Greetings!

Thought I might share with you what im looking at right now...

Goodbye and Farewell!

Well, I'm off. Tomorrow anyway, to beautiful Cornwall for a week. Me, the Missus, a fixed car and the open road...or the blocked M25. Well I'm posting this now because I won't have a chance later, and tomorrow we leave at 6am. I might send a couple of photos in, if the scenery's good. Back next Saturday (2nd of September), then moving in Sunday 3rd and I start on the 4th. Take care all, hope everything goes well.

My faith restored.

Finally Tom Reynold's has returned to his routes.
I read this with a degree of excitement that I haven't felt in a fair few months. This is the stuff I love to read about, patient interaction. When I read this it reassures me completely that I have made the correct decision in life.

O, 50 posts. I'd like to thank my Missus, my Family and all of you lovely people for being so supportive. Here's to another 50...

Shandong Linglong Tyre Company

You couldn't make it up, could you?

Well. Car troubles are apparent no more, myself and my Dad have just spent the better part of the morning fixing the window. I also got some new tyres, hence the above. Sorry about the lack of ambulance related things, I'm sure in a couple of weeks I won't be able to write fast enough about all the things happening.

And Its Goodbye Subway...

Finally, I've finished. No more coming home smelling of footlongs (leave it...). FREEDOM!
I was surprised that nothing spectacular happened, no hugely annoying customers, just a quiet day. The God's must be smiling down on me. If there any, one or none.

Sod's law dictates that the day we have torrential down pours of rain, my driver's side window refuses to raise, hence:


Dad's had a bash at fixing it today (my Dad's a mechanical genius 100%), and discovered it isn't a horribly expensive thing like the motor, just a wire in the connection that has been ripped. We'll fix it Tuesday. For the moment, the window is up and duck-taped to the side. Very ghetto indeed. Such fun!
A week off to get my head together, sort out my housing arrangements and pack for my holiday.
Then holiday, for which I have been looking forward to for an age, and then I start. Two weeks tomorrow. Bugger. 4/9/2006.

Happy Birthday!

Today its Edelee's birthday. She is the nice lady who introduced me to blogging in the first place, and reading about her escapades in and around London is highly enjoyable. Have a great day.

Something that made me laugh

The Now Show

Download the podcast for the 18th of August or listen to it again, the bit at the start saying how the reduction in air travel caused by the terroist threat means that Al Qaeda has done more for the Kyoto Treaty in the past week, than both the USA and UK combined in the past 9 nine years.

Well done! (Part 2)

Well, I passed the theory test. Pleased about that.
My exam results weren't outstanding, neither were they disgusting:
English: C
Health and Social Care: C
Biology: D
General Studies: C

Onwards and upwards.

Well done!

My fantastic Missus has just excelled at her A-levels, straight B's throughout. I'm so proud of her! She's now off to study Law, guess who's the brains in the relationship..

11:30 today I have my theory test for my C1 licence. Oo-er.

After that I'll collect my results, although I'm not too worried, my place doesn't depend on grades but I'm interested to see how I did.

"Glenda Never Misses"

Ok. So yesterday. Up at 5, at work by 6. Open shop till 11, then mad dash to train station with the Missus. Get on earliest train to London. Next take the Tube to Brixton and walk to King's College Hospital. Here I had my occupational health assessment. Glenda asked the usual questions. Next, she tested my eyes. I have 6/6 Vision in my right eye, and 4/6 vision in my left. I think those are good results. Next we measured my height, 180 cm! Last time I measured my height I was 175cm. Hooray for puberty. Next my weight, and this is the biggest shocker. I lost 7kg! Last time I weighed myself I was a spritely 105kg, her scales said I was 98kg. And I haven't even been trying to lose weight. By the way I'm not obese, I know my BMI is 30.2, but I have lots of muscle. Honest.
Next my bloods, Glenda tried to get the needle in 3 times before succeeding. "Glenda never misses" my arse. Then a urine test, the less of which is said the better.

