Unfortunately I wasn't aware until it was on to be there, but I pledge my full support to the Save the Coachmakers campaign, getting local news coverage! See video below, my father set up the petition.
Please sign the petition at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/coachmakers/
See the Coachmakers website at http://www.thecoachmakers.co.uk/
Think heritage. Think real ale. Think a friendly, community, thriving pub. Think, it actually is a pub in the truest sense of the word.
It should never go!
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Monday 30 March 2009
Saturday 28 March 2009
Britain is not 'broken', the media is.
Thanks to a reader, I have been alerted to the news that Alfie Patton is not the father, as was once suggested - see my blog here
It seems that there is barely any news anywhere on the subject, perhaps because its not so sexy now that the 'youngest father' in Britain is not really the father. It took a feedly search to find any news on the subject, and all I got was a blog. (and, by the way, my feedly RSS gets all the major UK news sources, shocking, really.)
So is this a surprise?
Not really. Perhaps the media don't like to admit they are wrong - the Sun will do anything to sell their newspapers, but not to damage their own credibility at publishing false stories. The Hillsborough disaster is a case in point - the author has never retracted his story.
Britain is not broken - the media is.
It seems that there is barely any news anywhere on the subject, perhaps because its not so sexy now that the 'youngest father' in Britain is not really the father. It took a feedly search to find any news on the subject, and all I got was a blog. (and, by the way, my feedly RSS gets all the major UK news sources, shocking, really.)
So is this a surprise?
Not really. Perhaps the media don't like to admit they are wrong - the Sun will do anything to sell their newspapers, but not to damage their own credibility at publishing false stories. The Hillsborough disaster is a case in point - the author has never retracted his story.
Britain is not broken - the media is.
Dashboard Confessional - Even Now (Video, Lyrics, Download)
Even now I can smell the clothes
Freshly from the wash
Still hot from the dryer
Even now I can smell your skin
To wrap you in a towel
Lay you on the bed
And try to love you
Even now I can feel your arms
I can feel your breast
I can hear your songs
And I always can find you again
Even now I can feel your hand
Gently over mine
With almost no weight at all
Even now I can feel your eyes
Watch me as I strum
Much too late at night
Even now I can see you smile
I can hear you hum
I can hear you sing
And I always can find you again
Even in the dark of night
Even in the lowest light
Even as the world outside
Is spinning, and spinning
Even now I can feel your hair
Blow across my cheek
As we sit in one of two chairs
Even now I can feel your face
Resting on my chest
Wrestling for sleep
And failing at it
Even now I can see you sleep
I can see the dream
I can see you fly
And I always can find you again
And I always can find you again
And I always can find you again
Freshly from the wash
Still hot from the dryer
Even now I can smell your skin
To wrap you in a towel
Lay you on the bed
And try to love you
Even now I can feel your arms
I can feel your breast
I can hear your songs
And I always can find you again
Even now I can feel your hand
Gently over mine
With almost no weight at all
Even now I can feel your eyes
Watch me as I strum
Much too late at night
Even now I can see you smile
I can hear you hum
I can hear you sing
And I always can find you again
Even in the dark of night
Even in the lowest light
Even as the world outside
Is spinning, and spinning
Even now I can feel your hair
Blow across my cheek
As we sit in one of two chairs
Even now I can feel your face
Resting on my chest
Wrestling for sleep
And failing at it
Even now I can see you sleep
I can see the dream
I can see you fly
And I always can find you again
And I always can find you again
And I always can find you again
Note: A song, from my favourite band/artist, Dashboard Confessional (Christopher Ender Carrabba) - see here - for a live video of the performance I saw last year. It was special, in so many ways. I won't forget. ♥
Thursday 26 March 2009
Sexual Ethics: Abortion and Condom Advertisments before the Watershed?
As I type, my mother is drawing up a petition against the news that the advertising agency are planning to air TV advertisements giving pregnancy advice before the 2100 watershed.
You can read the planned news here
You can read news on anti-abortion agency being against this proposal here.
And a heartwarming mother’s perspective on the blogosophere on the nature of abortion, here.
There are various positions we can argue from; for and against. The debate rages and comes to light in this blog in light of my own Catholic beliefs and my philosophical background. They are, it seems to be at odds and it is a very emotional issue. So, what’s the fuss about?
Against
The sanctity of life is a moral imperative for Catholics. It would be quiet controversial to suppose that murder is acceptable. Abortion and the morning-after pill equals murder. Condoms and the pill for contraceptive use prevents the possibility of life, the natural order of things. Abstinence is the answer - STIs are avoided and babies can be raised in a traditional, nuclear family.
