Week 2 – 8th to 14th January 2023
Productivity levels…low.
This wasn’t the way that I wanted to spend the first week of the year; feeling ill, not sleeping and being stuck in bed. One day back at work after the Christmas break and then four days (and counting) in bed!
The only thing that I have been able to do is write this blog, in small bursts when the painkillers kick in. I’m not sure whether I would’ve been any more productive had I not been feeling so ill. The first week is always bit of a grind, made even more so by the flu. I’m still at that stage where I can hear a strange whimpering noise, only to realise that I’m the one making said noise. In the moments when the pills take effect, I feel as though I’m getting through the worst of it, but then my temperature spikes and I’m feeling awful again. You know me though; I’m not one to complain.
This first week was always going to be a way of easing myself into the New Year, getting through the blues so that we can start 2023 as we mean to go on…always from week two though, obviously. I plan to carry on fundraising throughout the year, but it’s going to take a lot of organising and work to get things off the ground. We’ve done so well over the course of the last 14 months, and if we can take things to the next level this year, we can hopefully have another year of creating a little bit of Christmas magic.
There are certain things that I’d like to do this year, events that I’d like to arrange. With a little bit of luck and the wind blowing in our direction, I hope that some of them will come to fruition. Friends and family have been incredibly generous with their help, and we’ve also had some donations from local businesses too. This year, well, I’m going to be asking again.
The first few weeks of the year should be about planning. I want to be ambitious, because if we can raise a lot of money, we’ll be helping more and more people. That is what A Goldstitch Christmas is all about after all. But, I also don’t want to set any targets too high as I’ll be disappointed if we don’t get anywhere near them. There’s no point trying to take too much on and then seeing everything go pear-shaped. However, there’s also no reason to hold back, and not aim for the stars.
Never complain, never explain
I’m not sure whether it was due to my weakened state, or that the remote control had fallen of the bed, and I couldn’t summon the energy to retrieve it, but I ended up watching the BBC interview with Prince Harry.
It’s all a bit of a soap opera, isn’t it.
I’m not a massive royalist, but I’m not a republican either. Our history as a nation is rich with stories of Kings and Queens and, in my opinion, if we lost our monarchy, we would be poorer for it. When Queen Elizabeth II died last year, the outpouring of grief around the county and across the world was evidence of the huge respect that she had. Not all the family have lived their lives to such high standards though.
The monarchy has changed a lot over the years, modernising in many aspects due to the younger generations playing more of a role. It is still an institution where tradition plays an important role, though. They are not just the aristocracy, they are royalty. And regardless of whether or not you agree with our system, they are different to the rest of the population.
However, royalty or not, they are essentially a family, and like all families not everything is perfect.
Prince Harry was always a bit of lad, wasn’t he. Whether it was his naked billiards in Las Vegas, his partying and drunken shenanigans or inappropriate fancy dress, Harry knew how to live. The press loved him, and why wouldn’t they. He was good for a story, and basically a celebrity. And there is nothing that the press and Joe Public enjoy more than hearing about a celebrity going off the rails.
The British press, the tabloids mainly, are known to use fair means or foul to get a story. If they can’t get one, they very often just make one up. And when you are in the public eye, in high profile positions, it is a fact of life that you will often be the subject of features and stories. It isn’t right, of course, that the truth is stretched or only distantly related to the story. Fake stories are fairly common, I hear. But if you try to get a real story by tapping somebody’s mobile phone, that’s frowned upon apparently!
I’m not going to lie, I will almost certainly not be reading Prince Harry’s book, Spare. Fiction is usually my thing, although I do partake in some nonfiction works when the right one comes along. From the extracts that I’ve seen, and the sections of the audiobook played during the BBC interview, I don’t think that it’s really going to be my thing.
The whole Harry and Meghan story that appears to have been the catalyst to the breakdown in familial relations is played out within families the world over. The only difference here is that it is being played out in the world media. Not just social media, where normal people share their family issues. The actual media. The BBC, CNN, Netflix!
I don’t know the full details, nor do I have any Palace insiders who can fill me in on the gaps in the narrative, so all of my information comes from either Prince Harry or Twitter. The UK royals never make any direct comment, and I doubt they ever will. Never complain, never explain. This policy of theirs is longstanding and I can understand the reasons why.
Royals complaining about their lot in life whilst us normal lot are struggling to pay their bills is going to make some ripples. We can’t keep up with rising energy costs so the struggles of some privileged folk who live in castles and palaces wouldn’t generate too much sympathy.
