Early Risers.

[Donw]

Panic mode for one client who proceeded through two months of testing some software, went live and THEN discovered/decided that since they didn't ACTUALLY have everyone that uses the system, involved in testing, a group of users therefore "by design" denied access to the software... I now have to get a solution built/in-place (relatively easy fortunately) before their next month-end!

 

3 this morning under bright sun and dead calm for now. Expecting maybe 9-10 as a high, then we start a slippery slope through the week.

 

Perk up, HUMP day is tomorrow

 

When I was a systems analyst ater the Bosses told me how their department worked and what they wanted, I would find an opportunity to talk to the staff in particular the clerical assistant who was the one that understood where all the bits of paper went. The bits of paper naturally were being replaced by the system.

Don

[Donw]

I support the NHS in principal but do find it odd I take the dog to the vet diagnosis within an hour operation booked to be done within a week. I just feel that the NHS must have an awful lot of bureaucracy to take so long to do anything. To get that sort of treatment from the NHS you need to be an emergency and they wonder why people try 999 for minor problems.

Don

[travelintrev]

Evening all,   

 

Could some body please shut the doors and windows and turn the heat up around Bristol in the morning please?  Just how am I going to cope with the temperature barely in double figures during the day ? On my way to the airport the thermometer in the car was recording 38C !

 

On another note I have decided that I am going to build the Kitmaster Garratt thats been loafing around in my getroundtuitoneday  box. Seeing that the lastfew unmade kits on E-bay have not reached £50.00. 

 

On another note (as my modelling mojo seems (? maybe) to  be coming back  When I return to Ng in a couple of weeks I'm going to have a go at building a Best (or Holt) pre WW1 crawler tractor! 

 

Next up date  -maybe from Schipol in the morning, 

 

Be good 

[The Stationmaster]

I support the NHS in principal but do find it odd I take the dog to the vet diagnosis within an hour operation booked to be done within a week. I just feel that the NHS must have an awful lot of bureaucracy to take so long to do anything. To get that sort of treatment from the NHS you need to be an emergency and they wonder why people try 999 for minor problems.

Don

What really gets up my nose with them is the way the appointments systems seem to work - or not work.  When I was seeing a chest consultant back around 1999/200 she was absolutely excellent and on despatching me from the latest exam would say I want to se you in X weeks time.  Out I would go to the receptionists and ask for an appointment in X weeks time - only to get a lot of pulled faces, shrugged shoulders and tales of woe about the difficulty of finding a suitable date and could I come back in X weeks plus 2months?  

 

At this point all I needed to say was 'well she said she wanted to see me in X weeks time so you'd better tell her that' and I would get the reply 'would you prefer Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday - morning or afternoon, and sorry we can't do Mondays or Fridays but she doesn't have clinics here on those days?'

 

Oddly I used to get the same sort of reaction when phoning the GP when my father was ill 'he's not available' 'oh, he asked me to 'phone to speak to him this morning before surgery started', 'hang on a minute, I'll buzz him and then put you through'

[Ian Abel]

Quick midday post - just found out one of our good friends (attended the concert last week with us) is in hospital with a suspected mild heart attack.

 

This poem was read at our remberance/memorial service this weekend and is staggeringly appropriate! If you can, take the time to read it

 

http://jopre.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/tuesday-poem-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9Cotherwise%E2%80%9D-by-jane-kenyon/

 

I find ER a source of strength and support so much of the time. Carpe diem...

[Adams442T]

OI!!!!!!.  The city of Durham is in the Land of the Prince Bishops, i.e. County Durham. . .NOT Northumberland. . . I'll let you off this time but don't do it again!!!!! 

 

Mea Culpa! I did realise that it wasn't in Northumberland as all the 'locals' warned us about straying into 'Foreign Parts'.....................  Strangely enough though we found the same friendly atmosphere in Durham, except in the Cathedral. 

 

Unfortunately they have a system of 'hit the button' to open all the doors around the shop, restaurant, and displays  These are poorly sited (and sighted) and so they employ a warden , er, 'Cathedral Helper' Dragon to bellow at hapless  visitors who dare in their ignorance to attempt to open doors using the cunning deceptively invitingly placed handles.  Reminded me of the woman in the refreshments at Northallerton Station who used to bellow in a similar fashion, "NO cuups owtsiyde! "

Edited November 4, 2014 by Adams442T

[Happy Hippo]

I too have had the bellowing treatment, although I have the ideal solution.

 

I let them rant and rave to the extent that they come over to remonstrate with me.

 

At that point I feign deafness and answer them in sign language ( I can sign a little in BSL) which causes them heaps of embarrassment.

 

I heard that!

 

Who called me a little s**t?

[Two_sugars]

Unfortunately,  Cathedral does have a feeling of the "money changers" about it, but i don't have an answer to that.

The cost of upkeep/repairs are horrendous.

[NGT6 1315]

Like some rail and rail replacement bus service photos? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/74/entry-15081-the-different-faces-of-autumn-%E2%80%93-spotting-results-of-october-and-november-2014/

[Coombe Barton]

Driving up College Road in New Oscott (North Brum) tonight saw a Christmas tree in a house - all lit up.