Bus back to Brixton, Tube to Tooting Broadway. Quick talk to accommodation lady, get a few forms. I'm a £195 deposit away from my room....
Tube to London Bridge. Jubilee to Canary Wharf:


This Docklands Light Railway station at Canary Wharf to Devon's Road. This is where LAS recruitment/training HQ is, and where I had to give my documents for my Criminal Records Bureau check. Saw this cool LAS control truck:


Then went and found the Missus, who had been shopping with her sister. Walked around a few places, got a nice picture of Trafalger Square:

We then went to eat, and went home. I was knackered. Came home, posted that last post and went to sleep. Did a 6-3 today, same again tomorrow. Sunday's my last shift though, then two weeks of blissful holiday, one of which will be spent in Cornwall with the Missus.

More...Tomorrow...

Went to London, did lots of things. Been up since 5....so damn tired. More tomorrow. Night..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....


P.S. 1,006 hits. Cheers guys. I know about half were me before I discovered the "ignore me" button, but it still says 1,006. Thanks. Take care y'all.

I'm so Young (and Naive)

First off:



Nothing like an embarrassing photo from the past to start things off, (I'm Batman, my brother is Robin).
Now, on to the real content. Today at work (yes I know its getting old, but I do actually meet quite a lot of interesting people where I work), it was very boring. As such, we were talking about all sorts. Of course the first thing we talked about was what we had done the previous night, I explained that I went to the Pub with the Missus and some friends, and had discovered this:


(Non-alcoholic because I was driving)

My colleague explained she had gone out with friends, had a few drinks and popped a couple of "E"s(Sorry about the link, my drug lingo isn't exactly up to scratch). I carried on the conversation until I realised what she had just said. The normality of how she just slipped it into docile conversation without hesitation astounded me. I'm not often left speechless. However, I continued the conversation, asking her what its like to do the drug, why she does etc. When I asked her where she got it from:

Girl: "Oh, just Mum"

Carmelo: "Are you serious?!"

Girl: " Well not really my Mum, she isn't a drug dealer. My uncle is."

Astounded has already been used in this post, but nout else says how I felt. I told her what I knew about the risks; spiked pills, Overdoses, kidney damage, brain damage etc. She shrugged it off, "If I die tomorrow I want to be able to say I've tried everything." to which my response was " What if you don't die until you're 80, and wreck your body by the time your 30?"

I felt so naive, she was the same age as me. Yet I haven't even taken a pull from a cigarette.

I have a home!

So, finally after much persuasion the accommodation lady has given me somewhere to live! I feel a bit better now, like things are coming together a bit. Apart from the fact that I have gone completely deaf in my left ear for no particular reason (probably infection), and a medical to get to on Monday things are going well.

"Where's your anger, your frustration? Are you really Mr Niceguy all day long?"

At the moment, I don't have it. People like Tom, to whom the above statement was meant for, apparently don't either. So of course I wanted to emulate him, and still do in a way, but I realised I need to be my own person.

"Just like Tom" is a quote that stuck out for me.

I'm not so sure anymore. I'm here to chart the development of myself, and have already noticed changes. When I started, Tom seemed like a "god", I even e-mailed him for his advice on my blog. Now, I feel like he is missing the point a little. An e-mail from somebody has polarised my opinion on my subject,

"the complex interaction between patient & caregiver that gets beneath the stereotype of paramedics as white knights in ambulances."

Hopefully, as this blog progresses I can monitor my development a little. I'm not saying that every post will turn to one of gloom and doom, moaning about society's misgivings, my enthusiasm remains unchanged. I think its just I need to remember that I'm going out into the world to help people, "arms open" if you will, and I think I forget sometimes that people will take advantage of that attitude.

MEDICAL OR DIE!

LAS: MEDICAL, MONDAY 14TH. BE THERE.

Carmelo: But I'm afraid I'm working.

LAS: TOUGH. ONLY APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE.

Carmelo: Ok, Ok I'll change it, geez....

LAS: GOOD. LETTER IN POST. SEE YOU MONDAY.

(highly edited)

I have heard rumours that the LAS is a bit of a militaristic organisation, until now I had little reason to believe them...

