dom joly is unwell

Or at least Dom Joly has lost weight and been bitten a lot by sand flies during his recent travels into 'The Heart of Darkness' (the Panamanian jungles).
He tweets here

And for those of you who may have been to The Coach and Horses, or seen the play / film of it, yes indeed, the heading idea is a play on Jeffrey Bernard is unwell.

toodle pip

cystic echinococcosis (hydatid cyst of the liver)

Don't watch this video if you are squeamish, as it's one of the most disgusting things l have ever seen.  It shows a liver being emptied after it had become full of Echinococcosis larvae (the round balls).  Humans accidentally eat the eggs and can become infected, and these can quickly grow inside the liver.  Urghh!
More information here.

toodle pip

off work medication - cocaine tooth drops

I've been doing well so far while prating about off work.  I've not taken any painkillers (apart from drink) as l want to be aware of how much l can move my arm without hurting it too much or putting back the recovery.  It's sore but manageable, but maybe if l found a bottle of this in the medicine cupboard, l might change my mind and indulge myself.
Ah, the good old days....

toodle pip

the bleeding flu

I blame Ritchie, as he said he had a sore throat/headache etc the other day, but l have gone and got myself the flu, which is, quite literally, a pain. I got a phone call today to say old Joe was going to the pub for the first time in months, but l was aching and sneezing so much, l went and got a hot bath instead. I had already taken annual leave today as l didn't feel like going into work, and thought l'd be good and not go sick. Things are so bad, l nearly had an accident and crapped my pants, but managed to avoid it (for now). Once again - l blame God. I'm sure he/she has got it in for me.

toodle pip

drugs l should be taking

I was awake at 4.30am this morning, as l have a dry ticklish cough that meant l couldn't stop coughing and settle down again. Then, just as l started to nod off, the bloody alarm went off, as l was at work. Damnation and buggery all around. As it is just annoying, l have been taking Paracetamol today, to try and numb it and make myself drowsy, otherwise the FPO will be booting me all night to try and get me to shut up. Maybe l should have gone straight for the Thorazine instead, it would probably have worked better.

toodle pip

back to bleeding work

Damn! The time off work has flown by and l am now back into the swing of things. Loads has gone on while l have been off, and l am slaving away at the moment, but it is made worse as l have a (very) sore throat, so l am not sleeping very well.  However, the FPO, being not as tough as me, is off work now, as she has it as well, so is currently on the sick.  How very dare she.
I am however, now classed as a 'Top Talent' at work (I've been appraised)  and have been sorely missed by everyone.  I should bleeding well think so as well.

toodle pip

still off work with a sprained ankle

The good news for me is that l am still off work, as the doctor has now signed me off for another week or so  due to my ankle still being bad (I'm now due back to work on the 25th Feb). Not so good news for the FPO, as she is now cursing everytime she leaves the house in the morning, leaving me asleep in the nice warm bed after being up till silly o'clock (no change there then). I can't even say she is cheerful when she comes in later, as l am usually sitting with my feet up watching a film or reading.
Also, regarding the technology problems, on the good news front, the washing machine and hoover are both fixed (although the washing machine cost £60), the kindle and web counter been sorted, and l have also repaired one of my ipods.
Results all round!!
Right - back to reading, music, TV and the internet.
Life is hard (for some).

toodle pip

michael j fox - always looking up

Much as l admire Michael J Fox and the way he has handled his Parkinsons, l can't say l really enjoyed this book as it was mainly about his work with his foundation, his faith, stem cell research, and the way he was/is dealing with the disease. There was a part about the end of 'Spin City' (the final episode with him in made me blub), and about the 'Tour de France', both parts that l enjoyed, but that was about it for me. He was however, really good recently in 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' when he fell out with Larry, willing to blame everything on the Parkinsons, which came as a big surprise to me as l was not even aware he was going to be in the episode. I certainly don't think l would be so positive if l got Parkinsons myself.

toodle pip

bees against tuberculosis

It's common knowledge that Eric the half a bee and his mates have been used for sniffing out drugs and have also been depleting in numbers (maybe this could be related?), but it has been discovered that they can sniff out people who have Tuberculosis. Clever little sods. Mind you, it's a good job they don't go sniffing round our idiot rabbits arse. They wouldn't last two minutes. More info here.

toodle pip

off work ill and reading

Urgh! The good news is l have been off work, and will be off again tomorrow (I think I will be back on Saturday). The bad news is l have flu/pleurisy/swine flu/bronchitis/leprosy or something bad, as l have been sneezing, crapping, not sleeping properly, having hot flushes, aching all over, and coughing up phlegm all the time, resulting in a bad chest and not being able to breath properly (I'm really going through my inhalers at the moment). Although the weather has been great, l have been indoors, reading and falling asleep, then waking up coughing. I even took a picture of my wee yesterday as it was pretty dark, but the FPO advised me not to put it on the blog (she has no taste). Feel like l am getting better, as l have stopped sneezing, but am still aching everywhere and not breathing properly (and still coughing up that phlegm!). It will have to be a trip to the doctors if it continues, but hopefully it is nearly over. I wouldn't mind the flushes and can tolerate aches and pains to be off work, but it's the constant coughing and lack of breath that gets on my (and the FPO's) nerves. I blame God.

