philheybrookbay

Just got Britbox . I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the content- I spent a day binge watching Dan Jones' historical documentaries on War of the Rose's and medieval Kings Kings yesterday. Well worth a look if you've a day to spare.

Looking at my family Mum 74 and Dad 76. Still going Paternal Grandad died 95 Paternal Nan died 58 (brain cancer) Maternal Grandpa died 79 Maternal Nan died 69 ( pancreatic cancer) Going back in the history of both sides, my Nans both died very much younger than expected although there are some who got well into the 90s (back in the 19th century even!) One thing which does seem to be a common link in the maternal side is problems with pancreas- cancer and diabetes causing a lot premature deaths with aunts and uncles.

Jimmy Carter.. Well it is election year.

1 more and I'm in the driving seat. But this year is different.....

Just watching the reruns of Take the High Road on STV and we've got to the first appearance of actor William Armour back in 1981 playing the regular character Hamish McNeil. But he clearly died off the radar under his real name back in 2017.

Thanks everyone. What I found slightly annoying/funny yesterday was the speed by which on social media he achieved virtual Sainthood status. By his own admission Si was a troubled fella so I think/know he'd find it funny that suddenly he apparently did no wrong over the years.

I'll get my own coat....

You know its never good thing when your mobile starts pinging with message notifications at 230am. And so it transpired. Sadly a good friend of mine was found dead at home yesterday evening from what I can gather. Whilst it was a shock, it wasn't a real surprise, as he had a long history of substance abuse (Columbian marching powder a favourite), mental health issues and a long term damage to his heart having survived to my knowledge at least 4 heart attacks. So to get to mid 50s well- he did well. As I put on social media it was complex emotions today on hearing the sad news about Si. But that was him. Loveable, exasperating, kind, annoying, laughter. He could be the best friend in the world or the biggest cunt. There was little in the middle and life was certainly never dull with Si in the room. Worlds a little darker today.

Joseph McKenna https://www.businessoffashion.com/amp/community/people/joe-mckenna Was still alive in 2017 according to this. Given his appearances were in mid 70s I'd put him born about 1960?

Plymouth council staff facing redundancy as huge cuts announced https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/plymouth-city-council-staff-facing-4260337#ICID=Android_PlymouthHeraldNewApp_AppShare A bit close to home. They've opened up an enhanced release scheme for us employees and they want minimum of 200 to go. Nipped into work yesterday to work out my figure should I take it (a shock at the amount -much higher than I expected) but it's a real stick or twist choice...

Thanks all. I've been really lucky this time! Referred to the local mental health team, and as I'm in the system I've started new treatment called DBT. In fact in the most positive way, I've been using the sick period to study like crazy so the result is that my Doc at mental health team is seriously impressed with not only my actions but my progression. In other good news- it's made a massive link between my use of alcohol and my depression, so much so, I've not touched a drop since 31st May and whilst I'm not promising a totally ban for life I can honestly say, this is the longest I've not touched a drop for over 30 years. The big test will be the return to work in 10 days, but I have a few ideas for that. So all in all, positive etc.

Still the best cover version in history! Shame they dont make Sunday night TV like this anymore.

Equally and very sadly, that's not a guarantee with this illness. I know of a neighbour who suffered in a nursing home for about 4 years with this disease before she passed away. In an ironic sick twist, her husband now has dementia and is in the same nursing home some 3 years after her passing.

12th July.

Philip the racist.

103? Blimey. Not a bad innings to be fair!

Excellent piece, well explained. What is very much more astounding is that right on the end of Plymouth Hoe slightly hidden is red marble monument about the Boar War which seems to have avoided all publicity so far. In terms of size and its overtones is much more questionable compared so to Drake.

As someone pointed out on Twitter, at least 40% of Plymouth will potentially have to change if (and theres a BIG backlash against it) the City decides to remove all references to Sir Francis Drake. Drake's Island, Drakes Circus shopping centre, Drake Circus road, Drake election ward, Drake Primary School- the list goes on and on. The Sir John Hawkins Square in the City Centre has already started to be changed. It just seems that the campaign against Drake is really annoying most rational locals against the Woke generation. Interestingly, they are also targeting Lady Nancy Astor new statue for her anti Catholic, anti Jewish views as well. Seems we like our "pirate" here!

Yes luckily. GP and local mental health team have been amazing. And work have been excellent as well. Plus a lot of friends who knew I'd been unwell for a while have come forward in droves. Hardest thing is living with the self guilt but the meds are helping and weirdly more relaxed than I've been in probably years.

So my mental health has been fucked since Covid and I've snapped this week. Attempted suicide last Friday. However I've started to recover. Mental health is fucking shit to live with. But I've been provisionally got a new diagnosis of EUPD. And we only have 1 celebrity pin up in our corner. Danniella Westbrook.... So I've stocked up on white powder. Self raising sort. Oh and some Coke. Diet with vanilla. Well you've got to laugh. On the plus side I'm officially Physco now.

Citybus apologises for turning Pride bus into NHS rainbow bus https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/plymouth-citybus-apologises-turning-pride-4145496#ICID=Android_PlymouthHeraldNewApp_AppShare This non story in my City is so bad. Basically the Pride symbol has been covered over with a Thank You NHS on a rainbow bus. Didnt stop some rancid queens complaining that the rainbow is the gay community symbol and that this is a rebranding too far. As a rancid queen myself- not even I am offended by this. But some of the social media on the local pride forums here has been hilarious. It's all the youngsters complaining naturally.

I'm related to this chap. He was my Grandads cousin. George's Dad Zach was the younger brother of my great Grandad John. John also named his oldest son Zac my Grandad older brother after him so Zac name runs in my family. My Grandad was born in 1903 and died in 1982 from Parkinsons disease, but my Nan always made mention that my Grandad and George whilst knowing each other weren't overly close but fond of each other. Great Uncle Ben my Grandads younger brother was slightly more dismissive of George hinting to me that he was a bit of "wrong un" and very "camp". Of course History has born out that South Wales Police looked into historical evidence of abuse but Great Uncle Ben did say to me with knowing wink that I wasnt the 1st gay man in family history.

Today's work Zoom Meeting......

Prunella Scales.

Agree to a cashless society. In two months I've taken a single tenner out the bank only because I had to go to a launderette to get my uniform dry in a hurry and needed some pound coins. Rest all card and mostly contactless at that. In terms of my job and team- everything is on the table. The ideas dismissed as being too politically hot suddenly are at the forefront. So charging for bins, library I can see being discussed.