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.

Bird walk.

Yesterday I joined a bird watching walk on the heath. I had heard about it through a fellow volunteer. I wanted to have that information for when I work on the heath too. Basically, it was a slow walk looking at birds through binoculars. I didn't have my own, but was able to use someone else's. I have learned a number of new birds, which I still need to look up. I just always find any excuse to walk on the heath a good one, so you can imagine how I will be working there. :) The walk was organised by the Marlyebone bird watching society. They do it every tuesday.

I have also been helping out all week at the education centre with painting and papaer mache. Again, any excuse to be on the heath... I do find myself learning stuff everyday too being there. The edcuation officer is very knowledgable, so great to have a conversation with. I hope to be able to chat time to time once I do start working. She is also planning to have a grand opening of the education centre on June 10th, so I hope to be able to attend.

Another job offer.

So get this. Today I recieved a call from Hackney, the second job I interviewed for. Well, they said I was successful and offered me the job. Of course I had to decline it because of already taking the one on the heath, but it really shows me that I am in my element and on the right path that I had 2 job offers. I never thought I would be in this position. I have to say, it feels GREAT!!!

I also got my forms and contract for the heath, which I will turn in tomorrow. It states I officially start on May 3rd and that there will be an induction day, presumably for all the seasonal staff. I am so excited. I am also helping out at the education centre this week with re-painting. It is a long process to re-desgin it, but it is looking real good. I will try to take some pictures and post them. I am also riding my bike a lot more since my course ended and I don't have a bus pass. My legs are feeling it, but give it time they will strengthen.

Hope everyone had a great Easter.

My Space update

So, I finally updated my My Space page. I gave it a pretty new background as well as filling in all sorts of info. Basically, between that, my webpage, and this blog, you should know me very well. I have to give a big thank you for the people who helped me with the layout editing and all and gave me the links. It definatley helped. The link to the page is on the right hand side of my blog under Links. As always, feedback is welcome.

As for other things, I am still waiting for my papers to fill out. Being that it is easter weekend and we have 2 bank holidays, it is taking longer than usual. But, I am so excitied about it all. I can't believe I will get to work on the heath. It really is like a dream come true. Now, all I need is a girlfriend to share it with, and life will be complete.

Hope everyone is well, and a big HAPPY EASTER to y'all!!!!!!!

I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had 2 interviews today. What are the chances? Both were for seasonal ranger postions. The first was for Hampstead Heath (my preferred one of course,) and the second was for the borough of Hackney, the same borough my course was in. Both went quite well, although to be honest I felt the Heath one went a bit better because of my passion for it. But, I did give it my all. Both interviews basically sat me down and asked me questions off a sheet. The first one had on scenario question, whereas the second had 6. The main difference is that the Heath is an open space whereas the Hackney one are in parks. And it does make a difference to the kind of job you do and people you interact with.

I wore a suit that my sister (thank you) gave me. I made one gaff and that was that I didn't realise that the legs of the trousers needed hemming and were a bit long. Also, underestimated the English weather and got caught out in the rain. Well, I do have to get used to all weather conditions for this kind of job.

So, the best part. I get home and sit down to have a chat with a good friend online. As we are chatting I get a phone call from one of the guys who interviewed me on the Heath and got offered the job!!!!! How freakin' sweet is that. They will send me the paperwork within a couple days and hopefully start real soon. I found out my patch is on the east side of the heath near kenwood house down. I know at least a couple people on that patch already, so that is amazing. I will also promise to keep people updated on how everything goes during the summer on my blog and website. But, for now, I am so going to celebrate. This is what I have worked for. Now all I have to do is get a permenant one later on. CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!

End of course

Well, my course finally ended today. I am quite sad that it is over. I really got into the work and got on so good with my coursemates and assessors. I will definately go back and visit the site. The next NVQ course starts soon, so they will be busy again. We also got taken out for lunch yesterday at a chinese place just opposite the cemetery. It was quite good. I had a duck and bbq pork with a soya sauce with egg fried rice. Yummy. Also, after we finished yesterday we went out for drinks. Ended up staying till 9:30pm, after downing 5 or 6 pints of Strongbow cider. Suffice it to say, I was quite pissed. But, I can't think of a better way to end the course.

So, now it is on to getting the ranger job, a seasonal one most likely. I will keep everyone posted here on how that goes. For now, I need some food and rest. :)

Norwich

I had a pretty good trip to Norwich. It takes just about 2 hours on the train from london liverpool st. I went up yesterday. My main purpose was for a conference on peak oil. It is a follow up to one I went to in October. Once I got to Norwich, I had a good amount of time to stroll around and check things out. I went to the Norwich Cathedral, which was very beatiful. The city centre is very nice, with a market in the middle. The only slight annoyance is all the high st chain shops around. But, there are still plenty independent shops. After that, I went and checked into a lovely bed and breakfast. Normally I try to stay in hostels, but there are none in Norwich. I had a room to myself, though it had to beds in it. They said I was uprgraded, not sure why. (except that I am special. :) After resting there, I made my way to the university. I was intending to eat at a pub, but had a roast at one of the restaurants on campus, which was very good and inexpensive. Then the conference. Being as eco friendly as I am, I walked everywhere there. So, at nearly 10 at night I made my way back to the b'n'b.