toodle pip

chris and hilary's wedding

Travelled back up to Newcastle on Saturday as it was Chris and Hilary's wedding day (on my birthday and wedding anniversary as well!). Managed to go to Forbidden planet beforehand, looking for decent books and t shirts, and went back to our hotel for the Manchester United win at Bolton (5-0!). Off to The Baltic for the evening do/BBQ and saw the Millennium bridge being opened, which was the first time l had witnessed it. Pretty damn impressive l must say. There was a band on and most people hit the booze (apart from the pregnant ladies), so everyone enjoyed themselves, although mentioning no names, they paid for it in the morning (OK, l've crumbled, that would be The FPO). The Quayside at Newcastle and Gateshead (plus Newcastle centre itself) has certainly had a lot of money pumped into it over the last few years, and has completely changed from when l used to frequent the place years ago. It certainly all looks flash and l know it has made the place more upmarket, but it is still a shame some of the old places had to go, such as The Haymarket and Broken Doll pubs. I drove back as The FPO was still too ill, then had a relaxing day watching recordings of football and The Sunday Supplement, while she quietly suffered, Bliss.

toodle pip

andre the giant

l am not a fan of wrestling, especially the USA version of, but l am a fan of drink and characters, and old Andre The Giant (real name Andre Rene Rousimoff) certainly was one of those.

He became famous as a wrestler, (especially his bouts with Hulk Hogan in the 1980's), but was also a huge (in more ways than one) drinker.

Over 100 bottles of beer in six hours? Two bottles of vodka to 'feel warm'? That my friends, is drinking.

Because of his condition (acromegaly), he did not expect to live very long, so he enjoyed life to the full until his death in 1993 (aged 46).

There's a great article about him here.

As l said before, a drinker and a character.

toodle pip

james blake and the vaccines

Had enough of blogging for tonight as my poor old disease ridden limbs are aching, so l am of to noddy land to visit Morpheus and listen to these two new beauties. Think l will go for the cool relaxing dub step of James Blake as l fall asleep, then give the Vaccines a go if l wake up during the night. l will give it another go if l survive till the morning, (l do have swine flu or something worse). At least l can have a lie in tomorrow. Hurrah!

toodle pip

the imaginarium of doctor parnassus

Good news and bad news. l am off work with the flu or something, aching a lot, but the good news is l am staying in bed most of the day and then watching films and football (Manchester United have just beaten Marseilles 2-1 to go through to the Quarter finals of the Champions league). Well worth the aches and pains.

Watched The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, today, it's a 2009 film by Terry Gilliam, which, like some of his other films (Brazil, Time Bandits, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and The Fisher King), to me at least, have excellent sets/scenery/design/imagination, but the stories leave me wanting more. It was interesting to see how the death of Heath Ledger was handled, and it was done well. The story had a bit of a re-write and Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell played some of his parts, which sound crap but worked really well within the story.

My favourite one by the good Mr Gilliam is still Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but l still preferred the book.

While the computer has been down l have been a busy lad, working (sadly), but also finding time to read and watch films and series. I will post some of them up one at a time, rather than lumping them all in together. What excitement!!

toodle pip

back at work and still bleeding grotty

What a pain this flu is (or whatever Godforesaken illness it is). Back at work again today and everyone is ill. Thought l would be a good lad and show my face to prevent other people skiving (as l would usually have done). Now the first one to be off will look like a right girl. Going Christmas shopping tomorrow in Newcastle, so that had better not be too cold, or l am writing a strong letter of complaint. early to bed tonight methinks.

toodle pip

bloody ill again and l am off work

I have been in bed all day (well, till 2pm, then in a hot bath, as l have a bad case of the swine flu again. Luckily (or not) l was off work today anyway, so l have just been suffering, dozing, watching TV and reading. Back in at work tomorrow, cant wait. The only bonus is that a lot of other people are also ill with the same thing - HA!

toodle pip

no football and l have a snotty nose

What a bastard! l was really looking forward to the Chelsea v Manchester United game today, but it has been called off because of the snow. To top that, l am either getting Swine Flu or l am allergic to Tubbs being in the house, as l am pretty damn snotty. Anyone else would be dead but l shall struggle on - nearly holiday time again!

toodle pip

johnny cash and kid rock

I've been watching videos on You Tube, and these two are just outstanding, it's what 'Rock n Roll' is all about.

Shame l am back to work tomorrow or l'd be out partying (he said sadly, sitting in front of a computer at 10.50pm on a Friday night). Who am l kidding? With my aching back, dodgy knees and stop/start heart? Time to retire methinks.

Or.......

Carry on regardless once my back has recovered properly.

I think l know the answer in advance.

toodle pip

elsies funeral

Had to drag myself out of bed today after being sick during the night, as although l was not fit enough for work, l didn't want to miss Elsie's funeral. Luckily the FPO was going and I got a lift there and then back again afterwards when l had had enough. Felt sick as a dog all the way through it but it was a good service.
Spent the rest of the day in bed or lying down on the settee, reading, sleeping and doing nothing. Not a bad day after all then.

toodle pip

food poisoning

This made me laugh on another sight. I have certainly been bad in the past, but no-where near as bad as this (still, there's always time)

I've never had food poisoning before. And I'll die a happy man if I never have it again. Approx 1^1/2 hours after eating a couple of dodgy burgers, I was being very, very, very sick into the toilet. It was spraying out so violently that I had to dip my head under the rim to keep it all in the bowl. As if that wasn't bad enough, it then started coming out the other end with just as much gusto. I had to choose between sick in toilet or shit in toilet. In the end, to save destroying the carpet, I had to puke in the toilet and shit in my pants. This went on for about 30 minutes. By the end it was just bright orange bile coming out of both ends. My throat and arsehole burned red hot for days.

I'll never forget the sensation of hot liquid shit endlessly filling the seat of my trousers and then spreading down the legs. I had to bend my legs tightly to create a seal and keep it all from spreading out onto the carpet.

toodle pip