January, Shorts and Dogs

On a Friday I generally go for a few beers at The Dudley Arms Location

The Dudley Arms Link

Run by a good friend Don Hirst, the Dudley Arms does an amazing Breakfast and has a top-rate carvery and a comprehensive support menu. The beer's good and the staff are helpful and friendly. The car is left there on a Friday night and today I walked through Baggeridge and Himley country parks to collect it. On January the 5th I was walking in shorts!
There were a number of people about, many of them with dogs. Here's mine

The Dolly

She's an arse hole. The above picture of tranquillity fails to capture or even hint at the carnage she is capable of causing. This means she goes nowhere where there is the chance of her encountering another dog. She has  killed and interred a number of garden animals-some of the under the house; cornered, killed a rat (x) and tried to bring it in to "show us" and brought down fat, slow pigeons in mid-flight.

So, Baggeridge and Himley.

 Baggeridge

One Saturday I walked through to get my car-it was the last time I took her there she encased herself in mud. She won't stay in the dog-hatch, preferring to spring about the interior instead. I decided she need a wash in the old water-cress beds. She decided she didn't and pulled on the lead. I lost my balance and fell in. A guy was about to take a photo. I suggested that he would probably have better ideas than taking the photo. He apparently agreed and put his phone away.
The remainder of the walk? I had about 1.5 miles of squelching to do during which she continued her pugnacious approach towards other canines, all done with a face that said "I pulled you in the water didn't I?"
So a good walk today: dog-less but tranquil and dry.

Got Lost Didn't I?

Highgate Common http://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/page/highgate-common is around 5 miles from my house and it's a nice enough spot to walk/run and I thought I'd use it today.
It's well known to me, I've used it for years and the terrain is gently undulating and I thought I could put a bit of extra work in to today's session by going on some heath & woodland trails using the hills.
I was out for 45 minutes and ran for 40. Why the big increase? I got lost.
The new Nikes of a couple of days ago are unrecognisable. The area look dry-looks deceive.

It also "looked familiar" that was deceptive too!
The woodland is being managed and that's fine, they're keeping the public informed about progress and making some accommodating efforts with conservation

All that's really needed are some large balls of wool so that people like me don't get lost!

January 3rd 2013 Back to Birmingham: Bella Italia

The German Market went just before Christmas, here's the Iron Man presiding over it!

The market and the Christmas shoppers have gone, the Iron Man's still there and will welcome everyone back next year. I guess it gets a bit lonely for him sometimes! So New Street is a good place to drink coffee outside of Bella Italia: to do so in comfort in the afternoon sun on January the 3rd was remarkable. Too cold to eat outside though.
Today has been fine-a suit returned for alteration-more to be taken in! Great company and rest this evening. My left leg has been sore today and I felt that a day's rest could only help it to heal more quickly. The sensible part of my brain says of done the right thing, the bit that's emotionally engaged in my running is telling me that I will, by missing today's run sacrifice every step of progress made since September/October. Sometimes the emotional part of my brain need to STFU.

2nd January 2013. New Trainers and An Ugly Mug

I was taken quite ill last Summer: a frightening time and an initial diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis was a daunting scenario. It didn't turn out that way, a nasty viral infection turned out to be the cause. It was a wake-up call and I took myself in hand, lost some weight and worked on building up some initial fitness.
So, from being unable to walk 50 metres in August, I ran for a half hour on the 31st of December. I ordered some new trainers and they arrived today: they look good and run well. I'm heavy and flat-footed so I guess i need a "proper" shoe.
Before they arrived I'd spent a fair bit of the morning thinking about some "give aways" to potential/existing customers. My thinking went along the lines of "keep it subtle and understated". My running shoes-a pair of Nikes from Sports Direct (who are I understand worth millions) arrived today with a promotional gift.

A large (damn large) mug, making the one nest to it look a bit puny really!
Today's run was a light 20 minutes around Bantock Park in Wolverhampton,

It's pleasant, flat and has a well made up trail for a good proportion of its circumference. All in all I feel pretty good-some stiffness in my left leg but hey, where was I last August? Answer, wrecked, delivered a presentation from a wheelchair, couldn't drive and was in constant pain.......today was very good!

Domestic Violence: Child, Young Person or Adult.

Background:

We are about to embark on a launch of our development programme which can be adapted for the all employers, training organisations, schools, academies and colleges and training establishments.

If you would like to find out more about how we could work with you, here are our contact details:

jpd@dy3solutions.mygbiz.com

Telephone 0121-602-7191 (UK)

Mobile 07984409937

or of course, use the comment section on our Blog.

Domestic Violence-Awareness Raising.

Premise

In 2001 women represented 44% of the working age labour force. This figure is set to rise to 48% by 2012. In some specific areas, women will form the majority of the workforce.  It is estimated that 1:4 women will experience domestic violence from men known to them and between 1:8-1:10 will have experienced it within the last year. A woman is at her most vulnerable at the point of leaving a violent relationship.

The Programme

Our programme is drawn from a nationally recognised (Home Office Approved) format providing practical approaches and in doing so establishes:

• Domestic Violence accounts for almost 25% of violent crime
• It crosses social and cultural boundaries
• There are critical events when the targets of domestic violence are at their most vulnerable
• Teachers, Mentors and other colleagues in the Education Workforce may be confided in by parents, carers or co-workers who have been the target of Domestic Violence and are at a point where they need informed assistance
• The targets of Domestic Violence , their colleagues and managers need access to recent information, including signposting to support networks and practical steps for employers
• Misinformed actions or suggestions may exacerbate an already dangerous situation

Members of the Education Workforce are ideally placed to recognise patterns of behaviour that may suggest a child, a parent/carer or an employee is under duress. We believe that we all place worker safety, safeguarding and security at the heart of our Duty of Care to their learners, parents and employees and would wish to develop a positive approach to supporting those who are/have been the targets of domestic violence. We also recognise the impact of Domestic Violence on Learner Achievement, Parental engagement and the investment lost to organisations in terms of skills and expertise when experienced colleagues leave their jobs at short-notice either as a direct or indirect outcome of domestic violence. Our programme will enable participants to

• Acquire a working understanding of the processes targets are subjected to
• Develop overview of perpetrator behaviour
• Understand to support colleagues at the point of disclosure.

Learning Styles

• Participative.
• Presentation & Video Materials (Please note-video materials are “acted” and free from “Shock Tactics”)

January 1st 2013: St Andrews

So, here's the deal. Inspired by a couple of things I've seen and heard I thought I'd have a go at "A Photo A Day" for the next 365, I think most people will have switched off by now. Good decision!
Any road up, here we go for today and my beloved St Andrews:

And here we are, about 10 minutes to kick off.

And here are the Cardiff supporters:

There and there about but many more arrived and sang their sheep-ritual stuff as if it were an affirmation of national identity. My point is that we're on our ground here and there's so much harm been done that we are no longer credible. Not as a team but as an entity.

There were times when we'd be looked on as a tough game, a brutal atmosphere and a ground to avoid. I fear that the actions of the inept and delusioned  have led us to where we now are: a paper thin squad, beset by injuries and financially vulnerable

During the match our supporters were fine. Fair effort was met with a mixture of appreciation, hope and resignation: not an unusual cocktail at St Andrews but one in which the quantities and blends have changed: it tastes different because it is different.