'Rethink Politics Champions'.

Stephen Fry www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Fry

The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nXgZlvjkAo

www.youtube.com/watch?v=djdi_EpeYq4

www.rethink.org/politics

Rethink Politics Campaign

The International Community for Hearing Voices

http://www.intervoiceonline.org/

I spent an outstandingly productive day participating in a Hearing Voices Group Facilitaion Training Course. I find Rachel Waddingham's facilitation of this course's content, refreshingly innovative. I look forward to visiting her MadNOTBad www.madnotbad.co.uk website. I am also keen to visit the following websites:

The Hearing voices Network - http://www.hearing-voices.org/

Ron Coleman Voices - http://www.roncolemanvoices.co.uk/

Deptford Hearing Voices Service - http://www.dhvs.freeuk.com/

Basildon Hearing Voices Group - http://www.bdhvg.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Dundee Hearing Voices Network - http://www.hearingvoicesnetwork.com/

Hearing Voices Group Leeds - http://www.hvgl.org.uk/

Absolute Radio.

www.absoluteradio.co.uk/

Absolute Radio

Earlier this evening after returning from my QLGF www.qlgf.org.uk/ / ww.qlgf.org.uk/newsletters.htm in Westminster, then having a phone conversation with my son, who currently has the coughs and sneezes of the season and needed to retire to his bed earlier than usual, I have been listening to 'Absolute Radio' http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/ and enjoying my absolute favourite 'House Music' www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_music

I will briefly mention, that I have been thinking about the brilliance of the Deepa Mehta http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepa_Mehtafilm 'FIRE' www.youtube.com/watch?v=243wjJ_Z8yI / www.youtube.com/watch?v=RewNn2r2P3g

However, just for today, I am going to give you my incomplete 2009 itinerary.

Thurs 19th Feb, 15th 'Diva Magazine www.divamag.co.uk/ Talk at The Women's Library www.londonmet.ac.uk/thewomenslibrary/

Tues 3rd Mar, Tina Turner www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Turner concert at The o2 www.theo2.co.uk/

Sun 26th April, St George's Gala at The Royal Albert Hall www.royalalberthall.com/

Thurs 28th May, Eric Clapton www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Clapton concert at The royal Albert Hall www.royalalberthall.com/

Tues 2nd June, Cathcart Spring Proms at The Royal Albert Hall www.royalalberthall.com/

Wed 10th June, Britney Spears www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britney_Spears concert at The o2 www.theo2.co.uk/

Sat 12th Dec, UB40 www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UB40 concert at The o2 www.theo2.co.uk/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MxmthbKZYU

I can't help falling in Love with you

by UB40

Oliver Twist.

If asked, how I view myself, as a year 2009 member of the Conservative Party? My response would be to liken myself to the Charles Dickens www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens
character 'Oliver Twist' www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Twist once finally reinstated within the bosom of his family.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IU5O8c0Xro

This morning I spent some quality time on Clapham Common







Above is a photo of the company I was keeping.

Love Lives Here.

Less than thirty minutes ago, one of my first cousins left for home after popping in to check that I was okay. While he was here, we watched the Elton John's, New Years Eve Party which was broadcast live on ITV1 www.itv.com/

Just in case you may be thinking that I had browbeaten my cousin, into watching Elton John, I assure you, I gave him ample choices and he chose to watch Elton John. Further more, my cousin mentioned that if he had known that I was going to see Elton John perform live, he would have accompanied me.

The way that my whole family have taken my sexuality and accompanying lifestyle in their stride, is amazing. Many years ago my mother remarked that her mother, Louise Stewart nee Williams, would turn in her grave if she knew that her first grandchild which was born on London, England soil, was gay! Although I don't personally have any gay relatives, I couldn't have found myself born into a more supportive family.

I have revealled in a previous post, that my mother accompanied me to Amsterdam. In fact my mother still wears her Amsterdam tee-shirt. Whilst on holiday in Toronto, my aunt Madge informed me that the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Pride was taking place and asked me if I wanted to attend. But both my mother and my aunt Catherine also had lunch with me at The First Out Cafe www.firstoutcafebar.com/

and not only did aunt Catherine accompany to the 'Glass Bar' in Euston, but my cousin accompanied both me and aunt Catherine - his mother - to celebrate her seventy-fourth birthday at 'Southopia', which was a womens only private members club in Kennington, which allowed male guests that were accompanied by women.

Boulder Stunt.

I will be getting involved in both Time to Change http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/ and Mad about the Media and have agreed to do a boulder stunt. This will be taking place in Canterbury at approximately 12.00hrs on Friday 6th February 2009.

Just in case you may be puzzled about what the boulder stunt will entail for me, details are as follows:

There will be a large fake boulder with the word "STIGMA" carved on it, to represent the weight of mental health stigma. I have volunteered to get underneath the boulder, lie on the ground and have my photo taken. As well as providing a quote, I may also be interviewed.

I am looking forward to this forthcoming boulder stunt, and it is providing me with much food for thought, especially as l listen to one of my favourites,

Mozart's Piano Concerto No.21 in C Major, K.467 www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Concerto_No._21_(Mozart)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNX8QH6hstQ

by Mozart

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozart

Another Constructive Day.

I have enjoyed yet another constructive day, at work in Westminster today.

Tomorrow morning, I have a 9.45hrs appointment with Wendy, my Care-coordinator and will collect my 'Stella' anti-psychotic medication. I have chosen to go to Wendy's SLAM www.slam.nhs.uk/ (South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust) office because I will be on a late shift, and won't need to be at work until 13.00hrs. Perhaps Wendy and I, will discuss my forthcoming Tuesday 13th January C.P.A (Care Programme Approach) which will take place with Dr Kitty, my psychiatrist. Although I personally think, that my being on, a enhanced C.P.A enhances my overall well being, Dr Kitty and my social worker (Wendy) may not agree.

On Saturday, I will be attending the QLGF www.qlgf.org.uk/ (Quaker Lesbian and Gay Fellowship) in Westminster. I am looking forward to the discussion topic, which will be 'Why are we Quakers?'

On Monday, I start my attendance on the brilliant Hearing Voices Group Facilitation Course, which will take place at Shelter Training www.shelter.org.uk/training

You may well have noticed, periodic absences of numbers at the top of my posts. Yes, I am struggling with the 'Get Moving' swimming pledge. BUT I have now found what I hope will be a motivator, in the shape of 'MIND' www.mind.org.uk/ I will soon be blogging about my experiences, regarding this issue.

Last, but not least, I am pleased to announce that on my mother's forthcoming birthday, I will be spending another day in Glasgow. Wonderful!

'Time To Change'

Today I spent a productive and eventful day at a 'Time To Change' Volunteers Day event.

The campaign to end mental health discrimination by 'Time to Change' is launching

January 2009.

www.time-to-change.org.uk

The - in my opinion - beautiful views from the offices of

'Rethink'

www.rethink.org

Where today's 'Time To Change' event took place.

www.time-to-change.org.uk