The Mr X factor 18: Late August-December 2008

The end of a busy year – upcoming trips to Egypt and New Zealand – my work at the London Ambulance Service – riding with an Ambulance crew in London –sermon at Church - Karaoke night in Soho - Wellington wins the Ranfurly Shield! – Villa, Villa, Villa!! Villa Park football day trip – Long weekend in Italy – NZ friends here, heading home – Dave’s 33rd birthday party

For my London-life photos visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhodgkinson/sets/72157606164875886/
For my Villa Park trip photos visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhodgkinson/sets/72157608157675151/

For my Italian holiday photos visit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhodgkinson/sets/72157609104994742/
For my birthday-bash photos visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhodgkinson/sets/72157609112399402/

Hi all and Merry Christmas!

Mad, mad, mad busy – that’s how I would describe my life, since about April this year. Perhaps you have been in a similar boat. Hopefully Christmas will provide a nice break for us all!
I’m very glad to say I reached a bit of a finish-line yesterday – I finished work for the year! The great news is that I now have a two-month holiday in front of me! I’ve been hanging out for it for ages. This afternoon I head to Egypt for a two-week tour, with about 20 other travellers (none of whom I know yet) – The Pyramids, the Nile, the lot! My itinerary is at: http://www.kumuka.com/Oases-and-Pharaohs-Dossier.aspx Egypt is surely one of the most amazing countries in the world to visit. It’s been on my list for a while, so this trip will be pretty special.

Then on 8 January, I am heading home for a six-week holiday - first time home since March/April 2007. This will be pretty spectacular too - it will be great to be home once more – to see family, friends, Wellington and New Zealand again. My sister Nicola is also heading home from London for the holiday, on the same plane – so that will (hopefully!)help 26 hours sat in a seat, pass by a bit more easily!

For the first two weeks (Jan 12-23) we will be camping with the whanau (family), at Hahei on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Then we’ll all head back to Wellington and home. I am almost looking forward to NZ more than Egypt, for obvious reasons, but once I get on the plane to Egypt, I’m sure I'll be one excited puppy!!

Anyway, that’s all in the near future – here’s what’s been happening during the most recent four months of my OE:

I have just completed a full-on year of work at the London Ambulance Service (LAS). It looks like I will be working for them again in late February, when I get back from NZ. That seems far away right now. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, and for being part of a friendly and focussed process-improvement team (photo below). I’m even more grateful to be able to look back on where I was a year ago, having been laid up at home for 4 months, unemployed and with a stuffed knee & heel. It is so nice to be in a lot better place now, both work and health-wise.

It’s easy to not talk about work, but it takes up a lot of one’s life, and so I would like to try to summarise what I’ve been involved in at the LAS. I’ve enjoyed it, and my work is important to me. I did a Prince2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) project management course in March, and over the remainder of the year I’ve been managing three projects for the LAS. I picked up one in April, and two more in September. They’ve each had their challenges, often feeling somewhat out of control – like constantly juggling too many balls in the air. Over time, I’ve realised that’s reasonably normal, and grown to live with that tension. It’s been quite a learning curve, and has felt fairly pressurised, most of the time. Of late, weekends have felt like a haven.

I picked up the first project in April. It is about developing an electronic stock control system for 27 Ambulance Stations across London. Every main LAS Ambulance station inside the M25 motorway ring has a Stock Store, from which ‘medical consumable’ items are issued, to re-stock ambulances every night. This project is all about moving from a paper-based to an electronic stock management system. This project has unfortunately presented obstacle after obstacle, and has been quite a project to cut my project management teeth on. When I took it on, 3 previous PMs had died on it previously (metaphorically speaking!), and I am adamant there isn’t going to be another.

It has often felt like I am always ploughing through problems and obstacles that keep cropping up. Fortunately I’ve had a good team to work with, and to share the pain/frustration! As I write, we are two-thirds through the first of two Pilots of the system - the second happens in January-February. I am leaving it in capable hands, and in time I’m sure we’ll get the results we need.

