Well if it has escaped your notice, it is Christmas. Along with this comes the usual behaviour from people and the shops.
As you walk into shops there is on the whole overly loud Christmas songs playing though the PA system. Usually the same 5
crap song by played by all the shop/store you visit. Then there is the big sign near the entance door trying to tell you that 'if you don't buy X for your Christmas party, you
will be a nobody in the Christmas party world'.
As you head around the shop/store it become apparent that the usual stuff you buy
disappears and a Christmas variant appear in it place, I want Dry
Roasted Peanuts, Not Dry Roasted Cashew & Peanuts. I don't want to
pay an extra 3p to have Christmas items printed on my toilet roll, I don't
care when I am (Censored for decency), Just stock my usual toilet roll!!!
Shell (my wife for new readers) birthday is on Christmas
eve, Why remove all the Birthday wrapping paper, people do have birthdays on the 24 and 25 of December! Shell does not want her birthday
presents in Christmas paper
There are funny sights and sounds walking around a supermarket in the run up to Christmas Day. The couple arguing about what the best Gravy for turkey, one waving a tub of Onion Gravy, the other waving a tub of Chicken Gravy. When there is a big display of Turkey Gravy next to them.
Then a trolley road train passes by. 3 or 4 trolleys with an adult holding on to first and second trolleys, and one on the last one, with one or more kids holding the others in the line. plied high with food and assorted bits, it look like they think the shops are going to be closed for 2 months not a day or two. As I watch his awesome sight, I almost get get knocked over by a flying trolley dash shopper, they are someone who is intent on trying to break the world record for getting their shopping done in the shortest time possible.
When you do get home, you are still not safe from over hyped Christmas there is the adverts on TV to contend with.
Supper happy, not a care in the world,
everything perfect, not one sniff of mental health problems, except the
family looks like they are all on happy pills. The Only advert that come
close to normal life is a hyperventilating Alien worried due to there
being only 5 earth day left to Christmas day, cause he is a shoppaholic.
The big day arrives, Christmas day, an oasis of normal tradition Christmas. hearing my wife and mother in law get stressed in the kitchen Christmas
morning as I am shoving the mounting of packaging into a bin bag.
The
vulture attack that is a hunger family at the Christmas Dinner table,
ending in Brother in law trying to break the world record for the
longest or loudest burp. The father in law stumbling to a soft chair
half drunk, then trying to gas us out.
The bloated lounge on the sofa, watching the usual Christmas afternoon TV. Before going down to my mums for a very light Christmas tea with the opening of present to her from us and visa versa.
Strip away the commercial pushiness of big business shoving Christmas down my throat to sell, sell, sell and I like Christmas. however Christmas overload is all too ready to attack when shopping.
Till next time Dear Reader Merry Christmas and Stay Safe.
28 Dec 2013
20 Dec 2013
Happy Christmas and Choose well.
It is that time of the year, where a well build man in a red suit somehow gets down your chimney and empties his sack under your Christmas tree. At any other time of the year this would be considered weird, but it's Christmas time.
What else would be considered as weird is calling an ambulance for a cold. However it Christmas, and the GP and Everywhere is closed.
Well that is not true. The country does not complete stop for the festive days. Health care still works. There are different ways to get help this Christmas time.
Self care. For little things you can help yourself and save setting foot outside the house. Like making sure you have some bits in the cupboard.
NHS Direct, is a service that you can get online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk where you can check your symptoms and the best treatment. If you want a reassuring voice at the end of the phone. you can also call them on 0845 46 47.
Minor Injuries Units, are where you can See an experienced nurse for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, like cuts, sprains, infected wounds or everyday eye infections. Information on Shropshire MIU can be found at www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk/minor-injury-unit or if you are outside Shropshire, search Minor Injuries unit online.
Walk –in Health Centres, are like GP. but without the booking. Information on Shropshire ones can be found at www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk/walk-in-centre
GP Surgeries or GP Out of Hours, If it is something you would go to your GP about, why not give them a call and see if they are open. If not There is ShropDoc, The GP Out of Hours service for Shropshire. You can contact them on 08444 06 8888.