For
The reality is different: STIs are on the increase, media sensationalization of sex and the acceptance of sexual promiscuity is clearly the problem and we must respect the rights of the mother and the social circumstances that lead to use of contraception and abortion methods. A last resort, is needed to prevent the breakdown of society and we must provide for the circumstances in abortion and condom use is sensible and necessary.
Conclusion
Speaking with my philosopher’s hat on, it is not disputed that abortion is abhorrent, the destruction of life. I would have to agree with BBC Mark Easton’s blog:
“What stops teen pregnancies: condoms or family meals? I suspect that the problem is more down to lifestyle than to lack of information.” [Read blog here]
This hits the nail on the head and fits into both arguments - the conservative, religious view and the liberal, pro-choice view. So what’s the answer?
The reality must be accepted - that we exist in a society where sex is apparent, and yet it seems that discussion of sex and sexual ethics is a ‘taboo subject’. It is not the place of government is legislate what is right and wrong on this personal issue, but some guidance and acceptance in the difference of opinions should allow people to make a rational choice. Perhaps this is too philosophical to contemplate, maybe no society can become one-dimensional in its moral directives. Yet if the education is there, condoms and abortions can be used for the more rational and acceptable means: Preventing spread of STIs, Family planning, abortion to protect the life and welfare of the mother and child. To resolve this dilemma of ‘what is right’ here is an age-old question that I cannot answer. Something to consider…
PS: You can read my personal opinion in the comments section here.
Sunday 22 March 2009
Toilet Scandal
Thought this was funny:
"A US firm is offering $5,000 (£3,450) for clues leading to the arrest of an arsonist who has been setting portable toilets on fire across San Francisco."
Read Full Article HERE
Reminds me of the investigation in my school years of the mysterious 'poo' toilet vandal. Some kid was apparently putting their poo and hanging on the toilet pegs as presents for people coming in to do their business.
Never did quite find out who that was...
Saturday 21 March 2009
Stoke to Stay Up!
Stoke City won a must-win game against Middlesboro today, winning 1-0 and taking them 3 points clear. Here's a list of their remaining fixtures: (in brackets I have put their league position as of writing. Newcastle play Arsenal tonight:
Stoke are soon to face West Brom, Newcastle and then Blackburn - win all 3 and they should stay up. You wouldn't bet against it. West Brom drew today 1-1 with Bolton and you could just see on the looks of the players at the final whistle that they have consigned themselves to relegation.
Middlesbrough, having lost at Stoke are on a downward spiral as of late and their remaining games include Villa, Manchester United and Arsenal - so they look certain for relegation now too.
All leaves that magical 3rd spot. Who is it going to be? Too close to call perhaps but I'm going to put my neck on the line and nominate 3 teams - Newcastle, Hull and Blackburn to be fighting on the last day. And the one to go down? Hull.
At the other end, United lost a shocking 2-0 to Fulham (away) today with Rooney and Scholes both sent off - now along with Nemandja Vidic facing suspension. They more than have the squad to cope you would feel but they seem to be cracking under pressure. A big big game next against Villa which could turn the title on it's head.
Villa could, as I predicted have a real say in the title race this season
Saturday, 04 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Saturday, 02 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Saturday, 09 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal (4th) v Stoke, 16:00
Of the remaining 8 or 9 games left in the season, it appears that any team below 35 points could get suckered in and be facing relegation.Barclays Premier League : Table 21 Mar 17:01
| | Home | | Away | |||||||||||||
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Man Utd | 29 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 9 | 31 | 65 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 29 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 8 | 33 | 61 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 29 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 22 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 27 | 13 | 28 | 61 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 29 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 23 | 15 | 19 | 52 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 29 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 17 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 22 | 14 | 12 | 52 |
| 6 | Everton | 30 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 23 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 48 |
| 7 | West Ham | 30 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 19 | 17 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 16 | 18 | 0 | 41 |
| 8 | Fulham | 30 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 24 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 4 | 40 |
| 9 | Wigan | 29 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 38 |
| 10 | Man City | 29 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 30 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 25 | 8 | 35 |
| 11 | Tottenham | 29 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 20 | 25 | 1 | 35 |
| 12 | Bolton | 30 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 17 | 26 | -12 | 34 |
| 13 | Hull | 29 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 30 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 21 | -16 | 33 |
| 14 | Sunderland | 29 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 18 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 20 | -9 | 32 |
| 15 | Portsmouth | 29 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 20 | 23 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 23 | -14 | 32 |
| 16 | Stoke | 30 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 34 | -18 | 32 |
| 17 | Blackburn | 30 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 27 | -16 | 31 |
| 18 | Newcastle | 29 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 20 | 22 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 24 | -11 | 29 |
| 19 | Middlesbrough | 30 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 26 | -21 | 27 |
| 20 | West Brom | 30 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 28 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 27 | -29 | 24 |
 | ||||||||||||||
Stoke are soon to face West Brom, Newcastle and then Blackburn - win all 3 and they should stay up. You wouldn't bet against it. West Brom drew today 1-1 with Bolton and you could just see on the looks of the players at the final whistle that they have consigned themselves to relegation.
