GMTV. In the waiting room at the doctors. That is all.

So I’ve just had a quick glance at the calendar, only 70 days until I leave the UK for a few weeks. I know I say ‘only’, but you’ve got to have something to look forward to!
It’s kinda a good job I spoke to the nurse in the doctors the other day about it really… The range of vaccines and immunisations is a little staggering to say the least. Having only ever been to mainland Europe / European Islands and the USA & Canada this whole vaccination thing is a bit of a mystery. But, for this trip it’s a whole different matter. To begin:
Diphtheria;
Tetanus;
Hepatitis A…
Those are the needed ones. Essentials, if you will.
Then there are the ‘sometimes advised’ vaccines; we’ve decided (the nurse and myself) to go for a selection from these:
Typhoid;
Japanese encephalitis;
Rabies;
Tuberculosis;
Hepatitis B;
Cholera;
Tick-borne encephalitis…
Kind of like a pick-and-choose selection box. We’ll plump for a couple and cross our fingers that it’s not one of the others that strikes. To be fair it’s not like I’ll be heading off into the wilderness (too far/much) and I wont be petting any stray foaming-at-the-mouth dogs, so chances are I’ll be fine! But the sheer number rather astounded me. I guess this is what happens when you get used to the bubble of the UK and it’s highly efficient (yes, you heard) health system.
So as soon as the bullet-hole wound in the old arm has healed fully (currently there’s still a nice hole to view the inner flesh) then I’ll be like a pin cushion.
Still, better to be safe than sorry. Good job I don’t fear needles, actually far from it. Best not to ask, sometimes the truth freaks people out.
But hey, regardless of being stabbed numerous times, the only thing I’m fearing at the moment is the super-long flight to Hong Kong. That’ll be a beast. Reckon the best option is to get dosed up on sedatives from the doctors. Ideal. After that it’s all good! Well, perhaps Beijing is giving me a few contemplative thoughts, language and all…

You know, sometimes it’s good to do something so completely different to the norm, and coming from the West I’m well aware that this will certainly be the case over there in Asia. But above all else this is a trip I’m eagerly looking forward to, and for so many reasons. I’m really looking forward to experiencing new sights, sounds and activities that may make my head go pop (*kaboom* – can you hear it?), but also spending time with someone who should thankfully be able to stop it going pop too badly!

Ah, 10 weeks today!

The piano in this draws back a really strong memory for me. Was walking around backstage at a theatre last summer and someone randomly started playing this tune. Was pretty surreal, and sort of summed up the randomness of the trip. Better times for my mind, and a sort of happy memory I guess.

Thomas Newman – Any Other Name

Admittedly a bit of a soppy choice today, but I guess I’m feeling reflective and thinking back over the last few years. This song was played during JD’s departure from Scrubs, and the accompanying video seems quite fitting considering the time of year.

Best of luck to all those I know who are leaving Bangor for better things, take care of yourselves, I know you will be awesome in all that you do.

The Book of Love, covered by Peter Gabriel.