In 1992, the Queen coined the term "Annus Horribilis" to describe a miserable year of her life.
I think that 2007 has been mine......
One of the original reasons for having the blog was the ability to look back at past times and take stock of where I was and ultimately, where I am going.
I have just spent an wondrous hour reliving the year through my entries and I can see the frustration of getting annoying symptoms, the caution shown as words like "MS" came out of the Consultants mouth, the horror of discovering that it might be a reality, the depression of recovery and the ray of hope that after a few clear months, things might not be as bad as they seem.
For 2008, I want things to be different. Like all people, I have a rook of promises and issues that I intend to sort out in the form of resolutions but overwhelmingly I want to enjoy life once more.
2007 saw my insane optimism turn to complete pessimism and after such a dive I now know that it is my eternal optimism that drives me.
To enjoy life, you need to be content at all levels of emotion, these include self love (oi), respect, honesty, enthusiasm, compassion, cheerfulness, confidence, joy and pleasure. I know that I don't have contentment in a few of those and I know exactly the areas of myself and my life that I need to change to achieve it.
Like I say, 2008 will be different and this is the place where i can sit back in 12 months from now and see if I made it that way.
Hopefully 2008 will be happy for all, I wish you peace and goodwill for the coming year.
Thursday, 27 December 2007
Friday, 30 November 2007
MRI Results.....finally, some better news!!!
I actually had a consultation on Monday of this week to discover the results of my recent MRI scan. I have been a bit lazy recently on the blog and for that reason I did not give the update as soon as I had the news, also, its taken me a few days to let the results sink in, be processed in my head and turned into coherent reasoning that can be viewed here.
The results were....
Basically, the most recent scan shows no or little change of consequence in my inflamed area of the neck and no new white spots of note on my brain.
This is obviously fantastic news for me but at the same time, a little overwhelming as I need you to understand that since we first found inflammation and spots in my earlier MRI, I have woken each day with the thought that there is a silent disease spreading through my neck and brain and I am in no control of it. It really is that simple, for the last 9 months or so, I have worried myself silly and waited for the day where we could compare scans taken a distance apart to see if this condition grows silently or lies dormant.
So a huge weight is lifted. It is now pretty safe to assume that while I don't have the symptoms that took me down earlier this year and while I can wake each day without getting out of bed and falling over or having an attack of various levels, then its safe to assume that the condition is not developing or spreading in my neck or brain. On the other hand, if I do have another bout of symptoms then its a different story.
On reflection, I should be gloriously happy but I don't allow myself to be that way and I don't really know why. Is it just the case that Myelitis won the first round and I took the second? Or, is it a case that I still wake every day thinking that something is going to happen to me. I know for a fact that if anything does happen then the thoughts of inflammation and brain spots will run rife in me. The question is, will another attack ever happen? And if so, when? I don't have the answers to these.
As usual, and once Christmas is out of the way, its time to take steps to be healthier on the whole. I did some good work earlier this year and I have let it go by the wayside so I am definitely one of those diet types for 2008.
I genuinely wish I could sit here and be more hopeful about the future, rest assured, a part of me is. A larger part of me believes that there are still a few rocky times ahead and as I was a scout, remember what Baden Powell said......"Come and see some puppies young man", I mean "BE PREPARED!!!".
The results were....
Basically, the most recent scan shows no or little change of consequence in my inflamed area of the neck and no new white spots of note on my brain.
This is obviously fantastic news for me but at the same time, a little overwhelming as I need you to understand that since we first found inflammation and spots in my earlier MRI, I have woken each day with the thought that there is a silent disease spreading through my neck and brain and I am in no control of it. It really is that simple, for the last 9 months or so, I have worried myself silly and waited for the day where we could compare scans taken a distance apart to see if this condition grows silently or lies dormant.
So a huge weight is lifted. It is now pretty safe to assume that while I don't have the symptoms that took me down earlier this year and while I can wake each day without getting out of bed and falling over or having an attack of various levels, then its safe to assume that the condition is not developing or spreading in my neck or brain. On the other hand, if I do have another bout of symptoms then its a different story.
On reflection, I should be gloriously happy but I don't allow myself to be that way and I don't really know why. Is it just the case that Myelitis won the first round and I took the second? Or, is it a case that I still wake every day thinking that something is going to happen to me. I know for a fact that if anything does happen then the thoughts of inflammation and brain spots will run rife in me. The question is, will another attack ever happen? And if so, when? I don't have the answers to these.
As usual, and once Christmas is out of the way, its time to take steps to be healthier on the whole. I did some good work earlier this year and I have let it go by the wayside so I am definitely one of those diet types for 2008.
I genuinely wish I could sit here and be more hopeful about the future, rest assured, a part of me is. A larger part of me believes that there are still a few rocky times ahead and as I was a scout, remember what Baden Powell said......"Come and see some puppies young man", I mean "BE PREPARED!!!".
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Its a big day for me!!!
I always know when its going to be a big day, basically because I cant sleep.
Here I am, approaching Midnight, bright eyed and bushy tailed on tenterhooks because I know something is going to happen.
And what is it that is going to happen then? Well today, Wednesday, is the day I have an MRI scan at Lourdes Hospital in Liverpool.
So why is this scan so important? Well, its the first time that I have had a proper scan since my first bout of troubles earlier this year. It is the first time that those results of over 6 months ago will be compared to a fresh set of results. In this way, we shall see if there is any progression in my condition.
What are we looking for then? My Myelitis came about due to inflammation in my spine around the neck area. There were 2 slightly dark areas in the last scan so obviously we want to see if other dark areas have appeared or if the existing areas have grown in size.
The second thing we are looking for is spots on my brain (sounds horrible). In my previous scan, I had several white spots on my grey matter but the consultant called these "BSUO's" which is consultant talk for Big Shiny Unidentified Objects. We all get spots on our noggins over time but in the case of tracking the progress of something like MS, these lesions (another horrible word) grow in size. So in my case, we will be looking to see if the spots that were there last time have stayed, gone or grown.
As you can see, a lot can be told from an MRI scan but to ultimately be diagnosed with the MS word, there are a few more boxes that need to be ticked.
I found an interesting article on the Internet about MS a while ago. It basically said that there are more wrong diagnosi of the condition than there are legitimate ones. To combat this, the criteria for diagnosing the condition was re-evaluated and there are lots of small symptoms that have to occur over a period of time subsequent from each other before a diagnosis can be made.
In my case, every day that passes without the symptoms I had earlier this year is a scalable bonus. 2 symptom attacks have to happen within 12 months of each other to tick one of the boxes. So even though each day I wake up with some ache or pain that I feel is going to trigger something, it doesn't, and with that in mind I get one step closer to March 2008 which is where I pass the 12 month mark. I think you can see my thinking here.
Anyway, back to the MRI. I can only hope for the best, and the best is no progression. I have been through a lot in the last few months but on reflection, my condition is no worse than it was following my recovery earlier on in the year.
Unfortunately, I don't get to see my consultant to discuss the scan until a week on Monday. I would have been able to see him this coming Monday but I am in Germany as part of my product training in the new job and I could not drop tools on this.
As usual, I will keep anyone who cares updated, wish me luck.......
Here I am, approaching Midnight, bright eyed and bushy tailed on tenterhooks because I know something is going to happen.
And what is it that is going to happen then? Well today, Wednesday, is the day I have an MRI scan at Lourdes Hospital in Liverpool.
So why is this scan so important? Well, its the first time that I have had a proper scan since my first bout of troubles earlier this year. It is the first time that those results of over 6 months ago will be compared to a fresh set of results. In this way, we shall see if there is any progression in my condition.
What are we looking for then? My Myelitis came about due to inflammation in my spine around the neck area. There were 2 slightly dark areas in the last scan so obviously we want to see if other dark areas have appeared or if the existing areas have grown in size.
The second thing we are looking for is spots on my brain (sounds horrible). In my previous scan, I had several white spots on my grey matter but the consultant called these "BSUO's" which is consultant talk for Big Shiny Unidentified Objects. We all get spots on our noggins over time but in the case of tracking the progress of something like MS, these lesions (another horrible word) grow in size. So in my case, we will be looking to see if the spots that were there last time have stayed, gone or grown.
As you can see, a lot can be told from an MRI scan but to ultimately be diagnosed with the MS word, there are a few more boxes that need to be ticked.
I found an interesting article on the Internet about MS a while ago. It basically said that there are more wrong diagnosi of the condition than there are legitimate ones. To combat this, the criteria for diagnosing the condition was re-evaluated and there are lots of small symptoms that have to occur over a period of time subsequent from each other before a diagnosis can be made.
In my case, every day that passes without the symptoms I had earlier this year is a scalable bonus. 2 symptom attacks have to happen within 12 months of each other to tick one of the boxes. So even though each day I wake up with some ache or pain that I feel is going to trigger something, it doesn't, and with that in mind I get one step closer to March 2008 which is where I pass the 12 month mark. I think you can see my thinking here.
Anyway, back to the MRI. I can only hope for the best, and the best is no progression. I have been through a lot in the last few months but on reflection, my condition is no worse than it was following my recovery earlier on in the year.
Unfortunately, I don't get to see my consultant to discuss the scan until a week on Monday. I would have been able to see him this coming Monday but I am in Germany as part of my product training in the new job and I could not drop tools on this.
As usual, I will keep anyone who cares updated, wish me luck.......
Saturday, 27 October 2007
Work....
I don't have much of an idea of just how many people read my blog on a regular basis, but if you do, I am sure that you are sorely disappointed at the lack of entries recently.
I think that if the truth be told, I am a little consumed by new job. It's been several weeks now and from the off its been pretty manic times and for the majority of the time, once I finally get home at night, I would rather spend that time with Kerris than be sat up here in my dim office battering away at the keyboard.
Anyway, I now have a laptop with WIFI so I can now sit in Kerris's company and do the blog too. Multitasking has always been a speciality of mine.
So how is the job going? Well what can I tell you, its been a hectic start to life at Onyx, its also been stressful in more ways than one!!! The main stress comes about from one of our suppliers who have insisted on sending people to help me in my early days of selling their products. The problem here is that I had one guy from Belgium and another from Germany with me and they just don't understand that a lot of the calls I am making are intro calls to people I have never met. My only expectation on an intro call is that the customer is happy with me as a person and Onyx as a potential supplier. However, these guys expect to walk out of every call with orders. Its not over yet and its something I have to bear with for a few more weeks.
Another thing is that I wanted to work harder than I did at Ingersoll Rand and I am doing. I got very lazy at IR so to get back into a hectic regime has been a bit of a shock to the system. My body is not what it was and I can feel within me that there are still wounds that are far from healed. Its been an adjustment and will continue to be, hopefully my body will allow me to adjust.
All in all though, with the exception of people who only want to tell me how much cheaper everyone else is on key blanks (I sell for 10p and the guy tells me he can buy for 9.3p) its a role I am starting to get my teeth into. Over the first few weeks, I have met loads of new people and as I start to make regular calls into them, I am sure I can win business. I am also getting familiar with some of the new kit I sell and last week, I did my first key machine demo!! I now want one to take everywhere!!!
The blog has been neglected though, and it needs my TLC. I plan to put some catch up entries on over the next week and the big news is my impending MRI scan that I am in no way looking forward to!!!
Stay tuned!!!
I think that if the truth be told, I am a little consumed by new job. It's been several weeks now and from the off its been pretty manic times and for the majority of the time, once I finally get home at night, I would rather spend that time with Kerris than be sat up here in my dim office battering away at the keyboard.
Anyway, I now have a laptop with WIFI so I can now sit in Kerris's company and do the blog too. Multitasking has always been a speciality of mine.
So how is the job going? Well what can I tell you, its been a hectic start to life at Onyx, its also been stressful in more ways than one!!! The main stress comes about from one of our suppliers who have insisted on sending people to help me in my early days of selling their products. The problem here is that I had one guy from Belgium and another from Germany with me and they just don't understand that a lot of the calls I am making are intro calls to people I have never met. My only expectation on an intro call is that the customer is happy with me as a person and Onyx as a potential supplier. However, these guys expect to walk out of every call with orders. Its not over yet and its something I have to bear with for a few more weeks.
