wait for the hen party either ! Be aware that I am now on the look out for a date. I know that it is some what in advance but better to be prepared than single and have to sit with the divorcees and childern !

Spring in my step

2006-04-19T10:29:00.000Z

It is now officially spring. Not because we have been told it is but because I can now leave the house on a Friday night without a coat ! Well done spring, roll on the summer.

First Post

2006-04-19T09:42:00.000Z

My therapist recently said that I needed an out let for all the thoughts that were milling around my head. She commented that sounding off to a friend was not always the best idea as whilst the can take an understanding view point you don't want to bog them down too much with your own depressing problems ! She said that a Blog may be a good outlet for both good and bad thoughts. Any bad thoughts can be got rid of into cyberspace and good thoughts could be recorded for prosperity. So this is it ...