Here's one I forgot...

Didn't get this photo in. I can't be bothered to plug the phone into the computer so I'll send it by mobile. See I'm not lying when I said I would do a mobile post!

What a City.

Great day. We drove through central London yesterday (well Dad did), in order to have a look at some rooms. On the way we stopped off at Wembley to find my driving school for my Lorry test, now I can find my way there on my own. Next we went to room number 1, or magnolia box:
















Fridge is good. Cupboard to the left behind the camera. It was neat, clean with laminate flooring and felt like a display in MFI. I didn't like it.
Well, we had a couple of hours to kill, so we went to St. Georges, so Dad could talk to the accommodations people. What a difference. The "manager" was there, a very helpful man. I explained to him that my course starts a full month earlier than the doctors, and that my place on it wasn't dependent on grades. He seemed to sympathise, nudges and winks were exchanged. I'll follow that up today. So after this we went to look at the Halls, or what's left of them. Out of 4 blocks, only 2 are left standing as there is a refurbishment programe going on. When we went inside the Halls we realised why. A lovely man called Mohammed guided us round, the rooms were basic but big, and there was free Internet access and printing facilities, a definite boon. The best bit was the entrance to the bathroom, the door was so tiny! We all had a good giggle about Dad trying to squeeze through the tiny doorway. The place was old, but had a good vibe and free parking. I want to live with students.

Lastly we went to a flat really close to St. Georges. We were guided round by a nice Aussie guy, a builder. The place was, to be honest, a bit of a dump. It smelt, was messy, but people lived there. I like "homes" as opposed to "houses". However the place didn't have the net, and the room was tiny.
















After looking at these rooms, it hit me how alone I'm going to be. At least in Halls I would be with others who share a mutual interest in something medical, but more importantly are closer to my age. I'll smuggle myself into the Halls.

Now, back to the title. Driving through London is the best way to see it, as you move so slowly (snigger). The place is so alive, so vibrant and varied. Its bonkers too, people drive like maniacs, but I think I'll fit in just fine when I move.

Bah.

This isn't usually like me, so please don't expect more "grump" posts.

Blogs are featuring quite a bit in the news lately, Tom Reynolds especially with the release of his book ( no link, he has enough. Look at the side bar.). Not to criticise, but this "super-blogger" seems to have lost the point. Every post now is about something media related, each point his ego is mentioned, yet people continue to stroke it. I started reading it because I wanted a good insight into the personal world of ambulances and the LAS, but now all I get is media attention. Its so boring.

If I wanted that I'd read the papers, I thought blogging was almost anti-media in its nature, as everyone could do it.

Bah. I'm tending to ignore it now, especially when I took a look at myself yesterday. Trying to promote my blog by using various sites, to what purpose? I have no wish to reach the levels of stardom that others have, nor the talent. This blog is here for me, if people enjoy reading it that's really great (thanks for the comment defib), but I'm not going to go head over heels to promote it. I enjoy blogging a great deal, so have no wish to stop, but I have no intention of "pimping" this blog out.
No, I'm not being bitter about another's success, nor jealous. I think its a bit more of a disappointment, seeing one's apparent idol "selling out". I know its what any normal person would do, but you tend to forget sometimes that behind the words is a person with needs in the real world.

Right, groan over. Tomorrow I'm going to view a couple of flats, one's run by an Irish guy and the other by Aussies. Sounds like a party.. hopefully I'll take a couple of photos. Might even do a mobile post (shock horror!)

Stereotypes.

You don't tend to question these until they turn up in your shop, shouting at the top of their voice.
This morning, a black guy came in with his friends. Did the usual, bought food, sat down. I was in the back of the shop, as was my colleague. We have a monitor in the back hooked up to the CCTV system, which allows us to keep an eye on things, as I happened to look up I saw one of his white friends acting suspiciously. I sent my colleague out to check what was going on, and swiftly followed him out when a shouting match erupted. My colleague had accused the black guy of stealing a packet of crisps while he was closing the shop another night, and trying to do the same thing now. Of course the guy had reacted badly to this. Needless to say both were being rude, but I had no wish to get into something that wasn't my fight, but I did want to end it. I told my colleague to go into the back, while I stay on the front. Here I began talking to the guy, being very careful to make my voice as neutral as possible.