Another thing is that I wanted to work harder than I did at Ingersoll Rand and I am doing. I got very lazy at IR so to get back into a hectic regime has been a bit of a shock to the system. My body is not what it was and I can feel within me that there are still wounds that are far from healed. Its been an adjustment and will continue to be, hopefully my body will allow me to adjust.
All in all though, with the exception of people who only want to tell me how much cheaper everyone else is on key blanks (I sell for 10p and the guy tells me he can buy for 9.3p) its a role I am starting to get my teeth into. Over the first few weeks, I have met loads of new people and as I start to make regular calls into them, I am sure I can win business. I am also getting familiar with some of the new kit I sell and last week, I did my first key machine demo!! I now want one to take everywhere!!!
The blog has been neglected though, and it needs my TLC. I plan to put some catch up entries on over the next week and the big news is my impending MRI scan that I am in no way looking forward to!!!
Stay tuned!!!
Saturday, 20 October 2007
Interesting angle.
Woke up today for a second day without hip pain which was nice but I do feel like I have pulled a muscle in my neck in my sleep to compensate!!!
Anyway, one thing I forgot to mention in the last post was the fact that my massage lady had a good 20 minute chat with me prior to getting her mits on me and its her point of view that illnesses that are caused without reason are usually brought on by stress. In my case, she started by asking me about the last point of trauma I had in my. I recognise cognitive techniques and she was textbook!!!
We talked about causes that may have triggered my illness and to be fair, we went over a lot of ground which she discounted. These included, my Dad passing on, Jay being born and the after effects of the birth, my break up with Sandra all those years ago and my vasectomy!!!
However, I was made redundancy from a job on 18th November 2005 (some dates you don't forget eh) from Neurodynamics (I think there is some irony in that seen as though I am now under a Neurologist) and thinking back, the 2 months that I was out of work were very traumatic for me as a person and for my family. We came to the conclusion that this was well timed to unleash my current condition and I have to admit, the more I think of it, the more I am willing to use that point as the start of this.
Well there you go, any comments welcome!!!
Anyway, one thing I forgot to mention in the last post was the fact that my massage lady had a good 20 minute chat with me prior to getting her mits on me and its her point of view that illnesses that are caused without reason are usually brought on by stress. In my case, she started by asking me about the last point of trauma I had in my. I recognise cognitive techniques and she was textbook!!!
We talked about causes that may have triggered my illness and to be fair, we went over a lot of ground which she discounted. These included, my Dad passing on, Jay being born and the after effects of the birth, my break up with Sandra all those years ago and my vasectomy!!!
However, I was made redundancy from a job on 18th November 2005 (some dates you don't forget eh) from Neurodynamics (I think there is some irony in that seen as though I am now under a Neurologist) and thinking back, the 2 months that I was out of work were very traumatic for me as a person and for my family. We came to the conclusion that this was well timed to unleash my current condition and I have to admit, the more I think of it, the more I am willing to use that point as the start of this.
Well there you go, any comments welcome!!!
Friday, 19 October 2007
Craniosarcal Therapy
There is a long word for a Friday eh!!! Basically, yesterday evening, an older woman took me into her spare bedroom and massaged me until I came all over light headed and weak!!
Actually, I think the real story here is that I am turning a little "new age" and trying out alternative methods of coping with the symptoms of Myelitis.
I came to the conclusion a few weeks ago that I am currently sitting in limbo waiting for the next bout of symptoms to strike me down. While in limbo I have Myelitis and once I am hit with the dreaded second coming, they can clinically diagnose MS, however, the trick is to stay in limbo for as long as is humanly possible. The longer you are in limbo, the better because even if you have the dreaded second coming of symptoms but they are 18 months from the first attack, you still wont be diagnosed as the attacked have to happen between 6-12 months from each other to tick the box.
So you would think that limbo is a good place then? Wrong, its a lousy place. There is not much help in limbo, doctors refer you to consultants and consultants analyse data but offer little support. If I had MS, there are a million groups, forums and other services to call on but until such a time there is no support structure for Myelitis. Also, don't confuse what I have with Transverse Myelitis, they are not the same.
Anyway, seen as though there is not much support for me, I thought I would give into Kerris who constantly tells me the benefits of alternative methods of dealing with my problem. I have heard the acupuncture mentioned more than once and I figured that it was time to start checking these out.
So this brings me to Craniosarcal Therapy. Its a method of massage concentrated on the central nervous system, practised by a few people and after my session, I think these people feel they are healers who channel positive energy into you. She was channelling something as she told me to take off my leather belt as energy does not pass through leather!!! That explains why cows stand still then!!!
Well I have to say, I am the worlds best sceptic but last night, the technique was very relaxing and very pleasant. Basically, the lady held various bits on me in her hands (steady!!!) and very slowly maneuvered me about while I lay relaxed on the bed. This was especially good with my head as I got a genuine feeling of floating around the room!!!
Afterwards, I felt very tired and light headed and she told me that over the next 7-10 days, I will feel changes to my nerve functions. She told me to drink loads of water (I hate water) which has basically made me pee all day. As for my symptoms, well there is no major improvement, I have been waking each morning with pain in my hips and today there was none. Coincidence or result?
I will keep you informed!!!
Actually, I think the real story here is that I am turning a little "new age" and trying out alternative methods of coping with the symptoms of Myelitis.
I came to the conclusion a few weeks ago that I am currently sitting in limbo waiting for the next bout of symptoms to strike me down. While in limbo I have Myelitis and once I am hit with the dreaded second coming, they can clinically diagnose MS, however, the trick is to stay in limbo for as long as is humanly possible. The longer you are in limbo, the better because even if you have the dreaded second coming of symptoms but they are 18 months from the first attack, you still wont be diagnosed as the attacked have to happen between 6-12 months from each other to tick the box.
So you would think that limbo is a good place then? Wrong, its a lousy place. There is not much help in limbo, doctors refer you to consultants and consultants analyse data but offer little support. If I had MS, there are a million groups, forums and other services to call on but until such a time there is no support structure for Myelitis. Also, don't confuse what I have with Transverse Myelitis, they are not the same.
Anyway, seen as though there is not much support for me, I thought I would give into Kerris who constantly tells me the benefits of alternative methods of dealing with my problem. I have heard the acupuncture mentioned more than once and I figured that it was time to start checking these out.
So this brings me to Craniosarcal Therapy. Its a method of massage concentrated on the central nervous system, practised by a few people and after my session, I think these people feel they are healers who channel positive energy into you. She was channelling something as she told me to take off my leather belt as energy does not pass through leather!!! That explains why cows stand still then!!!
Well I have to say, I am the worlds best sceptic but last night, the technique was very relaxing and very pleasant. Basically, the lady held various bits on me in her hands (steady!!!) and very slowly maneuvered me about while I lay relaxed on the bed. This was especially good with my head as I got a genuine feeling of floating around the room!!!
Afterwards, I felt very tired and light headed and she told me that over the next 7-10 days, I will feel changes to my nerve functions. She told me to drink loads of water (I hate water) which has basically made me pee all day. As for my symptoms, well there is no major improvement, I have been waking each morning with pain in my hips and today there was none. Coincidence or result?
I will keep you informed!!!
Sunday, 7 October 2007
Wedding Bells
Yesterday saw my friend Nick Bartlett get married to the ever so lovely Cara Mitchell and I was Best Man.
I am pleased to report that it was a great day and went off (almost) without a hitch....and I dont mean that in a marriage sense.
The wedding was at Speke Hall in Liverpool and the reception was held at the Marriot Hotel in Liverpool city centre. Nick and Cara had gone to great lengths so that guests could be ferried between the wedding venue and the hotel but the coach failed to collect the guests in the morning from the hotel so a load of emergency taxis were called in!!! Apparently the guy had been held up in traffic on Edge Lane but amazingly failed yo let anyone know. Anyway, that was all that went wrong so the guests all arrived by taxi and I tracked the coach down so that at least it was there to ship them all back to the hotel.
The service in the great hall went perfectly. Nick's voice was breaking a little during his vows but I am sure its just nerves. Cara made up for it by stating hers loud and clear for all to hear!!! I was there alongside to pass the rings and also catch Nick if he decided to faint!!
A lifetimes worth of photos then followed before we took the show back to the Marriot for the wedding breakfast.
I had been nervous all day at the thought of the speech and it would not be fair on the couple to reveal the depth of my nerves around the event as they have enough to worry about without me adding to it. When the time came to deliver my Best Man speech, I took control and nailed it!! All that practising in the car had done wonders!!! Soffe, being the ever resourceful man that he is, ran a sweep stake on the length of the my speech and it serves him right that there was a debate from a disgruntled party following the result!! Finally, my job was done and I could enjoy myself!!!
In the evening though, lethargy came over and although it hit me later on, Kerris went first and
was in bed early following the buffet. I managed to carry on until about 11.15 but I had been awake since 4.00AM so I hit the hay alongside a "dead to the world" Kerris. Note to Marriot Hotels......we love your beds!!!
So, all in all it was a lovely day. I enjoyed myself immensely even though nerves and a few other niggling things started to get the better of me but hopefully no-one noticed. Cara and Nick jet off to Mexico on Monday for their honeymoon, I really hope that they enjoy themselves and I look forward to seeing just how dark Nick can get in 2 weeks of scorching beach worship!!! Take care guys and thanks for letting me be part of your day!!!
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Mary Celeste
Unlike the boat found floating full sail ahead to the Strait Of Gibraltar in 1872......THIS BLOG HAS NOT BEEN ABANDONED!!!!
This really is the first time since Kerris had her holiday that I have had the chance to sit and write. Its been manic!!!
The new job is going well, customers are still as unpredictable as ever and I am settling into Onyx life quite nicely I reckon. I also worked on Saturday last week at a trade show in Leeds so I only had Sunday to rest (rest....ha!!!).
Kerris came home and even though I was exhausted, I was so excited that I could not sleep so when she arrived at 3.50AM on Sunday morning, I was pretty much bright eyed and bushy tailed for her!!! She had a great time, she looks fantastic with her tan, and she is happy to return to us.
Then, just as I take some time to settle back into family and work life balance, I have been struck with the mother of all colds. I am destroyed, mentally and physically with it. Hopefully, it doesn't show during the working day (drugs are great) but I am getting home and basically collapsing!!!
Collapsing to sleep you say? Oh no, you see, nothing will ever be the same with me since the discovery of Myelitis. In fact, it wont let me just have a cold without turning the Myeletic (if there is such a word) control know up!! So, even though I am dead on my feet, I cant sleep too well, anxiety is a favourite symptom and that is rife at 2.00AM. My numbness in the hands turns numb, cold and uncomfortable just because it can.
So as my immune system takes its eye off Myelitis to deal with a cold, Myelitis comes out to play!!!
Anyway, so there we are!!! On the plus side, I am glad this is all happening this week as next week ends with the wedding of the future Mr & Mrs Bartlett, Nick and Cara. Please Myelitis, can I have a weekend off?
This really is the first time since Kerris had her holiday that I have had the chance to sit and write. Its been manic!!!
The new job is going well, customers are still as unpredictable as ever and I am settling into Onyx life quite nicely I reckon. I also worked on Saturday last week at a trade show in Leeds so I only had Sunday to rest (rest....ha!!!).
Kerris came home and even though I was exhausted, I was so excited that I could not sleep so when she arrived at 3.50AM on Sunday morning, I was pretty much bright eyed and bushy tailed for her!!! She had a great time, she looks fantastic with her tan, and she is happy to return to us.
Then, just as I take some time to settle back into family and work life balance, I have been struck with the mother of all colds. I am destroyed, mentally and physically with it. Hopefully, it doesn't show during the working day (drugs are great) but I am getting home and basically collapsing!!!
