Monday, 30 November 2009
Busy day off
Last day of November, a day off work and a planned service on the motorbike before the winter sets in. Last Wednesday I had a puncture repaired after a couple of weeks trying to find the time to get it done. Riding the bike I realised it wasn't running at it's best so today that was sorted. A fellow Deauville rider and good mate of mine Phil Swain popped round to give me a lending hand and some instruction. He's always taking his bike apart and putting it back together so knows his way round the model real well. Thanks to his advice and guiding/helping hand my machine has now had it's tappets adjusted, loose exhaust bolts re-tightened, spark plugs and airfilter replaced and carburetors balanced. Tyre pressures, all lighting and brake pads checked and all that's left to do is a quick oil and filter change (I thought I had a spare filter, but hadn't) which I will probably do this coming Saturday. All told, a very good day's work - Thanks Big Phil.
Chaotic weekend as Dad is rushed to A&E
Friday night I'm on my way ome when my modile rings, and as I'm stationary in traffic I answer it. Andy has gone straight from work to his grandparents for tea (as usual on a Friday) and there's nobody home. Now as Dad can only get about in an ambulance the conclusion is simple and Andy has rung to say he's going straight off to A&E to look for his grandparents. I quickly ring Sue and tell her that I'm going to head straight to the Royal Derby myself.
I've made good ground on the M1 but I'm stuck juct before J24 in the road works when Sue rings back to say that she's phoned A&E and mum & dad are both there as Dad has a problem. I get tgere and find Andy, Mum & Dad - he's in a bad way and has been there since 2:10pm (it's now 6:00pm) so I ask Andy to take Mum home with him, collect his other nan and drop them both of at the Derby Assembly Rooms as they are supposed to be attending a Choral Christmas Concert there and I'll stay with Dad - which is what happens. At a little after 7:00 Dad is moved to the Medical Assessment Unit, where they suddenly have a frantic hive of activity around him for over half an hour which ends with his bed being moved to a quieter corner of the MAU. Andy arrives at about 7:40 and after getting Dad fully checked in and a report on what had happemed we both leave.
Saturday afternoon Mum makes her own way to the hospital, but later that evening I take her up for a visit 7:00 - 8:00pm. By now Dad is much better and I get to talk to the Sister Nurse who I'd finished the checking in process with (that Mum had started) the previous evening. Her assessment is that he'll be OK, probably in for 4 days and that the antibiotics were working, however, it had been a very close run thing and they had nearly lost himduring that aforementioned activity the previous evening.
Sunday Mother came to have Sunday roast with us before going off to visit him again. Sue & I had other commitments so I popped down to see Mum around 7:45 that evening. She said that Dad was even perjier than he'd been Saturday night and appeared to be well on the way to fighting off whatever it was that had infected him.
The summary is that he'd had a blood clot on the lung, had managed to pass it into his urine (which Mum had seen in his catheter) and that following that he'd got a viral infection. When I got to see him on that first visit in A&E his pulse was 130+ and his breathing 34+ a minute. When I saw him again on Sunday evening the pulse was down to 88/89 and they were no longer monitoring his breathing.
Today (Monday) Mum has been uo to visit him and he is now in ward 404 on the 4th floor, room 1. Andy had made arrangements to take Mother up there again tonight so I'll (hopefully) get to see Dad tomorrow night. He's just got in and says that Dad'sthe best he's been for a few week snow, so he should get released home sooner rather than later.
I've made good ground on the M1 but I'm stuck juct before J24 in the road works when Sue rings back to say that she's phoned A&E and mum & dad are both there as Dad has a problem. I get tgere and find Andy, Mum & Dad - he's in a bad way and has been there since 2:10pm (it's now 6:00pm) so I ask Andy to take Mum home with him, collect his other nan and drop them both of at the Derby Assembly Rooms as they are supposed to be attending a Choral Christmas Concert there and I'll stay with Dad - which is what happens. At a little after 7:00 Dad is moved to the Medical Assessment Unit, where they suddenly have a frantic hive of activity around him for over half an hour which ends with his bed being moved to a quieter corner of the MAU. Andy arrives at about 7:40 and after getting Dad fully checked in and a report on what had happemed we both leave.
Saturday afternoon Mum makes her own way to the hospital, but later that evening I take her up for a visit 7:00 - 8:00pm. By now Dad is much better and I get to talk to the Sister Nurse who I'd finished the checking in process with (that Mum had started) the previous evening. Her assessment is that he'll be OK, probably in for 4 days and that the antibiotics were working, however, it had been a very close run thing and they had nearly lost himduring that aforementioned activity the previous evening.
Sunday Mother came to have Sunday roast with us before going off to visit him again. Sue & I had other commitments so I popped down to see Mum around 7:45 that evening. She said that Dad was even perjier than he'd been Saturday night and appeared to be well on the way to fighting off whatever it was that had infected him.
The summary is that he'd had a blood clot on the lung, had managed to pass it into his urine (which Mum had seen in his catheter) and that following that he'd got a viral infection. When I got to see him on that first visit in A&E his pulse was 130+ and his breathing 34+ a minute. When I saw him again on Sunday evening the pulse was down to 88/89 and they were no longer monitoring his breathing.
