Thursday 31 August 2017
Vlog 31st August - 3 scam emails, 1 good film and 2 great books!
Today's little round-up of my world - 3 more attempts by crooks to do nasty stuff, a really good horror film and 2 literary greats!
Wednesday 30 August 2017
Today's hard graft . . . a change for you . .
I thought we'd have something of a change on The Old Geezer's Diary.
I make a film or two most days - it isn't always a long process, like today's movie, made for my Shipping TV channel. Took about 40 minutes to shoot, 45 to edit, and then it rendered while I was out doing an errand. Add 10 or 15 minutes for driving time to the location (Felixstowe Dock viewpoint) and back, and the whole thing is done inside two hours.
So today's diary post is that movie - here it is:
I make a film or two most days - it isn't always a long process, like today's movie, made for my Shipping TV channel. Took about 40 minutes to shoot, 45 to edit, and then it rendered while I was out doing an errand. Add 10 or 15 minutes for driving time to the location (Felixstowe Dock viewpoint) and back, and the whole thing is done inside two hours.
So today's diary post is that movie - here it is:
Monday 28 August 2017
Down by the river . . 27 August, 2017
A little film made yesterday, as I was having a stroll beside the River Orwell at Levington Marina - thought you might enjoy it!
Sunday 27 August 2017
Friday 25 August 2017
Wednesday 23 August 2017
Yesterday's Video blog - salvaged from the mists of technology :-)
Yesterday ( Tuesday) I had one of my favourite bus-pass outings - but discovered that I was having all sorts of tech problems due to lack of signal and similar troubles!
So here's yesterday's vlog video - the one that nearly got away!
Monday 21 August 2017
Historic ship videos - as promised earlier!
Here are the 2 films I shot earlier today, when I made the blog. They show the tugs Touchstone and Kent passing through Harwich Harbour, heading for theit home berths and moorings on the River Medway.
Old Geezer's Diary, 21 August, 2017 - historic ships and an outing.
Today, I'm at Felixstowe viewpoint to film two historic vessels pass by - the tugs Touchstone and Kent, both heading back to the Medway after spending the weekend at the Maritime Ipswich event:
Sunday 20 August 2017
Old Geezer's Diary at Maritime Ipswich, 20 August 2017
A stroll beside some historic ships at Ipswich's major maritime event - I'll post some more from this event soon:
Saturday 19 August 2017
Old Geezer's Diary: a lost week, and a new pier; 19 August 2017
A bit of a lost week, and a brand new pier . . if you see what I mean! And yes, you're right, it's SATURDAY the 19th August!
Tuesday 15 August 2017
Old Geezer's Diary - on Landguard Common, 15 August 2017:
Just a brief afternoon chat from the wide expanses of Landguard Common, Felixstowe:
Monday 14 August 2017
Video: Scam awareness - "The little book of Big Scams", 14 August 2017
After getting caught by a malicious email, I decided to have a dig around among my files to find some information about the latest crop of scams . .
So here is some recommended reading for all of us older web-users, and for friends and family - anyone can get caught! "The little book of Big Scams" - download it from here:
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/documents/1137/the-little-book-of-big-scams.pdf
So here is some recommended reading for all of us older web-users, and for friends and family - anyone can get caught! "The little book of Big Scams" - download it from here:
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/documents/1137/the-little-book-of-big-scams.pdf
Friday 11 August 2017
Video: 11 August 2017 - the washing machine saga:
A broken-down washing machine results in a 4 or 5 week saga before we can get an new one - so thanks for your contributions, the washing machine man who never got back to us, and the mighty Currys, who I suspect probably can't be bothered with customers, really . . .
Wednesday 9 August 2017
And here's another . . .
Here's another video clip from the material I shot before I went into hospital - of the barge Thalatta.
She's a lovely thing, first built back in 1906, and rebuilt in 2012 - now that's a major undertaking.
I like barges a lot, and really enjoy sailing aboard them, but I'm a crap helmsman, in my humble opinion. When they have their leeboards up (these are the boards on either side, lowered to prevent leeway when under sail), they are easily pushed in any direction by the breeze and the tide, and I have trouble with keeping the bow on target.
All the sailing boats I've owned have had decent keels of some sort, so leeway under sail is limited, and with the sails down, you really don't notice it.
I was lucky enough film a whole season about a barge a couple of years ago, the excellent S.B. Victor - you can find the whole video series on my Shipping TV Youtube page: click here
She's a lovely thing, first built back in 1906, and rebuilt in 2012 - now that's a major undertaking.
I like barges a lot, and really enjoy sailing aboard them, but I'm a crap helmsman, in my humble opinion. When they have their leeboards up (these are the boards on either side, lowered to prevent leeway when under sail), they are easily pushed in any direction by the breeze and the tide, and I have trouble with keeping the bow on target.
All the sailing boats I've owned have had decent keels of some sort, so leeway under sail is limited, and with the sails down, you really don't notice it.
I was lucky enough film a whole season about a barge a couple of years ago, the excellent S.B. Victor - you can find the whole video series on my Shipping TV Youtube page: click here
Keelboats heading up the River Orwell . .
