Suzy, Drinker Of Coffee

Warning: heavy blog post coming!

OK, back to work today, well, for part of the day. For the benefit of those just catching up with me now, I've been off work for a mix of reasons. I am back today (Tuesday) to work 1245-2045. However, first things first. In the morning, was attending a meeting about something I'd witnessed last week - although I cannot go into any more detail.

I stopped off at home before heading for an appointment at Ninewells Hospital this afternoon, at the genetics clinic. Several of you will know my dad had been somewhat degenerating as a result of a genetic disorder called Huntington's Disease (HD). In the early-mid 90's, my mother denied this, although I still remember the day she admitted to me that this was the case (I was in the middle of being illegally shafted by the landlord, and late for work, but these things only ever happen once). Now, over the last few years, it has been somewhat disturbing to see the totally involuntary changes in him, and last year he was admitted to a nursing home (he is 53 or 54 now I think). This generally happens over 10-15 years, which caused me the most concern - there is nothing that can be done to change it, little to relive it. If you've got it, you've got it. There is no cure.

So why has this come to a hilt today? Well, the problems causing me inconvenience over the last few years resulted in me being referred to both Urology and Neurology, in the year after I returned to Dundee from London. Those five weeks I had in North Middlesex Hospital did not find anything. It was just by chance that I happened to mention my father's condition to the neurological specialist. While they have still never found what caused that, they had been somewhat surprised that no-one had mentioned this at the time, and I mentioned the way my mother tried to avoid the subject. I discussed with them how I could find out for certain - it's a 50/50 chance - and it would appear with the way I am right now i.e. not badly ill, it's maybe marginally better. I've been working on the "worst case" scenario for a few years now, and I wanted to know. Of course you never know when this will take over your life, but you can get a general idea of how bad it will be by the results of the test. If someone positive with this has children, it's a 50/50 case they will pass it on. If it's negative, there is no immediate risk. This is somewhat less likely to occur to me directly (think about it) but never say never, and there are other members of my family to think of as well. The upshot of this afternoon is that they are doing a few checks with those who are seeing me medically for other reasons, and will revert to me in a few weeks, giving me the chance to be tested for it, or to postpone it. If I go ahead, it's 2-4 weeks before you get results, on a fixed date, whether you are in the positive or negative.

So why do I want to know? It might well change my plans for what else to do in other things. While some people say you should never ask a lady her age, I've already blogged that I am 26, so now you know. Allowing the next few years for other things, this leaves me my thirties - exactly the time this starts to progress. I would much rather know now, and this would allow me to plan my life accordingly. If ending up in a similar state is likely, short term enjoyment would be more important than long term planning. At the moment, there are a lot of things I do - i.e. work, dbb, web, blog, photos, travel, chat, travel information, etc. There are other things I would like to do over the coming years, allowing me to develop into the person I should be.

Call me mad if you like, but I'd like to know. It's going to either confirm what I already know, or, a negative could potentially seriously improve my prospects for coming years.

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From the HDA website at http://www.hda.org.uk

"Huntington's disease, which is often called HD, is an hereditary disorder of the central nervous system. It used to be known as Huntington's Chorea or HC. Huntington's disease usually develops in adulthood and can cause a very wide range of symptoms. The disease affects both men and women.

Huntington's disease is caused by a faulty gene on chromosome 4. The gene, which produces a protein called Huntingtin, was discovered in 1993.

In some way - which is not yet understood - the faulty gene leads to a damage of the nerve cells in areas of the brain, including the the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex.

This leads to gradual physical, mental and emotional changes.

Each person whose parent has Huntington's disease is born with a 50-50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene. Anyone who inherits the faulty gene will, at some stage, develop the disease. A genetic test is available from Regional Genetic Clinics throughout the country. This test will usually be able to show whether someone has inherited the faulty gene, but it will not indicate the age at which they will develop the disease.

The symptoms of Huntington's disease usually develop when people are between 30-50 years old, although they can start much earlier or much later. The symptoms can also differ from person to person, even in the same family."
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Right, after probably one of the most revealing blogs I shall ever do, it was good to get a few hours at least at work today. I enjoyed meeting everyone again - haven't we been here this time last year??? Well, nothing had changed, although a handful of you say I am still losing weight... I promise you, it's those trousers again...