Collapsing to sleep you say? Oh no, you see, nothing will ever be the same with me since the discovery of Myelitis. In fact, it wont let me just have a cold without turning the Myeletic (if there is such a word) control know up!! So, even though I am dead on my feet, I cant sleep too well, anxiety is a favourite symptom and that is rife at 2.00AM. My numbness in the hands turns numb, cold and uncomfortable just because it can.
So as my immune system takes its eye off Myelitis to deal with a cold, Myelitis comes out to play!!!
Anyway, so there we are!!! On the plus side, I am glad this is all happening this week as next week ends with the wedding of the future Mr & Mrs Bartlett, Nick and Cara. Please Myelitis, can I have a weekend off?
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Jack Jones.....
As the saying goes, I am on my Jack Jones for the next week.
Kerris has departed for foreign sands with her friend Marie and they are having a well deserved week in an all inclusive hotel in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands).
Kerris has been like a coiled spring for the last few weeks about this holiday, I am surprised she actually went!! She deserves time away from us boys although the timing is awful with me starting a new job next week but I can hardly lay any blame as this was booked months ago and I handed my notice in 4 weeks ago. I remember it well, it was around that time that Kerris became a coiled spring!!
So, I have done my best "don't worry, just go and enjoy yourself" speech for her and I hope she does. This week will fly for me and I am glad really as all of the rushing about gives me less time to worry about being on my own here with 2 unpredictable boys!!!
So Kerris, if you are reading this in an Internet cafe in the sun......don't worry, we are fine!! Well, at least for the moment!!!
Just one question. Where's the food, water, heating controls, television remotes, washing powder, washing machine, cooker, clothes and the kids school?
Kerris has departed for foreign sands with her friend Marie and they are having a well deserved week in an all inclusive hotel in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands).
Kerris has been like a coiled spring for the last few weeks about this holiday, I am surprised she actually went!! She deserves time away from us boys although the timing is awful with me starting a new job next week but I can hardly lay any blame as this was booked months ago and I handed my notice in 4 weeks ago. I remember it well, it was around that time that Kerris became a coiled spring!!
So, I have done my best "don't worry, just go and enjoy yourself" speech for her and I hope she does. This week will fly for me and I am glad really as all of the rushing about gives me less time to worry about being on my own here with 2 unpredictable boys!!!
So Kerris, if you are reading this in an Internet cafe in the sun......don't worry, we are fine!! Well, at least for the moment!!!
Just one question. Where's the food, water, heating controls, television remotes, washing powder, washing machine, cooker, clothes and the kids school?
Friday, 14 September 2007
Fiasco....
My heart goes out to my poor Mum, June. A woman who has never done a days harm to anyone and deserves peace and good fortune for all of her efforts in life thus far.
Well, as I may have mentioned, Mum is trying to move house. The family estate at Milton Road in Waterloo has done its job over many years but now Mum wants to return to her own spiritual home of Southport and enjoy her retirement in a lovely little flat. Not too much to ask eh?
Well, yes it is actually....
Mum has now sold her house on 2 separate occasions only to be shafted by the potential buyers who pull out without any regard for the person selling the property.
The system is all wrong. You make an offer, the offer is accepted, the buyer gets a surveyors report, you renegotiate the price if needed and arrange funds and then you can pull out right up until the day you buy the house and sign the dotted line. It is so wrong, all of the cards are stacked for the buyer without protecting the seller.
I suggest that the seller should get the surveyors report in advance and present it as part of the initial house viewing. Then, if an offer is made, a legal document should be signed offering the seller protection in the event that the prat of a buyer wants to pull out.
Perhaps if this was adopted, buyers would think twice before utterly wasting other peoples time.
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Happy birthday to........Luca!!!
Today is the day that young rascal extraordinaire Luca Garcia Spencer Jackson takes another step down the road to manhood and turns a grand old age of 11.
Happy birthday Luca.
He seems well chuffed with his Funkey and Star Wars Transformers this morning so I hope he is happy as the rest of his birthday haul floods in!!!
Luca is actually a bit like the Queen. This is his official birthday although he has already had 2 previous parties for it.
Here he is, pictured during his Wrestling phase with his biggest fanette!!!
Happy birthday Son!!
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Air Guitar!!!
There is not too much going on right now so I thought I would pad it out a little by getting another Top 5 in place.
I was given my first air guitar when I was about 12 and I have cherished it since. Yes, its a little old and worn now but it still makes a hell of a racket when it comes out and furthermore, if I had to play 5 guitar solo's before I die then, in order of preference, these would be them!!!
1 - Queen, Princes Of The Universe
2 - Van Halen, Eruption
3 - Warrant, We Will Rock You (the last 40 seconds!!!)
4 - The Darkness, I Believe In A Thing Called Love (end solo)
5 - Extreme, Get The Funk Out
Yes, its all a certain genre of music, but its my genre and I am sticking to it. Dig every one of these out and play them loud, they are quite amazing!!!
Sunday, 9 September 2007
Last week at Ingersoll Rand
I am quite sad to be leaving IR. I have been very happy to get out of some jobs in the past but the overwhelming feeling is that the people are good, most of the products do a good job and really, its the various tiers of management and general company attitude at the top levels that let the place down.
I have known IR for a number of years, long before I worked there. In my early days I used to sell IR Briton door closers, lever handle sets and Legge locks and as I moved onto Access Control they were one of the first on the scene with a biometric reader. So as I move on from here, I scratch my head as to why such a respected company has taken a nosedive recently.
I feel sad but ultimately, its shortly no longer to be problem and I am well past the point of believing my input will change how things are done.
Onyx will be a different kettle of fish. A relatively new company, small in numbers and resources at the moment and fighting to carve a way and a reputation in an already saturated market. There is nowhere to hide at Onyx, all decisions made affect every person in the company. So I see it as a chance to excel. I cant wait to throw myself into it and be part of a team that will grow as the success flows in. It will be difficult but it is the challenge I need. I am sick of getting up in the morning and not wanting to do a job, you need to feel like you are making a difference to stay motivated. It also gives me something else to concentrate on other than my own self pity!!!
So, on Friday as I walk out of the gates of IR in Walsall, I will reflect on what might have been but no sooner will I be on the train home, I will stop looking back and focus on looking forward.
Tests!!!
I forgot to mention this but its been a while since someone shoved a needle into me to extract some bodily fluids, I had a medical last week.
The reason behind this was that a while ago, Kerris and I went to see our Financial Advisor to see where I could get life cover extended and in the untimely event of me not being able to do much if we could get some insurance in place.
The simple answer was....No!!!
However, they were willing to consider extending our mortgage protection cover and therefore I needed to have a medical. Well about 5 months passed and last week I found myself at a Doctors surgery in Ormskirk having my blood pressure measured, blood samples given, a whole host of medical questions asked, height and weight taken, BMI calculated and on the whole, medically speaking, I am quite a healthy chap.
The last time I went through a medical, I was rejected because of past history so I don't hold out too much hope I am afraid but you never know.
Anyway, there we go, its in the blog now and as such, recorded!!!
The reason behind this was that a while ago, Kerris and I went to see our Financial Advisor to see where I could get life cover extended and in the untimely event of me not being able to do much if we could get some insurance in place.
The simple answer was....No!!!
However, they were willing to consider extending our mortgage protection cover and therefore I needed to have a medical. Well about 5 months passed and last week I found myself at a Doctors surgery in Ormskirk having my blood pressure measured, blood samples given, a whole host of medical questions asked, height and weight taken, BMI calculated and on the whole, medically speaking, I am quite a healthy chap.
The last time I went through a medical, I was rejected because of past history so I don't hold out too much hope I am afraid but you never know.
Anyway, there we go, its in the blog now and as such, recorded!!!
Friday, 7 September 2007
Happy New Year!!!
Here is the picture the Kerris has been looking forward to all summer!!! This is the picture that lots of proud parents take of their kids all clean cut and ready for the new school year on the first day of the new term.
Its a lovely shot, Luca is definately showing signs of becomming a young adult and Jay is developing by the day, so much that we actually convinced him to wear something resembling a uniform!!!
Luca is now year 6, its his final year at Sunnymede and we feel sorry that at the end of this year he will be parted from friends he has known since he was Jays' size. Jay on the other hand is just starting his school journey and perhaps in year 6 he will still be with some of the kids that he shares Kindergarten with now.
Who knows, who dares to dream!!!
By the way, there is a little wet patch on the floor beside Jay. Just before the shot, he decided to take a little wee!!!!
Sunday, 2 September 2007
Stag Night!!!
Today has definitely been a case of the morning after the night before!!! Last night was my best mate Nick Bartlett's Stag Night and as I am his best man at the wedding on October 6th, it was my job to organise the day.
There wasn't too much organising to do on reflection, as with all things, I was mainly worried about whether everyone would turn up and enjoy themselves. Thankfully, as far as I could see anyway, we managed to tick both boxes.
When Nick asked me to be best man a good while ago. I was barely able to start thinking of devious locations and events for him when he announced that he wanted to go shooting in the day and drinking in Liverpool at the night. Nick even took on the task of trying out various clay pigeon locations around the North West to find the best venue (it must have been hard for him eh!!).
So in the end, we organised a shoot at Manchester Clay Shooting Club, an evening meal and the Concert Square area of Liverpool for some beer.
It was a really enjoyable day, everyone loved the clay pigeon shooting which I think is reflected in the picture above. Steve Foye is the proud man with the trophy and the open gun for hitting the most clays as a non shooter. He hit 18 out of 25. I hit 7....enough said eh and 2 of them were out of sheer anger!!! Personally, I can see why people enjoy it and I would go again but its not a hobby I would invest time and money into. My eyesight really let me down, the clays were coming in and out of focus as they flew through the air so I think my favourite hobby will remain throwing oneself down a big hill in a large wet ball.....see previous entries!!!
We got the main party together in the early evening and went for an Italian meal before moving onto Concert Square and it was great to see so many friends turning out for Nick. It was also great to see some people that I had lost touch with for some many years, namely the Ashworth brothers and Mark Soffe and its good to know we are all able to reflect on the old days and that we are all growing old gracefully!!!
Nick was looking a little worried for most of the early part of the night as I was carrying a large black folder and was not willing to let him take a peep into it. At this point, I have to let you into a sub story.
Initially, it was my desire to handcuff Nick to a lamppost in Concert Square, my brother Andy was going to come into the city centre in his car with 2 x 25 Litre water carriers and 5 buckets. We were then going to invite members of the public to give him a public soaking. It was all going to be good fun and I was going to make sure that he had a change of clothes at the ready to make sure he was OK. Unfortunately, I took the time to run the idea past a local law enforcement officer and he told me that bringing large containers of unknown fluids into the middle of a busy city drinking area actually contravened several current anti terror laws and that there was a good chance I would get arrested!! So, onto plan B....
Plan B worked out just fine. I had already bought the handcuffs to lock Nick up so I put them to good use and handcuffed Nick in the bar that we all met in. The only way that Nick would be set free would be to pass 5 challenges out of the 10 that I had come up with and stored in envelopes in the folder. Nick took it well and these were his challenges -
1 - Obtain a lovely ladies bra and present it to the stag party. (This was actually the easiest of them all, Nick and I were stunned at how willing the lady was to hand her bra over!!).
2 - Assemble 4 none blond women for a group photo.
3 - Stand in the middle of the bar area and sing the national anthem nice and loudly.
4 - Buy a drink for a male stranger and give it to him telling him that he had seen him from across the bar and really liked him.
5 - Challenge 2 other members of the Stag to a "down in 1" pint competition. Nick chose Myles and myself and for the record..I won!!!
So 5 done and before we let him out of the cuffs, he had to phone his wife to be, Cara, and serenade her with "I just called to say I love you" down the phone. Well done son!!! I was worried about where the cuffs ended up but I did notice them at Nicks place this morning so thankfully some poor sod is not stuck to a lamppost waiting for a locksmith!!!
