Awards and curling

Hello, I suppose the big news is I am Halton Sports Person of the Year 2014.  It was for the double gold and silver I won at the European Transplant Games in Lithuania and the bronze medal I won at the British Transplant Games as well as the silver hard bat doubles awards locally.

So I  guess I have been a European Champion for the last six years (as they Euros are only held every other year.)

I attended a lovely ceremony with my friend Claire at The Select Security Stadium. And we got a roast dinner before the awards. I wasn't driving, so utilised the bar!

One of the other highlights was a morning of curling at Silver Blades Ice Rink in Widnes.  The next day the wrong leg ached, so I think I need to work on my technique. It was great fun though! I don't think I will be playing in any winter Olympics any time soon though! x

It's been a while. I have been expecting me!

Hello Blog-ettes...

From the start of 2005 I started writing this blog...

This was before Twitter and Facebook and I wanted to start an on-line diary of my life struggling, while waiting for a double lung transplant.

At that time, blogs were fairly new. My blog got me on TV, radio and the local press. I sold articles on blogging to the regional press and more importantly, it got awareness of what waiting for a double lung transplant could be like...

The ups and the downs, pre and post false alarms. the operation and the rejection; the transplant games ups and downs and the normal loves, lives, limits and longings of your average 30 something (now 40 something!)

It was my refuge... A way to express myself to an unseen audience. I could be narrating on a stage where the audience may be packed with people interacting and opinion forming - or it could just be a cleaner and a ticket seller.. does it matter?

For me the first part of the blog depended on audience. I wanted to express to people how my life was coming to an end and needed their help (by signing to be organ donors) to survive...

But the rest was an outlet... The way a lot of people outpour on Twitter or Facebook (sometimes too much!)

I know I haven't updated this much (because of Twitter and FB, people know what I am doing) - But I will strive to do more.

In the last year or so have done a 170k sponsored cycle, won a silver at the GB Transplant Games, (to follow my European gold/silver) had no days of work sick, been to Malta, Ireland, Tenerife, Finland, Sweden (about to go to Tunisia and Tenerife again)...

I have been increasing the use of social media at work. And been mentioned in The Guardian for doing so... Currently very busy with the USA Tomahawks Rugby League Team

So I won't go over any of that again... You can always follow me on Twitter  (yes, @Widneschappy is me) But I have missed the updates on here and looking at other people's blogs..

With the cold winter nights I will mostly be in the house and will have more time.. (in theory)

Tally Ho and RIP Lou Reed

Malta, Tweddle and the PCC

Hello, Well I'm back in Cheshire after a roller-coaster (roller-Cola?) couple of weeks. Malta was gorgeous - It was lovely to get away from everyone and everything. I met some characters there too.

The temperature was 22-26c in the day and 18-20c in the evening (about 20c warmed than here in the UK - and just over 3 hours by plane)...

I came back and had to go almost straight up to Newcastle. All the results I have so far are good this time. And Prof Corris said I was an 'inspiration...

Talking of which, while I was away I won a Trinity Mirror/Scottish Power 'Sporting Champions' award - pipped for the top prize by Olympians Beth Tweddle and Jade Jones.

I wish I could have gone to the event as Denis Taylor and host of celebs were there...

It was straight into the PCC elections. I was blogging with CoverItLive direct from the count in Chester - and it proved very successful...

And after going to watch Aston Villa at Manchester City yesterday - today has involved a light gym session, a shop round ASDA (or 'The' Asda as they say here) and now - about to enter a long, hot bath.

I will add some pics of Malta in the next few days...

Remember to follow me @Widneschappy on Twitter or say 'hi' on Facebook...

Hugs x

Torch lights way to awards

Hello - Well it has been busy as usual... I have been knocked back a but by two overnight hospitalisations with my knee and some changes in medications...

But me and the good old Paralympic torch have been to so many events over the North West and have been greeted by happy faces everywhere...