A&E/ 999, If it is critical or life-threatening, then that where the hard working staff of A&E and West Midlands Ambulance Service can help. They specialise in serious illness and badly injured people.
So with a blog post about choosing your medical help carefully. I will say my usually line after leaving you with an Joke from my bad joke Emporium.
My mate went to Iceland to see the northern light, But all he could see was frozen food.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Please Note this is not medical advice. It is intended to show what else is out there beside WMAS and A&E
What else would be considered as weird is calling an ambulance for a cold. However it Christmas, and the GP and Everywhere is closed.
Well that is not true. The country does not complete stop for the festive days. Health care still works. There are different ways to get help this Christmas time.
Self care. For little things you can help yourself and save setting foot outside the house. Like making sure you have some bits in the cupboard.
- Paracetamol or aspirin
- Cold and flu tablets or drinks. (not to be used together)
- Anti-diarrhoeal medicine
- Rehydration mixture
- Plasters
- Thermometer
NHS Direct, is a service that you can get online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk where you can check your symptoms and the best treatment. If you want a reassuring voice at the end of the phone. you can also call them on 0845 46 47.
Minor Injuries Units, are where you can See an experienced nurse for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, like cuts, sprains, infected wounds or everyday eye infections. Information on Shropshire MIU can be found at www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk/minor-injury-unit or if you are outside Shropshire, search Minor Injuries unit online.
Walk –in Health Centres, are like GP. but without the booking. Information on Shropshire ones can be found at www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk/walk-in-centre
GP Surgeries or GP Out of Hours, If it is something you would go to your GP about, why not give them a call and see if they are open. If not There is ShropDoc, The GP Out of Hours service for Shropshire. You can contact them on 08444 06 8888.
A&E/ 999, If it is critical or life-threatening, then that where the hard working staff of A&E and West Midlands Ambulance Service can help. They specialise in serious illness and badly injured people.
So with a blog post about choosing your medical help carefully. I will say my usually line after leaving you with an Joke from my bad joke Emporium.
My mate went to Iceland to see the northern light, But all he could see was frozen food.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Please Note this is not medical advice. It is intended to show what else is out there beside WMAS and A&E
14 Dec 2013
Would you let this guy train you?
Well I got a bit of a shocked during this week. I had an email about the St John trainers course or to give it the right name 'Award in Education and Training'. The reason I am shocked is, I got accepted on to it and start it in January.
Would you sit down and be trained if you walked into a training room and saw this guy was your trainer?
The next bit should be said in the voice of a stereotypical nerdy trainspotter "Hello, I am Dave. Your volunteer trainer, That right I don't get paid for this I do it for the love of First Aid"
Now tell me you would not be running for the training room door :D
The Other thing that sticks in my mind from this week was a comment from my mum over her stairlift.
Her stairlift has a Infra red remote control facility. and a I sat in the her front room drinking a coffee as she said " I was changing channel the other night and the stairlift started moving"
Straight away a sitcom Image of two kids fighting over what channel they wanted to watch, with an old lady on a stairlift in the background, going up a bit then down a bit, in time with the channel changes pop into my head.
I almost spat my coffee out at that thought.
Well it's not as bad as coming home to finding the dog hugging the TV control. and wondering If, when I turn the TV on Crufts highlight would appear on screen.
I think you are now getting an idea of why I called this blog 'The weird mind of Dave'
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Would you sit down and be trained if you walked into a training room and saw this guy was your trainer?
The next bit should be said in the voice of a stereotypical nerdy trainspotter "Hello, I am Dave. Your volunteer trainer, That right I don't get paid for this I do it for the love of First Aid"
Now tell me you would not be running for the training room door :D
The Other thing that sticks in my mind from this week was a comment from my mum over her stairlift.
Her stairlift has a Infra red remote control facility. and a I sat in the her front room drinking a coffee as she said " I was changing channel the other night and the stairlift started moving"
Straight away a sitcom Image of two kids fighting over what channel they wanted to watch, with an old lady on a stairlift in the background, going up a bit then down a bit, in time with the channel changes pop into my head.
I almost spat my coffee out at that thought.
