Goldenlad's Musings: February 2005

Monday, February 28, 2005

My stop smoking plan so far

Well as I've already touched on my attempt to give up smoking I guess I had better give you the stats. On the 1st Jan this year I got myself a set of bathroom scales that gave all the fat and H2O readings as well as my weight, as I wanted to keep an eye on my progress with the Zyban. Well heres the chart at the end of February. Maybe a little down on the weight and body fat and a touch up on the H2O levels, at least I've not put any weight on which is the main thing. And as for the smoking... well, I'm doing just fine so far, let's hope it keeps on that way.

What is it with Doctor's receptionists???

Had to visit Boots this evening to get my latest Zyban prescription and do my little counselling session that's required to get the prescription. The prescription hadn't been received despite me faxing the request to the GP last Monday. The pharmacist called the surgery up to see what's happened, only to be told that my prescription was waiting and they hadn't sent it to the chemist because they didn't have an envelope!!!!!!!!!!! Is this the state of the NHS today? So pharmacist asks recptionist to fax it to her. Receptionist said she wasn't going to do it now 'cos she was on her way home and she'd do it tomorrow. So basically, me the patient has to go without 'cos the doctors receptionist is too bloody bone idle to post or fax a prescription for a patient who is on a course of drugs that shouldn't be broken. What the hell am I paying my national insurance for to get this sort of treatment.

Rant over.

Zyban can be hell!

Five weeks into the course of Zyban (the stop smoking drug) and I feel like I haven't slept a wink since I started taking them. Ok so I've stopped the smoking which was the main point of taking them in the first place, and what's more, after 20+ years of 40+ a day, I'm not missing them at all, which has surprised me more than anyone else. But this tiredness is killing me slowly, probably more so than the fags themselves! At least in 4 weeks time the course will be finished and I'll be able to sleep again. I was warned about some of the side effects, and there are a lot of them, but I guess, the sleeplessness and sweaty (very sweaty) nights are minimal to some of the side effects I could have had. Even death was one of the side effects, but at least those people gave up smoking for good.

Sunday, February 27, 2005

South Bank Centre Signs

South Bank Centre Signs
Originally uploaded by Steve J.

I'm lost!!!

Views from the South Bank

Views from the South Bank
Originally uploaded by Steve J.

One of the pics taken today. Not sure what it is, but it's the building on the north side of Blackfriars bridge. I think it might be the Unilever building or something like that.

The Guardians of the City of London

I bought a new camera. Well the last one is a couple of years old and I thought it time for an upgrade. So £70 and a trip to Argos and I got this little number. It's a Concord 3346z (No, I've never heard of the brand either) but it does the job, and it's reasonably fast from switch on to taking a pic which my last cemera certainly wasn't! Only 3.1megs, but to be honest, I don't need a lot for the blog or Flickr now, do I? So this and the next few pics are from a little wander I had this afternoon around the South Bank etc. Wandered down to Gabriels Wharf and had a look in at the printmaking galleries. Trying to get some inspiration again. I really want to get the printmaking off to a start again so I can flog a few bits on eBay.