After that, many drinks flowed, we moved onto the fantastic 80's bar, Reflex, for more drinks and general silliness and by 2.00AM, Nick was smashed and the night drew to a close with him taunting a bouncer trying to clear the club out and then turning on a taxi driver for the fare home!!! I have never seen that side of you mate, it was really funny!!!
So we got Nick home and off to bed and hit the hay at around 3.15AM.
To my surprise, I woke up at 6.35AM bright as a button!!! I have to tell you though, because of my well logged history of what alcohol does to me, I took it very easy drink wise. I think I must have had 4 or 5 beers all night and I interleaved them with Diet Coke and J20 drinks.
So there we go, a great night, I got a mail from Nick telling me that there are blanks in his head which is always a good sign for a good night so I am more than happy with my work!!!
The job is now half done, the wedding is just over a month away and that is where I get to meet everyone again, share some more drinks and get the chance to leave Nick red faced again. Its a tough job but very rewarding!!!
Friday, 31 August 2007
Weird!!!
I am possibly the last person in the world to see this and perhaps it illustrates that I should return to Liverpool city centre more often but if this isn't the weirdest building ever then I'll be a monkeys!!!!
You are lucky that I had my spanking new O2 XDA Trion with me. Its more of a portable PC than a phone so I got it out and used the video camera to full effect.
My mate Nick told me about this. All he said was, go to Liverpool, get off at Moorfields train station and then look at the building directly opposite.
If you made this, email me, I want to be your friend, I want to see more of your work!!!
Monday, 27 August 2007
Zorbing!!!!
Take a look at this piece of cinematic art!!! My good friend Nick Bartlett and I had a go at Zorbing last week.
To go into more detail, I am Nick's best man at his wedding to the lovely Cara on October 6th and as well as organising the stag night (which happens next weekend - God help us) I wanted to do something special for my friend. So I tried in vain to not give too much away by saying that he wont leave the ground and he will be sick!!! It did not take the brain of Columbo to figure it out for Nick and so last week we headed down to Bournemouth for a night out followed by the Zorbing.
If you go to Bournemouth for a night out, go at the weekend as it is desperate during the week!!!
Anyway, disaster was averted as the Zorb was cancelled for the 2 days prior to our go due to this fantastic lack of summer weather we have had in the UK this year!!!
We were meant to do 2 Zorbs. One in a harness (the one to make you sick) and one called a Hydro Zorb where you go down without a harness and drown in water....its affectionately called the "Spin Cycle".
Because of the poor weather, mainly a blowy side wind, the harness Zorb was cancelled on the day so instead we did 2 Hydro Zorbs.
Well all I can say is its the kind of fun that can only happen in a large inflatable ball filled with water and chunky blokes. We laughed, even more so the second time. I could honestly do it all day. It does not look much on the video but when you are in there,......my God!!!
Enjoy!!!
ADSL.......
Hello, long time no speak eh!!!
Sorry for the silence, it's all down to ADSL and the good people of Virgin. Let me explain.....
In my new job, I want to work hard as my new company obviously want me working to my full potential and similarly, I want to make a success of it so a working hard ethic is good thing to possess.
With Ingersoll Rand, I have been home based for a good period of time and if I ever wanted to work from an office, I had to travel to either Newcastle or Birmingham to do so.
So, getting back to my point, my new company are a 45 minute drive away in Runcorn. If I need a desk to work at then I would prefer to do it from there, as well as being able to pitch in, I will work harder in a work environment and have less distractions to take my mind off the job. Therefore, the need for a home office is much less of a requirement for me now.
I have a second phone line that Ingersoll Rand pay for in the house and that also carries the ADSL into the house. Seen as though I have no need for that second phone line now, I needed to get it disconnected and also have the ADSL changed so that it comes into the house on the main phone line. After a little jiggery pokery with a screwdriver at the BT box on the outside wall, the second line socket in the computer room is now no longer a second phone line and has become an extension of the main line and now carries ADSL.
Phew....seamless you would think? No, Virgin have to disconnect my ADSL on the current line and then reconnect on the new line. All in all, about a week between the 2 operations and so we have been using dial up.
Anyone who remembers what dial up is like will feel the pain. Its just not quick at doing anything!!! So, dial up is now off and ADSL is back on and therefore the blog returns!!!
Stay tuned......
Sorry for the silence, it's all down to ADSL and the good people of Virgin. Let me explain.....
In my new job, I want to work hard as my new company obviously want me working to my full potential and similarly, I want to make a success of it so a working hard ethic is good thing to possess.
With Ingersoll Rand, I have been home based for a good period of time and if I ever wanted to work from an office, I had to travel to either Newcastle or Birmingham to do so.
So, getting back to my point, my new company are a 45 minute drive away in Runcorn. If I need a desk to work at then I would prefer to do it from there, as well as being able to pitch in, I will work harder in a work environment and have less distractions to take my mind off the job. Therefore, the need for a home office is much less of a requirement for me now.
I have a second phone line that Ingersoll Rand pay for in the house and that also carries the ADSL into the house. Seen as though I have no need for that second phone line now, I needed to get it disconnected and also have the ADSL changed so that it comes into the house on the main phone line. After a little jiggery pokery with a screwdriver at the BT box on the outside wall, the second line socket in the computer room is now no longer a second phone line and has become an extension of the main line and now carries ADSL.
Phew....seamless you would think? No, Virgin have to disconnect my ADSL on the current line and then reconnect on the new line. All in all, about a week between the 2 operations and so we have been using dial up.
Anyone who remembers what dial up is like will feel the pain. Its just not quick at doing anything!!! So, dial up is now off and ADSL is back on and therefore the blog returns!!!
Stay tuned......
Friday, 17 August 2007
The future's bright, the future is......Onyx!!!
Well I have been hinting for a few days that I may have some news that previously I could not mention but today I am very happy to let you know that I have accepted a new job and my short and glorious career at Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies is coming to an end.
I am joining Onyx Security Hardware, a new (well 18 months old) and friendly company who are based in Runcorn and mainly sell into the Locksmith market place. My job is to promote the entire product range but ultimately to develop sales of Access Control (my speciality subject) mainly in the North of the UK. The thought is that as long as I can develop the business, I can wherever I want in the UK but there is more than enough companies to target in the North so hopefully the long trips to London each week will a much more rare occurrence!!!
I am happy for a number of reasons, in no particular order, I have been disillusioned at IR for a long time now and I need to be one of those people who gets their kicks from the feeling that they are valued in a company and making a difference. That feeling has gone from IR and at Onyx, its a much tighter ship so you cant hide and being the external face of the company, I will need to work very hard to ensure that the risk they are taking on me is repaid in full!!! Its going to be hard work but its a good team and a friendly team and there is a genuine feeling that we will enjoy ourselves and have a laugh along the way.
I am happy because I have been able to be completely honest with them concerning my Myelitis diagnosis. I always felt that I had to hide it at IR but I was determined in my next job to not have to hide anything and thankfully, they were completely chilled about it. As long as I am honest with them and I see any symptoms coming then there isn't anything we cant work around.
Finally I am happy because all of the blog entries below have seen me in a slight depression as things ave progressed along. Now, its like several large weights have been lifted from my shoulders and I feel a lot more like the man that people know me to be. So there is a huge reason to be cheerful.
I would ask you to look at the Onyx website to find out some more, but if you click on http://www.onyx-hardware.com/ you wont see too much info. Yes, that will also be one of my jobs, get some products on there....quickly!!!!
I am now going to go and enjoy my weekend.
Thursday, 16 August 2007
Nothing like being a bit nocturnal......
Its been a long time since I sat here in the wee hours to do a blog entry. Back then it was because Methylprednisolone was keeping me awake but right now I am being kept awake for other reasons.
The difficult thing is, I don't want to say why!!! I can tell you on Friday I hope but at the moment, there are so many thoughts buzzing in my head that I just cant get to sleep. I don't know if updating my blog will help but it gives me something to concentrate on so that can only be a good thing.
So what kind of thoughts are racing through my brain then? Well, amongst other things I tend to worry a lot lately, hopefully part of that will be sorted out later this week though. I also worry about what the future holds for me, I worry about the past and how I could have changed small things along the way and how I felt I wasn't strong enough or assertive enough to achieve certain goals. I worry about missed opportunities in life and wonder if I would be a different person because of them. I just worry about all the same things everyone else worries about with the exception that until very recently, I did not worry about these things at all.
When I give it a good thinking about, I come to the conclusion that the events of this year have changed me. Much as I try to deny it, I have been rocked to my core by it all. I realised that I am not invincible, I am a mere mortal and as such I have to suffer as everyone else can along the way. I have shown emotions this year that I never thought I would show on the surface and in doing so I have realised that I need the support of people around me. I need to be told that everything will be OK and I need to be re-assured. These are all qualities that I thought were my mission to give out in life so its slightly uncomfortable to be in a position where I need them too!!!
Lately, I seem to have developed a small fear of "not doing anything". By that I mean that as long as my mind is occupied then everything is OK. When I switch off and my brain goes quiet, at bedtime for instance, my mind then starts to race with all of the above worries that I suppressed so well when I was busy.
Another thing is that this is exactly what Kerris used to do and I would lie there telling her just to relax and forget about it all and go to sleep. Now the worm has turned and I feel her pain!!!
OK , so there is a lot going on up there but realistically I should be thankful that although I have had a few tests and visits to the consultant recently, nothing has progressed and as long as life is like that then I should be happy. I should be happy about the fact that I have a beautiful wife, 2 great kids and a loving family around me and I am always thankful for the help we get from our respective parents. I am happy that we live in a nice house, have no real financial worries and that we generally get to do a lot of nice things along the way. So there is a lot to be happy about and with this in mind, I am on a roll so I will keep those thoughts exactly where I need them to be, at the forefront of my head and go back to bed!!!
You see, I always worry that I have to end on a positive note...........
The difficult thing is, I don't want to say why!!! I can tell you on Friday I hope but at the moment, there are so many thoughts buzzing in my head that I just cant get to sleep. I don't know if updating my blog will help but it gives me something to concentrate on so that can only be a good thing.
So what kind of thoughts are racing through my brain then? Well, amongst other things I tend to worry a lot lately, hopefully part of that will be sorted out later this week though. I also worry about what the future holds for me, I worry about the past and how I could have changed small things along the way and how I felt I wasn't strong enough or assertive enough to achieve certain goals. I worry about missed opportunities in life and wonder if I would be a different person because of them. I just worry about all the same things everyone else worries about with the exception that until very recently, I did not worry about these things at all.
When I give it a good thinking about, I come to the conclusion that the events of this year have changed me. Much as I try to deny it, I have been rocked to my core by it all. I realised that I am not invincible, I am a mere mortal and as such I have to suffer as everyone else can along the way. I have shown emotions this year that I never thought I would show on the surface and in doing so I have realised that I need the support of people around me. I need to be told that everything will be OK and I need to be re-assured. These are all qualities that I thought were my mission to give out in life so its slightly uncomfortable to be in a position where I need them too!!!
Lately, I seem to have developed a small fear of "not doing anything". By that I mean that as long as my mind is occupied then everything is OK. When I switch off and my brain goes quiet, at bedtime for instance, my mind then starts to race with all of the above worries that I suppressed so well when I was busy.
Another thing is that this is exactly what Kerris used to do and I would lie there telling her just to relax and forget about it all and go to sleep. Now the worm has turned and I feel her pain!!!
OK , so there is a lot going on up there but realistically I should be thankful that although I have had a few tests and visits to the consultant recently, nothing has progressed and as long as life is like that then I should be happy. I should be happy about the fact that I have a beautiful wife, 2 great kids and a loving family around me and I am always thankful for the help we get from our respective parents. I am happy that we live in a nice house, have no real financial worries and that we generally get to do a lot of nice things along the way. So there is a lot to be happy about and with this in mind, I am on a roll so I will keep those thoughts exactly where I need them to be, at the forefront of my head and go back to bed!!!
