X-men and work

I saw the new X-men film yesterday and I must say it kicked ass. I love comic book/superhero films and this was no exception. (Actually the only exception out there is Hulk.) I also am a huge fan of Patrick Stewart and enjoy almost everything he is in. As with the previous ones, the effects were top notch. I don't know what the rating for it is in the states, but over here it is a 12A, which I found appalling. There was quite a bit of violence and swearing. Should have been a 15. They also had a big sequence in the bay area, specifically Alcatraz, so that made me smile and feel a teeny bit homesick. All I can say is Golden Gate Bridge, see it and you will know what I mean.

As for work. It is going quite well. I have been given a list of conservation jobs that I need to do or help with. So there has been a bit less patrolling, partially because of the rain lately, and more of these jobs. I like having the variety. I have also gotten to drive the electric van a couple times. That thing is so quiet. You can't even tell you have turned it on. I am hoping to remember to take my camera with me to take some pictures of myself and the heath. There is also a funfair on this weekend, as it is a bank holiday monday, but it is on a different beat than mine. I may stop by it for some donuts though. :)

Lastly, tomorrow is the big 30 for me, so everyone have a drink for me!!

Barbeque and Stuck In Mud

We had a barbeque at the house last night. It was most of the housmates and a few friends. There was quite a lot of food and drink, as ususal. It was great to just all get together and chat. We don't actually do it very often. I helped man the bbq. We had burgers and sausages. I also baked chocolate chip cookies and brownies for dessert. I also had to celebrate for my cousin Lauren who was having a graduation party yesterday. I obviously couldn't be there as it is all the way in Texas, but got to have a drink for her as I am quite pround of what she has achieved.

Today was mostly normal at work. At one point I got to drive the electric van. It is so quiet and smooth to drive. Unfortunately I went a way that I thought would be okay and ended up stuck in mud. Luckily we were close to one of the canteens and got help. I felt a bit of an ass for it on my first time driving. Hopefully it will be quickly forgotten. ;)

Lastly, I wanted to tell you guys my call name on the heath. I am HT8 (pronounced Hotel Tango Eight.) There are quite a lot of people, so you can imagine quite a lot of call signs. The radios have quite good distance though, I was still able to pick up transmissions way off the heath when we were delivering Heath Hands newsletters to libraries.

Freeview and movie recommendations

I just got myself a freeview recorder. Basically, freeview gives you access to over 40 digital channels. This is an alternative to getting cable as all you pay for is the box and you get the channels. I paid a bit more to have one with a 40gig hard drive so I can record programmes. I am highly addicted to Dr. Who and didn't want to miss one because I am working. So, I am super exicted about this.

First movie to recommend is an ealing comedy from the1940s called Kind Hearts and Coronets. It stars the late Sir. Alec Guinness. He plays 8 memebers of a royal family. It is black and white, but one that stands the test of time. Not to mention he is a brilliant actor.

The other film, which I saw today with a friend, is Mission Impossible 3. This was made this year. ;) It was really well done, much better than the first 2. It was directed by J.J. Abrams, who also co-created Lost and Alias. It really shows too, with all the twists and turns. But, it is a good mindless action flick, along the same viens as James Bond. It also uses the effects well and has good performances by the actors, especially Philip Seymour Hoffman as the baddie. He was amazing. So, go see this and prepare to be enertained.

Find out more on these films at: www.imdb.com.

Searching for a dead body

Okay, when I started this job I knew I would be in for seeing and doing all kinds of things and tasks. But, I didn't expect this one. I show up for work yesterday and was promptly told that all staff are searching for a possible dead body on the heath. A guy of 71 disappeared on sunday leaving his car next to the extension on the heath. He was an outpatient at the hospital and "at risk" for suicide. I spent the first few hours of working joining in the search. I, or anyone else, didn't find anything. I hope and pray that he is still alive somewhere, but time will tell.

Other than that, I did my normal litter picking and patrolling. I had to lock up the base, as I worked a late shift and was the last one there. There has been some good weather and has been a joy to be out and about outside.

Job duties

Well, I have finished my third day. All is going great. We have had really hot weather the past few days, I started at just the right time. You can imagine how great it is to be outside all day, seeing all the happy people and dogs, and being happy myself. One of the big things we do is litter picking. I know it doesn't sound exciting, but it is one of the fundamental requirements in the open space to keep it as clean as possible at all times. Really, who wouldn't want to keep the heath beautiful.

I have also, so far, helped in woodstaining some benches. All the benches in my beat are getting redone. With the hot weather they are drying real quick though. I have also helped deliver the Heath Hands newsletters to some local libraries. We have this great electric van which we drive around. Mind it is for small trips only. But the great thing about it is if you coast in it, it actually recharges it. And it is the most quiet vehicle you can drive. I haven't driven in myself yet, but having a license means I can if required to.

The base is pretty cool. It is quite big with a lot of recycling bins around. Inside is a near fully fitted kitchen. So for the first time at a job in my life, I will actually fix myself lunch there rather than at home and bringing it. I was given a cabinet, and already bought some food to make sandwiches and stuff. The break system is quite good too. For the early shift we start at 7:30am and go until 10am which is the first half hour break for breakfast. Then from 10:30 we work until 1:00pm when we have an hour lunch. Then we work from 2:00pm until 4:30pm when we go home. And everyone breaks at the same time. Which is great for conversation. One day a week we go home an hour early at 3:30pm because they go by bank hours. It is something I haden't heard of before. The days off are a bit like that too. You have the same two days off every week for three weeks, in my case thursday and friday, and the fourth week you get the weekend off. So, it is one 7 day stretch and the rest 5. So there is absolutely no chance of a long stretch of days. Also, the week goes from wednesday to tuesday. Apparently this goes back to when the corporation started, which happened to be on a wednesday. They have never changed it.

I will report more soon. And I will hopefully get some pictures of me in uniform and stuff soon too. I am so loving it!!!!!

First day of work

Today was the first day of my new job on the heath. I was so excited. I had to first go to the head office to fill in some paperwork. We then had the task of finding uniforms, and believe me they don't seem to be the most organised in this area. I got bits and pieces throughout the day. It was me and one other seasonal ranger who then got taken, by one of the supervisors over to the heath to begin inductions to the site. We stopped firstly by Kenwood Nursery, which is to be my base. We then went down to Parliament Hill staff yard to pick up more of the uniform. We then went over to east heath staff yard, which is to be the base for Luke, the other seasonal ranger. We left him with the team leader there, and went back up to Kenwood Nursery.

I then met the team leader up there, who I would be with the rest of the day. I got a locker sorted out, and changed into my uniform. Then we went over to the extension where I sat in on my first meeting. It was one the people on my beat planned, and since I had started it was a good way to get introduced to everyone. It was mostly an observational meeting for me. After that it was over to Golder's Hill Park for the last bit of uniform collecting. Then it was back to Kenwood Nursery, and then home. Mind you, there was a lot of explaining that went on all day. I felt fortunate enough to already know quite a bit from my volunteer work, but still very much enjoyed hearing it all. Oh, and it was a gorgeous, warm day as well. We are do for a hot weekend, so I started at just the right time. I know that I will be hoping for some way to stay on after this is over, so people keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

I will of course keep people updated as I go on. I will be learning my beat more tomorrow, and I will fill you in on how my schedule will be. But from what I have learned so far, it is very reasonable. Man, I am SOOOOO pround to wear the green shirt that says Hampstead Heath on it, you have no idea. I will send pictures of me in uniform soon. Promise.