Where there is 'Hope'

Hello - Sorry if I have been neglecting you. Life has - as usual - been busy in Mark-ville! I went to a gig a week for a few weeks, work is manic as ever and my social life is healthy.

Health wise, my blood sugars do seem to going up and down still. They keep changing the insulin and regime and diet. Perhaps something will work...

I went 'home' to Cannock Wood for a nice break over Easter - although it did include a lock-in in a pub with my friend Jo - and lots of alcohol and scratchings...I am sure Jesus wouldn't approve.

Back to the grind and I have been applying for jobs. I have been media/PR officer at Halton Borough Council for seven years now. Most people there are nice and I enjoy the job, but it isn't going anywhere.

I think I have the 'seven year itch' - And need a refreshing new challenge. I applied for a job at the Co-Op (it needs all the PR if can get) and one at Hope University in Liverpool... That one looks great.

Today (after a gig last night in Manchester) - I went for a yoga session. May not be able to get out of bed tomorrow.. Ho hum..

Sports wise - My next major table tennis venture is the European Heart and Lung Transplant Games i Lithuania.. Wish me luck!

Hugs and sparkles

Mark

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

Jess Ennis, Mo Farrah and me!

Hello Blogettes,

Well it has been busy (would you expect anything else?) - I have been to London for two weekends to see Olympic stuff - I had amazing tickets to see Jessica Ennis, Mo Farrah and Greg Rutherford on super Saturday - just seven rows from the front.

The previous weekend I saw some amazing table tennis and inbetween saw some mediocre football...

And this week I get to find out where and when I carry the Paralympic torch - which I am even more excited about.. Unfortunately for friends and family it will be in London and probably late at night!

More news as I get it - hopefully later this week...

In other news. My tests in Liverpool showed my lung capacity rose to 26 per cent and everything else going well.. Physio on my knee with the lovely Kelsey tomorrow....

All these tests mean am doing extra hours at work to make up the time... Oh the joy (I don't actually mind - my job is fun!)

This was my view at the Olympic Stadium.... wow wow wow

Hooky and Liverpool

Hello - Its been a few hectic weeks again - It is all out for the Olympic Torch Relay - coming through Halton this Thursday - I have been looking after the social media and the press..

Then when that finishes we have Jubilee Weekend... With all the TV, press and radio attention that will attract....

But last weekend I let my (short) hair down with a weekend of gigs and fun. I met Peter Hook backstage after a gig in Liverpool.

He played all Joy Division stuff and I have to say it was one of the best gigs I have been to..

And on Saturday went to Leeds for Sarah's birthday and end up at a Cuban Club and met old friends and made new ones...

Chat soon - Tootle pip! x

Twitter Tatter

Happy Sunday! Well I was back to work two days after coming out of hospital and it has been non-stop since!  Myself and a colleague had three days to make a film to promote Halton, we had the local elections (with live Twitter feed) - AND of course all the usual press enquiries and releases to do...

I am just getting used to the new software too! (Slowly but surely)

Well I am off out now to enjoy the fine weather  - Sorry for short update but I am still here! And starting to get my fitness back...

Hugs xx
#Widneschappy

Facebook can be good

Hello - Well my ankle feels better enough to start training - Good job as the pool is damn cold!

Did 30 mins on an exercise bike - But it wasn't good for confidence that I was surrounded by the Widnes Vikings Rugby Super League squad were all around me doing 100 mph and still chatting.

In the last couple of weeks I have decided on three trips abroad. Two are to Germany - including one to see a rock festival and one to Holland - for the European Transplant Games...

The first is to see a friend who I have been promising to visit for months...

Three old friends have recently got in touch on Facebook including an ex and a former holiday romance - things are looking up in Mark ville...

Hugs and sparkles

MARK

Back in The Wood (briefly...)

Hello - WIth the gales trying to blow my house away here in Cheshire it may be time to catch up on some blogging...

It was the first time in a few years I got the while of Christmas to New Year off I think... So I made the most of it..

I went back to Cannock Wood on Xmas Eve - (good night at the Park Gate), Christmas Day my mum had all the neighbours in (then pub) and Boxing Day was the family do in Halesowen...

I came back to Widnes for a couple of days and then went up to Newcastle for New Year (see pic!) and then to Gateshead (to see Sarah and see The Lady - brilliant film)..

Health wise I had a few sugar level issues at the end of the year so I am going to be fitted with a device to monitor then 24/7 for a few days to see when they peak and trough.

This year I have got a lot of plans - which will take energy and time.. Hope work doesn't keep me occupied 24/7...

As well as the day job I may well be doing some promotion for a well known author...

Tottle pip and happy 2010 to all my blogg-ettes....

Ups and downs and Nick Clegg

Hello Blogettes - Well it has been an up and down few weeks. I had a great 'Dead Celebrity' party (Dead Famous) at The Stobart Stadium, Widnes... It was good to catch up with friends old and new.

The next day I saw Erasure in Wolverhampton - on my 40th itself...

Then I followed the torn ligaments in my ankle I got tendonitus - which put my recovery back a few weeks again.. I hope to go back to spin class next week..

My cold meant my lung fuction was down at Newcastle when I went for my check up. But because there is a reason they are not concerned.. It is still between the 20 and 25 per cent mark.

I have been back to Cannock Wood twice in two weeks (having not been back to my home village for months) and will be back at Xmas - strange how these thing happen.

Very tired these cold winter nights..

I was with Nick Clegg yesterday - we have generated more than 80 mentions of his trip so far in the media. In fact last month we got more than 250 media mentions for Halton Borough Council -not bad for a team of two!

