27 Aug 2010
Posted in Life, Rants at 2:18 pm by alby
The flat roof of my place has been a pain in the proverbial for some time. I think it started when some kids found a way to sit on it to natter. Alternatively it could simply have been wear and tear. I’ve been at the place for 8 years or so and the roof hasn’t been maintained at all in that time. So now it leaks – quite a bit.
I spoke to a company to come and estimate me a repair job. They dutifully did and wrote me a detailed plan and costing for the job.
I phone them up and said please do come and sort it.
The woman on the other end of the phone said. “Oh you need to sign the form that came with the letter and send it in.”
Can I find the letter? Well what do you think?
So my roof is still leaking.
Got to R’s place yesterday after work to discover a minor flappage ongoing as water was now dripping into her bedroom. Thankfully small amounts though considering how heavy and persistent the rain was yesterday.
She phoned the landlords who said it wasn’t urgent. Oh really?! Not urgent that there’s potentially a hole in the roof letting in water. I suppose you could argue that it’s unlikely to ever rain in the UK so there’s no hurry.
Oh wait a minute….No you can’t!
Grr.
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11 Aug 2010
Posted in Life, Self-indulgence at 3:50 pm by alby
I had my toe hacked at yesterday.
Fun fun fun.
I went on a hike way back in Dec 2007 in South Africa. It was excellent but pretty hard work to say the least. The relevant point is that the second half of it was marred by large amounts of toe pain.
Since then my left big toe has played me up with ingrowing nail and random shooting pains. I’ve seen a local podiatrist who’s dealt with it on and off for a while but he strongly advised me to get it properly seen to.
Which needed a nail op.
I had it yesterday. Was great fun. Injections x4 as the first set of local anasthetics didn’t fully work. This has happened to me before at the dentists. Is it possible to be less susceptible to these meds? And then they hacked off a thin strip of my big toe nail before killing that part of the nail bed in the hope that it won’t grow back.
So I couldn’t drive home. And I can’t wear shoes with closed toes. This should be fun as it’s against work policy to have open toed shoes. They say 5-6 weeks healing. And no swimming pools or swimming in the sea. Well that’s one activity for my upcoming hols done in.
At least it’s not so sore this aft.
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19 Jul 2010
Posted in Grammar!, Life at 8:53 pm by alby
Walking down the street in Derby on Saturday I noticed an Indian restaurant. It was closed but only ‘cos it was the wrong time of day for it to be open. Whilst there I noticed a couple of signs on the door.
The first was a local newspaper review saying how wonderful the place was.
The second said in its entirety:
“This Area Closed Due To Private Party.
Sorry For Any Incontinence”
It really really did. I have a photo on my phone of it (just can’t get bluetooth to work to get it on here grr).
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08 Jul 2010
Posted in Life at 8:21 pm by alby
After sorting out my Windows mess up I now have a further screw up caused by that wondrous seat of all that is good and holy, Apple Inc.
Itunes suggested I update my OS for my iPod. Clicked ok then.
So it downloaded something and now my iPod doesn’t work. At all.
All it gives me is a screen which is a graphic representation of “plug into iTunes”.
I plugged into iTunes. This led to a message saying “You need iTunes 9.2 – please download.”
I did. It didn’t work.
This happened last time I updated iTunes. I got past it by uninstalling it and then reinstalling the newer version. I did this again today.
Apparently there’s a program I’ve never heard of that isn’t there and for some undecipherable reason this means that I can’t install iTunes new. This is something called “Bonjour”. I’ve never heard of it before, it seems to do nothing beyond screwing up installing iTunes, it’s sat in my program list when I try and uninstall it but won’t uninstall. It also doesn’t appear on any searches of my files despite it being sat there in the list of programs. And as it’s nowhere to be seen I can’t even manually delete the thing. Words not suitable for family newspapers are passing my lips.
So I’m left with a useless iPod telling me to plug into iTunes. And an inability to get iTunes installed.
I bloody love computers! Apple and MS have caused me no end of bloody trouble this week. Where they get off on letting us know how bloody helpful their products are and how we can’t live without them I just don’t know.
Pile of shite from both of them and a plague on both their houses.
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06 Jul 2010
Posted in Life at 8:43 am by alby
Help!
Laptop had 2 updates recently. First was a windows update, second was an iTunes update.
I tried booting it yesterday and got an error. So Windows reverts to a screen with 2 options. 1 is start normally which takes you to the Vista loading screen and never gets anywhere – eventually it brings you back to the options screen IE back where it started.
Option 2 is Windows Repair – which does nothing. Literally it takes you back to the options screen immediately.
This leaves me unable to boot my computer. I have no Vista disk since MS feel that me having a disk to be able to help with this sort of thing would be a bad idea.
I only really need the access to get to my files. I have loads of photos and documents I don’t want to lose.
