Its in the Blood

Quite fancy this one, can't think why?

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 22:08:57 GMT

Dana Centre Event

Live Kidney Transplant
6 February 2007, 18:50 - 21:30
Quiz the surgeon during a kidney transplant. We link up with an operating theatre to experience the skill, precision and tension involved – live! Join us to ask the surgeon and chat to experts in the room.

Boys and their toys

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 16:22:54 GMT

Well this is the first post from my Linux machine and chuffed I am too. I am using Mozilla's integrated web suite called Seamonkey (where do they get these names from?) which is Firefoxs' big brother. Using an add-in called Deepest Sender it automatically logs me in so I can type away. Oh joy! Don't think you will get any more pearls of wisdom though!

Have fun

Teleworking

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 14:25:15 GMT

Well here I am working from home, reading a very important NHS IT document (don't see those words together in a sentence normally!) It was nice not getting up a 6am this morning. I like deciding when to work and having as much coffee as one likes.

However I forgot to say the other day that when I got into work, they had saved me a copy of last Wednesdays 'the london paper':-) Did I know these people? Know them? Noooo not me:-)

Two entries in two days, wow! Don't expect it to last.

Back to the grind:-(

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 11:06:23 GMT

Visited the fracture clinic yesterday and was told that my foot has '70% healed' and I am able to go back to work on Monday. When I sat down and thought about this I realised I have been off for almost two months! It will be hard to get back into the commute:-(
I am enjoying my last couple of days of freedom by going down to see janinemarriott tonight and on Friday out to see Mitch Benn at a Bristol comedy club. Back Saturday to prepare for the big day!

Janines Dad, Ron, is ferrying me down to Bristol, but we might be delayed as he went out to his van this morning and found it had been broken into! Bad news as ne had a call-out last night and didn't get in until 2am. He was not a happy bunny. He has just left (12:00) after having spent all morning phoning people.

Have a fun week and know that I will be joining the working masses next week:-(

Its mad round here

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:07:41 GMT

Its great at Janines parents! Great food excellent booze but now they are playing some bizarre board game. I am hiding behind the PC:-)

Cast Off me hearties

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 19:50:32 GMT

Well well. back from the hospital with leg resplendently naked! Plaster removed, but not all sweetness and light. Apparently the break has healed 'about 50%'! He wants me to gently walk on it to stimulate blood flow and bone growth. He wants to check again in a fortnight. Unfortunately gentle walking doesn't include commuting so I have a further fortnight off:-) Yahh! Me being the curious soul I am (I am scientist everything is a need to know basis, ie I need to know everything) I asked what happens if it hasn't healed by then? To which he replied 'we will have to consider surgery to pin it'. Aghhhhhhhhhhh

Castaway

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:07:25 GMT

Hopefully today is the day!! The day for what I hear you cry? The day my leg is removed from its artificial casing. Yes Yes Yes!!!

To celebrate I will try to get to this event, as those that read my 'six things about me' and didn't let it go in and float straight out, will know this guy is one of my favourite authors (which is nice as the bristol bibliogoths are reading American Gods this month)

Blackwell present: An Evening with Neil Gaiman

Monday 25th of September, 7pm
Logan Hall
Institute of Education
20 Bedford Way
WC1H 0AL

Tickets cost £7, £5 concessions, and are available from our dedicated booking line 0845 456 9876 (Mon-Fri, 9.30 - 6.00), or in-store at Blackwell, 100 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0JG (as soon as we get them in).

Aaaaggghhhhhh!!

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 15:53:25 GMT

Just a quick post as I have done anything exciting this weekend:-) I have read everyones posts about Wrecked and VC Open House weekend and feel thoroughly depressed and being locked in all weekend:-) However tomorrow is the BIG day! Back to the fracture clinic and hopefully bye bye to the cast.

Whilst scrolling through the friends LJ stuff I came across this film http://www.panslabyrinth.com on Neil Gaimans blog. Looks like one to book?