You see, I always worry that I have to end on a positive note...........
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Falling apart!!!
I think that turning 30 a few years ago was the beginning of the end health wise!!! I was saying to a friend yesterday that prior to 30 I was in pretty good health.
Anyway, since then, I have had several reasons to visit a GP or a consultant and perhaps its the case that my body has decided to take revenge for the years of abuse I have put it through. You would think my body would be grateful for all the fine foods, chocolates and cream cakes I have treated it to. I challenge anyone to point out a body that enjoys ice cream and milkshakes more than mine does!!!
Well all that has changed, I am not a picture of health but I am now of any age where I consider that if I am in McDonalds then perhaps the super size meal is not the best and I cant remember the last time I had a cream cake or shovelled a tub full of Phish Food (mmmmm....) down my gullet.
I am probably in a period where over the next few years, all the toxins that were once in place will slowly but surely disappear.
To keep in with the falling apart theme, I was at the doctors again yesterday with tender nuts!!! I instantly thought I had some kind of tumor so I got into my GP pretty handy. So after a good feel around my most private ginger bits, I have a course of antibiotics and a sample to wait on the results of.
Like I said, falling apart.........
Anyway, since then, I have had several reasons to visit a GP or a consultant and perhaps its the case that my body has decided to take revenge for the years of abuse I have put it through. You would think my body would be grateful for all the fine foods, chocolates and cream cakes I have treated it to. I challenge anyone to point out a body that enjoys ice cream and milkshakes more than mine does!!!
Well all that has changed, I am not a picture of health but I am now of any age where I consider that if I am in McDonalds then perhaps the super size meal is not the best and I cant remember the last time I had a cream cake or shovelled a tub full of Phish Food (mmmmm....) down my gullet.
I am probably in a period where over the next few years, all the toxins that were once in place will slowly but surely disappear.
To keep in with the falling apart theme, I was at the doctors again yesterday with tender nuts!!! I instantly thought I had some kind of tumor so I got into my GP pretty handy. So after a good feel around my most private ginger bits, I have a course of antibiotics and a sample to wait on the results of.
Like I said, falling apart.........
Friday, 10 August 2007
Stop at square 1 and dont pass go!!!
Here are the details of my follow up with the consultant then.
Basically its a case of do nothing. I have no nerve damage, the condition does not debilitate me so it will either clear up very slowly over time or it could get worse or it may just stay as it is for the rest of my days.
I don't show too much emotion on this blog, I state a lot of what happens to me in a light hearted way and as matter of fact but I don't mind sharing one of my biggest fears.
Its hard to put to words but I will try. If indeed this is something that will stay with me then the small adjustments that I make in life enable me to go on without any signs of trouble. However, I have made small adjustments to compensate for lots of things.
I don't walk as fast or as far as this compensates for my balance problems.
I don't break into a run as this compensates for my balance.
I don't sing loudly as this creates a cold feeling in my face.
I don't drink anything like I could previously as this compensates for the lethargy I have the following day.
I don't do any heavy lifting as this compensates for any back trouble around my inflammation area.
And now, I constantly wiggle my hands and fingers as this compensates for the cold and numb feeling I get when they are at rest.
Lots of compensating and so hopefully you begin to understand my frustration at my condition.
I just don't want to be one of those people who is useless because "I cant do that because" or "I cant do that either". That is my deepest fear, I like people to rely on me and if I don't feel that people can then I don't see the point in very much else.
Is that all a little deep? Well, sometimes its good to get the dark side out, I feel better already for writing this!!!
Basically its a case of do nothing. I have no nerve damage, the condition does not debilitate me so it will either clear up very slowly over time or it could get worse or it may just stay as it is for the rest of my days.
I don't show too much emotion on this blog, I state a lot of what happens to me in a light hearted way and as matter of fact but I don't mind sharing one of my biggest fears.
Its hard to put to words but I will try. If indeed this is something that will stay with me then the small adjustments that I make in life enable me to go on without any signs of trouble. However, I have made small adjustments to compensate for lots of things.
I don't walk as fast or as far as this compensates for my balance problems.
I don't break into a run as this compensates for my balance.
I don't sing loudly as this creates a cold feeling in my face.
I don't drink anything like I could previously as this compensates for the lethargy I have the following day.
I don't do any heavy lifting as this compensates for any back trouble around my inflammation area.
And now, I constantly wiggle my hands and fingers as this compensates for the cold and numb feeling I get when they are at rest.
Lots of compensating and so hopefully you begin to understand my frustration at my condition.
I just don't want to be one of those people who is useless because "I cant do that because" or "I cant do that either". That is my deepest fear, I like people to rely on me and if I don't feel that people can then I don't see the point in very much else.
Is that all a little deep? Well, sometimes its good to get the dark side out, I feel better already for writing this!!!
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Ouch!!! And back to square 1....
Well that was not pleasant.
Have I ever told you all that I hate needles? And yesterday at the hospital, I got the worst needle of my life!!! You are lucky I remained conscious.
I had my EMG which was fairly uncomfortable as the consultant measured from point to point on my arm and then sent an electric current through me to see how long the current took to go from point to point. The good news is, I am very conductive!!!
So there was nothing to show from the electrical pulses therefore he had to stick a couple of needles in the muscles on my right hand and have a good listen!!! I have never felt anything so awkward, and this is coming from a bloke who has had a Lumbar Puncture, the needles went in and I had to move the muscle so that the needles moved slightly......ooooowwwww!!!!!!
Anyway, nothing there either which means I don't have Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome and I don't have any trapped nerves. So....back to square one.
I have a follow up with the consultant tomorrow to consider what else it might be. Well, you have MRI'd me, removed spinal fluids, electrocuted me and inserted needles as awkwardly as possible.....what could he have lined up for me next I wonder?
Have I ever told you all that I hate needles? And yesterday at the hospital, I got the worst needle of my life!!! You are lucky I remained conscious.
I had my EMG which was fairly uncomfortable as the consultant measured from point to point on my arm and then sent an electric current through me to see how long the current took to go from point to point. The good news is, I am very conductive!!!
So there was nothing to show from the electrical pulses therefore he had to stick a couple of needles in the muscles on my right hand and have a good listen!!! I have never felt anything so awkward, and this is coming from a bloke who has had a Lumbar Puncture, the needles went in and I had to move the muscle so that the needles moved slightly......ooooowwwww!!!!!!
Anyway, nothing there either which means I don't have Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome and I don't have any trapped nerves. So....back to square one.
I have a follow up with the consultant tomorrow to consider what else it might be. Well, you have MRI'd me, removed spinal fluids, electrocuted me and inserted needles as awkwardly as possible.....what could he have lined up for me next I wonder?
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Time for more tests....
Today I am having my nerves tested. This does not mean that I am being lined up to watch Everton win the European Cup or anything, I am going to Lourdes hospital in Liverpool to have whats known as an EMG (Electromyogram) test. Here is another useful link.
Basically electrical pulses are sent through me to measure how my muscles and nerves in my hands react in a number of different ways.
I am sorry I looked it up because it also involves NEEDLES being inserted into the hands too. Have I mentioned before that NEEDLES are my biggest fear in life? Kerris has come to the conclusion that a higher power is testing my resolve with NEEDLES to help me overcome my fear. I have come to the conclusion that Doctors and Consultants just see me as a pin cushion.
I have a follow up appointment with my Consultant booked for Thursday to review the results so as ever, I will keep you informed.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Some relieving news!!!
Finally, something to feel better about!!!
I returned from seeing the consultant this evening with my wish granted of re-assurance and the lifting of anxiety!!!
I mainly went to chat about the numbness I had been feeling in my hands, its driving me slightly mad (see previous entry) and my worry was that this was something permanent linked to my Myelitis.
Instantly, he re-assured me that he didn't feel it was linked and then he started poking me around, testing my reflex responses, testing my muscle strength in hands and generally prodding at my arms and hands with any sharp object he could lay his hands on.
The result? He believes I have trapped nerves in my elbows which are causing these symptoms and he wants me to take some tests (mainly electrocuting me) to confirm his suspicions.
If it is trapped nerves then I have what is known as Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome - here is a useful link - and if you take the time to read the page, the impressive thing is that it is exactly, almost word for word, how I described it to him. Impressive because I had no idea what my numbness would be caused by and Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome is a new one to me!!! So I am impressed with my ability to accurately describe symptoms!!!
Hopefully next week I can be electrocuted which is a test that measures my reaction to sharp objects by recording how long it takes for me to react. The longer it takes, the more chance I have of Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome.
If it is confirmed then a minor operation will follow rapidly and after being bruised and bandaged in the arm area for a few weeks I should be, as Nurse Nancy says in Jays' bedtime book, "Fit as a Fiddle".
I never thought I would look forward to having Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome but if its something other than the development of Myelitis then I am a happy bunny.
Oh, and how is this caused? Well the question was asked "Do you do any work where your elbows are raised or compressed for long periods of time?".
Well try 35000-40000 miles per year in my car for the last 6 years with elbows rested on solid armrests and doors!!!
It beggars belief as to why I never got it sooner!!!
I returned from seeing the consultant this evening with my wish granted of re-assurance and the lifting of anxiety!!!
I mainly went to chat about the numbness I had been feeling in my hands, its driving me slightly mad (see previous entry) and my worry was that this was something permanent linked to my Myelitis.
Instantly, he re-assured me that he didn't feel it was linked and then he started poking me around, testing my reflex responses, testing my muscle strength in hands and generally prodding at my arms and hands with any sharp object he could lay his hands on.
The result? He believes I have trapped nerves in my elbows which are causing these symptoms and he wants me to take some tests (mainly electrocuting me) to confirm his suspicions.
If it is trapped nerves then I have what is known as Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome - here is a useful link - and if you take the time to read the page, the impressive thing is that it is exactly, almost word for word, how I described it to him. Impressive because I had no idea what my numbness would be caused by and Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome is a new one to me!!! So I am impressed with my ability to accurately describe symptoms!!!
Hopefully next week I can be electrocuted which is a test that measures my reaction to sharp objects by recording how long it takes for me to react. The longer it takes, the more chance I have of Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome.
If it is confirmed then a minor operation will follow rapidly and after being bruised and bandaged in the arm area for a few weeks I should be, as Nurse Nancy says in Jays' bedtime book, "Fit as a Fiddle".
I never thought I would look forward to having Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome but if its something other than the development of Myelitis then I am a happy bunny.
Oh, and how is this caused? Well the question was asked "Do you do any work where your elbows are raised or compressed for long periods of time?".
Well try 35000-40000 miles per year in my car for the last 6 years with elbows rested on solid armrests and doors!!!
It beggars belief as to why I never got it sooner!!!
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
Coiled Spring!!!
I think feeling anxious is a common side affect of any condition you have in life whether its a headache, toothache, severed limb or in my case, Myelitis.
All this week I felt like the proverbial coiled spring, I feel constantly on the edge and that I need my wits about me because at any given moment, something awful might happen.
I know why I feel this way right now and I think a fair percentage of it comes from booking to see my consultant this week. I have never quite shifted a light numbness in my hands and I want to know whether this is something that can be treated or whether its just going to be there as a gentle reminder that all is never going to be completely normal ever again!!!
I think once I have an answer, my anxiety will lift.
There are other factors too which I talked over with Kerris who has been her usual exceptionally understanding self in these matters. I don't want to go into them on here for a number of reasons. These are just too personal to share and also there are things going on in the background that I don't want to share with the world just yet.
Its a strange feeling seeing the consultant when there isn't anything medically wrong. I think I just need some re-assurance at the moment. Usually I am there saying that I cant do this job because I cant keep my balance or I cant feel what I am touching. So to sit there and say "well actually, I was on site in Sheffield yesterday reconnecting the minutia of a failed security system that had been sabotaged and I am damn proud of the fact that I got it working again" to be followed by "but this numbness has never left me and although it affects me in no way, its starting to drive me insane" seems like I am just attention seeking.