I got nominated for the Participation in Sport Awards, The Trinity Mirror Unsung Hero and have taken the torch to the Preston Guild and a rugby match among other places...And met some amazing people.

There are negatives but positives to look forward to. There are the people who try and keep you down and these people will get karma. But what is life without tests eh?

Love 'n' peace x

Knee-d dem medals

Hello,

Well the UK Transplant Games in Belfast was my best ever. I picked up a gold medal and three bronzes and had a really good time with cool people...

Carmel stayed with me and I also met Michelle (an old school friend) and Pauline (who I also knew from Korea) during the fun.

I did tear a knee ligament - probably while throwing the javelin - and did the same to my ankle trying to supid barefoot girl treading on a broken glass at my BBQ...

Then this weekend I spent a lovely time in dirty north London with the lovely Sally... 400 mile round drive not good for my knee and ankle.. Oh well...

Isn't Golders Green a dump - we ended up on our hotel room with wine, X-Factor and face packs!

Oh I almost forgot, despite limited exercise in the last fortnight for obvious reasons my lung function was over 30 per cent for the first time in more than two years... x

The land of ABBA and Sven

Hello Blog-ettes, Again I am sorry about my lack of blogging this month.

I have been working on two ILM 5 projects on management theory and a presentation to be in the day after I come back from Sweden...

Yes, I am off to Denmark, then Sweden for the European Heart and Lung Games in Vaxjo.. I am just looking forward to getting away from work and the UK for a while...

I have actually played table tennis more than once a week recently. I got a silver in my category in the Cheshire Open last month - which was fun, but tiring..

I really think if only I had another 10 per cent lung capacity I would be more on an even keal. I just get so out of breath into the second game. I have to win in three or I'm done for.

This is why I am trying to develop a more aggressive style.

So what has been happening in the last month.. ? Health wise I have not been 100 per cent. A rash on my arm has stopped me starting the new experimental treatment - which may help my lung function....

I did go for a week or so of hating any exercise as I wasn't able to do enough to get the post-shower buzz that makes it worth it.

I seemed to have been slaving over a hot laptop on assignments recently - but did have a night out in Widnes last night and Manchester the weekend before...

One has to drown one's sorrows of England's woeful World Cup performance...On the plus side though I am currently top of Halton Borough Council's Fantasy World Cup League...

Polyps and parties

Hiya folks - Well, well, well - everything still manic in Marks media land.. Life in the last fortnight has included Alan's surprise 30th - me going to hospital to have polyps removed and a new work camera.

The one good/bad thing about going to Warrington Hospital last weekend to have the small op on my nose -meant I can't do any physical exercise for 10 days afterwards...

So I have been getting up to do my medication and then having a 'what do I do next' moment before work.. But since Martyn's accident I have been getting in early anyway to man the office...

There has been loads to promote at the moment - there is a new Lottery grant to display artifacts, loads of 'yooof' stuff, an olympic medalist joining the Council...etc etc.. Am puttng out about three releases a day at the moment and getting more and more regional coverage...

I have my job evaluation coming up next month - where I am appealing against a proposed pay cut.. It is very annoying when you see how much some of poeple get paid - and they want to REDUCE my pay - despite the long hours and hard work I put in...

It is lucky I enjoy the job and the people I work with eh?

I have been promoting a new community choir in Halton - set up by the gorgeous Grethe and Kaya.. Check out www.myspace.com/gretavisions... They are amazing people!

(And probably a lot better with my new camera than I am!)

Well it promises t be an eventful few days with Frank's stag do AND my new home - yep, I signed my life over and exchanged contracts officially today..

I could still be in there for my bday on October 23.... Wish me luck bloggettes....

Huggles

Linkin Park and Widnes wanderings

Hello thee,

Well. Last weekend was a fun one.

I went to Cannock Wood on Saturday for some drinks at the Park Gate with the usual Saturday suspects... Then it was time to hit Milton Keynes...(which I did, with a hangover..)