Middlesbrough, having lost at Stoke are on a downward spiral as of late and their remaining games include Villa, Manchester United and Arsenal - so they look certain for relegation now too.
All leaves that magical 3rd spot. Who is it going to be? Too close to call perhaps but I'm going to put my neck on the line and nominate 3 teams - Newcastle, Hull and Blackburn to be fighting on the last day. And the one to go down? Hull.
At the other end, United lost a shocking 2-0 to Fulham (away) today with Rooney and Scholes both sent off - now along with Nemandja Vidic facing suspension. They more than have the squad to cope you would feel but they seem to be cracking under pressure. A big big game next against Villa which could turn the title on it's head.
Villa could, as I predicted have a real say in the title race this season
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Twitter, Facebook, Status Updates & Blog Traffic
There hasn’t been a lot of blog activity this past month - and much has contributed to it, mainly illness and other commitments (What other commitments? - Those close to me may ask) but the past few days, with the latest iPhone OS 3 being announced and me becoming more immersed into the actual workings and potential of Twitter (Installed TweetDeck today and found out via Twitter that actor Ron Silver has died, rest his soul) - I have come to wonder about the purposes of Twitter v. Facebook status updates, particularly since the new Facebook layout was announced (‘What is on your mind’ seems a bit more Twitterrific). What’s more, I too, have wondered given the success of my blog in recent times whether this would impact on my Blog Traffic.
I am not going to get into a debate about the delicate nature of what status updates are meant for on Twitter, or on Facebook - but be a part of either and you will soon get the idea. That is not the point of my little ‘wonder-ment’ here. Instead, I am going to take these little thoughts in my mind and as of today, my Twitter-syncs with Facebook will be suspended until ‘come what May’. (I get the feeling that isn’t the right idiom/description to use here but whatever!). Indeed, come May, I will write back, maybe, just maybe get into a little talk about what my feelings are on both (status updates-wise) and whether there is indeed a place for Twitter and Facebook statuses being together, in one place, rather than apart. It will be interesting to see in the meantime, whether this will impact on my blog traffic.
If you don’t have Twitter but ‘fear’ for my Facebook statuses probably never really, if ever, changing; you can see my ‘Tweets’, or Twitter updates at the LucasWeatherby.com homepage - www.lucasweatherby.com - or on my Twitter - www.twitter.com/lucasweatherby
This bit of contemplation is all striking me as a little bit weird now - its strange what your mind can do to you sometimes when you really, really should be doing something else - Like University essays and research. That, is something you can be rest assured I will be doing if you see little blog action at www.lucasweatherby.com, but at least, still you will be kept entertained by my Twitter updates…
I am not going to get into a debate about the delicate nature of what status updates are meant for on Twitter, or on Facebook - but be a part of either and you will soon get the idea. That is not the point of my little ‘wonder-ment’ here. Instead, I am going to take these little thoughts in my mind and as of today, my Twitter-syncs with Facebook will be suspended until ‘come what May’. (I get the feeling that isn’t the right idiom/description to use here but whatever!). Indeed, come May, I will write back, maybe, just maybe get into a little talk about what my feelings are on both (status updates-wise) and whether there is indeed a place for Twitter and Facebook statuses being together, in one place, rather than apart. It will be interesting to see in the meantime, whether this will impact on my blog traffic.
If you don’t have Twitter but ‘fear’ for my Facebook statuses probably never really, if ever, changing; you can see my ‘Tweets’, or Twitter updates at the LucasWeatherby.com homepage - www.lucasweatherby.com - or on my Twitter - www.twitter.com/lucasweatherby
This bit of contemplation is all striking me as a little bit weird now - its strange what your mind can do to you sometimes when you really, really should be doing something else - Like University essays and research. That, is something you can be rest assured I will be doing if you see little blog action at www.lucasweatherby.com, but at least, still you will be kept entertained by my Twitter updates…
Tuesday 17 March 2009
iPhone 3.0 Conference, Summary and Thoughts
Features:
1. Applications : Subscriptions, sell new levels within app, new content
2.P2P Gaming/Applications (Peer to Peer) - Automatic Discovery, Bluetooth, Devices are not paired, use of the Bonjour technology, used for applications too.