The second project is to do with developing an online e-Governance website, to suit the Governance processes required of the LAS, by the NHS authorities. This ranges from Risk Management, to Audits, to National Health standards. The website will be a useful tool for pulling together staff reports and updates in a user-friendly and clearly presented way, for internal & external review. The website has about nine Modules to it, and about four of them will go-live before the end of January – (the first one kicked off this week).

My third project is to do with our Vehicle Resourcing Centre. Every day of the year, its staff have to find spare ambulances for crews that are about to start their shift. As the LAS runs 24/7, ambulances that get damaged or develop a mechanical problem, go ‘VOR’ (Vehicle Off Road) regularly. This needs to be reported better. Every morning the VRC has a big job to locate the spare vehicles, find where they are needed by oncoming crews, and arrange for the Fleet-moving drivers to get to the vehicles via the tube, and relocate them to where they are needed. The aim of the project is to automate the data-flow of all the information that comes into and goes out of the VRC, to speed up and increase the accuracy of vehicle allocation.

Late August I went on an ambulance observation ‘Rideout’ with one of the LAS’s ambulance crews, which was very interesting. I was keen to experience what it’s like ‘on the road’, when the Blue lights go on. One Friday night I headed out to Isleworth in West London and met up with a crew on their shift – I’ll call them ‘Paramedic Braveheart’ and ‘Ambulance Technician Kingfisher’. I’m glad to say that we lost no-one ‘on my shift’. At times I felt like I was part of something being filmed on a TV/movie set: The Bill, when we turned up to a Council Estate to treat a patient, ER when we delivered patients to A&E, and interacted with the hospital staff, and even an under-cover Keanu Reeves, in Point Break, when we an eye on another ambulance crew near the hospital, who had perhaps been on their break too long and should have gone back on duty, before we would ourselves ‘go green’ and make ourselves available to take a call!

Overall it was actually quite an uneventful for a Friday night. I filled in the down time with lots of questions! As you would expect, Braveheart and Kingfisher were very professional and calm during all of their duty. I guess the ambulance is their ‘office’, and they had each been doing this job for a few years, so everything seemed very settled and routine. It was a really interesting experience, and useful work-wise, for me to have done. For more info about the LAS, go to: http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/

Anyway, that’s work. Whilst it’s challenging and stimulating, I’m aware it doesn’t totally ‘rock my boat’. I was reminded of this late August, when I was asked to do a sermon at my Church (Holy Trinity Swiss Cottage), one Sunday. Over the summer break a few people from the congregation are given the opportunity to do the sermon. I was one of them, and I loved it! Church work is something I have thought about moving into eventually, and doing this strengthened this sense.

I hadn’t given a sermon at a Church for a few years, so was a bit nervous, and spent much of the weekend putting the talk and Powerpoint slides together (it was on Proverbs 4:20-27 – with a bit of an ‘Antipodean-travel’ twist!). Anyway, once I got started at the Sunday evening service, I seemed to hit my stride - confidence and sense that ‘this is me’ grew. I was buzzing afterwards, and can remember being at work the next day and thinking how plain work felt, having done something the previous night, which I had found so exciting.

Mid-September we also had a very fun Karaoke night with workmates, for a colleague who was leaving - Ashley. He is a project manager, whom I had worked quite closely with, over much of the year. We both started at the LAS either side of last Christmas, working on the same business improvement programme. About mid-year, the ‘normally reserved’ Ashley moved into the centre of our office, from being at a desk in the back corner of our building. He certainly came out of his shell and livened things up! He was quick to join in the Antipodean-dominated office banter, in our open-plan area – and he also helped bring a few other Brits out of their shells, too.

Anyway, to give Ash a good send-off, we headed out for some Karaoke in Soho, which was a blast. I must say, I do quite enjoy it, and sung my fair share of songs (some would say it was hard to get the microphone off me!) – mainly ‘80s rock anthems are my favourites!!