Have fun, I was clear and sober Sunday, Bah Humbug

Another riveting tale

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:30:33 GMT

Well here it is Wednesday and my weekend only finished yesterday:-) I could get used to this staying at home and doing things in your own time!

Started of with my beloved taxiing me back from Bristol Friday, and taxiing us both to demonmoonglow and Colins Saturday afternoon. Got ready for the Dance of the Damned with the ever hospitable MacDonalds and was then chauffeured into London. As people have said before 'What an excellent venue for a goth event'. However, I was disappointed at the lack of light. Shock Horror a vampire wanting more light!? Well yes, everyone had made such an effort and for most of the evening you couldn't see it:-( Danced myself silly (like anyone didn't notice) as alcohol has amazing medicinal properties, such as anesthesia. Chauffeured back and to bed. janinemarriott left on Sunday afternoon for the long trek back into the wilderness and Colin, Jenny and I settled down for a night of highbrow TV viewing. Blackbeard and Midsommer murders!! Although Midsommer murders seemed more of a comedy and bought numerous howls of laughter from said assembled audience.

Monday I returned the favour and Colin and Jenny taxied me home and stayed over for a couple of days. Pub cooking and drives in the country the order of the day with the most strenuous thing being the Times crossword (the easy one) on Tuesday. And before anyone asks the only one we couldn't get was Vehement:-) My house guests left last night, and so my weekend finished:-)

Only fly in the ointment is that I phoned the clinic this morning to try to bring my appointment forward for my cast removal and they are still fully booked:-( No open house for me!

God its going to be hard going back to work!!

Wake up, he has finished:-)

I'm still not dead

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:05:19 GMT

Not very good at keeping up this blogging malarky. Hope I'm not letting anyone done who desperately needs to know about my exciting life/lifestyle.

Anyway a good weekend was had. Attending a comedy club in Bristol Saturday evening. This was a great night out as myself, janinemarriott, J-P and Kelly met up with Jon and his other half. For reasons unbeknown the other half was well behaved, but didn't get any of the sarcasm heaped upon her. For further history on this see Janines' LJ! The comedians were excellent, but the one that stood out for me was a Kiwi called Ben Hurley. Very very funny, go see him if you get a chance. Sunday was eating and shopping, not necessarily in that order and that was my weekend. See I told you I live at breakneck speed.

Monday was designated house/garden tidying so I did my bit to help by providing tea. For anyone that knows J-P will know this is a major part of any plan and much tea was provided and much tidying was achieved.

That's it then, probably have to wait for another couple of days or update you in person at the Vampires Ball!

See you all soon.

Here I am!!

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 12:50:04 GMT

Its me again!

Thought I had better update my entries as people might think my leg has fallen off or something. So what really happened?

Well Wednesday was my birthday so had a fantastically relaxing day. First stop the barbers for a haircut which wasn't quite as close as J-Ps :-) then a wet shave with a proper cut-throat razor. Absolute luxury. Then off to a little pub down a little street in Bath. At the Old Green Tree (said pub) met janinemarriott , J-P, Janines mother and brother. Indulged in much excellent food and even more excellent ale. The pint of Mr Perrets stout were perfect. Moved on for afternoon tea (disappointment) then on to the Salamander, a Bath Ales tied pub, for more excellent beer. An there you can see the reason for not posting on Wednesday.......I was drunk! Thursday was for recovering:-) and for being slightly annoyed that I could not make it to the Vampyre Connexion meeting last night:-(

So here I am back today.

darkjewelz has tagged me to list six things you didn't know you didn't know about me. Thanks Jules!!

I think I can manage six so her goes:

1. Before you read the above paragraph (see I can hear crys of cheat already) did you know I enjoyed real ale? I have a particular preference for stouts and porters. My current favourite being Fullers London Porter .

