The Tables Are Turned

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As a GP for 35 years, I spent a lot of time behind a desk. Today it was my turn for the other side. After feeling unwell for a couple of days, I developed some pains in the chest. As a GP, I would advise anyone with pains in the chest to seek advice immediately. I chose to ignore them. However when I mentioned them to Pommygran8 over coffee, she took me straight to the GP. Luckily, I was seen straight away, (Pommygran8 hates waiting). Examination was normal, ECG normal. I sent Pommygran8 home, thinking I would be following soon. Wrong. GP phoned cardiologist, who recommended CT angiogram. I walked across the road to the radiologist who knew I was coming. After a short wait I was having my coronary angiogram. Warning, do not distract the radiographer as she is putting a cannula in your arm. Second try it was in and the scan was over.
Waiting at home for the results, Pommygran8 was more impatient than I.
Finally the results came through and were all clear. No blockage, arteries in pretty good shape. So now no excuses to stop cooking.
The standard of service was excellent. I have no complaints.

Together For Humanity

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Last week, we attended a meeting for Together For Humanity, which is an Australian venture. The idea is for people of different faiths, to go to schools and show that people can accept and respect other faiths without compromising their own. We met Rabbi Zalman Kastel, who is the National Director, Haisam Farache, a muslim Sheikh from Lakemba Mosque, and Mohamed Dukuly, a muslim from war-torn Liberia. We videoed a short interview with each one and I was greatly encouraged by these wonderful people. Here are the videos.

UKTV and K9

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Yesterday we went to the headquarters of UKTV, the principal sponsors of Bash Car K9, to show off our trophies and to thank them for their support.
I was asked what I do with the car between Bashes. The answer to that is easy. We work on it to get it ready for the next one. At the moment, we are reconditioning a gearbox so that we can get it into third gear without it crunching embarrassingly. Not much else needs doing except all the things we say we are going to do next year, but never get round to it.

A new president

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Forty eight years ago (and yes, I can remember that far back; it's only where I put my keys or glasses or spanner, 2 minutes ago that I forget) John F Kennedy was elected president of the USA. All the hopes and dreams of the world centred on this young charismatic man. It is the same feeling of euphoria now, that the rest of the world, who had hoped and prayed that the American people would get it right this time, (after all they elected George Bush twice), experiences.
History unfortunately has a habit of repeating itself. I can only hope that people have learned from the past and President-elect Obama will be able to fulfil his promise. Things don't look promising. Lewis Hamilton is the youngest person to win the Formula 1 world championship. He also has been subject to racist taunts and abuse because of the colour of his skin. Until we can all accept difference and embrace it, I fear that once again, we are heading for another tragedy.

Full of Gas

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A weekend of drama at Everapominoz's place. For a few weeks we had noticed some water leaking around the base of the water meter by the front gate. The appropriate people were informed and on Friday Pommygran8 and I went for our usual coffee. When we returned, the street had been cordoned off, and we were unable to go back into the house. There happened to be a loud hissing noise and a geyser of gas rising from our front garden. The plumbers digging around the water meter had ruptured the gas main supply.

So now we have a hole in the front garden, with some gas bubbling through the water which is still leaking. At least we have a temporary gas supply (see the pictures), so we (or rather I) can still cook.