And then, shock of all shocks, back in New Zealand, Wellington finally got their hands on the Ranfurly Shield a.k.a. ‘The Log o’Wood’ – and one of the longest losing sporting streaks in my life, was over. For those not sure what the Shield is all about, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranfurly_Shield. The Shield is the most prized trophy in New Zealand sport. Auckland were the holders, and had been stumbling to close but successful defences all season, whereas Wellington was unbeaten and looking likely – though we were by no means assuming we would win. We had been heartbroken at least once - in 2001, thanks to referee Steve Walsh, Canterbury’s 16th player that day.

The ‘Shield fever’ alert went out in London a couple of weeks a prior to the game, and my Wellington mate, Rob Edgecombe emailed out a list of Wellington’s last 12 unsuccessful attempts to win the Shield, since 1982 - when we last held it. Our record made for awful reading - particularly one game in 1996, where we got totally thrashed – ask James Edgecombe about that one - I think he took my Wellington scarf to it!

Early one September Saturday morning in London, two ardent and quietly-optimistic Wellington fans, took the tube across to the other side of London and congregated at Danny Hayes’ flat – another Wellington boy over here. We were decked out in our Wellington colours (some less-so than others!), and watched Wellington finally win the Shield 27-0 – a complete shut out, of an awful Auckland team – they actually looked beaten, before they walked onto the pitch, and they played accordingly. All we had to do was capitalise on their mistakes – we did, the Shield was Wellington’s, finally!! Rob, Danny and I celebrated the win with a ‘Shield breakfast’ – a big fry-up at a greasy spoon near Danny’s place. We come from Shield country!!

The sporting theme continued in October, when I finally made it to Villa Park, up in Birmingham, to watch my team, Aston Villa, play Portsmouth in the English Premier League. This continued a family tradition going back to my Dad’s Dad (and perhaps even before that), who used to stand on the terraces supporting ‘the Villa’, week in week out, whilst living in Birmingham.

I had had a quick tour around Villa Park back in August 2005, when up in Birmingham, and glimpsed the hallowed turf. But this was the real thing. I organised a day trip from London. My sister Nicola wasn’t going to miss out – being family, she had to be on this pilgrimage! My Kiwi mates, Mike & Angela also joined us, on our day-trip to the footy - £5 bus up, £23 football ticket, £10 train back – less than £40 plus food and drink money – not bad!!

We left London at 10am on the Megabus coach, arriving around 1pm in Birmingham, having glimpsed Villa Park Stadium from the M6. We had lunch, and looked around the New St shopping mall, before jumping on the train out to Witton Station, and walking to the ground with the rest of the Villa faithful.
Then we headed inside and grabbed our seats for the 3pm kick-off, and soaked up the atmosphere, before watching an eventful but somewhat-disappointing 0-0 draw unfold! There were quite a few chances at both ends, but none were capitalised on. Right at the end there was some sustained pressure by Villa, at our end of the ground, and we were willing and shouting for us to score. But Portsmouth were tall and very good defensively, and couldn’t be broken down.
I guess I couldn’t turn up for the first time and watch Villa just turn it on for me, so a goal-less draw was in a way quite beautiful. I’ll definitely be back for more next year – the day-trip thing worked well – a long day out, but it’s all about being a travelling supporter. Villa currently lies 4th in the Premier League, and so their plan to upset the status-quo of the big four, is still on. Worth a punt too I reckon, to win the Premiership, currently at odds of 200-1. Up the Villa!! The revolution has only just begun!

In late October, I finally made it to Italy for the first time. Prior to heading home from living in the UK, my good Kiwi friends Mark and Rebekah Zwies (nee Dennison) had bought a VW Campervan and set off for 4 months touring Europe. I joined them and Mark's sister Julie, for a long weekend in Italy.

Despite some mechanical problems with the Camper, and me being quite unwell (read: run down from work!), we had a great time. Julie and I flew into Perugia airport, and met up early Friday afternoon with Mark & Beks. We explored Perugia’s old town, before picking up the Van from the local VW factory.

Mark & Beks had quickly become quite popular with one of the mechanics there – Stefano. He owned the exact same model VW Camper as them, and was also a passionate rugby fan – so some Kiwis in a VW Camper were quite the hit. So much so, that Stefano helped get the VW Camper fixed, and then hosted us for the best part of two days at his house in Umbria, near the shores of Lake Trasimeno.