Well it's not as bad as coming home to finding the dog hugging the TV control. and wondering If, when I turn the TV on Crufts highlight would appear on screen.
I think you are now getting an idea of why I called this blog 'The weird mind of Dave'
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
6 Dec 2013
that was the week that was.
Well what a week I had this week.
After a weekend of trying to get an assignment done to get onto a course I commented on in my last post, to sideways rain. It been a bit of an odd week. then to top it off I find half of my St John unit read my blog.
So I hear you wondering, what course qualifier was I doing and did get on it. It was the selection event for the trainers course. and I don't know yet, I am still waiting for an email. I am on tender hooks (not literally, that would be painful) waiting for the answer.
after getting the assignment done, and a morning with my mum at a hospital appointment for her. I had an hour of work, before getting on the road with Jay to get to Cannock Chase Hospital (what was it about hospitals that day!) where the selection event was happening.
It was not a bad run out to CCH (Cannock Chase Hospital) cruise control was used on M54 to keep under the 50mph speed limit for the road work. got stuck in some traffic in Cannock Chase itself as we got there at rush hour.
We got to the room smack on 6pm (first for me to be on time :D) unfortunately the training team got stuck on the M6 and arrived 15 mins late. Which was no big thing, we got chance to have a great chat with 2 friendly lads from Staffordshire St John. Who where surprised to find we came from the far side of Shropshire.
The selection consisted of a written test, a presentation and an interview. I did not do too well in my presentation, I got lost half way though, whoops. I think the interview went well.
As for the written test. I ended up putting "Pick up first aid manual and look up treatment, as I have blooming forgot it" to the question how do you treat croup. apparently not many people get that question right, So I hope I get one mark for saying look it up. well one of the Training team said fair point when a commented on my answer was made.
Then on the way home we ended up in the aftermath of a person driving the wrong way up a dual carriageway. The worrying this is, I did not find that strange or unusual.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
After a weekend of trying to get an assignment done to get onto a course I commented on in my last post, to sideways rain. It been a bit of an odd week. then to top it off I find half of my St John unit read my blog.
So I hear you wondering, what course qualifier was I doing and did get on it. It was the selection event for the trainers course. and I don't know yet, I am still waiting for an email. I am on tender hooks (not literally, that would be painful) waiting for the answer.
after getting the assignment done, and a morning with my mum at a hospital appointment for her. I had an hour of work, before getting on the road with Jay to get to Cannock Chase Hospital (what was it about hospitals that day!) where the selection event was happening.
It was not a bad run out to CCH (Cannock Chase Hospital) cruise control was used on M54 to keep under the 50mph speed limit for the road work. got stuck in some traffic in Cannock Chase itself as we got there at rush hour.
We got to the room smack on 6pm (first for me to be on time :D) unfortunately the training team got stuck on the M6 and arrived 15 mins late. Which was no big thing, we got chance to have a great chat with 2 friendly lads from Staffordshire St John. Who where surprised to find we came from the far side of Shropshire.
The selection consisted of a written test, a presentation and an interview. I did not do too well in my presentation, I got lost half way though, whoops. I think the interview went well.
As for the written test. I ended up putting "Pick up first aid manual and look up treatment, as I have blooming forgot it" to the question how do you treat croup. apparently not many people get that question right, So I hope I get one mark for saying look it up. well one of the Training team said fair point when a commented on my answer was made.
Then on the way home we ended up in the aftermath of a person driving the wrong way up a dual carriageway. The worrying this is, I did not find that strange or unusual.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
30 Nov 2013
Double Trouble??
Sorry I have not posted in the last few weeks. It has been a time of being busy getting ready for my ETA qualifier. ETA is the St John, Ambulance crew level. And I needed to catch up on my reading and CPD folder.
I did requal for another year. Then that night, I did something a bit mad. signed up to be assessed for suitability for a course that will give me another qualification. not linked to the ambulance level.
The selection assignment for this is tough, I do think it is the illegitimate child of Satan. Next week I will find out if I made it onto the course.
Right now on to the title of the post.
There are two of me, Dave and Andy ,and no, I have not developed Dissociative Identity Disorder.
No, it was a funny thing that happened at work last week.