Of course, it can’t always be easy. You need to follow the rules and traditions, take the press intrusion on the chin and accept that you are almost public property. You can’t just nip out to the shops if you fancy a Twix (to be fair though, you could probably send somebody out if you wanted). Like Hollywood superstars, it takes a lot to be able to slip into the crowd and go unnoticed, feeling like a normal person for a while.
On the flip side, you benefit from the sovereign grant, nice places to live, foreign trips and the opportunity to go to as many top sporting events, premieres or posh parties as you’d like. So, swings and roundabouts.
Prince Harry’s interview with the BBC was interesting to watch from an historical point of view. This is a big moment for him, probably bigger than his decision to step away from his royal duties in the first place. He says that there are two sides to every story, and he simply wants to tell the truth. But this is his truth, why is his truth the actual truth. Do we have any evidence of a pinky swear? A wise man once said that there are two sides to every story, and somewhere in between is the truth. I’m not sure who said that…it was either me, or Mark Twain. I’ll Google it later.
Throughout the interview and the audiobook clips Harry speaks with passion, utter belief in what he is saying. It sounds like a well written piece of work, but that doesn’t mean that it’s 100% accurate with every detail about every event, argument, sly look or roll over the eye. I do, however, think that this generation tends to live in their own bubble, not always considering others and looking to lay blame for anything and everything at somebody else’s door. I’m generalising, obviously, but I hope you see the point that I’m trying to make.
There is an underlying sense of paranoia in his interviews, some of it may be warranted. His mother’s death has certainly had a major effect on his life, the tabloid media and their paparazzi are obvious target for his disgust. Understandable, of course. I can’t imagine what he and his brother went through, public displays of emotion were rare for the royals, and they had to show that British stiff upper lip, even at such a young age.
The allegation that his own family released negatives stories about he and his wife seems like a stretch, though. But what do I know. I established a little earlier that I do not have any active sources in the Palace so I’m largely out of the loop. Why would they? Just to take the heat off another member of the firm?
There are going to be people who will blindly believe all that Harry has to say, and those that are staunchly loyal to the Royal Family, and of course, those that don’t really care but decide to write a couple of thousand words about it in a blog. Ultimately, we don’t know what the truth is. Is this a son who feels wronged? A young man who has grown in the bubble of the Royal Family and has lost perspective? A man who has unflinching love for his wife, blinkered and angry and unwilling to take any responsibility for the mess that he finds himself in.
Or is this about a family that is willing to offer their sons head on a plate (metaphorically speaking) so that the status quo is maintained. Harry seems to think that the family needed to deflect attention away from certain individuals, and Meghan was ideal for that purpose. If that was the case, it was a risky tactic.
There will be many opinions and the debates will continue. The Royal Family will keep quiet and offer no comment which will anger some, but others will think that this is the only way to respond. Harry will continue the book tour and continue to discuss the sorts of personal family issues that he was so keen to keep under wraps before he made his new life in the USA.
Tom Bradby asked about reconciliation and whether he had not so much burned his bridges but taken a flame thrower to them. Harry believes that reconciliation is possible, his door is always open. His only caveat being that his family need to apologise for all the things that they have done to upset him and wife. Harry does not accept any responsibility for the breakdown of their family unit and until his family hold their hands up and take it all the chin, he will continue with his campaign. That’s how it seems.
Writing a book of this type is a long-term project, as was the Netflix special. The interviews, including the Oprah special where some bombshell claims were made (one in particular they have backtracked on a little), well, it all seems a bit calculated. And I haven’t even mentioned the huge sums of money that they have made from their ‘dysfunctional family’ either.
This is a family dispute, played out in front of the world at large. Both sides need to come together and accept their part in how things broke down so quickly. It does seem unlikely, though. Harry has spilled his guts and, as the Queen herself said about his claims, recollections may vary.
Will this be the downfall of the monarchy? No. Will Harry and William ever be as close as they were for so many years? Probably not. Will Harry and Meghan negotiate a second series of their Netflix doc? Almost certainly.
Where’s Jeremy Kyle when you need him?!
Temperatures rising…
As I may have mentioned, I’ve had the lurgy since last week. High temperature, joints aching, head aching, an annoying cough and sore throat! With the treatment that I’m receiving, if my temperature goes above 37.5 degrees, I should contact the helpline for advice. The worst-case scenario is that it could be sepsis related to my treatment and antibiotics would need to be administered as soon as possible. There has been the odd occasion when I’ve felt under the weather, and I’ve nudged the top end. Gone over once or twice, maybe. This time, Heather wanted me to call.