Parked in the disabled parking, which meant it was a nice short walk to the bowl.... It was a great day. The Bravery, NERD, Pendulum, Jay-Z, Linkin Park.... What a line up eh?

I frizzled in the heat though... I went red, then brown then started peeling...

I went to a first check-up in Liverpool (I am changing the CF appointments from B'ham) - It seemed very professional there....

My breathing tests showed my lung capacity is still not back to its levels of last summer, but it does seem to be going back up again...good thing... We shall see..

I am finding the gym and swimming slightly better. But this week I have only been swimming twice, three times I didn't get up in time after a bad night and opted for the gym twice..

When I did go swimming I swallowed too much water one day and felt rotten one morning... But I am persevering...

On Friday was a leaving do from work. Sad to say I stayed out til 3am - first time I have done that in a long time.. With I had the energy to dance more though...

Well next weekend is the H208 youth festival and the final of Halton's Got Talent (on which I am a judge) so... the world comes to Widnes and Widnes awaits....

Luv'n'hugs

x

Goodison lark!

Hello People,

Busy week in Mark-ville...Although a lot of it escaped me probably.

Last weekend went back to Staffs for a friend's birthday and it took me four hours to get 80 miles.... Utter nightmare....

Of course by the time I got there I was playing catch-up - hence the two days of feeling crap afterwards!

On Sunday I went to the Everton v Villa game at Goodison - Amazing to hear so many Villa fans chanting 'we pay your benefits' to the Scousers - always amusing.

We were so wet and cold the away fans let me and my friend Rob into the Everton Supporters Club for a drink beforehand.

I was parked SO FAR away from the ground - I was knackered as well by the time I got back to the car - which was still there!

Been in the Widnes Weekly News CLICK and The World CLICK ON ME this week. Media whoring eh?

Been starting to feel a little bit better after my blip - But got to re-start my new nebs this week - so thing may go downhill...

Been swimming/walking a couple of times but back to my old times - very depressing. But am going ot the gym tonight again before the election count...

L8r shakers - much pixie love to one and all! xx

I did it Otttt----way!

Hello,

Well well well...busy couple of weeks (as ever!)

Sky3 came to film me last week fo the awards and a show to be broadcast in June - very tiring. I interviewed in the office AND at the gym - did whole morning of stuff - plenty of stuff for the programme methinks.

They did some unusual camera angles and even filmed me on EVERY spin bike - which they will spice together to make it look as if I am on all at once.

Thanks for the emails about the transplant games - I have decided to compete (I wasn't sure - especially after the rejection episodes...My body just doesn't seem to like my new lungs) And the new meds are making me tired...

Oooh- I had a good night out near Northwich with my friend Sherrie and a snail called Brian (long story) and saw a great John Ottway gig in Lichfield... (He did it Ottttt-waaaay) with Ian and Dave (although I was driving so was sober - bah!)

Since then work has been busy - everyone seems to be finishing off their Job Evaluation appeals...and of course the Superlambananas...(How cute?!)

We have been busy promoting the National Year of Reading stuff as well as the normal pieces - so its has been both hands to the deck for me...

Health wise hasn't been too good this week.... Felt a bit shite on the way back from Northwich and I have been needing a lay in instead of swimming before work...

But I did manage to go to circuits on Monday and am hoping to get back into the swing of things tonight....

It is depressing though when things are not 100 per cent...

I went to an appointment at Heartlands in Brum last week and my lung capacity is down on my Newcastle level, so annoying with the hard work I have put in...

They are going to try and change my hospital so I can go to Manchester instead - much closer and more convenient...

What is in the air at the moment - about three friends have split with their long-term boyfriends already this month - Spring clear-out? All good news for us single people! lol

Well.....I had better get back to work... No rest for the wicked!

(PS: Superlambanana - I want one!)

MUSIC: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Killers, My Chemical Romance