the boy in the striped pajamas, how vietnam was lost and the world cup 2002

I had to drag myself out of bed this morning as I got picked up at 8.45am to go to a discharge meeting at Harrogate hospital, but it has been quite a pleasant day since then. The weather is still crap, and it has been pissing down all week, which means I can't go out and cut the grass yet. The downside of this is the grass is getting longer and I will have to cut it at some stage. The good side of this is I was back at home about 1pm and had nothing much to do (nothing l couldn't put off anyway). This resulted in me lazing around as usual, watching films and reading. Back to work tomorrow, and the person who is being discharged will be coming to spend his first night there, so I am staying overnight to try to help him settle. Also volunteered to come back in at 9pm on Friday night and stay the night again. I must have lost my marbles.Anyway, back to the lazing around....

The documentary of the 2002 World Cup was the official FIFA film, so it was a bit bland, but did show some good footage that l had not seen before. It's the year England were knocked out by Brazil, with David Seaman waving at the ball as a free kick goes sailing past him. Brazil went on to beat Germany in the final 2-0, and suddenly Sven was not considered much of a manager.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (based on the John Boyne book) was alright, although l didn't believe the little Jewish boy could spend so long sitting by the fence and chatting when he was meant to be working (he had a wheelbarrow with him most of the time). Hardly any guards about either. Very suspicious. I did enjoy David Thewlis' performance, and Asa Butterfield (as Bruno, the eight year old German) was pretty good as well. Still not keen on people talking in their usual posh English accents when playing Germans though. I don't expect them to speak like a comedy baddie, but at least David Thewlis made an effort and didn't sound out of place.

How Vietnam was lost was a Storyville documentary based on the book by David Maraniss (They marched into sunlight), relating the tales of student unrest at Wisconsin which led to them being beaten by the 'pigs' and the US troops who were ambushed by the Viet Cong, both in October 1967. It was pretty moving and told both sides of the stories, and how they changed peoples perception of the war, especially how events were reported.

Also found out about the large amount of plastic that is floating around in the Pacific Trash Vortex (it was mentioned on QI). I have since looked it up and it is pretty grim. Thankfully I won't be around to watch the planet completely go to the dogs. One of the benefits of being old (there aren't that many!).

toodle pip

heart monitor and old house

I have been to Northallerton hospital and had a heart monitor fitted for 24 hours. This was returned to the hospital this evening, and I now have to go there again on Friday for an ECG and to then see the consultant. Exciting stuff. Wore the monitor yesterday, when I went out to see Joe at the Wine Bar and got very very drunk, so it will be interesting to see if something shows up from that. Sadly I did not flake out while wearing it, so I am not sure if it will discover anything.

While I was in Northallerton, I noticed this house and plaque. I have walked past this house many times and never noticed it before, so either the plaque is recent, or I am just a half blind idiot with no awareness of his surroundings. I think it is the latter.

toodle pip

updates with life in general

I just feel as though I am slowly getting back into the swing of things at the moment. Although I was only away for a week at work, it has been all go since then, learning about my new job (yawn). Went out and about in Richmond on bank holiday Monday, which was also the FPO's birthday, therefore a lot of ale was taken. Since then I have been at work, dealing with the aftermath of the death of the person I was visiting in hospital before the holiday. She died on Thursday morning, so there have been things to sort out at work for her (death certificates, freezing bank accounts, seeing undertakers etc). Also had a visit from Louise and Dazzer on Friday so more ale was taken as it's the only way I can tolerate them (only joking!). Had work again on Saturday, then relaxing properly for the first time tonight (when even more ale was taken, a couple of bottles of scrumptious Merlot). Thankfully I am only working on Thursday afternoon this week, although I do have to attend a meeting in Harrogate on Wednesday, which should only take an hour or two. The grass shall be cut, the weather shall be sweet (I hope), and I shall chill out and do my usual crap. That reminds me of something. When I was out and about on bank holiday Monday, I must have said to someone I had not read Mark E Smith's book (from the Fall), as it has since been thrust through my letterbox (ooeer!). I really do not have a clue where it has come from (apart from the letter box), and it may have been put through by someone who may just think I would like it (I'm thinking along the lines of Powlie). At some stage I will bump into someone who will ask me if I have enjoyed it, then I will realise who it is from. In the meantime.. a free book! Excellent!

Off to the hospital tomorrow for a heart monitor to be fitted, then it's ECG tests on Friday, followed by an appointment with the consultant. looking forward to it (if the old ticker holds out that long).

toodle pip

promotion at work and hospital visits

Damn! It looks like I will have to crumble and do some real work as I have been promoted to boss/team leader/head honcho whatever the hell it is I will be called. More importantly, it's OK with being in charge, it's not so good having to do some real work for a change. I have been going over stuff today with my line manager, and there's a lot more to be going over on Friday. I get more pay, but to tell the truth I am not that bothered about that, it's more the fact that a dickhead might become my boss if I don't accept the role. I can do whatever hours I want and still go on the freebie holidays, do overtime if I wish, and don't have to do sleepovers, on calls or weekends. I will still do some as I don't mind doing so, but at least I have the choice. Just a shame about the extra work.

Also.... the person I have been visiting in hospital since before going to Rhodes is still there, still hanging on grimly to whatever life she has left, although death is expected at any time. I have been through to visit yesterday and today, but I don't think that there is any recognition that I am there. It would be better if a load of morphine was given to help her on her way, as there is no way she is going to get better. As the old saying goes, if it was an animal it would have been put down by now. When I am in those shoes, I want the extra morphine.

toodle pip

three nights in hospital

I have just finished three nights at work supporting someone who had to go into hospital. This was OK for me and I volunteered to do it, as I usually stay up pretty late anyway, so it was not too much of a hardship, just a bit boring. I originally went into work on Monday at 3pm, to be informed someone had been taken in, so I said I would go, and ended up working non stop until 1pm the next day, then back to the hospital at 9pm for the next night shift. Rather idiotically , I did not go to bed when I got back home for my eight hours kip, deciding instead to stay awake and make the most of the days. I managed to grab about two hours sleep each day for the last three days, and probably won't get to bed early tonight (I finished work today at 9am). This means I have had about six hours sleep since Sunday, but I have managed to watch a lot of films, read and listen to a lot of stuff. On my return home today I even decided to go outside and try and sort the garden out, the first grass cut of the year, which is always a right bastard of a job. Spent about forty seven and a half hours of continuous hard work grass cutting, then put together a wood burner and a table. I was mighty glad to be hitting the bath after that, washing off the filth of hard manual labour, stuff I am not used to.

Anyway, the main point was about the hospital support. I was there for three nights and whenever I decided to stretch my legs and have a walk, I wandered round the hospital by myself, hardly seeing anyone, and never getting asked what I was up to. Very poor security. I look like a stinking hippie most of the time and I could have had anything in my bag, luckily I didn't have explosives, just ipods and books. I won't say which hospital it was as the care they gave to the person I was supporting was really good, so I don't want to get them into trouble, but it was weird wandering around the place.

No work now till 7pm Saturday, when I get picked up to support people on a trip to Rhodes for a week. Hurrah! Better than hospital support any day. More news about the trip later.

toodle pip