After going through the details of how I’ve been feeling, the symptoms that I have and those that I don’t, I was advised to contact my GP and ask for a course of antibiotics. The hospital helpline would then contact me in 24 hours to check in and see how I’m feeling. They were certain that it was just a bug rather than anything more sinister, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
I called my doctors surgery, twelfth in the queue, and thought that I was going to be waiting a while to get hold of somebody. Just six minutes later, however, I was talking to the receptionist, and she was to arrange for a call back from a doctor later in the day. Usually, the doctor will finish their surgery and then make any calls that they need to.
No more than ten minutes after my call, Doctor Jones contacted me and discussed how I was feeling. She asked the same questions about my symptoms as the doctors at the helpline had and accepted that this was probably one of the many bugs that were infecting the population at the moment. “Being immunocompromised,” she said. “Just means that it may take you a bit longer to get over it.”
Understandable, I guess. Then she proceeded to say that antibiotics would be a good idea as it would help to fight any secondary infections that I could be more susceptible to. And she also told me that if things change, or if my temperature rises above 38 degrees again, I should call the surgery and they would see me that day. The helpline doctor, as promised, called me back the next day and although my temperature was still on the high side, she thought it best to let the antibiotics start to do their job. The doctor did seem to be pondering on whether to admit me to hospital to ensure that there were no other underlying issues, and if my temperature was to continue to spike, I’d be called in to hospital to be poked and prodded before I knew it.
I’m not one to ramble on about my medical issues as you know, so the only reason why I mention this is to talk about the NHS.
There’s a lot going on at the moment; striking nurses and ambulance staff, lengthening waiting lists and recruitment issues. People around the country are having a variety of experiences with their interactions with the NHS and appointments are being postponed, treatments delayed and operations cancelled.
Whilst I can only speak about my experiences, and of those around me, the NHS has been on hand to provide the support that I’ve needed over the course of of the last 4 or 5 years. From my GP who raised the urgent referral for tests to the nurses on the cancer treatment wards. The blood tests, scans and consultations have all been carried out quickly and with no fuss.
When I was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2018, I had my scans and ‘oscopies, CT and MRI scans, an iron infusion, surgery to remove a third of my bowel and then four cycles of chemotherapy. This was all done and dusted within six months. Everything happened so quickly that it barely seemed to be real. In what could have been an extremely difficult time, every aspect of the care that I received was as good as I could’ve wished for. During that time my GP would contact me from time to time to check in on me and the colorectal nurses were always available should I have any concerns.
Since then, I have had regular screening and regular contact with the hospital. Without that ongoing care my troublesome lymph nodes may have gone unnoticed. Once they were spotted, they left no stone unturned in finding out what the problem was and over the course of the next few months I had blood tests, ‘oscopies, scans and eventually a surgical biopsy. The treatment and care that I have received since being diagnosed again in 2021 has been fantastic.
The rest of the family have also had good experiences with the NHS too. My mom and dad with their various ailments, particularly my dad. James with his dislocated kneecaps, Jack and his sports injuries. Heather too, when she has needed treatment. We can’t complain. And considering that a lot of the contact that we’ve had has been during COVID times it’s even more impressive that we’ve been so well served by our NHS.
This isn’t the case for everybody, experiences can vary, I do understand that. Even in our own extended family further upcountry, an elderly relative was waiting for an ambulance for 24 hours after a fall at home. There are other stories in the press, too, we know things are far from perfect.
I’ve got nothing but gratitude and admiration for those that work in the NHS, doing a difficult job, often in difficult circumstances. I, like many other people, probably wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the amazing work that they do.
You’re fired…all of you…go on…out! Now!
I’m beginning to feel a little bit more human, still popping pills and staying in bed for most of the day but at least I’m not whimpering uncontrollably anymore. That was just embarrassing. Speaking of embarrassing, The Apprentice.
Maybe I shouldn’t watch something like this whilst I’m not feeling 100%. Even whilst not in the midst of the flu it can be infuriating television, it’s even worse when your head is already hurting. I know that it’s meant to be entertainment and shouldn’t be considered as anything else, but when there’s a prize of £250,000 investment and a 50% partnership with Lord Sugar you would think that their application process would be vetted more diligently.
The candidates are like a cross between Love Island contestants and a Channel 4 parody of dense entrepreneurs who fail at every hurdle. Add a laughter track to almost any of the scenes and it takes on a completely different feeling. Put Jamie Demetriou in the mix too and it could win a comedy award without a doubt. I’m never certain whether the producers of the show play it this way, or whether it’s meant to be an insight into what Lord Sugar regards as a possible business partner. The man is a multimillionaire, a giant of British business. Is this really the best way to find young and ambitious people to invest in?
