An Update

Well I've been off the past few days and this afternoon I decided I was not getting better. I drove to the surgery explained that I had seen a doctor and that it seemed to be making no impact. The receptionists in the flesh are human ("he's obviously not well") and fitted me in and so I am now signed off to Monday (first time EVER!!!) and on a stronger drug.

I still have no energy, can barely talk and have no appetite. Flu and Bronchytis.

So I have a diet of day time TV to look forward to for a few days.

Lock Them Up or Let Them Out?

Did anyone else watch this on BBC 2 9pm? It was the first of three programmes showing the deliberations of the Parole Board. It was interesting listening to the different panels and how they reacted to the individual cases.

It was pretty easy to guess who was going to be released. Well it was if you had read the Radio Times because their reviewer admitted to coming to different conclusions on all 3 cases. The Parole Board have to determine if they are likely to reoffend whilst on parole, not likely to reoffend ever.

Last nights cases were

Mukhtar brutally murdered his brother's wife in 1987, three months after he arrived illegally into Britain. Since his conviction he spent time at a secure hospital believing he was God. Now, back in a high security prison, he says he's safe to release. His brother believes he is still evil and should die in prison.

Barry led a gang of armed robbers, the proceeds of his violent robberies were used to feed his £600 a day crack cocaine habit. Sentenced to twelve years he wants to get out after serving just six years and claims he is no longer a danger.

Michael settled a personal vendetta with the police by firebombing his local police station with Molotov cocktails. Diagnosed with a personality disorder he says his score is settled and will not re-offend.

The only one not to get out was Barry. The Panel weren't convinced that his "business plan" was viable if his relationship broke up (he met the women whilst in prison) and that it could drive him back to drugs, oh and a Canabis admission last year didn't help. I felt a degree of sympathy for him since he seemed sincere and had obviously put alot of effort in trying to get something "out" of prision.

Mukhtar looked lossed. He didn't speak English, he apparently showed some remorse. He was deported and he was deported. His brother, whose wife he and his sister murdered, was devastated.

Michael was a bit scary. But the panel thought he was unlikely to reoffend in the brief period of time he was getting parole and that is the thing they consider.

Strangely the panel only get to meet the parolee if he's a lifer, for Michael and Barry its a totally paper exercise.

I found it a compelling hour.

US Mid Term Elections

Our Cousins across the pond have a big election tomorrow. Its always fun to see what the big issues are.

You have the odd sex scandal, Iraq, Tax etc but I'm always puzzled to see that for many people its gay weddings and abortion. In America these are BIG issues in the UK I suspect they don't even register..... yet!

Over here the leader of the Conservatives David Cameron is positively embracing the idea of gay weddings. Wonder how our Dave would get on with Dubya and the Religious right?

I've no idea who will win, but I do believe Bush needs some checks. That said it would be sad to see the one Republican, Senator Lincoln Chafee, who had the guts to vote against Bush over key issues get kicked out because he's a Republican.

To few politicians have conviction these days.

Sat/Sun

For the first time in over 4 years I spent a Saturday confined to the house. Got out of bed at 10 lazied around, drove to Tesco to get papers and then spent spent the afternoon watching Star Trek repeats and doing suduko's.

I still have little appetite. Food yesterday was soup and cereal. I think I can afford to lose the "odd" pound ;) Its odd I've not felt this rough since the xmas I moved into the house (1994).

Watched Strictly Come Dancing and lazed around again.

I got cat naps last night but did get some sleep just fitful.

I went around Mum's for lunch it was like being a kid I had my old standby Tomato Soup and Mashed Spuds ;) But I felt awful, I kept nodding off but it was the effing heat as soon as I got home I was much better. No wonder mum is always nodding off.

What to do this afternoon? I've stuck Fellowship of the Ring on. Peter Jackson has done a super job.

I think i'll be off tomorrow I need a bit more rest. My first sicky in 4 years.....

A bit Gross - you've been warned.

I awoke at 3am Friday hacking away.

I at first thought this was good as I was bringing "stuff" up. I never got back to sleep and went into work.

The thing is at home you can sit and hack and at work you can't. Annoyingly I had two meetings Friday afternoon one at 3:30 luckily this was cancelled (the ograniser Sick!!) and good old Denis told me we could do the first next week.

So I thought stuff this I'll head off (when I talk I cough). I was feeling like there was a vice around my throat so I went in the Doctors.