2. I have two kidneys, neither of which are my own. Neither of them are in the right place either. I recommend you all visit this website pretty please:-)

3. I am a big fan of Arthurian history and literature from Nennius and Bede right upto Bruckheimer

4. Begining to falter here. My favourite place in the world (that I know of so far) is Venice, with Florence coming a close second. I guess Italy would probably sum it up:-)

5. Apart from real ale I do like a glass of red. Preferably something that tastes as 'dark and dusty as the bottom of a coffin'. Although do not allow me to drink to much as I am liable to fall off stools, talk gibberish and fall asleep.

6. I am a big fain of Neil Gaimans tour de force the Sandman series of graphic novels.

Well thats six I hopeed you learned something about me? Probably to run very fast in the opposite direction next time I approach:-))

I nominate janinemarriott atemispanic

Have fun out there!!

The good, the bad and the ugly

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 20:35:25 GMT

What a day! Today started off really well as I had a call from a nice man in Munich regarding part of my outfit for the the vampires ball It should arrive Wednesday week, excellent

It got worse from there, janinemarriott has been saying the clutch has been going on the car and I have been putting it off it truly bloky stylee. It came back to bite me today:-( Janine was driving me to Bristol for a bit of R&R in her house with her housemates. Great fun I thought. Driving down, half way the clutch decided to break proper, as in engine going but not actually driving wheels.
Made a really bad smell too:-( Phone rescue, suprised when they turned up twenty five minutes later! Now in Bristol with a dead car.

The ugly...........J-P has shave all his hair off again. Don't try this at home folks!

The Ball

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 21:25:44 GMT

Am trying to get an outfit together for the vampire ball. Not an easy thing when below the knee on your left leg is going to be incased in fibre glass (plaster is so last century) janinemarriott made an excellent suggestion. "Why not try a long kilt?" Fantastic idea, cast will be hidden and the select few can sign it on the night:-) So I need help from all you LJers out there. What I want is an ankle length, black cotton kilt for the the ball. Any ideas of sources?

Need it foor the ball in a couple of weeks so rapid delivery would be useful:-)

Will not be able to make VC on Thursday :-( so post a comment please.

Miss me on Thursday......Please.....

There is a reason

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 15:47:14 GMT

Is there a reason for anything? Do you need a reason to do something? Is there a reason for watching 'Silent Witness'? Is it to try to understand the first episode by watching the second and most often be sorely disappointed (or is that just me)?

Anyway that was a convoluted way of introducing the reason I haven't posted for a couple of days:-) I was playing around with some new software and corrupted the XP start up on my PC. Format hard drive here we come. Feelings of frustration mainly as it was my own fault:-( Little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing!! The reformat corrupted the way my PDA 'talks' to the PC so all that had to be redone (and just after getting my PDA back in shape) Hey that how I learn most of my IT.

Anyway all seems OK now, until next time!! For those that have asked, and there have been many, my foot is sore. For some bizarre reason the plaster feels like it has doubled in weight over the last couple of days and is causing annoyance while trying to sleep and pain while walking. I did my first walk out of the house this afternoon, as I couldn't be arsed to get up when the postman knocked (three times so it was OK). The Post Office is at the other end of the village, all of about 5 minutes walk away, but the time I got back both legs were aching and it felt like the plaster had cut my toes off. However I am glad I did it as it was a parcel from nimstar containing the D.U.S.T CDs, all now safely ripped and on my PDA. Thanks Nim!

Another great NHS bashing session was indulged in when demonmoonglow phoned earlier, boy is she looking forward to here retirement. She might even get time to knit that shawl, but I doubt it there always cemeteries to add to the many churches to visit, along with all those big houses:-)

Have fun people.