Can I get a disk of Linux or Windows from somewhere that will give me access to the system to get the files off and onto my external harddrive?
Any hints or advice appreciated.
Cheers.
Oh and while I’m at it does anyone know why my iPod’s iTunes store doesn’t work? Whenever I search for something it switches to the home screen. So at the mo I can’t download podcasts from the iPod or my PC.
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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.
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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.
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07 Jun 2010
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.
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14 May 2010
Posted in Life, News, Work at 7:57 am by alby
Well things have taken a turn.
Out in the world we now have a bizarre mix of Tory and Lib Dem in charge of everything. I was never so keen on the Cons manifesto but the joint document (here) actually hits quite a few of my buttons.
Away from politics things are also in quite a bit of flux.
I’ve just asked at work to go part-time. And they’ve agreed. This’ll leave me free 2 days a week to work on “other projects”.
One of these projects is an MSc wot I’ve just been accepted on. Many colleagues are looking at MSc Physio courses but I’ve always felt that they’re pretty limited in their scope. So I’ve gone for an OU course in “Advancing Healthcare Practice“. It starts in October, work are keen on me doing it and, hopefully, it gives me plenty more options than a straight physio course.
In addition I’ve had a couple of fruitful chats with private practices in and around Derby. Fingers crossed for those.
Anything else?
I’ll get back to you.
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02 Apr 2010
Posted in Life, Self-indulgence at 12:06 pm by alby
Right then ideas requested.
New politic party/philosophy is clearly required considering all the main parties are identical in all but name.
First thoughts for the manifesto:
1: Referendum within first 6 months: “Do you wish the government to treat you like adults?” If carried then no more bans on things, no-one allowed to complain about offence unless it causes material detriment to them. Age ratings for films and games to be enforced vigorously but anything allowed in top ratings bracket. If “anything” includes actual illegal activities (eg actual crimes for entertainment) then film makers (or participants or distributors) prosecuted for those activities.
2: Second referendum: “What age are people adults?” It’s currently 16 for this, 17 for driving, 18 for other things, and 21 for yet more. Make it all the same but allow the public to choose what age that should be. Choices? 16, 18, 21.
2: Drugs: all allowed but controlled by NHS. Users can get what they want in a safe environment of care rather than exploitation. Keep dealer sentences as they are.
3: Health care: Keep NHS free at point of use. Allow “top-up” insurance for those who can and want to pay for it. This would entitle them to some level of queue jumping on non-urgent things, nicer rooms in hospital etc.. Get rid of at least one layer of bureacracy, local NHS can do the same job as PCTs.
4: Crime: Dump lots of rules. Treat everyone over age of majority the same. Eg: if you assault someone you are by definition an idiot. It makes no difference to your idiocy whether you assault someone because you have some misguided views on their ethnicity or their class or gender or whether you want some of their stuff: whatever the reason you are still an idiot.
5: Crime again: Alcohol should not be an excuse. Triple all penalties if offender shown to be over a certain limit of blood alcohol.
6: Identity: Immediately dump ID database and ID cards scheme. Spend money saved on crime prevention measures and more police.
7: Roads: Keep speed limits. Cars to have tachographs. Penalties for tampering with them. Drivers ARE allowed to speed but HUGE penalties if they cause an accident and are shown to have been over the speed limit. Designated areas (eg small villages with 1 road through them, areas near schools etc) to be as they are now.
8: Free speech: Everyone has the right to offend. Ideally most people will be offended most days. You WILL have the right to shout “Fire!” in a crowded theatre. Other people have the right to respond in kind. Ideas will not be responded to by violence or threats of violence.
9: Alcohol: Anything goes. If you cause problems then to a drunk tank for 2 working days. If on benefits then you lose those 2 working days worth of benefits. If employed then you have to explain yourself to your employer. Employer has the right to sack immediately on this basis.
10: Education: All religious schools to be made available to all. No enforced religious content in any school. Get rid of LEAs and give the schools the money to do with as they will. Ofsted to ensure that money not spent on fripperies! No national curriculum.
11: Benefits: Allow pretty much as they are. All benefit recipients to do a certain amount of work in the community for minimum wage. They are allowed to finish work at the point they’ve done enough for their benefit. Eg – if min wage is £8per hour then someone who gets £80 a week in benefits must do 10 hours work per week. The rest of the time is their own. Alternative plan is to allow 50% of that time for further education, job search with job centre staff etc…
12: Political process: Manifesto pledges to be kept! All sorted within the first 4 years of the term of government. Any to be dumped MUST be agreed by a referendum.
13: Renationalise power companies, water services, railways. Expand railways back to pre-Beeching levels. Subsidise rail heavily.
14: EU and immigration: Well here I seem to diverge with many. I like the EU and I like people coming into the country to work. Make your own rules up here.
So there are my first thoughts. I’d like to know any other opinions. Anyone fancy being my campaign manager?
Have fun.
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