3. Custom Apps will now be able to interact with 3rd party hardware. EG. FM transmitter.- Dock Connector, Bluetooth functionality.
4. Google Maps can now be used within applications (Not just the Maps app!) = Now with TURN BY TURN DIRECTIONS!
5. Push Notification - but NO background processing. :(
6. The Sims, Meebo to come to the iPhone... Also fitness apps and hardware accessories for the diabetics! Also TouchPets (a bit like the Sims...) and LiveFire, a FPS (with wifi, global play). Dr Wang of Smule unveil 'Leaf Trombone', a multiplayer music app.
7. Cut, Copy and Paste. (finally...) With Undo support, and works across apps!
8. Landscape mode in Notes, Mail and SMS...
9. SMS has forwarding and deleting texts! (yay!)
10. MMS support.
11. Contacts with photos/audio alerts per contact (pretty cool...)
12. Voice Memos.
13. Overhaul of that crap Stocks app - now with news stories and details...
14. Search/Spotlight capability in all applications.
15. Notes Sync too!
----
Details:
16. OS 3.0 will be free, backwards compatible to 1st Gen iPhone, and at a cost of $9.95 for iPod Touch....
17. Q&A - Copy and Paste took long because of security issues, Flash not yet announced (but HDTV streams now possible).
Peer to Peer is Bonjour only.
Tethering support is being built in, but not yet in as a function.
Can't move files over Bluetooth, but the Q&A guys were a bit stumped!
----
My thoughts?
Nothing on possible skinning the phone screen, background and such.
No news on editing the sounds for texts/alert sounds.
Can't manage screens on the iPhone via iTunes?
Tethering and Flash not there yet.....
Can't record video (only with a 3rd party app)
People are still going to jailbreak for reasons I've just mentioned (and probably more, but I'm not the best informed)....
Looking forward to the next iPhone model to be announced!
See the conference in all its glory - here. - No Steve Jobs though....
1. Applications : Subscriptions, sell new levels within app, new content
2.P2P Gaming/Applications (Peer to Peer) - Automatic Discovery, Bluetooth, Devices are not paired, use of the Bonjour technology, used for applications too.
3. Custom Apps will now be able to interact with 3rd party hardware. EG. FM transmitter.- Dock Connector, Bluetooth functionality.
4. Google Maps can now be used within applications (Not just the Maps app!) = Now with TURN BY TURN DIRECTIONS!
5. Push Notification - but NO background processing. :(
6. The Sims, Meebo to come to the iPhone... Also fitness apps and hardware accessories for the diabetics! Also TouchPets (a bit like the Sims...) and LiveFire, a FPS (with wifi, global play). Dr Wang of Smule unveil 'Leaf Trombone', a multiplayer music app.
7. Cut, Copy and Paste. (finally...) With Undo support, and works across apps!
8. Landscape mode in Notes, Mail and SMS...
9. SMS has forwarding and deleting texts! (yay!)
10. MMS support.
11. Contacts with photos/audio alerts per contact (pretty cool...)
12. Voice Memos.
13. Overhaul of that crap Stocks app - now with news stories and details...
14. Search/Spotlight capability in all applications.
15. Notes Sync too!
----
Details:
16. OS 3.0 will be free, backwards compatible to 1st Gen iPhone, and at a cost of $9.95 for iPod Touch....
17. Q&A - Copy and Paste took long because of security issues, Flash not yet announced (but HDTV streams now possible).
Peer to Peer is Bonjour only.
Tethering support is being built in, but not yet in as a function.
Can't move files over Bluetooth, but the Q&A guys were a bit stumped!
----
My thoughts?
Nothing on possible skinning the phone screen, background and such.
No news on editing the sounds for texts/alert sounds.
Can't manage screens on the iPhone via iTunes?
Tethering and Flash not there yet.....
Can't record video (only with a 3rd party app)
People are still going to jailbreak for reasons I've just mentioned (and probably more, but I'm not the best informed)....
Looking forward to the next iPhone model to be announced!
See the conference in all its glory - here. - No Steve Jobs though....
Monday 16 March 2009
A great way to boosting attendences?
In Rugby Union, they have resorted to inflatable fans to make the crowd look more full. See article here.
With Port Vale attendances below the 5,000 season ticket holder sales for this season, maybe it's a way to increase support?
Saturday 14 March 2009
Coachmakers Arms - Venus
5% ABV
At 5% it actually tastes fair light, creamy too. Good Stuff. ***/5
-- Post From My iPhone
New Facebook just reads my mind!