 

It's not yet even bonfire night!!!

Edited November 4, 2014 by Coombe Barton

[Purley Oaks]

Morning... it is Tuesday after the first Monday in November (who cares I hear you shout!!), well in the US it's ELECTION DAY, mid-term elections this year so there'll be even MORE apathy than usual.

Funny how they designated it as above. It's NOT the first Tuesday in November, but, as stated, the Tuesday AFTER the first Monday. Who thinks these things up - ohh, RIGHT, POLITICIANS!!!

 

We're voting for a variety of mostly lesser cheats  thieves  liars  career-politicians elected officals who will pretend to be doing the will-of-the-people. Some are, many aren't, sadly <sigh> Nontheless I'll get out there and make my mark(s)

 

Glad to hear it, Ian, wars have been fought for less...

Good piece in The Guardian today about Iowa hog-castrating Tea Party candidate Joni Ernst; against Obamacare, minimum wage and even the Clean Water Act (alongside the usual 3Gs)

Hope the flu jag went well; I got a 24-hour dose of flu 3 days after mine three weeks ago. Sorry, that should read manflu.

Mal

[New Haven Neil]

Evening.

 

Ahhhh, NHS appointments - that's why I left the NHS!  We had 16,000 live patients in my department, mostly on a regular treatment regime (I was the administration manager of a large podiatry department) and there was always a steady flow of those who needed to be seen within 24 hours ( the 'diabetes promise') who when seen, had nothing wrong with them, and knew it, but needed their toenails cutting nicely before going to Torremelinos......and thus had taken appointments from regular attenders. Rantrantrant.....it half killed me, 1,000 appointments a week, with 42 clinicians and a mere 4.5 wte admin staff....which then got reduced.....so I reduced it more and left!

 

As for centres of excellence, I can heartily recommend Wrightington Hospital near Wigan (Appley Bridge) where I had my hip surgery - old fashioned and a little seedy in places, but spotlessly clean, superb attentive, happy staff and appointments on time - ish.  Proper old skool 'Consultant attitude' too from one unfortunately, but he was good so I forgive him!

[Steve Williams]

Finally back on-line after several days isolation caused by a fault on 'their' infrastructure. Wasn't too bad, as spent the weekend in Paris. My first visit and very enjoyable too. Weather was glorious and , contrary to what one sometimes hears, I found the Parisians very friendly and tolerant of my very poor French. My most used phrase was ' une peu, une tres peu', and I am not even sure if that is correct!  Eurostar trains certainly seem in need of refurbishment now. However, I couldn't believe just how easy it was to get their and back - two hour journey down the M40, reserved parking at Euston underground car-park (£14 for Friday morning to Sunday 11.30pm), quick trip to St Pancras on the tube and then a quick blast to Paris. The reverse was just the same. Caught the train from Paris about 4.45pm and only missed 15 minutes of 'Downton Abbey' when we got back.

[Ian Abel]

Glad to hear it, Ian, wars have been fought for less...

Good piece in The Guardian today about Iowa hog-castrating Tea Party candidate Joni Ernst; against Obamacare, minimum wage and even the Clean Water Act (alongside the usual 3Gs)

Hope the flu jag went well; I got a 24-hour dose of flu 3 days after mine three weeks ago. Sorry, that should read manflu.

Mal

For a true (albeit comedic bias) view of the mid-term elections over here watch this - John Oliver is one of my favourites...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIMgfBZrrZ8

 

All those absurdities he lists are real - very VERY disturbing commentary on the state of state politics for sure    but certainly provides some amusement!

Edited November 4, 2014 by Ian Abel

[jamie92208]

Evening.

 

Ahhhh, NHS appointments - that's why I left the NHS!  We had 16,000 live patients in my department, mostly on a regular treatment regime (I was the administration manager of a large podiatry department) and there was always a steady flow of those who needed to be seen within 24 hours ( the 'diabetes promise') who when seen, had nothing wrong with them, and knew it, but needed their toenails cutting nicely before going to Torremelinos......and thus had taken appointments from regular attenders. Rantrantrant.....it half killed me, 1,000 appointments a week, with 42 clinicians and a mere 4.5 wte admin staff....which then got reduced.....so I reduced it more and left!

 

As for centres of excellence, I can heartily recommend Wrightington Hospital near Wigan (Appley Bridge) where I had my hip surgery - old fashioned and a little seedy in places, but spotlessly clean, superb attentive, happy staff and appointments on time - ish.  Proper old skool 'Consultant attitude' too from one unfortunately, but he was good so I forgive him!

Whrightington was where the artificial hip was developed.  The team was lead by Mr Charnley and one of his registrars was John Patrick who does the backscenes and many other things on my layout.  Charnley had developed the first artificial joint but they wore out very quickly and had to be replaced after 2 or 3 years.  They had a test rig to test materials.  Charnley rejected one type of socket (Hig impact Polythene I believe) and then went on holiday and John fished it out of the bin and tested it.  3 weeks later it hadn't worn at all.  John  then oversaw the metallurgy of the ball and produced a hip joint that lasted 15 years plus.  Charnley took the credit but such is life.  John is still modelling at 85 though long retired from doctoring and has a fund of good stories.   