I was quickly grabbing a coffee before heading over to our Baschurch campus, when a parent came up, mobile phone to ear and asked me "can you tell me where the second glass reception is" and before I had time to answer she continued "Speak to my daughter to find out where she is"
With the parents mobile to my ear, "Hello, I am Dave, do you know what campus you are on" the reply was no. then i asked a question I already knew the answer to, "can you ask someone" after a muffled few seconds the reply comes back "Baschurch campus"
That is 12 miles away from my base campus where I am standing. So after giving her mother direction to the campus and the right entrance. I when on my way to pick up some bit and headed to baschurch campus.
I arrive at the campus offloaded my bits for baschurch campus in reception, then see the parents car arrive from the wrong direction. As she got out of the car she said "this look like it's the right part" She carries on across the car park towards me coming out of the Harris centre, where reception is.
"I just seen your Twin, Dave at the other site" she says to me. Keeping a straight face and mischievous side waking up. she continued " Nice lad, very helpful, even if we forgot he told us to take the first entrance"
That was it, my mischievous side got the better of me. "Oh, yes he is. apparently we are both nice lads. anyway it Andy" As i said this I held out my hand for a handshake " I will let him know, you found his directions helpful"
To which she responses "Just don't tell him I took the second entrance first" I said i would not. we said goodbye and I headed off to get on with my next job with a cheeky smile on my face.
I told my line manager that someone thinks there are two of me, so can i have two pay packets. he just laughed.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
I did requal for another year. Then that night, I did something a bit mad. signed up to be assessed for suitability for a course that will give me another qualification. not linked to the ambulance level.
The selection assignment for this is tough, I do think it is the illegitimate child of Satan. Next week I will find out if I made it onto the course.
Right now on to the title of the post.
There are two of me, Dave and Andy ,and no, I have not developed Dissociative Identity Disorder.
No, it was a funny thing that happened at work last week.
I was quickly grabbing a coffee before heading over to our Baschurch campus, when a parent came up, mobile phone to ear and asked me "can you tell me where the second glass reception is" and before I had time to answer she continued "Speak to my daughter to find out where she is"
With the parents mobile to my ear, "Hello, I am Dave, do you know what campus you are on" the reply was no. then i asked a question I already knew the answer to, "can you ask someone" after a muffled few seconds the reply comes back "Baschurch campus"
That is 12 miles away from my base campus where I am standing. So after giving her mother direction to the campus and the right entrance. I when on my way to pick up some bit and headed to baschurch campus.
I arrive at the campus offloaded my bits for baschurch campus in reception, then see the parents car arrive from the wrong direction. As she got out of the car she said "this look like it's the right part" She carries on across the car park towards me coming out of the Harris centre, where reception is.
"I just seen your Twin, Dave at the other site" she says to me. Keeping a straight face and mischievous side waking up. she continued " Nice lad, very helpful, even if we forgot he told us to take the first entrance"
That was it, my mischievous side got the better of me. "Oh, yes he is. apparently we are both nice lads. anyway it Andy" As i said this I held out my hand for a handshake " I will let him know, you found his directions helpful"
To which she responses "Just don't tell him I took the second entrance first" I said i would not. we said goodbye and I headed off to get on with my next job with a cheeky smile on my face.
I told my line manager that someone thinks there are two of me, so can i have two pay packets. he just laughed.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
26 Oct 2013
etiquette of (looks around) smoking
I know smoking is bad subject to talk about, as it is bad for us. However it is here, and until the government says "you must be born before this date to buy tobacco products" to end smoking with one generation, then it will carry on.
So why are you posting about smoking. I here you thinking. Students that smoke, or more to the point Students that don't smoke in the right place, the smoking shelter. and instead take shelter under a glass canopy right in front of the main doors to the college. Most argue that the smoking shelter is small for the amount of smokers the college has.
I agree, the shelter is too small for the amount of smokers trying to use it, however, standing so no one can get into the build without getting a face full of smoke is not on. Sometimes when it is raining I stand in the bike shed, and move if someone comes for their bike. I know it not the Designated Smoking Area. It is out of the way, not affecting non smokers and it dry.
