Sirens

Just finished watching Sirens.  In one word: brilliant.

I don’t normally watch comedies, they’re not really my thing.  However, in this case, I’ll make an exception.  I really loved Tom Reynold’s books (Blood, Sweat and Tea, and More Blood, More Sweat and Another Cup of Tea), and the his inspiration in the program is clear.  And let’s be honest, I’m an ambulance geek, and likely always will be.

I can sympathise, a little, with the episode as well.  Not the ‘up, horny, down’ bit so much, but definitely the adrenaline.  When the hormones are thudding in your brain, it is a struggle to think straight, let alone try to remember precisely what it was I was supposed to be doing with this combination of signs and symptoms.

And, afterwards, when your system clears, and your hands shake, and you wonder whether what you did was the right thing. Perhaps I skip straight to the down…

Either way: I’ll be making a point of catching Sirens again next week.  And if you missed it, it’s on 4oD:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sirens/4od#3200763

Watch out though, the language is strong and ‘adult themes’ is not wrong.

Drive Safe

I have just seen this on The Happy Medic’s blog.

I’ll warn you now, it does not make easy watching. That said, I agree with some of the commenters on Happy’s post. I think this is essential viewing for everyone on the road.

I have been hit by cars twice while cycling.

Once a driver pulled out in to me. I was directly in front of the driver when they pulled out. They told me they hadn’t seen me, I don’t know how. Thankfully me, my bike and the car were all fine. It was the lowest of low-speed impacts.

The second time, a driver thought it would be funny to slide past me as closely as possible. He misjudged. Luckily, I only had minor injuries, and my bike was fine. I suspect he got some expensive damage to the side of his car.

Once I hit a bus. He pulled out in front of me. I put an impressive dent in the side of his vehicle, wrote off my helmet, and got away with some grazes and a sore head for a week.

I know people who have dealt with road incidents. I have dealt with a car vs bike, thankfully without serious consequences. I hope I never have to deal with anything remotely like what this video shows.

I know I’ve been lucky. I try to be a cautious cyclist. The few times I’ve been behind the wheel of a car, I’m even more so. Hopefully this’ll help do something to protect me from the idiots out there. I just hope that more people out there will do the same.

Wherever you are, however you travel, go safe.