 

Jamie

[New Haven Neil]

Yes Jamie - one of the wards is named after Charnley....but not Patrick!  An odd place, but I can't speak highly enough of their service.  It's a bit like 'The Royal' in some of the wards but they are building new ones as we speak I think - I was finally discharged a couple of months ago after 2 years in their care. 

 

I didn't have a replacement but a new technique to eke out some more service from the original fitments!  Having had bits chopped off my femur and pelvis it 'smarted a bit', but I am much improved!  If I get 10 years then I will be well pleased.

[Tony_S]

For a true (albeit comedic bias) view of the mid-term elections over here watch this - John Oliver is one of my favourites

That video seems to have regional issues and won't play but I looked at another one. John Oliver has a nice Birmingham accent!

[Barry O]

cricket completed.. two games, no problems, good atmosphere. Now the temperature is dropping!

 

Off early tomorrow - so enjoy hump day!

 

Baz

[Tony_S]

It is a very wet night here. Robbie only went out for a couple of minutes but was soaked. I did try to get at him with a towel before he shook himself all over me. I failed. He shakes himself, walks round on the doormat to dry his paws and then adopts the "biscuit please" pose.

Tony

Edited November 4, 2014 by Tony_S

[bbishop]

re Baz, I was sitting in Nick's garden in my shirt sleeves, painting bricks on a 7mm overbridge.  Then the sun went in, and pretty rapidly so did I.

 

re Jack Russell Terriers.  We bought a puppy from a farm on Exmoor, and Toddy was a wonderful family dog.  As he reached his dotage, my parents acquired a second JR, Katie was six months old and whilst loving and lovable, was probably originally from a puppy farm and was definitely not as hardy.  Draw your own conclusions.

 

Bill

[Purley Oaks]

For a true (albeit comedic bias) view of the mid-term elections over here watch this - John Oliver is one of my favourites...

Thanks, Ian, as Tony S mentioned this one won't play. Watched his diatribe about US prisons a few months ago which was wonderful.

Mal

[Ian Abel]

That video seems to have regional issues and won't play but I looked at another one. John Oliver has a nice Birmingham accent!

Darn I was afraid of that <sigh>

[Jock67B]

Early good morning all,

Sleep pattern still shot to pieces so very tired but still awake.

I certainly wouldn't knock the NHS when it comes to my treatment although I must confess that my GP and friend did 'fast track' me. My little grumble was the fact that I have to go for my CT scan at 7.15pm tomorrow but I can't complain as my oncologist apparently marked it as urgent and so they're fitting me in before closing for the day!

Bl**dy fireworks - a clown who lives not too far away decided to have a noisy display this evening, the 4th! Perhaps he hasn't got a calendar or didn't do history at school!

My GP and friend of nearly thirty years appears to have sorted the appointment system in his surgery - ring after 8a on the day for doctor or nurse appointments. This has been forced on him as in 2013, they recorded 1750 missed appointments with no contact or apology from the perpetrators! Thoughtless bar stewards robbing genuine patients of a turn. For minor issues, a receptionist notes your query and the relevant specialist calls back before close of afternoon surgery. Joanna has discovered that reception get in to work at 7.45am so she drives the half mile or so and makes a convenient appointment in person, just as the phone starts ringing - guess I'll have to watch her! Seems to work better so far.

Pete(trisonic), hope you aren't getting too excited over the mid term elections, so just in case, I'll say G'night Pete!

The hump has arrived and I hope you all get over it without incident,

Kind regards,

Jock.

[Smiffy2]

Night Jock. Good luck the morra.

 

I'm knacked. felt rough today, it was hitting from every direction - flu-like, twisted my ankle again, rotten toothache, deaf in one ear and then the Metformin gave me the runs... Nice.

Then a day of quite frustrating politicals. It's often true that the other party are your opponents, your own party is the enemy...

 

#3 son asked if we could pick grandson 1 (Henry) up from school on Wednesdy and Thursday. We said yes, of course, but that meant deferring my dentist appointment for Thursday, which I did. Then #3 called to say that other grandparents would pick him up. So I could have gone to the dentist a week earlier than I will be. Ace.

 

The fish I was going to cook for dinner was off. So we went to order a takeaway. It was closed. So we tried a new one. It was late...

 

So I'm up to bed before anything else happens. Perhaps my GBL subscription will arrive tomorrow. Perhaps not. I won't be in anyway. 

 

Happy sleeps, Peeps.

[trisonic]

Bloody Bill Clinton called again tonight. As I was home alone I told him to come over and we’ll discuss it. Suggested he bring some chicks, beer and cigars...........

 

Let’s see if he (and the full entourage of C’s B’s and C’s) turn up.

 

Best, Pete.

Edited November 5, 2014 by trisonic