Well the fact is, I have private medical in my job with Bupa and as long as the funds are there to allow me to do this, its part of my work package so I am going to use it.
It goes without saying that there will be an update on Friday after I have seen the consultant.
All this week I felt like the proverbial coiled spring, I feel constantly on the edge and that I need my wits about me because at any given moment, something awful might happen.
I know why I feel this way right now and I think a fair percentage of it comes from booking to see my consultant this week. I have never quite shifted a light numbness in my hands and I want to know whether this is something that can be treated or whether its just going to be there as a gentle reminder that all is never going to be completely normal ever again!!!
I think once I have an answer, my anxiety will lift.
There are other factors too which I talked over with Kerris who has been her usual exceptionally understanding self in these matters. I don't want to go into them on here for a number of reasons. These are just too personal to share and also there are things going on in the background that I don't want to share with the world just yet.
Its a strange feeling seeing the consultant when there isn't anything medically wrong. I think I just need some re-assurance at the moment. Usually I am there saying that I cant do this job because I cant keep my balance or I cant feel what I am touching. So to sit there and say "well actually, I was on site in Sheffield yesterday reconnecting the minutia of a failed security system that had been sabotaged and I am damn proud of the fact that I got it working again" to be followed by "but this numbness has never left me and although it affects me in no way, its starting to drive me insane" seems like I am just attention seeking.
Well the fact is, I have private medical in my job with Bupa and as long as the funds are there to allow me to do this, its part of my work package so I am going to use it.
It goes without saying that there will be an update on Friday after I have seen the consultant.
Friday, 27 July 2007
Happy belated birthday.....Roger Taylor!!!
This guy is my hero......
Happy birthday for yesterday as Roger Taylor was 58 years young. To say this guy has influenced me is an understatement!!! For those of you who don't know him, or don't recognise who he is in the photo then you need to know that this man is the backbone of Queen.
He also said one of the most profound lines in history. Magic Years 1 VHS, while recording One Vision with Queen in 1985 -
"I don't like the word "religion", it tends to f**k people up"
Now I don't like using profanity on the blog but have you ever heard a more sensible summing up of the role that religion plays in life. I want that on my tombstone!!!
A superb drummer, singer, song writer, guitarist, sci fi fanatic, helmsman and loads of other talents that you would never know about. Happy birthday Roger, thanks for the music and lets hope it ain't over yet!!!
And if you ever get the chance, listen to "Fun In Space". Its very early 80's in style but this guy was somewhere else!!!
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
God.....
It was sad to watch Robbie Fowler, possibly the most natural forward and gifted finisher of his generation, leave Liverpool at the end of the season but I think the sheer pace of life and pressure on the team to succeed meant that God's advancing years (he's younger than me, Christ there's a thought) suggested that he could no longer fit in with Rafa's plans.Of course, Robbie does not need to play football to be our hero. They just need to mention his name or point out his presence at Anfield and the crowd will always go mad. He is one of those that you just cant berate for their work in their LFC career. He stands alongside Dalglish, Hansen, Souness, Rush, Beardsley, Barnes and Gerrard as legends of the club.
So now he moves onto Cardiff. Good luck God, you know where there is always a welcome for you. You have played your part in history and now that you step back from the pressure of the Premiership and enjoy yourself. Just show us 1 or 2 glances every now and then of exactly why God be thy name.
I love my wife and I think she is great!!!
At the request of my wife Kerris who is ill at the moment (typical while I am not there), here is a small piece of homage to her!!! She will feel better because I have taken the time to get a hot picture of her and let her know that I love her and remind her that she is, without doubt, the best thing that ever happened to a boy like me.
Get well soon my love, I will be home tomorrow and will return prepared to ease the burden that is 4 children on ridiculously long school holidays.
Boring & Frustrating!!!
Many people might think that being a Key Account Manager for a security industry leader of global proportions has a slightly JetSetting lifestyle as I peddle my wares all over the UK.
Well I am sorry to disappoint, but you would be mistaken.
I don't enjoy spending time away from my family, I never have. Before I met Kerris, I was happy to roam across the UK enjoying all the locations that I had never been too and generally taking the time to enjoy the exploration of it all. However, that was a long time ago. There isn't really any part of this country left for me to explore, you see the odd new place but in general its the same old same old!!!
I seem to be in any one of 3 places on a regular basis. They are, Manchester, Birmingham and London. Don't get me wrong, I have no personal hatred of any of these places (well maybe Manchester) but if you look at it from my point of view, every day its a motorway, either the M62 or the M6, if I had an autopilot button in my motor then it would find the way quite happily.
I don't want to complain too much, this is my chosen path. I love driving, I enjoy the countryside and free flowing traffic, I don't get road rage and basically I get paid for driving around in a powerful, air conditioned iPod.
So driving is the boring and the frustration lies in the hotels that I stay in. Ingersoll Rand don't have any caps (within reason) on how much to spend on a hotel but I have a conscience and this tells me that unless I am in London, paying more than £70.00 is too much. There is a huge amount of variation in what your £70.00 gets you these days. I have sometimes tasted luxury for that price but mostly, as is the case this evening in London, you get slammed in some box room that used to house the ironing boards!!! I am too nice and too British to complain.
Anyway, there you go, another insight into my mind!!!
Well I am sorry to disappoint, but you would be mistaken.
I don't enjoy spending time away from my family, I never have. Before I met Kerris, I was happy to roam across the UK enjoying all the locations that I had never been too and generally taking the time to enjoy the exploration of it all. However, that was a long time ago. There isn't really any part of this country left for me to explore, you see the odd new place but in general its the same old same old!!!
I seem to be in any one of 3 places on a regular basis. They are, Manchester, Birmingham and London. Don't get me wrong, I have no personal hatred of any of these places (well maybe Manchester) but if you look at it from my point of view, every day its a motorway, either the M62 or the M6, if I had an autopilot button in my motor then it would find the way quite happily.
I don't want to complain too much, this is my chosen path. I love driving, I enjoy the countryside and free flowing traffic, I don't get road rage and basically I get paid for driving around in a powerful, air conditioned iPod.
So driving is the boring and the frustration lies in the hotels that I stay in. Ingersoll Rand don't have any caps (within reason) on how much to spend on a hotel but I have a conscience and this tells me that unless I am in London, paying more than £70.00 is too much. There is a huge amount of variation in what your £70.00 gets you these days. I have sometimes tasted luxury for that price but mostly, as is the case this evening in London, you get slammed in some box room that used to house the ironing boards!!! I am too nice and too British to complain.
Anyway, there you go, another insight into my mind!!!
Sunday, 22 July 2007
So......how am I doing then????
This is a nice picture I reckon. This was taken last week in Anglesey proving that you can be sat in an ancient village in the middle of nowhere and you can still get a better phone signal than you can in your own home!!!
More importantly though, it shows me looking quite happy, healthy and relaxed enjoying time away and not having to care about how my arms, legs, balance and mental state. I think a picture sometimes does live up to that old cliche that it can speak a thousand words.
My good friend, Sandro, called me last week and it is the first time I have heard from him in ages. Sandro follows the blog and we were chatting about everything and nothing while pointing out that time does fly and at this point last year, we were all gathered in Montreal celebrating Annie and Dario's wedding. Happy anniversary by the way kids....I think you got married anyway, I didn't understand a word of it though (it was all in French), I reckon that Kerris and I actually unknowingly joined some kind of Satanic cult.
Anyway, Sandro pointed out that in the early days of the blog, it was all about monitoring how my condition was progressing. And, he quite rightly went on to say that there was not much talk of my condition recently and I should get back to keeping people updated. Well, as usual, you are absolutely right son.
Lately, its been a case of "no news is good news" on the Myelitis front. I havent suffered from anything that hampers my day to day life and that can only be a good thing.
I do have some symptoms that don't seem to go away and I think its time to have a chat to the consultant as to whether or not I should be more concerned. For instance, I have a constant light pins and needles sensation in the first 2 fingers of each hand. This moves around the hand depending on my mood, I have noticed that stress (of which I get a lot but show little) increases the feeling. Also, I have noticed that alcohol (or the morning after to be more specific) increases the feeling and generally exhausts me.
I had a night out with my good friend Nick on Friday in Liverpool. All day yesterday I had this increased feeling and a huge amount of lethargy. It may partly be self inflicted but I know my own drink limits and I was nowhere near a drunken mess and I know the feeling of a hangover and this was different.
To sum it up, I said to Kerris yesterday that its like I am connected to a dimmer switch with 8 settings. The switch is constantly on 1 but the likes of stress and alcohol seem to turn it up to a 2 or a 3.
So I will see the consultant 1 more time and I will keep you posted!!!
Saturday, 14 July 2007
It's OK. I am not dead or anything!!!
Now that you know I am still alive, I apologise for the lack of Blogging this week.
Not that it's been a slow news week, quite the opposite in fact. I have had a full on week travelling up and down the UK and exhibiting at a series of security roadshows.
On Monday we set up in South Mimms services on the M25, Tuesday we moved onto a Premier Travel Inn at the very edge of a Heathrow runway, Wednesday found us in Leeds and finally on Thursday we finished off somewhere in County Durham. All very busy!!!
The shows were organised by one of my customers, Onyx Hardware, and I have to feel a little sorry for the guys because it was clear as day that at each venue they tried their hardest to get bodies through the doors but attendance was not fantastic. I certainly don't blame Onyx, its just a matter of people fitting it into their days. Most Locksmith type customers are out and about earning their crust in the day and it's difficult to get people to realise the benefits of attending.
So there we go, a busy week of travelling from town to town and I am happy that I was able to support a customer in a venture!!!
This weekend, we are off once again to Anglesey. We are taking Jay on his own as Luca is away in Tenerife with his Nanny, Auntie and 2 cousins. I am sure pictures will follow......
Not that it's been a slow news week, quite the opposite in fact. I have had a full on week travelling up and down the UK and exhibiting at a series of security roadshows.
On Monday we set up in South Mimms services on the M25, Tuesday we moved onto a Premier Travel Inn at the very edge of a Heathrow runway, Wednesday found us in Leeds and finally on Thursday we finished off somewhere in County Durham. All very busy!!!
The shows were organised by one of my customers, Onyx Hardware, and I have to feel a little sorry for the guys because it was clear as day that at each venue they tried their hardest to get bodies through the doors but attendance was not fantastic. I certainly don't blame Onyx, its just a matter of people fitting it into their days. Most Locksmith type customers are out and about earning their crust in the day and it's difficult to get people to realise the benefits of attending.
So there we go, a busy week of travelling from town to town and I am happy that I was able to support a customer in a venture!!!
This weekend, we are off once again to Anglesey. We are taking Jay on his own as Luca is away in Tenerife with his Nanny, Auntie and 2 cousins. I am sure pictures will follow......
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Smoke Free Environments!!!
More than anybody, I welcomed the smoking ban in enclosed public areas. Being a non smoker myself, I have always hated the smell of my clothes after visiting a bar, club or restaurant. It can only do good and if it puts 1 person off taking up this awful habit then it is a job well done.
Nanny culture has taken over though. In the post arrived a non smoking sticker that I must now put into my company car as it is considered a place of work and must adhere to the rules!!!
I thought that I should either put this on my blog or send it to Wogan!!! Is it just me!!!
Top 5 Technical Tips.....
Some of you may know that my entire background is telesales and technical support in the security industry. Yesterday I had cause to become quite frustrated when I needed some technical help from a supplier of CCTV. So, without naming names etc, here are my 5 top tips that should be considered when either working in or considering employing someone in a technical support role.
1 - The most important lesson. Just because they are calling you, it doesn't mean that they are at fault. Yes, 99.99% of people make genuine errors but the next call could always be the one that exposes a weakness in your product.
2 - Speak English to people. The most common praise I get is that I have never spoken to anyone above their personal level of understanding. I speak English, I break it down to single syllable words if needed but I never go over any ones head.
3 - If you don't know the answer, don't take a guess. If you do this, you will be wrong.
