29. Contradictions

contradiction

After a record breaking number of views from guest blogger Annette, I asked the only other person to be up close and personal to my journey to say a few words – Boss mum. It was only 7 pm on a weekday night so I knew she was still up. After what seemed like an eternity (It was actually a battle of wills and stamina to shift her from the TV), she answered the phone.Read More »

28. Ironic

Loneiness

Hello it’s Annette.

Peter asked me to do a ‘guest spot’ on his blog and I was reluctant. Not because I don’t have anything to say but more because I don’t know how it will be received – by him, his friends, the general public.

And then I thought – I’ve just had a conversation with my eldest about being herself – owning her gifts, not concerning herself with what other people think as that’s none of her business. It’s what she thinks of herself that is important (and she is quite amazing, by the way). She told me I am inspiring – I fought back a tear. So, here it is – my take on this journey.Read More »

27. So how did you say you were again Mr Ellis?

Funerial director

“So how are you?”

It’s question that I am asked quite often in passing conversation. I smile and always reply along the lines of,

“I’m alright you know” or “I’m good, the recovery is long but it’s going in the right direction”

When people see me in person they comment that I look really well and some have even remarked that I have lost weight (I like those people even more). What people are really asking is,

“Are you OK?”Read More »

26. OK Sonny Jim, answer our questions and make it easier on yourself

The Sopranos 2

I sat there surrounded on all sides by the power behind PCUK. The massive halogen light on the desk was shining relentlessly and furiously in my face, reducing my eye pupils to mere pinpricks. I could not give bodily detail or numbers to my captures, just the sense of their urgency. I could almost taste the state cigarette breath of the guy directly behind me as he breathed too menacingly close. They wanted answers and he was going to get them.Read More »