Why do I do it, simply I have a basic etiquette for smoking
1) Try not to standing near a doorway while smoking, People will have to walk through your smoke to get into the building and it will be blown in after them
2) If in a group that contains non smokers, stand downwind.
3) Never blow smoke in anyone's face.
4) Generally be aware of where you smoke is going and be considerate of non smokers.
I do think that if all us smokers follow these basic steps, then non smokers wont complain so much about us.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
So why are you posting about smoking. I here you thinking. Students that smoke, or more to the point Students that don't smoke in the right place, the smoking shelter. and instead take shelter under a glass canopy right in front of the main doors to the college. Most argue that the smoking shelter is small for the amount of smokers the college has.
I agree, the shelter is too small for the amount of smokers trying to use it, however, standing so no one can get into the build without getting a face full of smoke is not on. Sometimes when it is raining I stand in the bike shed, and move if someone comes for their bike. I know it not the Designated Smoking Area. It is out of the way, not affecting non smokers and it dry.
Why do I do it, simply I have a basic etiquette for smoking
1) Try not to standing near a doorway while smoking, People will have to walk through your smoke to get into the building and it will be blown in after them
2) If in a group that contains non smokers, stand downwind.
3) Never blow smoke in anyone's face.
4) Generally be aware of where you smoke is going and be considerate of non smokers.
I do think that if all us smokers follow these basic steps, then non smokers wont complain so much about us.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
19 Oct 2013
why!
I have not posted for the last couple of week as I have been preoccupied, trying to get a doctor requested follow up appointment.
I hear you saying "why trying". well my GP surgery has had the wonderful idea of playing around with the appointment system.
First it was speak to triage nurse, then the receptionist could book me but not for the date I want as the system only does two weeks. Then it was back to having to speak to the triage nurse, who says "We are now doing appointment on the day, ring up at 8am the day you want an appointment and book it for that day"
Great way to make you feel like they want to help you. does it matter I fighting the black dog and running low on anti depressants.
Why Can't they just get a system stay with it, instead of changing it every week confusing people trying to get a appointment.
I don't know about anyone else, however my boss like a bit of notice that I am going to be going to a GP appointment. and I try to get them outside my working hours if possible.
I just wonder sometimes what priority mental health care has.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
I hear you saying "why trying". well my GP surgery has had the wonderful idea of playing around with the appointment system.
First it was speak to triage nurse, then the receptionist could book me but not for the date I want as the system only does two weeks. Then it was back to having to speak to the triage nurse, who says "We are now doing appointment on the day, ring up at 8am the day you want an appointment and book it for that day"
Great way to make you feel like they want to help you. does it matter I fighting the black dog and running low on anti depressants.
Why Can't they just get a system stay with it, instead of changing it every week confusing people trying to get a appointment.
I don't know about anyone else, however my boss like a bit of notice that I am going to be going to a GP appointment. and I try to get them outside my working hours if possible.
I just wonder sometimes what priority mental health care has.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
28 Sept 2013
BBC Local, Radio Shropshire
I was wondering what to write about in this post. Until I hear the Drive time show on Radio Shropshire today.
Anyone that knows me knows the love I have for my counties local BBC radio station.
Adam and Vicki, the shows presenters where saying how it was the shows 3rd birthday, and that back on Monday the 27th of September 2010 they where teamed up to do the show, after John Darvall left the station.
This made me think about the station, a station that first went live on 23 April 1985, St Georges Day. (I am too young to remember that day. cough) The Slogan for the starting year was "Live in 85", It started with just one transmitter based on the Wrekin television mast (near telford) linked to the main studio. Converted from an old supermarket at Boscobel Drive, Shrewsbury, the studio has given the station a great base right in the middle of the county.
Now, i can see you falling asleep at my geeky out burst, I shall skip all the technical stuff I have found online about the station.
Going back to Adam Green and Vicki Archer, and they comments on the shows birthday. The day of the first show, I turned my radio on with worry about the changes to the stations shows, as, well to be honest. the station had some cracking output, and i was worried the changes could be for the worst.