Before we headed to Stefano’s place, we headed to the town of Assisi where Saint Francis of Assisi lived and died. We joined the many people who were making their pilgrimage to St Francis’s burial place, and having a look around the whole Basilica, famous for its art history – paintings and frescos by Giotto, Martini, Lorenzetti and the like. The masses filed down into the crypt, round the Saint’s tomb, then up and into the main Cathedral – sort of like a tour of Westminster Cathedral. For more on St Francis, check out http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/258.html

Unfortunately, we could only be there very briefly. This was because we had a lunch to attend with our new Italian best-friend, Stefano! This was one of those special times when your are touring, where genuine hospitality, and the chance to get to know a local for longer than 10 minutes, occurs – it was like being welcomed into their life – and seeing what the Italian lifestyle and culture is all about.
We drove to Lake Trasimeno in the lovely Autumn sun – lovely and warmth, compared to London! Stefano met us wearing an All Blacks top (having just returned from watching a rugby match in Perugia!), and led us back to his place, where he cooked us a pasta lunch, washed down with red wine, before we headed out for a walk around his nearby town of Castiglione del Lago – on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, the lake where the Carthaginian General Hannibal, defeated the Romans, in 217BC. It was a lovely walk around the town’s castle, perched on a peninsula jutting out into the lake (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Trasimeno)
In the evening we met his wife Sylvia, who had made it home from work. We had pizza and more red wine, chatting into the evening, before retiring to the Campers, where we slept overnight.
Next morning we bade a fond farewell, mentioning to Stefano, that if he makes it to NZ for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, we can probably arrange free board for him around most of the country!! We were on the road again. Mark dialled in the Sat-Nav and I rode shot-gun as we drove through the beautiful countryside, towards the hilltop town of Montalcino, in southern Tuscany.
Notwithstanding the experience we had just had with Stefano and his family, the afternoon in Montalcino was the highlight of the trip for me. It was their annual festival – ‘Sagra del Tordo’ (see http://www.tuscany-charming.it/en/newsevents/thrushfestival.asp). Every year, for a few centuries at least, citizens of the four quarters of Montalcino dress in their colours and celebrate their town and way of life - Viva Italia!!

After much feasting and merriment, late afternoon, everyone gathers in a field beside the town's castle, for the annual archery contest - to find the best archer. Glory and bragging rights are at stake for the winning quarter of town! We joined in the fun - it was a fantastic afternoon out - having a marae-like feel to it, everyone having fun together, great food, and a special event to be part of. For the photos and the rest of the story, see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhodgkinson/sets/72157609104994742/

I’ll summarise November and December happenings quickly:

After about three years living in the UK, my good friend Angela left to head home to NZ in early November, which was a bit sad. She didn’t really want to leave – but needs must etc... We’ve done a few trips with various mates, which have always been great. Mark and Rebekah are also on their way home now (minus their Camper and Stefano!!). Also, Cuffy, my flatmate of 2.5 years, has left the building - for NZ too. Goodbye all you guys – been great hanging with you all over here!!

I had really fun 33rd birthday celebration on November 8th, at the Wellington Hotel and Bar, next to Waterloo Station. Scroll back to the start for the photo website. Two weekends later, I went to Chichester for the weekend, for our Church’s Alpha course, which was great. We went for a walk on the south coast on the Saturday afternoon – it was lovely to see the sea, and I got some cool photos of the Isle of Wight in the setting sun. December has consisted of the rush to tie things up as best as possible at work, some fun office & department meals and drinks out, and me getting prepared for my Egypt trip – lots of medical stuff to buy, vaccine injections to have, foreign currency to arrange, gear to sort, Lonely Planet to read etc... I’ve been looking forward to this trip for a while. All I have to do now is post this blog, pack and then head to Heathrow for my 5pm flight!

I would like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas! If you are in NZ, I hope to catch up with as many of you as I can, in Jan/Feb – I’ll be aiming to spend time in Auckland, the Coromandel, Wellington, and Christchurch.

Every blessing, and love from here!

Mr X-Factor Dave