Today (Monday) Mum has been uo to visit him and he is now in ward 404 on the 4th floor, room 1. Andy had made arrangements to take Mother up there again tonight so I'll (hopefully) get to see Dad tomorrow night. He's just got in and says that Dad'sthe best he's been for a few week snow, so he should get released home sooner rather than later.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Service time comes around
Motorcycles require servicing and after an expensive 20,000 mile service I've been doing just oil and filter changes in the expectation of another big bill at 32,000. However, I have a day's annual leave to take before Christmas so I've booked Monday 30-Nov as a day off and arranged for a mate to pop round to assist in drinking tea and carrying out a full and thorough service.
In preparation I've started to get the bits together, searching out the best price / deal on the internet in order to save a few quid. So far so good and finger crossed I get everything together in time.
Same day a nice man is coming to service the house alarm. Another is coming to fit a shower in the bathroom. And I have to pop out to see the nurse at our local GP practice for an injection. It's going to be a fun and hectic day.
In preparation I've started to get the bits together, searching out the best price / deal on the internet in order to save a few quid. So far so good and finger crossed I get everything together in time.
Same day a nice man is coming to service the house alarm. Another is coming to fit a shower in the bathroom. And I have to pop out to see the nurse at our local GP practice for an injection. It's going to be a fun and hectic day.
Nothing for ages, then they all come along at once
They say that about policemen and busses, but this time, it's about a job. Well more than one to be precise. Angie has been without a job for more months than I was, and that was too long. Yesterday she learnt that she'd been successful in applying for 2 positions one in cleaning and the other in patient care - both requiring CRB checks which are now being carried out and should be just a formality.
Well done sis. Hopefully 2010 will be a much better year for you!
Well done sis. Hopefully 2010 will be a much better year for you!
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
R & R
To take our minds off the possibility of me being made redundant again, Sue & I took time off to go to London last Thursday to take in a show and spend 2 days in our capital city. I've never been a friend of London, or any big cities for that matter, but I really enjoyed this trip. London is now much more car free with pedestrian areas predominating and the Congestion Charge keeping vehicle numbers down - result being fewer cars with access to even fewer streets.
We walked miles. Oxford Street disappoints, being all cheap and down market. Everywhere else is nice and clean with a mysterious absence of pigeons fouling and pestering for feed. Trafalgar Square is a really nice place to be, as are most of the streets. Convent Garden - I loved it with it's market stalls and cafes.
We saw the show "We Will Rock You" based on the music of Queen. Fabulous, funny, full of music and wit with great lighting and a humorous story line (Simon Cowell is responsible for the dead of Rock & Roll!). Other than that well... we had a nice meal out, just the 2 of us. We walked miles in the glorious (and un-seasonally warm) sunshine under clear skies. We took a boat trip down to Greenwich and back - a 2 hour trip, well worth the fare. And we walked miles (again). Stayed at the Strand Palace Hotel, and had an enormous full English breakfast - which was just as well as we walked.....
We needed the break and today's news that I've still got a job made it even better.
We walked miles. Oxford Street disappoints, being all cheap and down market. Everywhere else is nice and clean with a mysterious absence of pigeons fouling and pestering for feed. Trafalgar Square is a really nice place to be, as are most of the streets. Convent Garden - I loved it with it's market stalls and cafes.
We saw the show "We Will Rock You" based on the music of Queen. Fabulous, funny, full of music and wit with great lighting and a humorous story line (Simon Cowell is responsible for the dead of Rock & Roll!). Other than that well... we had a nice meal out, just the 2 of us. We walked miles in the glorious (and un-seasonally warm) sunshine under clear skies. We took a boat trip down to Greenwich and back - a 2 hour trip, well worth the fare. And we walked miles (again). Stayed at the Strand Palace Hotel, and had an enormous full English breakfast - which was just as well as we walked.....
We needed the break and today's news that I've still got a job made it even better.
How many more times
I shouldn't complain but it is getting a bit tiresome. Late January 2008 I got made redundant when the company I worked for went to the wall. Two weeks later I'm working only to get made redundant again late June after 4.5 months work. That lead to 7 months job hunting before I secured my current job... less pay, longer commute and unfamiliar teritory as it's more systems and test analyst than business analyst - which is what I am/was. But ever grateful I'd got a job.
Then 3 months in, on the last day of my probation period, I got a "your job is at risk" interview and letter. One week later I advised (in writing) that I'm no longer at risk. Last Tuesday the "your job is at risk" interview and letter was repeated. Today I got another letter to say that (again) I'm no longer at risk.
Doesn't exactly fill one with confidence for long term prospects and leaves one wondering - how many more times....?
Then 3 months in, on the last day of my probation period, I got a "your job is at risk" interview and letter. One week later I advised (in writing) that I'm no longer at risk. Last Tuesday the "your job is at risk" interview and letter was repeated. Today I got another letter to say that (again) I'm no longer at risk.
Doesn't exactly fill one with confidence for long term prospects and leaves one wondering - how many more times....?