However, the stations editor had done something that is hard to do.Kept the tone and cracking output the same with new teams and gentle changes. Pairing up the morning presenter, Eric Smith with the mid afternoon presenter Clare Ashford for the morning show, even if Clare groans at Eric's bad jokes. Leaving Jim Hawkins to do this great morning show. Then extending Colin Young's lunchbox from 2 to 3 hours, more about that later. then getting a new team of Adam and Vicki to replace John Darval on the drivetime slot.
Now a bit about each show,
Clare Ashford and Eric Smith on the breakfast show. Both are far too quick witted for that time in the morning. Even If i think Eric has a key to my bad joke Emporium.
Jim Hawkins does a mainly talk based show with some great music sprinkled though it. Showing the human side of Shropshire, Giving a new angle on local stories and people. With the core idea of helping people out along the way.
I have spoke to him on a few occasions when he did his "On the bench" in Oswestry. On the bench is where he goes to a bench somewhere in the county and talks to whoever come and talks to him. It a great idea, and gives real insight into the lives of Salopians.
Colin Young's afternoon show. It has a fun personal feel, with some fun interaction bits. like on the road, you have to guess the place in Shropshire with cryptic clues. And hitting the headline, where you have to give a song to match the headline. Some times I try to get Col to read out the most weirdest answers to both of these, usually ending up with a comical comment from him.
Colin also loves doing things out and about the county. and has pre recorded bits where he finds out about things in the county or has a go and doing something. He has in the past tried doing an outside broadcast from the last Wrexham and Shropshire railways train, with some technical problems due to being on a moving train. Something he did not have trouble with when in March 2013 he broadcast his lunchtime programme from a narrowboat on the Llangollen canal in north Shropshire for a week.
Sometimes I do wonder if this escaping the studios has something to do with him being the Longest serving member of the station, being with the station from 1985.
Adam Green and Vicki Archer, with the drive time show. With more interaction with schools out, a guessing game where Vicki's children (only 2 of the 3, the baby cant talk yet) explain an object, it's harder than it sounds. Then there is place of the week, a place in Shropshire that they visit and learn about, taking us along for the ride.
There is another show that is not on daily, that I really enjoy. In fact I am listening to it as I writing this posting. That is Colin Young's Trunk Of Funk. A cracking little show that help lift my mood.
Colin has a knowledge of disco, soul, funk and all that type of music that is second to none. and always puts on a upbeat show, that and his band of Trunkateers meet up on facebook during the show for what can only be described as a mad 3 hours of interaction.
The fact that Delivering Quality First (DQF) threatened to end the show, the amount of support of the show, pushed it into a new 2200 - 0100 friday time slot, and opened up the simultaneous transmission from 3 station Radio Shropshire, Radio Stoke and Hereford and Worcester to include BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and BBC WM. Making it a West Midland region Show. Something many listeners from the original 3 stations said should of be done years ago. and in my personal opinion is the only good thing to come out of the DQF shake up,
Saturday is not the same without Saturday night with Jim Hawkins.It is a shame that it went, as it was a really uplifting specialist show. another brilliant show that was made by Radio Shropshire.
The trunk of funk and the friendly day show, really help to lift my mood, and help me think happier thoughts.
So As you can see, BBC Radio Shropshire can keep lone workers like myself sane and informed about the county I live in, and it always help keeps me the right side of the black dog, by being good it job.
And most of all Being the voice of Shropshire.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Anyone that knows me knows the love I have for my counties local BBC radio station.
Adam and Vicki, the shows presenters where saying how it was the shows 3rd birthday, and that back on Monday the 27th of September 2010 they where teamed up to do the show, after John Darvall left the station.
This made me think about the station, a station that first went live on 23 April 1985, St Georges Day. (I am too young to remember that day. cough) The Slogan for the starting year was "Live in 85", It started with just one transmitter based on the Wrekin television mast (near telford) linked to the main studio. Converted from an old supermarket at Boscobel Drive, Shrewsbury, the studio has given the station a great base right in the middle of the county.
Now, i can see you falling asleep at my geeky out burst, I shall skip all the technical stuff I have found online about the station.
Going back to Adam Green and Vicki Archer, and they comments on the shows birthday. The day of the first show, I turned my radio on with worry about the changes to the stations shows, as, well to be honest. the station had some cracking output, and i was worried the changes could be for the worst.