4 - Never avoid the call, always speak to the person. Yesterday I got a technical answer via text message. I am sorry, I don't do "c u l8r" and all that daft talk.
5 - Keep your calm at all times. If you show frustration to the customer then they get frustrated. It will not fix any problem, it will only cause them.
There we go, all rules that I follow and they serve me well. Try them yourself!!!
1 - The most important lesson. Just because they are calling you, it doesn't mean that they are at fault. Yes, 99.99% of people make genuine errors but the next call could always be the one that exposes a weakness in your product.
2 - Speak English to people. The most common praise I get is that I have never spoken to anyone above their personal level of understanding. I speak English, I break it down to single syllable words if needed but I never go over any ones head.
3 - If you don't know the answer, don't take a guess. If you do this, you will be wrong.
4 - Never avoid the call, always speak to the person. Yesterday I got a technical answer via text message. I am sorry, I don't do "c u l8r" and all that daft talk.
5 - Keep your calm at all times. If you show frustration to the customer then they get frustrated. It will not fix any problem, it will only cause them.
There we go, all rules that I follow and they serve me well. Try them yourself!!!
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Adios Luis Garcia!!!
One of my favourite Liverpool FC players has left the club today. Luis Garcia has joined Athletico Madrid in a deal that paves the way for Fernando Torres to join the club later this week.
Luis is one of those players, in my opinion, that Liverpool needs. He either has a pig of a game or shows flashes of genius that turn games around.
Who can forget the contributions that Luis has made to the recent success of the club. Yes, Chelsea fans will always recall "the goal that never was" on the way to our glory in Instanbul but earlier in the campaign, against Juventus, is where he embedded himself into my hall of fame with an amazing goal that took the wind out of their sails for sure.
I wish Luis all the luck he deserves, he is always welcome at Anfield in my opinion. Show our management that they were wrong to use you as a pawn in a transfer deal. Lets look to the future and hope that Torres pays back the 27 million with interest to us, lets just hope he doesn't show the same form that our last striker called Fernando showed!!!
Saturday, 30 June 2007
My arm was on telly!!!
A few weeks ago, Jay and I did the weekly Saturday shopping haul at ASDA in Southport while Kerris and Luca got their collective locks cut back home.
While in the shop, I noticed some filming going on and at the time I thought nothing of it until I caught, completely by accident, a part of "How Green Is Your High Street" on BBC2 on Thursday night.
The program was all about ASDA trialling a green grocer style approach to packaging by displaying its veg "au naturale" rather than washed and in packaging.
Anyway, next thing, I see a handsome looking ginger haired arm come into shot attached to a Liverpool training top and BANG, its me picking peppers for our various pasta and rice dishes for the week.
So there you go, I am living testament to shopping greener and if anyone wants to argue about it then I can point them to this blog entry!!!
Thursday, 28 June 2007
I saw Genesis live in Dusseldorf....in a cinema....in Staines!!!
Well there was a surreal experience if ever there was one!!! I went to see a live simulcast of Genesis at a Vue cinema in Staines!!!
I was dahn-saff for the night so it occupied my night nicely. The cinema was pretty full and at £15.00 a ticket it needed to be good value and I enjoyed it immensely.
I love Genesis, I am really happy that they got back together to tour but there was no way I was forking out for a stadium gig as they are just too big to enjoy!!! I much prefer arena's or theatres.
They sounded great, it was like they had never been away and the stage set was fantastic too.
Phil Collins kept referring to people in the cinemas to make noise and join in which was very funny but it was quite placid affair in Staines so everyone just sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the show.
There is something nice about watching a gig on a 40ft screen in Dolby 5.1 surround sound though!!! If one comes to a town near you.....go!!!
PS....how can anyone live anywhere called Staines?
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
I have joined the You Tube revolution!!!
This one kind of speaks for itself really.......impressive though!!!
Happy Birthday Nanny June!!! 60 Today!!!
Today sees my Mum, Nanny June, turn the ripe age of 60 and it's time to sit back, put your feet up and enjoy your retirement!!! Happy birthday Mum!!!
This lovely picture shows Mum with her young sidekick, Jay, on holiday last year and I am sure even Mum will agree that its a nice picture.
For those who don't know, Nanny June actually retired 2 years ago. She left work at the cushion cover factory to look after Jay for 2 days a week so that Kerris could return to work and get a much needed break away from the 24/7 demands of raising Jay.
Mum has been so good to us, she has never moaned or complained and always looks at looking after the kids as a pleasure rather than a task. She is obviously showing signs of dementia here. She has taken Jay under her wing and taught him so many new things that we would never have have dreamed of. Mum has been as much of a contributor to Jays' development as a child and sunny disposition as Kerris and I have.
So thank you Mum, we love you loads and really appreciate all you have done for us. Happy Birthday XXX.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Handreader frustrations!!!
This is an external Handreader, in fact to be more precise, its an ID3D/RW with built in 24V AC heater.
This is a product I sell in my day job as possibly the best security consultant in the UK and it is, without doubt, the best product that Ingersoll Rand produce by a country mile.
The product is a biometric reader (not strictly but its a long explanation) and it require you to type in a unique PIN code (like an ATM) and then place your hand onto a plate and the technology compares that hand on the plate to that of your template stored in the machine and decides whether you are who you claim to be and sends a message to open the door.
OK so you are with me up to here? Good.
Well, when I sell this machine (or when I sell 2 as I did recently) it needs to be connected to another piece of kit to release the door securely (not strictly true but another long explanation).
My frustration is, this other piece of kit is generally supplied by another company, Paxton Access, and this means that every time I sell a Handreader, I also indirectly do a great sales job for Paxton Access at the same time.
Now I hear what you say......."Why don't you use your own version of the Paxton product and get the full sale?". Well, Ingersoll Rand in their wisdom do not sell said piece of equipment in the UK and I am sick of asking for it to be brought in. So my bosses can always push me harder for better sales while they don't do small things like this that could make a big difference.
The other frustration is that I know Paxton Access better than my own product and 9 times out of 10 end up commissioning that side of the job while setting my own products up because it just makes the whole thing easier for me in the long run as when the Handreader fails to open the door, the client does not see the Paxton product or understand its role in the system and its generally the Paxton side that is at fault when a door does not open!!!
Well there is another frustration aired.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Happy Birthday Dad!!!
Today would have been my Dad's 60th birthday if he was still with us. Even though he is not here, it's still his birthday anyway!!!
So wherever you are Dad, all the best to you, we do miss you and love you a lot and you are always in our thoughts.
I don't have any pics of my Dad scanned into my PC but I do have a funny one that my brother, Andy, sent to me a while ago. He called it "Separated At Birth". Obviously the black and white one is my Dad but who is the handsome young ginger one?
So wherever you are Dad, all the best to you, we do miss you and love you a lot and you are always in our thoughts.
I don't have any pics of my Dad scanned into my PC but I do have a funny one that my brother, Andy, sent to me a while ago. He called it "Separated At Birth". Obviously the black and white one is my Dad but who is the handsome young ginger one?
Monday, 18 June 2007
And on the subject of music......
I had to do a little research on this before I put my foot in it but if I ever made it big, I think that KT Tunstall and myself may end up in court!!!
Although this is a shameless plug to draw attention once again to my own musical masterpiece, I noticed a while ago that KT and me must have been on the same wavelength for a short time. Her tune, Heal Over (2005), from The Eye Of The Telescope album has an uncanny chord structure likeness to my own song, Beautiful Day (2004).
Why not compare the two and see if you get where I am going.....
Click here for KT Tunstall.
Click here for Me!!
And just for the record, I dont hold any grudge at all!! I like KT Tunstall and long may we share the same wavelength!!!
Oh, I think to avoid any problems with old KT, I need to link to her website to be on the safe side!! Yes KT, I lifted the link off your site so I am more than happy to link back over to you!!! Click here - KT Tunstall Website.
Although this is a shameless plug to draw attention once again to my own musical masterpiece, I noticed a while ago that KT and me must have been on the same wavelength for a short time. Her tune, Heal Over (2005), from The Eye Of The Telescope album has an uncanny chord structure likeness to my own song, Beautiful Day (2004).
Why not compare the two and see if you get where I am going.....
Click here for KT Tunstall.
Click here for Me!!
And just for the record, I dont hold any grudge at all!! I like KT Tunstall and long may we share the same wavelength!!!
Oh, I think to avoid any problems with old KT, I need to link to her website to be on the safe side!! Yes KT, I lifted the link off your site so I am more than happy to link back over to you!!! Click here - KT Tunstall Website.
Saturday, 16 June 2007
Top 10's!!!
While I was on holiday, my iPod filled many an hour and I got to thinking about my fave songs of all time. For the record (terrible pun) I thought it was worth listing them and coming back in 10 years to see if I still felt the same. Here they are in all their glory with a short comment on why they are there. They are also in no particular order -
1 - Its Late, Queen (My fave band are at the top. This song shows why this band are so good, its raw, melodic, heartfelt, and with all the Queen trademarks that still make it sound like it was recorded yesterday!).
2 - Like A Satellite, Thunder (The best rock ballad ever penned in my opinion, great use of Danny Bowes vocal range and excellent lyrics and also, the only Thunder song I can completely play on my guitar!).
3 - Change, Bowes & Morely (Another Thunder related song based on pure emotion and worthy of an Ivor Novello. It gets to me that this song was never huge).
4 - Love Don't Lie, Def Leppard (If you want a great pop/rock record then look no further than this from 2002. If I ever become famous, I am going to cover it!!!).
5 - Champagne Supernova, Oasis (An example that every band has at least 1 great song in them!! I am not an Oasis fan but this is an almighty piece of work that deserves the credit it so regularly gets).
6 - Seems Like I'm Losing You, GUN (You will find a certain pattern to songs that I love and this one sits in there just right. For me, its the quality of the bass and drums on this song that makes it stand out. The lead singer is not the best but it shows what can be achieved when you work within your range).
7 - Distant Sun, Crowded House (I love these guys and I an so happy they have re-united. This is all about getting a good rhythm melody on an acoustic guitar and dropping some drums into the mix. It seems very simple but very effective).
8 - Top Of The World Ma' - The Cross (I guess not many people know The Cross but if you get the chance to hear this gem then you see what happens when you rip off a Zepplin riff and drop guitars and a Hammond organ on top of it. Roger Taylor's vocal performance from hell makes this song rock!! Great live too!!).
9 - I Can't Stop Loving You, Van Halen (We all know that Van Halen was a better band with Dave Lee Roth at the front and its somehow wrong to like the Sammy Hagar era but this is another perfect Pop/Rock piece that sounds great on a hot day with the windows down and the stereo on full!!).
10 - Crash Into Me, Dave Matthews Band (Another band that a lot of people wont have heard of but Dave Matthews comes out with some fantastic tunes. This song is probably the most atmospheric of them all, just listen to it, I dare you not to like it!!!).
Obviously all these tunes are locked somewhere on my hard drive with about 3000 other songs but its good to be able to list the prime movers and shakers to see if I still feel the same in 10 years from now!!!
1 - Its Late, Queen (My fave band are at the top. This song shows why this band are so good, its raw, melodic, heartfelt, and with all the Queen trademarks that still make it sound like it was recorded yesterday!).
2 - Like A Satellite, Thunder (The best rock ballad ever penned in my opinion, great use of Danny Bowes vocal range and excellent lyrics and also, the only Thunder song I can completely play on my guitar!).
3 - Change, Bowes & Morely (Another Thunder related song based on pure emotion and worthy of an Ivor Novello. It gets to me that this song was never huge).
4 - Love Don't Lie, Def Leppard (If you want a great pop/rock record then look no further than this from 2002. If I ever become famous, I am going to cover it!!!).
5 - Champagne Supernova, Oasis (An example that every band has at least 1 great song in them!! I am not an Oasis fan but this is an almighty piece of work that deserves the credit it so regularly gets).