On of the best things about making video of all sorts is that you don't have to go out to do it all the time. So this week, as I'm getting a bit more relaxation than usual while getting over my stay in hospital, I'm editing some bits of video I shot before going "inside" . .
This clip shows a trio of keelboats from the Levington Marina based East Anglian Sailing Trust passing the mighty Maersk Essen, and heading on up into the River Orwell, with a good breeze pushing them along, and the flood tide carrying them faster still.
This clip shows a trio of keelboats from the Levington Marina based East Anglian Sailing Trust passing the mighty Maersk Essen, and heading on up into the River Orwell, with a good breeze pushing them along, and the flood tide carrying them faster still.
Monday 7 August 2017
Saturday 5 August 2017
You cut his wrist, Doctor??? :-)
You cut his wrist, Doctor? For people who might have to have one, but haven't yet, let me tell that an angiogram is a startlingly smart procedure, but from the patient point of view, a really straightforward one, with outstanding results. I've just had my second in about 7 years, so I'm a big fan.
In simple terms, they cut into an artery in your wrist or groin, into which they insert a catheter, then they use this to insert a wire which is fed into the area where they suspect you have a problem. Then, they release a dye to show up where the blood vessels are, and if they are narrowed or blocked. They take a series of X-rays at this point.
If the medics decide fix it on the spot, as they often do, they can insert special balloons to open out artieries, or stents, to keep the artery open.
You're awake for the whole procedure, with just a local for your wrist and a sedative to keep you relaxed. In both my experiences, I felt no pain whatsoever, although sometimes your chest can feel a bit tender afterwards - there's been a lot going on in there!
The hole in your wrist artery is a concern, of course, and there's a special inflated dressing to help that close there's a shot of the dressing, and if you scroll down, another of the wound about 48 hours after:
In simple terms, they cut into an artery in your wrist or groin, into which they insert a catheter, then they use this to insert a wire which is fed into the area where they suspect you have a problem. Then, they release a dye to show up where the blood vessels are, and if they are narrowed or blocked. They take a series of X-rays at this point.
If the medics decide fix it on the spot, as they often do, they can insert special balloons to open out artieries, or stents, to keep the artery open.
You're awake for the whole procedure, with just a local for your wrist and a sedative to keep you relaxed. In both my experiences, I felt no pain whatsoever, although sometimes your chest can feel a bit tender afterwards - there's been a lot going on in there!
The hole in your wrist artery is a concern, of course, and there's a special inflated dressing to help that close there's a shot of the dressing, and if you scroll down, another of the wound about 48 hours after:
Friday 4 August 2017
Video: Going-home day!
Going-home day today, by the sound of things . . . feel a little tired because of someone shouty at the far end of the ward early this morning, but not to worry.
Yesterday's angiogram seemed to go pretty well and the docs were pleased with the outcome. The last few days have reminded me about just what a great system the NHS is, and how outstanding so many of the staff are - one or two have been quite brisk, and obviously under pressure, but everyone has had time for a few words and a smile. Its something we can easily forget about a little when we're feeling fine, but it is amazing when it picks you up carries you away to safety.
Infinitely worth fighting for.
Yesterday's angiogram seemed to go pretty well and the docs were pleased with the outcome. The last few days have reminded me about just what a great system the NHS is, and how outstanding so many of the staff are - one or two have been quite brisk, and obviously under pressure, but everyone has had time for a few words and a smile. Its something we can easily forget about a little when we're feeling fine, but it is amazing when it picks you up carries you away to safety.
Infinitely worth fighting for.
Thursday 3 August 2017
Summer feet; 3rd August 2017
White heat of excitement yesterday - transferred to the cardiac unit. Much more relaxed and routine than the assessment unit, where stuff happens day and night.
The big benefit is the night-time peace, of course - I got to sleep right through, although the nurse told me there was some noise . . . didn't notice it.
It looks as if I'll get my angiogram tomorrow, but that may change - we'll see.
In the meantime, here's a view of the bottom of my bed - as you can see, I do like my sandals in the summer . . .
Wednesday 2 August 2017
Feeling refreshed
Feeling nicely refreshed this morning, after a bit more sleep last night than the night before, and a good shower. I was also allowed to stroll along to the bathroom rather than have to be wheel chaired there, which is good news.
Breakfast was good - porridge, toast and tea, but no black pudding, bacon or fried food at all - I must be eating healthy food, which is a serious worry. I've always believed that the burnt crunchy bits are vital to our wellbeing. According to Terry Pratchett, BCBs are food group on their own.
May get moved today, to undergo a procedure or two, but OK with that.
Breakfast was good - porridge, toast and tea, but no black pudding, bacon or fried food at all - I must be eating healthy food, which is a serious worry. I've always believed that the burnt crunchy bits are vital to our wellbeing. According to Terry Pratchett, BCBs are food group on their own.
May get moved today, to undergo a procedure or two, but OK with that.
Tuesday 1 August 2017
Somewhat out of service . . ;-)
I'm afraid that I'm a bit out of service at the moment - I'm sitting on my hospital bed in Ipswich Hospital, after having a touch of angina - not at all nice.
But I'll do my best to keep you up to date with what's happening. Here's a stylish pic taken yesterday, followed by from this morning:
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