However, the stations editor had done something that is hard to do.Kept the tone and cracking output the same with new teams and gentle changes. Pairing up the morning presenter, Eric Smith with the mid afternoon presenter Clare Ashford for the morning show, even if Clare groans at Eric's bad jokes. Leaving Jim Hawkins to do this great morning show. Then extending Colin Young's lunchbox from 2 to 3 hours, more about that later. then getting a new team of Adam and Vicki to replace John Darval on the drivetime slot.
Now a bit about each show,
Clare Ashford and Eric Smith on the breakfast show. Both are far too quick witted for that time in the morning. Even If i think Eric has a key to my bad joke Emporium.
Jim Hawkins does a mainly talk based show with some great music sprinkled though it. Showing the human side of Shropshire, Giving a new angle on local stories and people. With the core idea of helping people out along the way.
I have spoke to him on a few occasions when he did his "On the bench" in Oswestry. On the bench is where he goes to a bench somewhere in the county and talks to whoever come and talks to him. It a great idea, and gives real insight into the lives of Salopians.
Colin Young's afternoon show. It has a fun personal feel, with some fun interaction bits. like on the road, you have to guess the place in Shropshire with cryptic clues. And hitting the headline, where you have to give a song to match the headline. Some times I try to get Col to read out the most weirdest answers to both of these, usually ending up with a comical comment from him.
Colin also loves doing things out and about the county. and has pre recorded bits where he finds out about things in the county or has a go and doing something. He has in the past tried doing an outside broadcast from the last Wrexham and Shropshire railways train, with some technical problems due to being on a moving train. Something he did not have trouble with when in March 2013 he broadcast his lunchtime programme from a narrowboat on the Llangollen canal in north Shropshire for a week.
Sometimes I do wonder if this escaping the studios has something to do with him being the Longest serving member of the station, being with the station from 1985.
Adam Green and Vicki Archer, with the drive time show. With more interaction with schools out, a guessing game where Vicki's children (only 2 of the 3, the baby cant talk yet) explain an object, it's harder than it sounds. Then there is place of the week, a place in Shropshire that they visit and learn about, taking us along for the ride.
There is another show that is not on daily, that I really enjoy. In fact I am listening to it as I writing this posting. That is Colin Young's Trunk Of Funk. A cracking little show that help lift my mood.
Colin has a knowledge of disco, soul, funk and all that type of music that is second to none. and always puts on a upbeat show, that and his band of Trunkateers meet up on facebook during the show for what can only be described as a mad 3 hours of interaction.
The fact that Delivering Quality First (DQF) threatened to end the show, the amount of support of the show, pushed it into a new 2200 - 0100 friday time slot, and opened up the simultaneous transmission from 3 station Radio Shropshire, Radio Stoke and Hereford and Worcester to include BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and BBC WM. Making it a West Midland region Show. Something many listeners from the original 3 stations said should of be done years ago. and in my personal opinion is the only good thing to come out of the DQF shake up,
Saturday is not the same without Saturday night with Jim Hawkins.It is a shame that it went, as it was a really uplifting specialist show. another brilliant show that was made by Radio Shropshire.
The trunk of funk and the friendly day show, really help to lift my mood, and help me think happier thoughts.
So As you can see, BBC Radio Shropshire can keep lone workers like myself sane and informed about the county I live in, and it always help keeps me the right side of the black dog, by being good it job.
And most of all Being the voice of Shropshire.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
20 Sept 2013
The keeper of the BLT.
In the last post I said about my life has been shaken and changed.
Well apparently I am a sandwich carer. The first time I hear this I thought, I don't look after packed lunches!!
After googling it, the mental images I had of looking after marmalade butties and making sure the lettuce did not escape from a BTL sub, soon disappeared. So what is a sandwich carer I don't here you cry.
Is someone who looks after an older relative and a younger relative. In my case it, my mum that tries to live as independently as she can. And my daughter that has learning difficulties.
My Mum has MS and bone that don't like keeping calcium. meaning her mobility is not what it once was, much to her dismay. She no longer drive, opting to surrender her driving licence a few weeks ago. not that she was a big driver in the last few years, Dad used to do most of the driving as the feeling in my mums feet started to fade.