"Why are you getting so worked up over a 40p packet of crisps? Do you really think its worth all this trouble?"

"I don't care bruv, I just don't like being accused."

"Too true. In the end I'm not really bothered whether you did or you didn't steal them, for such a small thing I really don't think its worth all this bother."

To which my colleague interjected:

"It doesn't matter, he shouldn't be stealing"

He replied:

"I can't believe this bruv, you see black skin and curly hair and you think I did it? Why didn't you accuse him or him? (both white friends)"

Now that made me stop and think. While those two argued on about CCTV tapes and the Police, I began to question myself. I can honestly say that I couldn't give a rat's arse what colour the skin is, but, I found myself siding with the black guy for some reason. I mean, he fitted into my "ideal" stereotype of a person who would perpetrate such a crime, loud and cocky, but his race argument really struck a chord with me.
In my town, the vast majority of the populace are white working/middle class. This provides a stark comparison to the nearby towns which have a much more diverse make up, which I think helps to bring various people together, I don't really feel I was raised in an ethically diverse environment.
So, in my head a war going on. On one side we have the common stereotype that makes me feel distinctly uncomfortable, yet on the other is a mad machine of Political Correctness, desperate to promote the minority race's over the majority one's, which makes me equally uncomfortable. I think I'm in the middle somewhere.
I try to treat people exactly the same, regardless of situation/context/ethnicity/disability, sometimes though, I feel my self giving the benefit of the doubt to the minority member, even if the evidence points to someone else. Which isn't treating people equally at all, its more of a "support the apparent underdog" complex, which is just as bad.

Headache. Simple solution. I shall become a hermit, no human interactions at all. Simple.

Must also say well done to Mr Jensen Button, the first British F1 win in ages!

Having recently watched Cars...

...I was left feeling inspired.
Yes I know its hardly mature, and doesn't come close to talk about Armageddon in the nude that
Lola was dreaming about, but I like it.

On a more serious note, something interesting happened outside of work today. Well, on retrospect it was actually rather boring, but we must amuse ourselves. A middle age lady had fallen for some reason or another and was out cold on the road. Luckily two policemen were driving by and offered assistance, saving me going out and "first-aiding". Soon enough an RRV came to help, the Paramedic assessing her and making her comfortable. He didn't look particularly worried about her, so I didn't really pay too much attention. Then the two policemen took to standing around looking useless, poor guys. It stayed like this for a good half hour, people in my shop were making the usual "its disgusting that she hasn't got an ambulance" comments. When I stated that there was a fully qualified Paramedic and two policemen their for her they hushed a little, but didn't stop.
Now while I obviously felt for the patient, she wasn't an emergency. I'm guessing she was at best a Cat. B call, or the nearest ambulance was helping someone who was more in need. Its nice to see the triage system working so well, its just a shame to the public it looked like the lady was being treated badly.

Time Table

I know you probably can't see it, but that's my time table for the year. If you click on it and zoom it, you can make out things. Its all coming together!

Talking of Tooting...

...Much progression. I *think* I have found the perfect room. Cheap (£50 per week), close to St. Georges and easy to get to. Hopefully the guy will give me a ring back sooner rather than later to sort out a viewing. I need a home!

Trotting in Tooting

Today I spent the day trotting around London with the Missus, trying to sort out my living hole. The accommodation lady at St. Georges provided some help, but buying the local copy of Loot seemed to help a lot more. I explored the local area too, I enjoy walking down a street and being one of the only white people there, I like diversity very much. The choice of cheap food around was fantastic too, being a vege round there is going to be very easy. Needless to say all of this was interspersed by Carmelo pricking his ears up at every hint of a siren near by, very pleased when I saw one of the newest LAS trucks coming into St George's A&E on blues.
I also found this on a wall of a car park in Carnaby Street, or near by:
Modern art I can appreciate?! What is the world coming to?