6 - Seems Like I'm Losing You, GUN (You will find a certain pattern to songs that I love and this one sits in there just right. For me, its the quality of the bass and drums on this song that makes it stand out. The lead singer is not the best but it shows what can be achieved when you work within your range).
7 - Distant Sun, Crowded House (I love these guys and I an so happy they have re-united. This is all about getting a good rhythm melody on an acoustic guitar and dropping some drums into the mix. It seems very simple but very effective).
8 - Top Of The World Ma' - The Cross (I guess not many people know The Cross but if you get the chance to hear this gem then you see what happens when you rip off a Zepplin riff and drop guitars and a Hammond organ on top of it. Roger Taylor's vocal performance from hell makes this song rock!! Great live too!!).
9 - I Can't Stop Loving You, Van Halen (We all know that Van Halen was a better band with Dave Lee Roth at the front and its somehow wrong to like the Sammy Hagar era but this is another perfect Pop/Rock piece that sounds great on a hot day with the windows down and the stereo on full!!).
10 - Crash Into Me, Dave Matthews Band (Another band that a lot of people wont have heard of but Dave Matthews comes out with some fantastic tunes. This song is probably the most atmospheric of them all, just listen to it, I dare you not to like it!!!).
Obviously all these tunes are locked somewhere on my hard drive with about 3000 other songs but its good to be able to list the prime movers and shakers to see if I still feel the same in 10 years from now!!!
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
Happy Holidays!!!!
Look at this picture of a happy couple then!!! Yes, Kerris and I have just returned from the most relaxing week in Cabopino.
I was not looking forward to spending the days just on a sun lounger but surprisingly, I took to it rather well and with my iPod at my side and Terry Wogan's autobiography in my hand, I was unwound from the off. More shockingly, it took Kerris (usually a lady who only has to sit down and she is asleep 10 minutes later) a full 2 days to sink into a relaxed state.
I even managed to stay away from the many Internet cafes on offer and refused the chance to remotely update the blog or read my mostly pointless email!!!
We had a wonderful time. Just what we needed. Its been a tough time for me recently and Kerris also. We took every opportunity to relax and enjoy the peace, the weather, the food and of course the drink.
My only complaint is that I am fast turning into a terrible flyer. I was so nervous on the plane there and back that I think I need a little help in the way of a book, some hypnotherapy or just plain drugs to make me at ease on these winged beasts.
On the plus side, it is also rumoured that I have a tan too!!! No, not just dark red, something that actually resembles a healthy glow!!! Judge for yourself when you see me although with the nerves on the plane today, I think all colour has drained right out of me!!!
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Sometimes, even I take good photographs!!!
It's a slow news day day today so I thought I would share with you a rather spectacular photograph I took recently.
Every year, Kerris, me, Luca and our niece Annabel make a pilgrimage over to Anglesey. The reason why is for another day but it all goes back to my childhood. Anyway, you need to go there, the scenery can be stunning and on this occasion, Kerris, Luca and Annabel are pictured on the steps that lead down to the South Stack Lighthouse. I am rather proud of this one!!!
Every year, Kerris, me, Luca and our niece Annabel make a pilgrimage over to Anglesey. The reason why is for another day but it all goes back to my childhood. Anyway, you need to go there, the scenery can be stunning and on this occasion, Kerris, Luca and Annabel are pictured on the steps that lead down to the South Stack Lighthouse. I am rather proud of this one!!!
Saturday, 2 June 2007
Weight loss update 7.....
Yes, after a quiet few weeks where I enjoyed a little more excess than I have been used to recently (don't mention the "Death By Chocolate" sharing dessert in Anglesey), another pound has left me for good.
So here I stand, a svelte 17st 2Lbs in weight which must be the lightest I have been in over 10 years I reckon.
We now go on holiday next week (D'oh) so please don't expect any further progress for at least a fortnight!!!
The main difference for me right now is that I can see a difference in my size. I have started buying clothes from the XL peg instead of the XXL and when I look down, I can see my toes!!! What I am saying is, I feel physically thinner which give me a huge amount of motivation to carry on.
I know its been a slow process and any weight lost is through healthier eating alone as exercise is still something that worries me a little. My balance problems have gone but I still feel a little wobbly over distance so I think there is still an amount of healing to be done there.
I do have a pool right outside the apartment though so I will be hitting that daily and trying to do a few more lengths than I would usually so I will be active!!! What's that? You want to see this pool I speak of? Oh, OK then!!!
So here I stand, a svelte 17st 2Lbs in weight which must be the lightest I have been in over 10 years I reckon.
We now go on holiday next week (D'oh) so please don't expect any further progress for at least a fortnight!!!
The main difference for me right now is that I can see a difference in my size. I have started buying clothes from the XL peg instead of the XXL and when I look down, I can see my toes!!! What I am saying is, I feel physically thinner which give me a huge amount of motivation to carry on.
I know its been a slow process and any weight lost is through healthier eating alone as exercise is still something that worries me a little. My balance problems have gone but I still feel a little wobbly over distance so I think there is still an amount of healing to be done there.
I do have a pool right outside the apartment though so I will be hitting that daily and trying to do a few more lengths than I would usually so I will be active!!! What's that? You want to see this pool I speak of? Oh, OK then!!!
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Kerris and I are excited....
This is my favourite picture from our holiday in Spain last year. It shows a little boy, namely Jay, doing what comes naturally to all little boys without a care of who is watching or where he is spraying!!! Like Kerris always says, "No one minds a little boy having a wee in a bush (or in a field, or the side of the road, or onto a car wheel etc etc etc).....
Anyway, why are we excited? Well Kerris and I can go and have a look at exactly how this bush has developed next week as we are heading off on holiday, on our own (minus kids), to Cabopino on the Costa Del Sol.
We have stayed in this particular apartment twice now for the last 2 years and the though of having it to ourselves is unbearable!!! We know where it is, where all the best places to eat are, where all the local amenities are and just everything that needs to be known so that we can arrive, drop our bags and enjoy some serious relaxing!!!
The only problem is that we will probably spend most of the time talking about how much we miss them and there will be a phone call home every night!!!
Friday, 25 May 2007
What exactly do I have???
I spoke with a friend of mine earlier this week and he was talking about a conversation that he had with another person where I was brought up.
Based on several assumptions made of my condition, I have decided to re-classify how I judge myself.
Although I deal every day with the thought that I may develop MS ultimately, its important to bear in mind that until the doctor decides that my symptoms are typical of the clinical diagnosis of MS then I don't have it.
At this point in time, I have had a few symptoms that are typical of MS and a few that are not seen in MS. What I do have is Myelitis and Myelitis is best described as inflammation of the spinal cord. People with Myelitis can ultimately develop MS but then there are also as many people who don't progress onto MS and have Myelitis as a diagnosis for life.
The changes I have made in my life, weight loss, vitamin supplements, greater exposure to sunlight etc are all preventative measures that can be taken to help stop or slow down that development of Myelitis into MS.
My personal thought process is to assume that I am heading towards MS sometime in the future but to take action today that will hopefully either avoid that day or at least ensure it is a long way off.
So I am going to stop talking about MS on here as I don't have it. I will still keep all of my progress blogged but with Myelitis in mind as right now, Myelitis is what I have.
Based on several assumptions made of my condition, I have decided to re-classify how I judge myself.
Although I deal every day with the thought that I may develop MS ultimately, its important to bear in mind that until the doctor decides that my symptoms are typical of the clinical diagnosis of MS then I don't have it.
At this point in time, I have had a few symptoms that are typical of MS and a few that are not seen in MS. What I do have is Myelitis and Myelitis is best described as inflammation of the spinal cord. People with Myelitis can ultimately develop MS but then there are also as many people who don't progress onto MS and have Myelitis as a diagnosis for life.
The changes I have made in my life, weight loss, vitamin supplements, greater exposure to sunlight etc are all preventative measures that can be taken to help stop or slow down that development of Myelitis into MS.
My personal thought process is to assume that I am heading towards MS sometime in the future but to take action today that will hopefully either avoid that day or at least ensure it is a long way off.
So I am going to stop talking about MS on here as I don't have it. I will still keep all of my progress blogged but with Myelitis in mind as right now, Myelitis is what I have.
I thought I was about to die......2
For my second "I thought I was about to die....." I want to take you all back to last Friday.
Myself and my good friend, Nick Bartlett, had been attending a security roadshow in Dublin and we had both booked onto the same flight home back to Liverpool.
So after waiting to get on the plane almost last, cheers Nick, lets do all the things YOU want to do!!! We took off on a rather gloomy overcast morning in Dublin.
Now, at this point, I have to tell you, I don't like flying. I used to enjoy flying until 1998 when I went to Australia. Nothing bad happened on that trip but the sheer time spent in the air was unnatural. Since then, I haven't enjoyed flying and grown fearful of every small bump that happens during the flight.
On this particular route, Dublin to Liverpool, I have never enjoyed the trip. The previous time, we were flying over North Wales and it seemed that the pilot slammed the air brakes on and adjusted his course. I can only assume that he had forgotten that he was on his way to Liverpool and when it dawned on him that he was actually coasting his way to Manchester, immediate action needed to be taken. Not nice for the passenger.
Anyway, I digress. So the flight is not too bad, there are a few bumps along the way and the sign of a bumpy ride is that the "Fasten You Seat Belt" sign never went off.
We descend into Liverpool and we clear the cloud base and its a bit windy out there as the plane is gently rocking from side to side so I decide that I better not look out of the window anymore and concentrate on the horizon in the cabin.
Just as we are about to touch down, a side wind catches the plane and tips it a little. It lands on what feels like one wheel, veers, adjusts, bounces onto the other wheel before regaining control. However, all this time, stopping distance is being eaten into and the pilot has to break hard. While the plane was veering, a Irish lady behind me screams "Jesus Christ, what the F**K was that" and I had to start laughing, I thought that if I was going to die then this Irish outburst was the last I would hear. At least they would find my remains with a smile!!!
Anyway, we land and the lady next to me is in tears and there is no word from to cock pit which would only have been manners really to say "Sorry it was a rough one!!!".
So to Ryanair....Yes Cheap Flights may be your motto but cheap service should also be added.
Myself and my good friend, Nick Bartlett, had been attending a security roadshow in Dublin and we had both booked onto the same flight home back to Liverpool.
So after waiting to get on the plane almost last, cheers Nick, lets do all the things YOU want to do!!! We took off on a rather gloomy overcast morning in Dublin.
Now, at this point, I have to tell you, I don't like flying. I used to enjoy flying until 1998 when I went to Australia. Nothing bad happened on that trip but the sheer time spent in the air was unnatural. Since then, I haven't enjoyed flying and grown fearful of every small bump that happens during the flight.
On this particular route, Dublin to Liverpool, I have never enjoyed the trip. The previous time, we were flying over North Wales and it seemed that the pilot slammed the air brakes on and adjusted his course. I can only assume that he had forgotten that he was on his way to Liverpool and when it dawned on him that he was actually coasting his way to Manchester, immediate action needed to be taken. Not nice for the passenger.
Anyway, I digress. So the flight is not too bad, there are a few bumps along the way and the sign of a bumpy ride is that the "Fasten You Seat Belt" sign never went off.
We descend into Liverpool and we clear the cloud base and its a bit windy out there as the plane is gently rocking from side to side so I decide that I better not look out of the window anymore and concentrate on the horizon in the cabin.
Just as we are about to touch down, a side wind catches the plane and tips it a little. It lands on what feels like one wheel, veers, adjusts, bounces onto the other wheel before regaining control. However, all this time, stopping distance is being eaten into and the pilot has to break hard. While the plane was veering, a Irish lady behind me screams "Jesus Christ, what the F**K was that" and I had to start laughing, I thought that if I was going to die then this Irish outburst was the last I would hear. At least they would find my remains with a smile!!!
Anyway, we land and the lady next to me is in tears and there is no word from to cock pit which would only have been manners really to say "Sorry it was a rough one!!!".
So to Ryanair....Yes Cheap Flights may be your motto but cheap service should also be added.
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