The candidates are faced with challenges over the course of the series, testing various aspects of their business acumen. In theory it’s a process designed to discover which of the young men or women can perform under pressure and deliver a semi-decent performance. However, this is where several questions present themselves.
- Can the candidates use Google to research products, potential customers, etc.?
- If simple mathematics is required, but is a problem, can they use a calculator?
- Have the candidates ever watched the show before?
Question number three is a good place to start, a real head-scratcher considering the show is now in its 17th season. The way that each candidate presents themselves usually involves exaggerated claims of their business experience that can be easily discredited. They also feel the need to come up with soundbites that, in their head must sound clever and quick-witted. However, when most of the comments can be used in memes, I’m not sure if they can be classed as wins.
“I think outside the box. If I was an apple pie, the apples inside me would be oranges.”
“I can taste success in my spit when I wake up!”
“There’s no need to watch your back when I’m already two steps in front.”
“Business is the new rock ‘n’ roll and I’m Elvis Presley.”
“My first word wasn’t mummy, it was money.”
Obviously, the production team have a responsibility to the show’s ratings. Any TV show of this kind needs personalities involved, and they must rub their hands together when they are presented with a candidate who announces that they are the Elvis of business, or the James Bond of the boardroom. Not once has anybody lived up to their own billing. Which is exactly what the producers are hoping for.
The tasks and challenges that they are given are standard fare, using many different industries to test the skills of the teams. The candidates know the sort of things they will face; sales, marketing, customer services; albeit in business areas that they may not be familiar with. Yet they still find it difficult to grasp the concept of the job in hand and how they should be successfully completing it.
However, if your pitch to Lord Sugar is going to be about selling advertising space on bus shelters, I’m not sure what the point of being stuck in a kitchen making fishcakes for two days is. There have been times when somebody has been fired due to them over-seasoning a sausage or being unable to pipe icing onto a cupcake perfectly. If Chantelle, an IT professional from Barnsley, can’t organise a professional sushi kitchen at the drop of a hat, does that mean that she doesn’t warrant an investment? Or if Darren, a successful dog groomer from Kent, struggles to come up with a new children’s animation, merchandising and a marketing plan (all within 48 hours) should his idea to create franchises for his Puppy Pampering Parlour be dismissed without any further consideration?
The use of the smartphone appears to be frowned upon too; whether it’s to access the internet to find a recipe, potential customers, instructions how to use a coffee machine or historical facts required for an art and architecture tour of Bruges. They probably have rules stating that they can’t Google anything, or take a sneaky trip to the local internet café, but surely there’s not one person in the (real) business world who would be asked to complete a job, in two days, with no prior knowledge of the subject or work involved. Together with the lack of internet, only a Yellow Pages to turn to and the threat of the sack hanging over your head, they’re not the ideal conditions to be working in. I’d be speaking to the HR department ASAP!
Rishi Sunak has been criticised for wanting to make maths lessons compulsory up to the age of 18, and yet very few of the candidates seem to be able to complete simple arithmetic. Making a profit is generally the important factor in winning an episode and it is amazes me when the teams are unable to calculate their costs and then decide on selling prices. This is where the profit comes from people! In this weeks episode the girls team miscalculated how much fish they needed to make the required quantity of bao buns. They got away with it, but it was just simple maths.
It will be interesting to see whether there have been any lessons learned when it comes to the interview round later in the series. This is usually where the lies, tall tales and exaggerations on the CV’s are exposed. And worse still, their business plans, the reason that they have applied to join the process, are scrutinised and generally torn to pieces. Numbers are usually wrong; projections are proven to be either wildly inaccurate or fanciful at best. Each candidate knows that they will be questioned about their plans and the product or service that they are hoping to win investment for. But each year, without fail, the candidates are left with egg on their faces having not done the research or preparation.
I will continue to watch The Apprentice; it is the only reality show that I do tune into. However, I do so knowing that I will finish each episode shaking my head, wondering how these young entrepreneurs and businesspeople are able to go back to their homes, friends and jobs with any credibility left at all. Saying that, one of the candidates made the decision to leave the show herself in yesterdays episode, saying that the process wasn’t for her. Shannon seemed to be nice, sensible and friendly. I’d like to think that she had witnessed the early stages of the backbiting and finger-pointing that happens all too quickly when things start to go wrong and decided that she didn’t want to stoop so low. Now that is somebody that Lord Sugar should think about investing in.