30 Jun 2010
Posted in Life, Work at 6:45 pm by alby
I just got home after my last day at Willowbrook Medical Centre.
I started there on 1st April 2002, a notable day really. I don’t think I’m exaggerating to say that Willowbrook is basically where I really learned what physio is and how to do it properly.
In my time there I’ve worked with a number of folk but the core team of staff has stayed pretty static.
The room was really too small for 2 staff to be there at the same time, the heating was all over the place and the car park is a pain (those 2 “spaces” aren’t actually “spaces” they’re places to walk through, that’s why your car is touching both cars to your sides!)
But the people were what counted. I’m going to miss them.
I’m not actually leaving the team, just that site. We work across the city so I’m going to be in Leicester some more,just I’ll be working over on the west side.
Strange feeling this evening.
Permalink
16 Jun 2010
Posted in Life, People, Travel at 5:34 pm by alby
We’ve recently bought a whole bunch of camping gear with an eye to more and longer camping trips. To test said kit we headed off into darkest Derbyshire on Friday last for an outdoor weekend. Place called “Rivendale” it was.
When I arrived the tent was already spread out ready for me. The thing claims a 45 minute pitch time. It took us over an hour but I reckon this will be much reduced next time round.
I then discovered that I needed a spanner for the gas connection. But apart from that things went quite well.
Saturday saw me driving into Ashbourne for a photo-shoot of all things. The new clinic I’m at is moving into swish new premises and the owner wanted as many staff to show up for the mandatory staff group photo in front of said new swish premises.
Got there to find a huge skip in front of the building and a fretting boss. Luckily the photographer was a dab hand at this sort of thing and managed a decent few pics whilst avoiding dodgy skips and various other building remnants.
After the group photo (where I unfortunately got to stand right in the middle at the back cos I was tallest) we all had to do individual face shots.
Not a great thing for me is having portraits done immediately after getting up at a campsite after a reasonably unrestful night’s sleep.
But hopefully this points to me being a bit more than maternity cover (as I currently officially am).
I briefly shopped in the town discovering such delights as “Vampire Relish” and a Waitrose. It’s quite a wealthy place. At the local car park I parked behind an Aston DBS and a v swanky Jag. My 03 Avensis really bringing the tone down.
Later that day P, C, D and d showed up for chats and games and barbie and beer in the campsite. Fun was had. We also discovered that kites don’t fly when it’s not windy. And I burnt, badly.
Sunday was rainy. I woke up to rain and spent the morning worrying about decamping with a wet tent. Luckily the rain stopped for long enough to get the thing down dry. Pretty much as soon as it was down the rain started again and then didn’t let up.
This was a great shame as 2 family’s worth of friends showed up to join us for fun and frolics. Ah well. I did discover that kites do fly when it’s windy tho.
The campsite itself was ok. Decent enough showers, a bit close to the road mind (and the on-site shop was appalling – v limited and not best friendly) but worth the entrance money. Lovely views.
At least we figured out what to take and what doesn’t need to come with. Next time will be a longer, more distant trip. Maybe Norfolk would be nice.
Have fun.
Permalink
09 Jun 2010
Posted in News at 9:52 am by alby
Nice to see football fans baiting each other in such a polite way.
I do wish all discourse could be conducted in the same manner.
Permalink
07 Jun 2010
Posted in People, Work at 6:13 pm by alby
I’m one of work’s recruiters. As such I have to attend occasional courses to make sure that I’m not doing it wrong.
One such course was this morning. Odd thing it was.
In these days of belt-tightening there were no fewer than 3 presenters for the course, and no more than 6 or 7 participants.
One of the presenters started off and was a good speaker; she should be, she’s a manager. At one point she handed over to a young lady (no more than 17 or 18 I’d guess) who was visbly nervous.
This young lass stood up and started to speak very quietly. I was expecting a “speak up” from the crowd but, before anyone had a chance to say it, the lass just clammed up.
She looked nervously at her feet, made as if starting up again and then stopped again, more looking at her feet.
Silence for a bit.
The first presenter stepped in with “It’s her first presentation, she’s a little nervous”. And asked her “Are you ok?”
The reply came back in a slightly more firm “Yes, I can do this.”
She couldn’t.
The refrain “I can do this” was repeated lots of times before she began shaking. At this point the manager stepped in and ushered her back to her chair.
The rest of the session was taken by the manager.
Now I see the point of the young lass having a go. I’ll admit to being surprised by that level of nervousness; I suppose I’m used to physios standing up and teaching in front of large groups. Poor girl.
So yes, good idea for the manager being there. Nice idea to have a younger staff member present to have a go at presenting. But at no point was there any indication of why the 3rd HR staff member was there.
As far as I can see a total waste of money.
Oh yes and why are they bothering to update me on the trust’s recruitment policy anyway, there’s a recruitment freeze on!
Spending money everywhere except where it’s needed!
Permalink
Posted in Life at 5:07 pm by alby
Lo again.
Life continues to be hectic beyond what I expected.
This weekend I’ve had my folks over helping me out in the house. Me and my dad managed to rip out the old loo and bath. And may I say what a job shifting that old cast-iron bath was. Ended up with my dad smashing the heck out of it with a sledge hammer to give us any chance of moving it out the bathroom and down the stairs.
He also managed to maim himself on the old loo. Nasty gash at the best of times but this injury happened on a shard of loo outflow complete with years worth of smeared on gunk from whomever has used the loo in the past. Luckily he’s had his rabies shots (well Tetanus anyways).
New loo successfully installed but then the new bath started being a real pain in the harris.
Easy to put into position but then the original plumbing was done wrong, the outflow is laughably organised and we’re not plumbers. But it’s in and the plumbing works but we can’t get the sides on the bath without loads more hassle. So we gave up.
Well done dad. Truth be told he did most of it. Now I just need a finisher-offer to come along and complete the job. And put some new lino down.
Previous weekend was a big family do with lots of R’s family around (and it’s a big family). Was great fun and involved a ceilidh. Was thinking “wonder where Tom is” a lot. Most enjoyable.
Have fun.
Permalink