UK - Swine Flu

It is always best that the Public should be fully aware of infectious bugs such as the current swine flu or influenza A(H1N1), though in a responsible way without causing panic.

Here in the UK, the government have chosen to run an awareness with a major TV and Radio Campaign, providing common sense information such as;

* Use clean tissues when you cough or sneeze

* Bin tissues after use

* Wash hands with soap, hot water or gel

This week a brochure is being delivered to every household in the UK (photo featured above) I received my copy this morning. But I wonder if it has been kept a little too general when a little more detailed information would have been helpful, it covers little more than the commercials being run.

The current number of UK swine flu infections confirmed is still in the 30's and it has been found that those identified having been given a course of the drug "Tamiflu" and all have quickly recovered. Rightly five schools have been closed were a public has been taken ill.

Now Governments worldwide when they discover a vaccine which they are currently working night and day on have the decision if they should scrap the current 2009 winter flu vaccines now in production?

Personally I have been given the vaccine each year and have kept away from any serious bout of flu and even heavy colds.

What is important is that people do not get complacent and once it the current spread slows down feel that is it, we have to be prepared if it should return this winter. Meanwhile we just to keep up with the simple protection advice!

Jon E Favreau - Writing Skills

Writing is a real skill, be it books, articles or speech writing and it is so good to be given the recognition you fully deserve, especially from respected peers. Jon E Favreau a friend has just been featured in the 2009 TIME World's Most Influential People and at 27. Of course Jon is known for his skills and the amazing working relationship he has had with President Barack Obama for the last four years, but even in his last days at "Holy Cross" and more so with his "validation speech" it was evident he had real natural talent which was a Gift and I can assure you he is a real genuine guy as well.
As a youngster even when aged eight I just loved to write stories, my imagination was just so active and I won a few competitions, words just always seemed to flow so natural, even now when I am writing something personal I don't like to check my work, as the words seem to come from the heart. When it later came to exams I just fell to pieces and I was never able to develop my skills, I often wonder how I found it so easy on the radio? Jon Favreau has another talent which I admire, he is a trained classical pianist. Again when I was young and still two instruments really seem to touch me and give me such inner peace and that is the piano and violin. I could never see myself picking up the violin so I longed to play the keyboards. We didn't have a piano at home, but my Parents did buy me an electric organ, nearly full size, but they never had the finances for lessons for me and I struggled with the self learn books. I have always found myself more practical and very organized than having self learn skills.


Jon inspires me with his writing skills and richly does deserve this award, but in the same week he has also received a second accolade, being voted in PEOPLES Magazines 100 Most Attractive People! okay a little more light hearted value award, but nice?

It is so good when skills are recognized and also when they are fully used, too often young people don't get given the dues they deserve and also like The President, Jon worked hard in the community before going into politics, people often think people like Barack and Jon go from University into the Political world without experience, but in there case that is from the truth - Congratulations Jon you deserve your Award!

Before I close, watched the Oscar Winning "The Reader" on DVD last night, what a movie, it really reached out touching and challenged me especially judgement, sure I will write more more about that soon. What superb performances by Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes and the young German actor David Kross. But what moved me was the soundtrack, written by Nico Muhly, now movie soundtracks are so important to me and I have such a large collection, but this along with the piano and strings really spoke to me and Nico is just 27!

Break By The Coast

Just returned home after a five day break by the Fylde coast which is only an hours drive from home, but after never having a holiday for a few years it was just what was needed.

For April the weather was just superb, in fact more like summer, but it was the peace of being by the sea which really made it all worthwhile. The photo above is from an area called Cleveleys, as you can see it is such a quiet area. It brought back such good childhood memories, as two of my Aunties had caravans facing this beach area and we used to go every September for a week.

During the five days we drove to The Lakes as that was only an hour away and also to another typical quaint English coastal town called Lytham.

It was fitting the day we visited another place called Lytham, it was St George's Day the Patron Saint of England (we are one of the few countries that does not have a national day?). Well the town is very conservative and as we drove along the coast road we soon noticed a military band and a ceremony just starting to raise the flag of St George with the Mayor and local dignities which had attracted local and national TV as well as radio. After the ceremony they paraded into the town centre and as you can see from the photo below that is also so English


We had a fantastic 5* Hotel to stay in courtesy of Airmiles, I had been saving the miles for a trip to the USA, so it was a free break. Our room had a superb view looking on to the 17th hole. The Hotel is more of a resort with 18 hole golf course and set in superb grounds. Like any holiday something has to happen, the first night we slept well only to be woke up just before 7am with the alarm ringing, at first we thought it was the smoke alarm, but then we heard people rushing by the window as the guests were evacuated!! it was only a false alarm, but I think it helped everyone get up early that day.

It has made me more determined than ever that I have to move to live facing the sea, I just felt so much better health wise and relaxed.

Pics by EB

DAVID OSMOND following "American Idol" releases his debut single today "LAST DAY" - it is available on iTunes and if you are in the UK that is just 79p - Download it now and lets get David into the Charts!

http://itunes.apple.com

If you live in the Arizona, Nevada & Utah area watch out for the current issue of ELAN MAGAZINE with a full feature on David and Valerie.

The Best Selling Book!

It never fails to amaze me that many people are not aware that the best selling book in the World is "The Bible"

THE BIBLE a book many homes have and you will find in most hotel rooms worldwide, but how many use it?

I find each time I read THE BIBLE that it speaks to me and find something new every time, At one time I was a big fan of the New International edition, then some Missionaries introduced me back to the KJV once again and I Love it!

ESV have a superb study version which is released in calfskin and David over at Blog site "A Boomer in The Pew" is giving one copy away to celebrate his first birthday of Blogging, I would sure like a calfskin copy, would you, check out David's website now!

www.boomerinthepew.com/

PHIL EASTON - RADIO BROADCASTER

Yesterday I received sad news of the the sudden passing of a Colleague and Friend, it has really shocked me.

As a teenager at school all I wanted was to work in radio and be a presenter, but I was told by teachers I was a Dreamer, but I achieved my dream starting to work in radio from school. Over the years in broadcasting I met many genuine people but none greater than Phil Easton.

Phil joined 194 Radio City n Liverpool one year after I did, over the years it was so evident what a True Professional he was and a Real Gentleman.

When I was made redundant after 21 years service, Phil by then had temporary left Radio City to work in Somerset in the UK for Orchard Sound, immediately he heard about the loss of the career I loved, he was one of the first to contact me and offered me a job at Orchard, even though there was no position available, he would create one, that was Phil.

Phil did return to Radio City to join its AM Magic radio station and in 2008 worked hard to launch the City brand of Talk Radio in Liverpool.

From 2001 Phil was able to work with Liverpool Football Club were he became the on pitch announcer, a role he loved and he was on the great Anfield pitch at the weekend, how fitting the Tribute video above for Phil uses the great Liverpool FC Anthem, "You'll Never Walk Alone"

Phil so many will miss You, Radio will miss You, Rest in Peace.

"American Idol" Salt Lake City Auditions

For those who may have missed this week's "American Idol" Auditions from Salt Lake City, this is David Osmonds audition.

There seemed to be questions from the judges about David singing the Take 6 Number, being one for a group? I'm not sure why, as many other artists have done the same, Simon questioned, if David is contemporary? what was Taylor Hicks then? and then there was an observation that he sang some rifts, well I could list many idol finalists who did that in auditions.

David clearly demonstrated what a superb genuine warm personality he has and his vocal is amazing. I keep stating it, but David has overcome many hurdles and with or without American Idol he can and will be a solo success.

Next stop Hollywood!