What do you want, Blood ?

If you visit the national blood service website, you'll see that stocks are low. They always are.

But if you actually want to give blood then you better be prepared for a challenge. As someone with over 40 donations to his name I've always been amazed quite how difficult this is.

At present I'm working in Birmingham. Not a problem you'd thinks as there is a permanent centre in the middle of the city. Except that you can't get in. For a start the receptionist is (IMHO) the rudest I've ever encountered. Trying the door one lunchtime she shouted at me that I had to press the button and wait as there was someone in the reception already.

When you get in (another day) you climb the three flights of stairs and get to the centre to discover that you can't book an appointment there. Oh no, that has to be done via the website or 'phone. And if you ring up the call centre is rubbish. I wouldn't mind but I have a day off allocated to this task and I still can't get an appointment !

Of course the best day would be Friday, so I could go after sloping off early at work. But on this day the centre knocks off at lunchtime.

So perhaps I could come back to Leamington and go to a session there ? Oh no. They close at 7.15pm which doesn't give me enough time to eat and donate. And if you don't eat first, you'll feel faint, or at least I do.

And don't believe the adverts that say it takes 20 minutes either. That's 20 minutes once you get on a bed. They don't mention the 3/4's of an hour messing around and waiting before this. Allow 90 minutes for a donation is my experience.

So why are stocks low - because the NHS doesn't want to invest in a service that relies on the generosity of the public. Because you can't easily work and give blood. Because doing good doesn't pay nowadays.

Bus training

For the last few weeks I've joined that happy band known as "commuters". The experience has made me consider that a new qualification needs to be introduced. Welcome to the world of the "Using the Bus" qualification. Subjects include:

Knowing where you are going, or at least having a vague idea.
Occupying only a single seat when the bus gets busy.
Sitting next to people and why it's a good idea on a crowded bus.
Showering and general cleanliness.
Understanding when it is appropriate to have a long chat with the driver and when it is time to just get off or on quickly.
Packing baby buggies with all your worldly possessions yet still getting then on board.
Letting people get off before you get on.
How to turn your stupid tinny speakered mobile music system off.
Old people can be polite too.

Paying for your ticket:
*Understanding that the driver will be asking you for money.
*Comprehending the meaning of money or at least keeping your mouth from gaping when the concept is obviously introduced to you for the first time.
*Knowing where your purse/wallet is.
*Paying in denominations higher than 2p
*Paying in denominations lower than a £20 note
*Travelcards are your friend
*Why it is not cute to let your four year old buy his or her own ticket

Successful completion of this course will be essential before you are allowed on to any public transport before 10am. Then I stand half a chance of getting to work on time !