Thanks for reading this far.
love to you all
Suzy xxx

Heart 106.2 London (ch.874 on Sky Digital) have chosen somewhat interesting timing to launch their new breakfast jock, ex-Alive & Kicking frontman Jamie Theakston. This time last year, Capital FM (ch.925) finally replaced Chris Tarrant in the morning (after close to two decades of service) with Johnny Vaughan (remember the adverts of him walking round London with a pink shirt on?), and that happened on Monday 12th April 2004 - Heart are replacing Jono Coleman (who is probably more famous for Celebrity Fit Club and haunted house type shows outside of London) on Monday 18th April 2005... Let me see, replace existing long standing presenter with ex-kids tv host - check both cases. High profile publicity campaign, ending in swap in mid-April - check both cases. Ratings soar through the roof - well, it did for Capital, so who knows...

I should just point out that Heart's travel news continues to remain useless - remember on the two days in 1999 when the whole of CentreWest (large bus company in west/central London with several unique routes not covered by others) was on strike, and there was no mention at all? Well, there were no Waterloo & City drains... sorry trains... but the regulars call it the Drain... at all on Saturday. Normally there is a limited morning/early afternoon service on Saturdays, and no service on Sundays.... but this Sunday, several mentions of "No service on the W&C line..." You don't say...

Managed to force £5.60's worth of Rover ticket into submission - with a travel plan that lasted close to fifteen hours! I've been at home for most of this week, and am still not 100%, but I decided to give it a go anyway.

Before starting, spotted one two 96's with the "promised" Darts in place of PS types. These had to be used as roadworks in Tayport meant big buses could not be used.

Firstly, travelled to a chemists in Menzieshill to pick up a prescription (which, in the end, still wasn't there). Travelled out on 708 on the 73A from Dundee Nethegate to Dundee Menzieshill, Orleans Shops. Was going to walk through to Ninewells but my next bus was due! 251 was therefore taken on the 72 from Orleans Shops to Ninewells Hospital, and from Ninewells Hospital to Dundee City Centre. TP2040 joined the bus at Ninewells.

So, into town, and we had a little time to kill before the arrival of the 39. Therefore decided to get on 307 on the 79A, fitted now with new LED destination displays. At the top of Whitehall Street, Travel Dundee 149 emerged out of service, with passengers. Got off 307 at Ethiebeaton Park and headed for 957 on the 39 to Arbroath Bus Station.

Spotted there was the repainted Wisharts Solo (T307 UOX), Metrorider 211 that claimed it had been out on the 46, and Dundee-based "Safety bus" 189. We had Dennis Dart 303 to the stop round the corner from the library, before returning to the bus station on foot via the tic, and heading for 958 on the 39 to Rossie Island, the stop just before Montrose depot. We then took Dart 311 on the 47 to Ferryden, showing the "new" terminus layout i.e. buses wait at the side, then reverse into the pier when time to depart. It's been this way for a few months now, last time I was up it was another vehicle on it though...

Into Montrose town centre, and neither 219 (48) or 220 (47A) was anywhere to be seen. We'd presumed locked up in the depot, but in the meantime, 231 and 232 were the replacements! Firstly 232 heading south in Montrose High Street on 47A 231 northbound in Montrose High Street on 48, not once but twice. As can be seen 231 still has roller blinds, but does have an MN set in them. Nicoll's Yellow Vario still has it's distinctive (still unique) yellow paint job. Seen at Montrose high st southbound and northbound. The driver specifically changed the blind from 113 to 114, despite the service being admended to be a 113 both ways some time ago.

From Montrose High Street to Brechin St Ninians Square was on 607 on the 30 - now allocated to Arbroath pernamently (it would seem? does that mean 916 is perm at Dundee too?) This might help me avoid said vehicle on the 76, but hey ho... Took the shortcut via the church to Panmure Street Brechin for Service 21A to Forfar East High Street, which used Leyland Tiger 421. The bus dropped off in Coutties Wynd due to roadworks in Forfar East High Street.