More PDA stuff

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 18:09:24 GMT

I feel a little smug as I have just worked out how to 'hotsync' my PDA to my PC over the wireless network. Not all my own work though, works wonders when you read the instructions on the net! Can get my copy of Ubuntu to install onto my HDD. The live CD runs OK so I can use it, but if I try to install it freezes at the partition stage :-(

Foot is giving pain though and kept waking me last night , naughty foot. It seems that, that leg is become prone to 'restless leg syndrome' which is not good. Plastered leg random flailing..... Nice

Have to say a quick 'thanks a bunch' to demonmoonglow for her encouraging phone call yesterday. Thanks again Jenny talk soon, you give them hell in your last week(ish)

Have a great weekend everyone

Time

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:59:49 GMT

Well with all this time on my hands I have finished Toyminator by Robert Rankin. Not up to his usual standard and not as good as it prequel 'Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse' (Yes really) It has it usual madcap humour and word play, but the story is a bit lame and makes a bit too many passing references. A book that will date before its time unfortunately.
Its now on to the London bibliogoth book, 'The Affair of the Poisoners', which I will attempt to read. I say attempt as I am not sure I will get to the meetings. if you are not sure why I might not make it, where have you been, read the previous posts!! 'The Drowned World' arrived this morning, but as that is the Bristol bibliogoth book that may get even less of a look in:-(

God, not more on that bloody foot!

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 10:09:47 GMT

Oh yes my friends more on that bloody foot! Went to the fracture clinic at the Royal Free yesterday and they were concerned that the fracture would prevent blood supply to the rest of the bone. To stop this from happening, it was decided to 'set it properly' which means I am now the proud owner of a full cast (which seems to be made out of fibre glass/epoxy resin) which has to be in place for four weeks. Bah humbug. That means I will have a cast for my birthday (30th August since you asked) bibliogoths and for the Vampires Ball

Now on to better things, the new Robert Rankin arrived yesterday so will have plenty of time to read that. The London Bibliogoth book, the Affair of the Poisoners, arrived this morning and I have just had an email saying the Bristol Bibliogoth book, J G Ballards 'Drowned World' is on its way.

Plenty to keep me amused:-)

Annoyed at oneself

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 18:37:56 GMT

Should have previewed and spell checked that last entry!!

More cyclic meanderings

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 18:29:38 GMT

For anyone that is still feigning interest in the saga of my brken foot, here is this afternoons episode. As mentioned I had to go to the Royal Free AE department to get a fracture clinic appointment. Well the AE department was the scence of a world record! Booked in, seen and out of an NHS AE department within half an hour!! Amazing. It does mean that I have the fracture clinic appointment. 2.15pm, tomorrow sice you asked :-) which almost feels like I have found the holy grail wraped in the golden fleece. Back to the Royal Free tomorrow, for another exiting episode in the soap opera.

Up & Down

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 12:57:32 GMT

Today has been a day of ups and downs. Mainly up and down the stairs as I can now seem to do both almost upright (that healing must be working gothic_violin !)

More ups was that the referral letter arrived today:-) Down is that due to a communication error I still have to go the the Royal Free AE department to get an appointment for the Royal Free fracture clinic! And so the cycle continues.

Another up, my pocket brain still lives. Down, it needs everything reinstalling:-( A slow and boring process

However a major up nimstar contacting me about D.U.S.T CDs, and demonmoonglow ringing to ask about my well being and generally cheer me up. Its great having good friends:-)

F**k my brain has crashed

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 13:44:57 GMT

Today is turning out to be a bad day:-(
It started well enough, I can now hobble without the aid of crutches. However after a couple of dozen steps it does hurt like hell!

I am also missing janinemarriott and the Bristol chapter of bibliogoths:-(

BUT mainly because my backup brain has gone into indefinite reset loops. Let me explain for those that are not already laughing at my expense. My memory is poor so some time ago I decided to get an electronic organiser, this evolved into a PDA and upto this date the whole of my life runs on it. Therefore when you get the equivalent of the windows blue screen of death I start to sweat. Never mind I will restore from one of my many backups. Right, latest backup on SD card inaccessible due to corruption (sweating heavily now). Run the link to the PC first time round one backup overwrites over another and back to the blue screen of death:-( (Panic setting in) Now rerunning with the offending backup switched off. If normal service is not resumed it is back to loading each individual program by hand:-(