My daughter has ADHD and Global Development Delay, in other word, they are still working out what other problems she has.
There is an odd side to caring for a mobility restricted highly experienced retired nursery teacher and caring teen with mental disabilities. When they are together, they start caring for each other, weird but true.
My mum has the skills from years of teaching and running a nursery to verbally direct her granddaughter and can under her instruction her granddaughter can do the physical stuff she can't.
Lets take the weekly shop as an example. The shopping trolleys are right behind the car, and my daughter knows to get one and take it to the car door, then helps mum out and to the trolley. when in the supermarket, she get what mum cant. It beautiful to see, how these two people that have trouble functioning by themselves working together to over come there own problems without even thinking about it.
And with that i will leave you with an escapee from Dave's bad joke Emporium,
"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Little old lady."
"Little old lady who?"
"I didn't know you could yodel!"
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Well apparently I am a sandwich carer. The first time I hear this I thought, I don't look after packed lunches!!
After googling it, the mental images I had of looking after marmalade butties and making sure the lettuce did not escape from a BTL sub, soon disappeared. So what is a sandwich carer I don't here you cry.
Is someone who looks after an older relative and a younger relative. In my case it, my mum that tries to live as independently as she can. And my daughter that has learning difficulties.
My Mum has MS and bone that don't like keeping calcium. meaning her mobility is not what it once was, much to her dismay. She no longer drive, opting to surrender her driving licence a few weeks ago. not that she was a big driver in the last few years, Dad used to do most of the driving as the feeling in my mums feet started to fade.
My daughter has ADHD and Global Development Delay, in other word, they are still working out what other problems she has.
There is an odd side to caring for a mobility restricted highly experienced retired nursery teacher and caring teen with mental disabilities. When they are together, they start caring for each other, weird but true.
My mum has the skills from years of teaching and running a nursery to verbally direct her granddaughter and can under her instruction her granddaughter can do the physical stuff she can't.
Lets take the weekly shop as an example. The shopping trolleys are right behind the car, and my daughter knows to get one and take it to the car door, then helps mum out and to the trolley. when in the supermarket, she get what mum cant. It beautiful to see, how these two people that have trouble functioning by themselves working together to over come there own problems without even thinking about it.
And with that i will leave you with an escapee from Dave's bad joke Emporium,
"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Little old lady."
"Little old lady who?"
"I didn't know you could yodel!"
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
6 Sept 2013
Dear blog, sorry for being a way so long
yet another sorry for not posting, post.
It has been a few days off a year since my last post. Why well I have had a hell of a time. and not been up for posting.
My world has been shaken and changed. It started with one phone call and all weirdness broke out. Now I don't know how much i want to post about it. I may do a full posting of that night, in my usual style of my other now resting blog some time in the future. However, at the moment. I think it would be too painful for some people that come across my blog to read and for me to write.
My dad died in November last year. Mum called saying she could not wake him, when i got there, there was signs to do CPR. As the first person there able to do it. I did.
And at the moment that as much i can write about it.
since then I have fallen off social media a bit. I think it may be time to try and get back on to social media, as I only use it on a friday when the trunk of funk is on. The only time of the week where the black dog has a nap for 3 hours and i can lose myself in the world of funk.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
It has been a few days off a year since my last post. Why well I have had a hell of a time. and not been up for posting.
My world has been shaken and changed. It started with one phone call and all weirdness broke out. Now I don't know how much i want to post about it. I may do a full posting of that night, in my usual style of my other now resting blog some time in the future. However, at the moment. I think it would be too painful for some people that come across my blog to read and for me to write.
My dad died in November last year. Mum called saying she could not wake him, when i got there, there was signs to do CPR. As the first person there able to do it. I did.
And at the moment that as much i can write about it.
since then I have fallen off social media a bit. I think it may be time to try and get back on to social media, as I only use it on a friday when the trunk of funk is on. The only time of the week where the black dog has a nap for 3 hours and i can lose myself in the world of funk.
Till next time Dear Reader, Stay Safe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)