After the media frenzy over Facebook lately over privacy and their terms and conditions, Facebook has tried to gloss it over with a trendy new look. Time reports that Facebook wants more contemplation in their status updates, and more power over who you get news from - because let's face it, you don't want to see love birds comparing themselves to Scooby and Shaggy sharing love notes over a status update and a random, jealous person getting all hot under the collar.
It also creates the intention too, that it's okay for people to cry, and moan about stuff going on. To each their own, I guess.
The great thing though, is you can use your friend groupings to only get news about people you want - I do this already to help with my privacy settings, but now I will only get news from people I actually want to bother hearing about. (30 out of 277, for me!)... so it cuts out all the clutter for me.
And the layout? Much, much better I think. I don't know what all the fuss is about!
It also creates the intention too, that it's okay for people to cry, and moan about stuff going on. To each their own, I guess.
The great thing though, is you can use your friend groupings to only get news about people you want - I do this already to help with my privacy settings, but now I will only get news from people I actually want to bother hearing about. (30 out of 277, for me!)... so it cuts out all the clutter for me.
And the layout? Much, much better I think. I don't know what all the fuss is about!
Go on, have a flutter
Manchester United are odds-on favourites to win today against Liverpool.
The odds on Liverpool though, obviously not so favourable but a fancible flutter nonetheless. So I've gone for it.
Liverpool to win 2-1, for me. Could I be right...?
Let's hope so.
The odds on Liverpool though, obviously not so favourable but a fancible flutter nonetheless. So I've gone for it.
Liverpool to win 2-1, for me. Could I be right...?
Let's hope so.
Monday 9 March 2009
Chimp pre-meditates stoning zoo visitors
Peter Singer would agree with me, (read copied article below), that this is evidence that we need to give Chimps rights, and maybe, also, we need to start making chimp prisons?:
Zoo chimp 'planned' stone attacks
 Chimpanzees have long been suspected of planning ahead |
A male chimpanzee in a Swedish zoo planned hundreds of stone-throwing attacks on zoo visitors, according to researchers.
Keepers at Furuvik Zoo found that the chimp collected and stored stones that he would later use as missiles.
Further, the chimp learned to recognise how and when parts of his concrete enclosure could be pulled apart to fashion further projectiles.
The findings are reported in the journal Current Biology.
There has been scant evidence in previous research that animals can plan for future events.
Crucial to the current study is the fact that Santino, a chimpanzee at the zoo in the city north of Stockholm, collected the stones in a calm state, prior to the zoo opening in the morning.
The launching of the stones occurred hours later - during dominance displays to zoo visitors - with Santino in an "agitated" state.
This suggests that Santino was anticipating a future mental state - an ability that has been difficult to definitively prove in animals, according to Mathias Osvath, a cognitive scientist from Lund University in Sweden and author of the new research.
"We've done experimental studies, and the chimps in my mind show very clearly that they do plan for future needs, but it has been argued that perhaps this was an experimental artefact," Dr Osvath told BBC News.
"Now we have this spontaneous behaviour, which is always in some sense better evidence."
Cracking show
Dr Osvath embarked on the study after zoo staff discovered caches of stones in the section of the enclosure facing the public viewing area.
Since the initial discovery in 1997, hundreds of the caches have been removed to protect visitors, to whom the caching and the aggressive displays seem strictly related; in the off season, Santino neither hoards the projectiles nor hurls them.
 The chimp stashed hundreds of stones in anticipation of throwing them |
Most interestingly, Santino seems to have learned how to spot weak parts of the concrete "boulders" in the centre of the enclosure.
When water seeps into cracks in the concrete and freezes, portions become detached that make a hollow sound when tapped.
Santino was observed gently knocking on the "boulders", hitting harder to detach bits that were loosened and adding those to his stashes of ammunition.
There are a number of examples of complex behaviour in apes that suggest forms of consciousness.
Planning behaviour like that of the current work is connected to so-called autonoetic consciousness, where information due to memory can be distinguished from that from the senses.
"I'm personally convinced that at least chimps do plan for future needs, that they do have this autonoetic consciousness," Dr Osvath said.
"I hope that other zoos or those in the wild will look more closely at what is happening," he added.
"I bet there must be a lot of these kinds of behaviours out there, and I wouldn't be surprised if we find them in dolphins or other species."
Sunday 8 March 2009
Birthday Boy and Girl
Buffet Island in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Nice meal, though I was ill after!
Happy bdays Jim and Kate!
They got a nice cake all to themselves!... And they are heading off to the US, Chicago soon! I am jealous....