That is why its a bad day:-(

Oh and can you tell Kelly to stop laughing at all this

NHS & Music Hmmmmm

Sat, 12 Aug 2006 15:04:41 GMT

Still no referral letter from Bristol to send on to the Royal Free:-( Why does the NHS grind so slowly? Why don't people realise connecting for health could sort this out ( given absolute power I would have a central database connected to a data centre somewhere. Whenever you walked into any hospital/GP/Dentist they would be able to put in your NHS number and have all your records there on the screen) But NO each area is allowed to choose its own equipment/software:-(

Anyway rant over, I was inspired by nimstar post to download some D.U.S.T tracks as I confess I have never listened to their music. I must say I'm a convert! Thanks guys for entertaining and in association with codeine helping take the pain away:-) Where's the best place to purchase the albums? From you and cut out the middle man? Am particularly liking the stuff from 'The Lords of Madness'. Although the suff I have listened to from 'From the Sublime to the Obscene' is good even if MikEys' singing sounds abit like 'Children on Stun'! (opps showing my age there)

Anyway guys enjoy the gig knowing you have a new fan:-)

Friday night and can't go anywhere

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 22:11:32 GMT

Not much going on today. Had a nice chat with demonmoonglow while she was at work. it was nice to chat with someone. Thanks Jenny!!
This broken foot has me in enforced exile:-( Things have got slightly better as I have found some codeine and the hospital have said its OK to use. Unfortunately the foot is more sore rather than in pain. As everyone predicted the itching has started and its driving me mad too. Its all getting a bit cabin fever in here. Added to that there will be no trip to Bristol this weekend, so no seeing janinemarriott :-( No Bristol Bibliogoths on Sunday either, but this is no great hardship as the book was BORING! I'll miss the banter and the getting drunk by mistake though. Get a message to J-P he's drinking for both of us on Sunday, do me proud young man (but don't hurt yourself!)
Something I have acheived though is to digitise my X-ray so I can keep it forever. I have uploaded it as a user pic (thats if you are at all interested!) On the right hand X-ray (they are both of the same foot) the left hand side half way down there is a L shaped fracture. Owwww

Well hope your weekends are better than mine is going to be, have fun out there.

More Boo Hiss

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:50:58 GMT

Just received this in the email. Its twoooo.

Dear MR D GURNEY,

We are writing to inform you that FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM
at Astoria, London on 19/11/2006
has been cancelled.

To receive a face value refund please return your 2 ticket(s),
along with a
copy of this E-mail to Customer Services, See Tickets, Room No. 99,
Norfolk House, 47 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AB
We advise that all tickets are returned by secure mail to ensure delivery.

If you have not received your tickets a face value refund will be made
to your card.

If you have any queries regarding your order please do not hesitate to
E-mail us at helpme@seetickets.com quoting reference 13966018.
With regards,
See Tickets
Customer Services

NOOO!!

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 20:44:47 GMT

Just got this from Psychonaut FOTN Discussion list!
"Due to external factors beyond the band's control, 7 Management are
disappointed to have to announce that Fields of the Nephilim are
unable to commit to the proposed UK and European tour under the
circumstances currently prevailing. This has been a decision only
reached after much anguish and debate, and has been made with the
long term interests of both the band and their loyal followers.
Carl McCoy would like to make the following personal statement to the
band's fans, who we are sure will be bitterly disappointed at this
unwelcome news.
'With 2006 having been such a positive year for both me and the band,
foregoing the opportunity to meet up with fans new and old has come
as a bitter blow to me both personally and professionally. I am sure
the unforeseen difficulties that have led to the cancellation will be
resolved, and I look forward to the possibility of making fresh plans
for early next Getting the band back on the road has been an
ambition of mine for some considerable time, but I feel it would be
an injustice to our incredibly loyal fan base to continue under the
present circumstances.'
On behalf of both Fields of the Nephilim, and ourselves, 7 Management
would like to sincerely apologise for having to announce such
disappointing news."