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Saturday - UBG Ride-out
Used Bike Guide is to motorbikes what Parker’s Guide is to cars – a magazine and a guide to secondhand prices for both the trade and and non-trade alike. So when a few months ago I picked up a copy and read their summary of the Deauville I was so incensed that I knocked off an email to the editor. The result was a ride-out yesterday with fellow Deauville riders, as well as a couple of FJRs and Tigers. Derby to Malock Bath for us all to meet up, then on to Ladybower Reservoir for a photo opportunity then ride up Snake Pass to eat at the Café in Glossop. Leaving there in smaller groups, going their own ways, the largest group accompanied me back down the A6 through Buxton, Bakewell and Matlock to Derby where we said our farewells. A great day’s riding in very good company.
This picture is from the stop at Ladybower Reservoir and mine is the 3rd bike from the right with the helmet on the seat, next to Pat's FJR.
This picture is from the stop at Ladybower Reservoir and mine is the 3rd bike from the right with the helmet on the seat, next to Pat's FJR.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Mum
With Dad away and both getting respite, it's been a good day for Mum. Andy picked up the Alhambra and took it to work, put it through the MoT which it failed - on a broken rear spring. I'd picked up a replacement at the weekend because we knew of the problem, so after Andy fitted it the tester gave it a pass, recommending new wiper blades to finish off the job.
Andy then put it through the valet shop, inside and out so when he delivered it back Muum rang to say it looked like new. She sounded fresher than at the weekend, but admitted she had been a bit down during the day - cheered up when Andy delivered the Alhambra back.
Andy then put it through the valet shop, inside and out so when he delivered it back Muum rang to say it looked like new. She sounded fresher than at the weekend, but admitted she had been a bit down during the day - cheered up when Andy delivered the Alhambra back.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
A question of confidence
If you are a follower of this blog you will know that in 2008 I was made redundant twice, making a total of four times I've been made redundant in my working life. The big difference was that when it happened on 26th June 2008 it took 6 months to get a job offer and 7 months to get back into work.
And while on the "jobless/jobseekers list" (you can't call it "the dole" now I ot beat up bad after a night out. I didn't even know I was in a fight until I'd been thumped 3 times just above the temple on the left hand side of my head. Al because ayob decided he wanted the taxi cab I'd phoned for and ordered.
The upshot of these events is that I, someone who has never been short of confidence and with an ego the size of Essex now find myself always doubting myself, my actions and my abilities. I get flashbacks to the thumping that I took that night and I have a constant fear of again loosing my job.
What do I do? I have to earn a living, but every day all I want to just ride my motorbike. Where? Anywhere. I ride my motorbike to work as much as possible simply because I find it theraputic. Riding down to see Dad today meant I did 2 normal days riding in one day (125 miles). But I know I'm being less sociable and more reclusive now than at any other time in my life, and I'm sure that's not the best solution for me, my employer/employment or my family.
I've been depressed before, and this isn't that - it's different, frightening in a way. I recognised the depression and handled it. I'm not sure I can handle this but I have to try to do so.
And while on the "jobless/jobseekers list" (you can't call it "the dole" now I ot beat up bad after a night out. I didn't even know I was in a fight until I'd been thumped 3 times just above the temple on the left hand side of my head. Al because ayob decided he wanted the taxi cab I'd phoned for and ordered.
The upshot of these events is that I, someone who has never been short of confidence and with an ego the size of Essex now find myself always doubting myself, my actions and my abilities. I get flashbacks to the thumping that I took that night and I have a constant fear of again loosing my job.
What do I do? I have to earn a living, but every day all I want to just ride my motorbike. Where? Anywhere. I ride my motorbike to work as much as possible simply because I find it theraputic. Riding down to see Dad today meant I did 2 normal days riding in one day (125 miles). But I know I'm being less sociable and more reclusive now than at any other time in my life, and I'm sure that's not the best solution for me, my employer/employment or my family.
I've been depressed before, and this isn't that - it's different, frightening in a way. I recognised the depression and handled it. I'm not sure I can handle this but I have to try to do so.
Respite for Mum & Dad both
Saturday Dad was collected and transported by Phoenix private ambulance to the Helen Lay Centre near Leamington Spa, Mum & I followed him down (I drove) and Mum checked him in. After work today I rode down on the bike and paid him a quick visit, just to make sure he was settled in OK and to drop off a charger for his mobile phone. He's well and happy. Now we just have to get mother to get some rest and recharge her batteries.
Monday, 21 September 2009
What sort of world do we live in?
Two news stories today...
The first - a mother is convicted of stabbing her 2 daughters to death to "get at" the father - her ex-husband.
The second - a man is convicted of breaking of breaking the legs of a 4 year old girl in his care beacuse she kept crying - crying because he was hurting her.
What sickos share this world I live in?
The first - a mother is convicted of stabbing her 2 daughters to death to "get at" the father - her ex-husband.
The second - a man is convicted of breaking of breaking the legs of a 4 year old girl in his care beacuse she kept crying - crying because he was hurting her.
What sickos share this world I live in?
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