-- Post From My iPhone
Saturday 7 March 2009
Before and After - Cerebral Palsy Leg Surgery Photos
This blog has been one of my intentions since setting up these series of blogs. With my DVD footage of my Gait Lab assessments on my walking pre- and post- operation on my leg 6-7 years ago I can finally share.
A quick background just to understand why I had the leg operation 6 years ago in 2003. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. The type that I had involved one leg (indeed one side of my body) being shorter than the other, meaning lesser growth, mobility in that side, etc. In my case it was my left side.
I've often wondered whether people can tell with my walking being any "different". Anyway, part of the operation meant having tests at the Gait Lab. I'm a bit uncomfortable watching it to be fair but I have saved a couple of pictures just to remind myself (before and after). Just something to share:
Taken 22nd August, 2002.
I naturally stood like that, so you can just imagine what the walking was like!
Taken 11th February, 2004.
Medical Science can be pretty impressive!
A quick background just to understand why I had the leg operation 6 years ago in 2003. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. The type that I had involved one leg (indeed one side of my body) being shorter than the other, meaning lesser growth, mobility in that side, etc. In my case it was my left side.
I've often wondered whether people can tell with my walking being any "different". Anyway, part of the operation meant having tests at the Gait Lab. I'm a bit uncomfortable watching it to be fair but I have saved a couple of pictures just to remind myself (before and after). Just something to share:
Taken 22nd August, 2002.
I naturally stood like that, so you can just imagine what the walking was like!
Taken 11th February, 2004.
Medical Science can be pretty impressive!
So you can notice the difference, standing. But I still am very conscious of my walking and my old habit hasn't completely died - sometimes I do have to remind myself, to walk heel first. Still, things are a lot more comfortable now. You will also notice the bobbles stuck to me - these were so they could create computer generated images of me walking. Sadly I couldn't get hold of THAT data!
I remember before the operation looking forward to being able to wear "normal" shoes - rather than ones made specially with a heel build to compensate for the leg length discrepancy. Now I'm sick of having to buy shoes as often as I do!... even if they are so much better.
Moral of the story?: There's always something to moan about...
I remember before the operation looking forward to being able to wear "normal" shoes - rather than ones made specially with a heel build to compensate for the leg length discrepancy. Now I'm sick of having to buy shoes as often as I do!... even if they are so much better.
Moral of the story?: There's always something to moan about...
Thursday 5 March 2009
Dissertations, Relationships and Moral Dilemmas
At Keele University, working and a girl comes over, asking me to complete a dissertation questionnaire for her friend on the impact of family relationships on your own personal, romantic relationships. And if you weren’t currently in a relationship, you had to relate to your most significant relationship. Not going to say anything too personal, but it was so entertaining for me I wanted to share. Yes, I know it’s a bit weird.
This proved to be quite the moral dilemma for me! But it was fun, I like filling in forms. I came to the conclusion that no matter how bad things may get, or end with a romantic relationship, they shouldn’t influence what you think in context of the relationship itself. Of course things are different after the relationship, but it’s what happened during that’s more important. If said relationship ends, learn lessons from it and get over it.
The questionnaire was stimulating, though asking some questions that can cause a bit of bias post-relationship. Still, looking back, I can’t say anything bad, proud of what was butI’m all over it now. Some of the questions even made me laugh.
As always, dissertation questionnaires are anonymous and confidential. It made my day though, that’s the important thing.
Now back to work…
This proved to be quite the moral dilemma for me! But it was fun, I like filling in forms. I came to the conclusion that no matter how bad things may get, or end with a romantic relationship, they shouldn’t influence what you think in context of the relationship itself. Of course things are different after the relationship, but it’s what happened during that’s more important. If said relationship ends, learn lessons from it and get over it.
The questionnaire was stimulating, though asking some questions that can cause a bit of bias post-relationship. Still, looking back, I can’t say anything bad, proud of what was butI’m all over it now. Some of the questions even made me laugh.
As always, dissertation questionnaires are anonymous and confidential. It made my day though, that’s the important thing.
Now back to work…
Why I won't vote Labour at Student Union Elections
The University of Manchester Student Union elections are on Tuesday 10th March until Thursday 12th March. You might ask, even the politically active among you - what the point is in voting at a Student Union election. There is a fundamental point. Without the student representatives at your student union, many things that happen during your time at University would not come to fruition - including the landmark (and extremely helpful from a personal standpoint), 24 hour opening library times at the University Library during examination periods. The hard work of these students working on your behalf benefits your own university education in more ways than one.
