Sunday 28 February 2010

Very pleased his domestic violence docudrama Silent Voices (DVD), is still in strong demand. Being used as a training aid for SSAFA http://ping.fm/FH29w

Saturday 27 February 2010

SA Actress, first time producer and friend Daniella Pellagrini (love to help developing talent) discovering how competitive UK industry is

Friday 26 February 2010

Meeting with Raga Woods the founder of Ginger Bread (support group for Single Parents) assisting with A Thousand Voices for a Broken System

Thursday 25 February 2010

Dinner at The Italian Kitchen, on New Oxford Street with the very patient (with me at least) Nuria Leon. An hour late due to film premiere.
In debt to the enchanting Vicki Peaple for dinner on the Southbank. Looking forward to her return from Indonesia and our next theatre visit
Peter Jackson's latest film "Lovely Bones" has some lovely moments, but was let down by the fact it was based on a badly written book.
Amused the Ritzy staff when friends, Dirk van der Velden (Art Director) & Damian Coldwell (Composer) became first male visitors in Brixton.

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Me and Amanda Baker Finally completed the first draft of the plotline, for our feature film Vigilia. Rape, anal buggery, love and community.

Monday 22 February 2010

Another great night with Christopher Lambert. Gavin Bond:Music at the Idea Generation Gallery followed by Dinner and drinks at Cafe Raj.

Sunday 21 February 2010

A London day, Chris Ofili at Tate Britatin, Chinese Dragons on Gerrard Street (LeeAnn Marchant) & Poetry on Blakes Steps (Niall McDevitt).
Pleased that I've just finished my third book this year. Legends of a Suicide, David Vann; Disgrace, J.M. Coatze & The Road, Cormac McCarthy

Saturday 20 February 2010

I've found a place in Brixton that my Son Charles would love. 2nd Avenue in Brixton Village exists thanks in part to my friend Julia Shalet

Friday 19 February 2010

Lunch at Med Kitchen with dear friend Margaret Abouharb. Then celebratory drinks with actress friends Karina Cornell & Sarah Whitehouse.

Thursday 18 February 2010

So pleased Anja Breit is able to walk after her operation, albeit with her foot in a plastic bag & the addition of Anita Liammari - perfect.
Day at the Broadcast Video Expo at Earls Court with Amanda Baker, checking out the new 3D TV. Followed by recovery drinks with Julia Shallet

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Whilst I remain pro-active and positive for 2010, it's hard to sustain against the failure of the Third/Public Sector http://ping.fm/vromN

Monday 15 February 2010

ANOTHER PUBLIC SECTOR WEEK

As you may recall, about a month ago, I posted snippets of my weekly diary, showing what it's like to deal with the Public/Third Sector when you're in need. (http://ping.fm/ZTlCR)

Things have not improved.

Monday 9th February 2010

One Support – Josh Decarli and Manager Quirina Oduwole argue that we have to have a meeting.

They have no agenda, can't explain why they need a meeting and in essence, are just coming to tell me, that their only task of the past 3 months, i.e. to ensure I was paid my DLA (Disability Living Allowance) correctly, has still not been successfully completed.

Good use of Tax payers money then.

Tuesday 10th February 2010

NHS Trust Kings College – CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) Unit – informed me that they only have two physiotherapists and one is off on maternity leave.

The pregnant therapist hasn't been provided with any cover and the other therapist only works 2 days a week and can only handle 2 patients every 3 months.

So I will have to wait a further 3 months for treatment.

Making the entire wait 9 Months in total....if it ever happens.

No chance of walking again then!

Wednesday 11th February 2010

Direct Payments – Manager Margaret Farrell failed to notice, until last week, that the document that she needed to complete her task (enabling me to employ my own carer and PA) had not been returned by Social Services even though I've been chasing her for over a month.

Glad people in the sector are on the ball and assisting with eliminating stress.