A bientot xx

Chester Rocks - Mark wilts

Hello, Well, hello Bloggettes. Sorry if I have deserted you. I still love you... We had the annual cricket tour to Weston-Super-Mare - to mark the 20th anniversary of the club... It was exciting - great weather and the hotel opposite burnt down!

I came back with a bit of an infection - the GP gave me antibiotics. I still haven't had a referral to a dermatologist (the greasy skin is a side effect of the anti-rejection drugs) - apparently he hasn't got the info from Newcastle...

Then I have had two weekend in Chester - one with Chester Rocks.... and one at Chester Races - good company and good times...

Work is busy - my colleague is on long term sick and my other one is working for Cream three days a week so am basically on my own.. and snowed under.

The cats were messing on the beds too last week.. Still waiting for the cat flat to be fitted and they are scared to go out! I can't have cat litter around...

Well next weekend is the final of Halton's Got Talent 4 - I am a special guest, having judged the heats... should be a goods night..

Chat soon(ish)

Keeping it Real (FM)

Hello, I have been hitting the airwives again today in connection with the latest organ donation figures... I have been on the news every hour on Real Radio (covering the whole of the North West of the UK.... Click REAL http://www.realradionorthwest.co.uk/

Amsterdamning and Liiverpool

Hello Bloggettes, Went for my check up at Liverpool and lung capacity increased to 25 per cent - stragnely it is always a couple of percentage lower in Liverpool than Newcastle - but it was even up here on last time... Back of the net...

They did fail to get any blood out of me for my M.O.T though... Their loss!

Ihad a trainee nurse following me around, which I didn't mind, because she was hot. Its hard to make small talk when you are being prodded, poked, blowing into machines and being pricked by needles though..

The new doctor assumed I couldn't do any kind of sport with my low capacity. It just goes to show what application can do..

A former fellow athlete at the Transplant Games has twice my lung capacity (almost) and is on oxygen 10 hours a day.....

It shows daily swims, gyms or table tennis sessions work for me....

On a lighter note - I booked a flight to Amsterdam today! Whoop whoop xx

Election fever.......

Creamfields and the Weekly News

Hello Bloggettes, How is life, the world and everything....

Mark is tired... Creamfields, an Express & Star reunion in Wolverhampton and a night out in Nantwich since I last updated this...

Cream was excellent. Marta, Rich and Pete stayed over - although we didn't get in til about 6am and slept til the afternoon...

By 3am on Sunday morning I was whacked... All the mud meant there was nowhere really to rest... So there was no choice but to take loads of drugs and stay awake (that was a joke Mr Policeman sir!)

The Wolv gig was something I arranged with people who used to work at the Express and Star in Stafford...

Tony Moran, Dave Briggs, Sue Lea, Rita Congera all came along and we hit the Cheeky Monkey club. Ended the night playing the Wii - something called Cow Racing.... hmmmm cowwwssss.

Last weekend I hit Nantwich with Caroline and spent the next day watching Frasier and eating toast - perfect Sunday eh?

I discovered the joys of drinking wine while on MSM.. This is the fault of Random Girl.. I blame her for a lot of things these days...And with good reason.....

In other news - Went to see Mamma Mia with Bekah in Stafford yesterday - Great feel-good film, great company (as always!)

What else? Still trying to get back to old fitness levels.. Failing miserably... I still aim to be able to jog by the end of the year - One has to have a goal!

CLICK - My blog for the Widnes World newspaper

CLICK - Halton Borough Councils news (the bit I write)

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

Berlin banter and k9

Hello Bloggettes,

Thanks for all the emails from people who saw me on Sky TV and in the Lichfield Mercury, Widnes World, Widnes and Runcorn Weekly News, Wire FM etc following the awards... all appreciated..

Well it has been a busty time in Markville.. I flew out to Germany on Friday 13th (I know, I know) through the farce that is EasyJet (long walks with hand luggage at Liverpool Airport, no moving stairways!)

I found my way (more through luck than judgement) to Alexplatz.... where I met up with Katrin. Spent a great long weekend there- the first time I had been there for a while..

We had food cooked by her on the first night and wandered through the Eastern part of Berlin - It is hard these days to tell where is where...

I found an afiinity with the old GDR flashing light men on traffic signals (they had been replaced by the West German ones) - I bought a t-shirt and badge... Bring the old ones back..

We had an all day breakfast and met up with Juli, (at Houdini's All You Can Eat) and had dinner with Stefan in the evening which included sourkraute (yes they did get the joke!)

When I got back home. I had to unpack and pack again to go to Newcastle for my check-up and prodding and poking by the medics up north...

I was feeling lethargic and tired and my lung function showed a 10 per cent down turn - They think it is just the endless colds I have got since working in this office and the travelling...

The x-rays showed no further damage (good thing) So I must just keep doing the right stuff, gyming, swimming and looking after myself...

My weight is down toi 73kg - the lowest it has been since 2002... A recent printout at the gym said I am now the perfect weight and muscle mass for my height... So I am doing everything right my end,.

It is just frustrating that all the work and my lung capacity is still a fraction of what it should be... Damn the rejection...

Busy week at work but tomorrow should be relaxing - I am going to see Frank Sidebottom on an open bus tour, then a gig, then a night in a hotel... Bring it on!

Been enjoying our MSM chats K9 by the way - Bring on our vodka fest - She always makes me feel more human...

MUSIC: Gabriella, BWO, Nick Cave, Moby

Only a week to go before Jay-Z, Pendulum and Linkin Park!