There is however, another point to make. Yes, it is an election, so you could be forgiven for getting all political at a time to exercise a democratic right to vote in such an election. But the work of the student union is about education, not politics. It is about pragmatics, about doing what is right and what is going to benefit your education the most. It is not a place for party politics and to choose a candidate on the basis of what political party society they have their endorsement. In the West Wing, Season 6 at the Democratic National Convention, candidate Matthew Santos argues: “Choose someone who shares your ideals, your hopes, your dreams” - much like Barack Obama in his campaign for ‘Change’ in 2008. That is what voting should really be about, in general elections and student union elections.
More importantly, we should reward the campaigns of those candidates that fight for the student cause: better tutor-student contact, better libraries, ‘friendlier’ student unions. Those that work hard to win your vote are the ones that deserve to win, not the ones that will get ‘block voters’ from those of political party societies.
Every vote counts in these kind of elections with such a small electorate, and even more so with the introduction of online voting. Like in a general election, the main political parties that appeal to their base and yet conquer the middle ground are usually the victors. In student elections, it is easy to vote for somebody because they are a ‘Labour candidate’, without knowing what they are actually going to do for you. Party affiliations in such elections are therefore merely cosmetic, and they are not important in the grand scheme of things.
This is why you should look at the greater picture - not by examining manifestos but knowing that who you vote for will do their hardest for you because they worked hard for your vote, and you know from a glance, what they are for. This is why I will be voting for Cat Taylor (pictured, above) for Humanities General Council Member (University of Manchester), among others. Not out of friendship but because she personally took the time to win my vote. Party ties are insignificant at such a personal and intimate election where change can happen. Your vote at your union, at your university, counts.
Wednesday 4 March 2009
Coachmakers Arms - Copper Cascade
A nice Scottish drink. Brewed by Stewart Brenning, Copper Casade : 4.2% ABV
*****/5 | But only because I earnt it!
-- Post From My iPhone
'Seize the Moment'
'Flash' Gordon Brown gave a speech to the US Congress calling for the US to seize the moment on the economy woes of our time.
Nick Robinson claims that this is not Brown's colgate moment with Obama, yet the Guardian calls it the crowning moment of Brown's political career.
Still with Brown's economic credentials, if the US actually listen to Brown, and do not vote for more protectionism and a 'buy American/made in America' clause, then maybe this influence of 'Brown knows' could hit home back here in the UK and thus the prophecy of Mandelson can be realized:
Labour can win a 4th term.
Nick Robinson claims that this is not Brown's colgate moment with Obama, yet the Guardian calls it the crowning moment of Brown's political career.
Still with Brown's economic credentials, if the US actually listen to Brown, and do not vote for more protectionism and a 'buy American/made in America' clause, then maybe this influence of 'Brown knows' could hit home back here in the UK and thus the prophecy of Mandelson can be realized:
Labour can win a 4th term.
Tuesday 3 March 2009
Accrington Stanley v Port Vale: Postponed!
Stuck in a chippy in Accrington after getting here and learning the game has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch!
I am soaking wet.
Epic fail, anyone?
-- Post From My iPhone
I am soaking wet.
Epic fail, anyone?
-- Post From My iPhone
Monday 2 March 2009
Cerebral Palsy: Arbitrary like eye colour?
Francesca Martinez, comedian (pictured)
A fellow cerebral palsean has remarked that Cerebral Palsy is no different or more important than something such as eye colour. She refuses to be limited by her mild form of CP, and has remarked on something that I cannot agree more with here:"No wonder people are still so nervous about disability, and I can only conclude that names for them are hand-picked from a tombola of words most likely to induce fear and panic. Just stick your hand in and pull one out. Syndrome. Disorder. Cerebral. Palsy. Disease. Spina. Bifida. The rest is easy. Take two words, mix them together, apply to one human being and, hey presto, you've got a ready-made freak. Labels are powerful tools that shape attitudes and tell us much about how the things they are describing are viewed. I have spent my life trying to extricate myself from the label that was plastered all over me at birth. "
This is probably very true: from my own experience, I have been rejected for interviews at jobs where they have been looking for applicants - which I have put down to CP (Asda being the main example here). It's demoralizing to the point where you just don't really want to bother, really. Perhaps a "normal" manual job like that is out of my reach.
Josh Blue, who also has CP, jokes in the video below that the reason he is a stand-up because he didn't have much choice to be anything else. "What was I was gonna do, be a traffic cop?" *flaps arms around*
You can read the Francesca Martinez article here - it also addresses the politicisation of Cerebral Palsy by David Cameron and his son Ivan, who recently passed away. Plus a good personal account.