Volvo Olympian 953 took us on the 20 from Forfar library to Southmuir, where we had intended a tight-ish connection to Meffan's 128. L321 AUT was on this, and it should have been ok to changeover at Southmuir (any stop after Glamis Road/Bellies Brae), but the incoming bus was 3/4 minutes down. There was another passenger who did the same jumpback a few stops later, and the three people who changed were the entire load on this service. So, it would be handier to have this running just a little later... Meffan's driver on the L321 was well represented in a Travel Dundee drivers jumper... Upon arrival at Alyth, nearly forty five minutes to wait for the "connection" (the bus departs so early to accomodate Websters High School on schooldays), and wondering if a carload of people with Tennant's Lager cans in the front seat were trying to get themselves arrested, 961 took us from Alyth to Perth.

When we got to Perth, a few sights to find including 961 at the bus stn, 22277 (former Fife 277) at Perth Bus Station on the evening 15, Smith & Sons Cadet RBX coming out from under Perth Station Bridge, and former 277 again at the daytime start of the 15 service opposite the rail station

One thing worth mentioning - all remnants of my former employers (Goldstar Perth parcel office) have finally been removed! The adhesive vinyl would not budge from the glass upon closure of the office, and had remained in situ for some time, but now has all gone. I presume the glass had to get it.

We went for food at one of the nearby Chineese (the blue-liveried one on a slight terraced at the junction of Leonard St/Hospital St is the better of the two - I say only from being there on previous work visits...) and went to observe York Place, looking down from the Library at the Church of the Nass. I'm sure everyone has tried to take a pic of a Stagecoach bus outside this place, but hey, same old same old... (for those not in the know, the church is attended by Brian S., and the church also recieved a minibus donated to them by Stagecoach a few years ago - has anyone seen it recently?)

Former Aberdeen-based MAN 712 is passing said establishment (*still* with Bluebird lettering despite the Perth route branding, you'd have thought they'd noticed, but no...), about to turn short at South Street, as well as a S&S Cadet (RBZ I think) with a 7-branded MAN on the 1/2. Formerly known as 496, this Volvo B6LE/Alexander ALX200 has had problems with its blinds throughout its life at Perth. Here it can be seen with a new Hanover unit, front and side. These have a lifetime warranty, so no excuse now!

Headed back to South Street for the 16, spotting one of the Stagecoach Solo's on the evening 11 with full-height (non DDA compliant?) capital letter destination display then snapping Blair's other Pyoneer, 962 before heading for 313 back to Dundee.

Whilst on 313, I was able to get three very blotchy pictures of a Travel Dundee Volvo/Wright Gemini, taken from Inchture Interchange (from the back of Strathtay 313), on a private hire returning from Hampden, full of orange and black clad football supporters... Apologies for the quality but both buses were moving and it was dark!... one two three ...and Megabus N619 USS on the A90 between Inchture and Longforgan. Apologies for quality of pic, but both were moving, and it was dark!

The back offside handrail made a jump for it when TP2040 tried to get up, and jumped out the socket... only thing is, that handrail appeared to have a non-standard fitting (i.e. not big enough!) Know what it's like as I finally got two long enough screws to fix a job, and the hole wasn't big enough...

Anyway, getting into Dundee for about 2010, I headed for home until leaving in enough time for the 2300 Dundee - Monikie 79C Circular. I got on the bus at the High Street at 2305, at stop H1. This new journey was added from Saturday 5 Febuary 2005, but the scoreboards and passenger information displays are still pointing to a Service 75 at stop H3 - which of course, is now Monday to Thursday only. So, I rounded up two passengers at H3,who were actually glad of the assistance - once said last week the bus did not turn up, but he did see a 79C drive past him... Anyway, same bus, same driver. Three at Dundee (the other two for Monifeith), one at B.Ferry for Monifeith, one at Monifeith for Ballumbie Castle, two at Monikie for Dundee, and one at Monifeith for Dundee. So, we got back around 0024, and the four of us were tipped out into the bus station.