Thursday 12th February 2010

Hostel Manager, Rocky Singh after an unexplained absence of 2 weeks (with just one phone call from his office staff to say he wouldn't be visiting but no explanation why), reissues me another eviction notice based on the fact I haven't been in touch.....How, exactly, should I have done this?

This, after he'd supposedly spoken to my Social Worker Margaret Kykoyi to be reminded of the reason for the problems had been caused by the DLA, Housing Benefit, One Support, Every Pound Counts, Lambeth Legal Services, Lambeth Housing, Disability Support Team, Allied Healthcare, Meals-on-Wheels, Morrison support services, ICAS and Incapacity Benefit (and trust me, that's not all the ridiculous initiatives dreamt up by the Labour Government to plug the holes of failure in the Social Services/DWP, you have to deal with).

Friday 13th February 2010

Lettings First - John Armah who was supposed to be handling my case to find me private rented accommodation, but as yet, has failed to offer me a single viewing in 5 months, has quit.

Only discovered this from an auto-reply to an e-mail when inquiring what had been done in respect to my case.

Comforting to know they're on top of things and communicating well with their clients.

It's ironic that the private companies like Access Storage, O2 and Apple are all showing more compassion than the Public/Third Sector people who are actually paid to.
Liz Block and I thought film "Food Inc." & the subsequent Q&A with the Soil Association did the cause no good, playing the worst stereotypes

Sunday 14 February 2010

Happy Valentine Day my wonderful friends. I hope you find the best ways to celebrate or completely ignore this Hallmark moment. Love you all

Saturday 13 February 2010

Complimentary afternoon tea at Fortnum & Masons and bottle of champagne at Harvey Nicholl's 5th floor bar, courtesey of Ponni Arumugam.
Play "Really old like 45" at The National Theatre was very painful as it dealt with Alzheimers & reminded me of my mothers current suffering

Friday 12 February 2010

Ciara Morrin at Tate Modern to see Van Doesburg & The International Avant Garde (was more impressed with his influences like Piet Mondrian)

Thursday 11 February 2010

Wearing my Alexandra McQueen Jeans when I heard the news. A great talent sadly lost. Suicide of someone with much to give, a sad day for UK

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Cola Bling & I decided Clint Eastwood's film Invictus was so awful because it was designed to annoy Spike Lee, after his claims of racism.
Georgina Ashdown's poster designs to recruit interview subjects for documentary A Thousand Voices for a Broken System were truly excellent.

Monday 8 February 2010

Dinner with the adorable Marigold Nunes, in a Vegan restaurant, in a converted Routemaster Double Decker Bus in Soho. http://ping.fm/9XueU

Sunday 7 February 2010

Overwhelmed by the generosity shown by Lisa Evans in assisting with visits to see Son in S.Wales. Stops New Labour making me a deadbeat Dad

Saturday 6 February 2010

Even with the Sun out, Architecturally, Cardiff is one ugly city. Seeing my Son Charles Atherton-Lauire for the weekend back Sunday Night.

Friday 5 February 2010

Just met with Sue Walker, a dear friend from my school days, who looks after her husband, Ken, paralysed from the neck down for 11 years.

Thursday 4 February 2010

Back to Back Drinks with the devilishly funny Juliet Lopez, the angelic Anja Briet and the ever engaging Julia Shalet. It's a hard life!

Wednesday 3 February 2010

The wonderfully generous Janine Roebuck just shared some appalling stories about mistreatment of friends, for documentary A Thousand Voices.
The wonderfully generous Janine Roebuck just shared some appalling stories about mistreatment of friends, for documentary A Thousand Voices for a Broken System

Tuesday 2 February 2010

Spent the day describing a rape in finite detail - harrowing experience. Opening scene in Vigilia is graphic novel, flip book and anime.

Monday 1 February 2010

Amazed that 40 friends, with only a weeks notice, braved the cold & Brixton to attend his annual Christmas Party. Thank you I felt V. loved.