R - is it an emergency
Me - well I'm not going to die. COUGH COUGH YEURGH
R - ok 6:10

At about 6:20 I saw a doctor. I fully expected to me told it would go of its own accord. But he examined said I had had a touch of flu and minor Bronchytis was mentioned I think!!!! And no I wasn't infectious.

He gave me Penicillin and some syrup to open me up so that when I coughed.....

I shot to a chemist and took the first dose.

John arrived at 9:30 to pick the tripod up and I coughed away.

I took another dose at 11 and told Nic and Jan I'd have to dip the lunch we had planned..... :(

I awoke at 3 and continued bringing stuff up but I got back to sleep.

I felt lethargic this morning, eaten very little but I'm starting to pick up a bit. Stuff STILL coming but I'm feeling a bit more human.

I'm gutted over the meet and the ratbags won't send me photos. But I haven't had man flu!!

Friday

76. Did you think/hope/wish/worry i'd forgotten about this????

77. What's the best thing you've done this week?

78. Recall the last time you were frightened.

79. What makes your skin crawl?

80. Which film/book has scared you the most?

81. Maybe hypothetical, but what would be your costume for Halloween?

82. Do you derive much pleasure from frightening people?

83. Seen a ghost? Any interaction?

84. Have you ever used a Oueeja board? And?

85. Got E.S.P? Did you 'feel' i was going to ask this question?

86. What's this question about then.....Huh cleverclogs?

87. Trick or Treat?

88. What did you give the kids who 'come a knockin' on Halloween night?

89. What do you do (which could be seen by others) that's kinda autistic?

90. There are no more questions. (but are there really?)

Cough Hack Cough

I treated my colleagues to the 1812 overture this morning. I'm not entirely certain they were impressed.

I decided no enough was enough I'd make an appointment to see a Doctor.

Ring Ring Press Button.
Receptionist - Hello
Me - Can I make an appointment to see a doctor
R - Is it an emergency?
Me - Well uh no.
R - Well its emergencies only today (I later learned it was townwide training this afternoon)
Me - ok tomorrow?
R - No you'll have to phone at 8:30 for a morning appointment and at 14:00 for an afternoon one.
Me - next week?!?
R - 14:20 Monday ?
Me - SIGH ok

I later spoke to the pharmacist who said that it was probably a viral infection and could take 3 weeks. no treatment keep taking the cough medicine to ease it!!

So I am sitting here sucking a Halls soother.

If I feel better Monday I'll cancel the appointment.

Now I do understand what the doctor is doing. By restricting appointments he can claim he is actually seeing people within the deadlines improving his BVPI. Its called working the system. I work in Local Government, been there mate. To be fair that isn't what the Government intended but if a doctor doesn't do it his BVPI is low and questions are asked..........

Of course you and I are partly to blame, we moan about taxes so the government introduces some stat to ensure your money is well spent. I seem to be spending most of my time on these jolly whizz wheezes

Luckily I work in IT and don't have to deal with the public. But next time you moan about lazy council officers I suggest you get a job on the front line. There is a lot wrong with Local Government but it employs some hard working people who of course get no thanks.

Wednesday 1st November

Note to self when you make a flask you put the stopper in!! Doh!! Still I managed some breaky today.

It was freezing and started raining so I headed straight home.

BUT I decided to visit West Walton Church. Its one of the few on the area on my list I've not done. So 607 (I had miscounted by -1 a while back!! only 393!!)

It was open. It has no stained glass so is so bright!!










The bell tower is separate and in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.



Rather fine I think.

Not my top holiday of the year as I haven't been 100%. Still nice to meet up with some great people.

Tuesday 31st October

Ok this is serious!! Breakfast was toast!!!! I stopped of at the land of the Chelsea Tractor (Burnham Market) to get a bottle of cough medicine.

I went to Holkham to try and find the Black Guillemot but no joy, I later found I had to walk further. Still Red Throated Diver, various auks and a nice Slav Grebe.

Dinner comprised a Jam doughnut!!

The weather was getting rather nasty so I parked up and read.

Managed a main course ( I sound a total wimp!!) then finished my book and watched the footy!

Monday 30th October

After an even lighter breakfast!!

Malcolm had asked if that really was a spire on Titchwell church. Its called a Hertfordshire spike.


Off to Salthouse for some seawatching. I won't bore you as I saw much that I had already seen.

My appetite was fast diminishing, lunch was a pack of biscuits.

I've always meant to pop in to Burnham Thorpe church. Its not on my list but its fame is that Admiral Horation Nelson's father was rector there and the young Nelson worshipped there.












Really struggled with dinner!! Still doing well on the book reading front!!