Sunday 1 March 2009
Sleepless Nights
According to the Times, CHILDREN who are allowed consistently to stay up past their bedtime watching television or playing on a computer are at risk of late-night sleeplessness for the rest of their lives.
Read the full article here.
All I can say is: story of my life. If this is true, Championship Manager 2 ruined my life.
I still feel the pinch now at times!...
Read the full article here.
All I can say is: story of my life. If this is true, Championship Manager 2 ruined my life.
I still feel the pinch now at times!...
New Deals....
FDR's New Deal....
and now talk of a Brown/Obama New Deal....
so does that make it a B.O. New Deal?
I wonder....
National Health Service for America? (US Health Care)
The title, though far fatched, is a step in the right direction with Obama's intended reform of the American Health Care System.
In Michael Moore's filmn Sicko, almost fifty million Americans are uninsured and those who are covered are often victims of insurance companies. See Wikipedia entry if you have not seen the film, here.
As Justin Webb points out, it's been promised by Carter, Clinton, even Teddy Roosevelt.
The natural person for health secretary who I would have liked, though perhaps too radical for some Americans to contemplate after the scandal in the Clinton years would have been dear Hilary, now US Secretary of State.
Instead, Obama has plumped for Kathleen Sibelius, as his first choice Tom Daschle has been investigated over his tax activity.
Whatever, whoever is the face of healthcare reform in America's change administration, it is only natural to agree with Webb that paying $629 for"a day of education about diabetes" is indeed, madness.
This, I think beats any privatized-only medicine system argument in the United States considering the rings that the insurance companies will have you run around before they pay your hospital bills. Look at the UK system - you can have your choice of doctors here, where you can go for treatment: I myself am a good example - I travel 100+ miles for my orthopeadic surgery. And at the end of it all, is there really any difference between paying for medical insurance and paying a national health insurance tax?
It's still money spent. And the lesson to learn, is that you spend a lot less to get the treatment you want as well - even breast enlargement and sexual reassignment surgery are offered on the NHS, plus prescriptions. In America, you will pay a hell of a lot more to receive something that is a human right: access to medical care. There should never be a conflict over paying your doctor for treatment and their duty to the hippocratic oath, should there?
So what's next on my to do list?: Watch Sicko again...
In Michael Moore's filmn Sicko, almost fifty million Americans are uninsured and those who are covered are often victims of insurance companies. See Wikipedia entry if you have not seen the film, here.
As Justin Webb points out, it's been promised by Carter, Clinton, even Teddy Roosevelt.
The natural person for health secretary who I would have liked, though perhaps too radical for some Americans to contemplate after the scandal in the Clinton years would have been dear Hilary, now US Secretary of State.
Instead, Obama has plumped for Kathleen Sibelius, as his first choice Tom Daschle has been investigated over his tax activity.
Whatever, whoever is the face of healthcare reform in America's change administration, it is only natural to agree with Webb that paying $629 for"a day of education about diabetes" is indeed, madness.
This, I think beats any privatized-only medicine system argument in the United States considering the rings that the insurance companies will have you run around before they pay your hospital bills. Look at the UK system - you can have your choice of doctors here, where you can go for treatment: I myself am a good example - I travel 100+ miles for my orthopeadic surgery. And at the end of it all, is there really any difference between paying for medical insurance and paying a national health insurance tax?
It's still money spent. And the lesson to learn, is that you spend a lot less to get the treatment you want as well - even breast enlargement and sexual reassignment surgery are offered on the NHS, plus prescriptions. In America, you will pay a hell of a lot more to receive something that is a human right: access to medical care. There should never be a conflict over paying your doctor for treatment and their duty to the hippocratic oath, should there?
So what's next on my to do list?: Watch Sicko again...
Analytics for February 2009
December 2008
January 2009
February 2009
For those number crunchers about you...
5 points to make about this month:
1) Visitors up 43% according to Google Analytics
2) Top blog this month is the personal history of mine on Cerebral Palsy - read here , in second place is the blog on Buddhism
3) Blog themes have been a success - many of you seem to be using and clicking them. The Real Ale blogs aren't quite as popular, but it's a silly little hobby of mine!
4) Manchester is winning in the visitors from cities stakes - but most readers come from the UK - with plenty of 'bounces' from places abroad including Thailand, United States, Saudi Arabia and the Phillippines!
5) It would appear search engine hits are down by 34%, but interestingly the only search engine used is Google by people who reached the blogs through search engine.
Goals: Better, more search-engine friendly blog titles to generate hits, and hopefully somehow get these 'bounces' into... 'not-bounces'.
Thank you all for reading and coming back and viewing the website - I hope you keep reading and giving feedback.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
