Wild Wanderings

My husband is doing the BHF bike ride between London and Brighton on his birthday.

Sponsor him here: CLICK

http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=911937112

 Public Health Analyst Job

 

Admittedly when I was at school I took my mobile in with me. But I was a special case (obviously ). My phone was a cheap one even for then so just about had capability for text and calls and nothing else. And I needed mine for getting home safely.

 

But I agree with the idea that taking expensive items into school is generally a stupid idea. Not only does it distract from education but even if you don't play with them during lessons, the chances are they'll go missing or get broken. There's been an increase in muggings in the last few years and it is doubtful that the reason for this is purely that more people are evil and willing to cause heartache or whatever, but more to do with the fact it is incredibly easy to wander past someone and pluck their mobile out of their hand, or know they're carrying an iPod.

 

A recent visit to my local secondary school, meant I discovered a wonderful way of, if not stopping gadgets getting into school but at least stopping them distracting lessons.

Teachers at my local school will immediately confiscate any mobile phones, iPods etc...

But the best bit is: the pupils can not get them back unless they go with a parent/carer to see the headmistress and she will only grant an appointment at 7am! No alternatives, no turning up at 3:30 when the kids get kicked out, or at 9am when the kids get to lessons, but 7am! :)

It's fab and it works.

Silly Warning: Suicide by Chocolate requires a human to eat about 50kg of milk chocolate in one sitting.

 

Serious Warning: PLEASE DO NOT FEED ANIMALS CHOCOLATE! IT IS DEADLY!

 

 

 

There's some warnings given on things which both amuse me and make me despair of the world I live in.

The following is from a lens cleaner:

Recommended for all plastic and glass lenses. Spray each side of the lens, wipe dry immediately with a soft cloth. Not for use on contact lenses.

 

hey ho, not written for quite awhile but my mum reminded me it still existed and it was were she gets a lot of random information about me from. I did mention facebook but... *shrugs*

 

Brief breakdown of the last FOUR months....

Increase in hours at work.

Work Appraisal resulting in recommendation for a payrise

One week in Cumberland Infirmary

Two weeks in Hope Hospital

My boss went off sick the day I got back

Have been planning and booking our trip to the US for Harry and Meg's wedding

The project I run for work has made the shortlist for the Riverside Awards under the Partnership Working Category.

Dave has a new job in Northampton so he will be moving in October and I will be following a few weeks later

I'm filling in applications for jobs in Northampton - project manager/administrator or events co-ordinator for preference

My department is down to two people due to illness, family crisis, holiday and recruitment issues

Have been working overtime to cover everyone's work load and get things ready for audit

 

Went to the Greenbelt festival for the first time since 2004 and took Dave with me :)
Was really good fun. Weather was beautiful and the people as usual were wonderful. Was really good to catch up with all those I hadn't seen for so long.

 

Went to Harry's Stag Do last weekend which was great fun :)

 

Saw Sonja yesterday for the first time in about two years. Was lovely to see her and we sat outside a lovely cafe in Carlisle catching up on everything :)

 

Northampton next weekend looking at houses

Riverside Award Ceremony on the 21st

Then US trip :)

 

Hoping my boss is back this week as she needs to sort out my officer's payrise and organise future project funding otherwise he'll be out of a job. I've had part of my payrise but due to finance being silly my department head has decided to give me five months back pay when I leave in November rather than try to sort it out now. My overtime however may actually be paid next week for the last month :)

 

 

 

Yesterday was Andy's funeral. There was a hell of a turnout - I don't think it would have been possible to fit any more people in to Manchester Crematorium as was already there.

The minister conducting the service had done his homework and despite never having met Andy and knowing Andy to not be of his faith, he did a good job of commerating him.

It was good to get together with so many of Andy's friends and be able to chat and catch up. We drank Harry's Bar out of JD which I'm sure Andy would have approved of.

 

So once again, please raise a glass of JD to Andy, may he never be forgotten.

 

For those wishing to do something to remember him by, there is a collection for the Thrombosis charity, Lifeblood - you can donate HERE

 

 

 

As an almost direct consequence of Andy's death I now have a facebook account, under the name of Amanda Pearce. Feel free to join me there.

Hugs

 

The world lost a great bloke this weekend.

It is a shock to all who knew him, and he touched the lives of everyone who met him.

Many people have said it alot better than I have and you can read how Andy touched lives at the links below but I will remember him for being the guy who spent many evenings when I first started at UMIST trying to find alcohol I'd be willing to drink.

The last time we met we spent a few hours at the bar knocking back JDs while Andy took great delight in declaring himself the first person to ever get me wasted :p

 

He ranted a lot but he was always there when you needed someone, he even managed to put up with me throwing myself at him for a hug every time I saw him :)

 

He last changed his status on Facebook to 'is evidently to ill to have a life, bugger'

He'd have appreciated the irony.

 

Please raise a glass in memory of Andy McCruden.