Today, I basically had a fantastic full english breakfast and then strolled around the city centre. I sat in the library for awhile reading to kill some time. I also stopped by the Coleman's mustard shop. I have to say this was quite amusing. I mean, a MUSTARD shop. LOL. Well, if I learned anything, it is that Coleman's mustard is made around here. Funny thing is though, I don't actually like mustard much. Now, if it had only been a ketchup shop...... ;)

After that, it was back to the train station, and home. I did have a good time, with some good weather. I have also posted pictures from my trip in my photo album which can be accessed through my website.

Website is live.

Well, I finally finished my webiste. I have published it and is now viewable. The address is: http://enviroranger.googlepages.com/ It has links to my blog and to pictures as well. It is a very basic site to let people know and see what I am up to. I hope people like it.

I have one week left to go on my course. I will be quite sad to see it end. I really enjoyed working on site there and the people there were great. I have put in a couple applications as well for seasonal positions which would start around easter.

Well, that's it for now. Please give any feedback for the site, it is always appreciated.

Bog and Norwich

Today was my second session in the bog on the heath. It is one that I didn't even know was there until a couple weeks ago. There is quite a big of sphagnum moss as well as grasses and a pond. There is also a sort of spring that comes up at one point with water making its way to the pond. It is a really gorgeous area. Our main task is to rid the main area of bramble, by grubbing it from the roots. The first task I did today, however, was to wade in the pond and get out some logs that had been put in. There was one other person helping me. We put on waders and got in. Unfortunately for both of us, we got our socks soaked. For me it was because the boots seemed to leak from the foot, the other guy the water came over the top. It would have been quite funny to see us there in the water, try to walk through it. The mud at the bottem made it slow going. But, in the end it got clear and look so much better. It is the satisfation I love.

On another note, I am taking a trip up to Norwich on the 3rd of April for a Peak Oil conference. I am going to stay over at a b'n'b which is always great. Gotta love the full english breakfast. I will, of course, go up by train. Hopefully I will get to see some good sites, have to do some more research on it though. I also hope I can remember my camera to show pictures to you all.

Great british roast.

Okay, so I have to confess. One thing I LOVE here is a british roast. One of my former housemates, who I still see from time to time, hooked me on them. He can do a fantastic one. I was at his place last night, with his girlfriend and another friend. He made a roast chicken with potatoes, carrots, cabbage and yorkshire puddings. And gravy poured all over it. I was eating faster than I normally do just because how good it was. They also do roast beef and roast pork sometimes here. Chicken takes ages to cook though, so I was forced to sit through all the good smells until we could eat. He rubbed butter and garlic on the chicken and sprinkled the top with sesame seeds. That was different, but amazing just the same.

I must attempt a roast myself at some point, though I may do a pork to be different. But I won't forget the yorkies, they are the best. And anytime anyone wants to visit, I will prepare a roast just for you!!! :)

Shelves, shelves, and more shelves. And internet.

So I was by myself at my course today, one person doesn't come in on fridays and the other was sick. I was given the task of building loads of shelves in the new stonemasoner's workshop. It amazes me how sometimes you can get a lot more done by yourself then with a group, at least in things like this. I used all sorts of tools, including a jigsaw, drill and the measuring tape (which never seemed to leave my side.) I put together quite a few of different lengths and widths. So, if any one needs some new shelves built, you know who to call.... :) We are going to have a small "taster" day of stonemasonry as well, to use the shelves and tables we have built. I think it will be quite interesting and possibly fun. I will definately report on that when it happens.

I love the internet for being able to find just about anything, whether it be old or new. My love of Hampstead Heath has led me on a search to find all things that were published about it. The local libraries have books that aren't in publication anymore, but lo and behold the internet comes to the rescue. I have found and ordered some books which would otherwise be impossible. And for a cheap price, I was quite amazed. There is alibris.com, abebooks.com (abebooks.co.uk), and allbookstores.com. Also, amazon.com or amazon.co.uk is a good place as individuals sell on there too. I do love to read, hope all of you do too. :)

Planting and Mystic River

Firstly I had a great volunteer session this morning. The corporation has put in a new long planing bed in front of the cafe. It was to be filled with all sorts of plants. I was pleasantly surprised to find out we would be planting them today! We crammed it full of great plants including goarse, daphne and some more I either don't remember the name to or didn't get. But, it was a pleasure to see the final results. I should have taken pictures, but I didn't. I am really bad at that. I definately love the great outdoors.

Secondly was that I saw Mystic River today. It is one I had heard of before. One of my housemates had it on dvd, so I borrowed it. I absolutely loved it. It was directed very well by Clint Eastwood (then agian I bet most of you have seen it and knew that.) The acting and characterisation was amazing. I highly recommend it to anyone. Also, on a bit of a tangent, I saw Monty Pyton and the Holy Grail last week and thought that was hilarious. I am ashamed to admit that I haden't seen a Monty Python before, but hope to see a lot more now.

That's all for now, hope to have more soon.

A Wicked day.

I went to the Natural History Museum today. I have been there before, but not to fully look around. And as seeing as I am into conservation now, I thought it quite appropriate. Firstly, it wasen't as big as I thought, but what it had crammed in there made up for it. Two things stuck out for me. The first was this Tyrannosauras Rex they had. It is the most realistic one I have ever seen. It can actually sense people around and turn it head and roar at them. It also wags it's tail and moves it's tiny little arm. This is technology for you. I stupidly forgot to take my camera for pics to show, but hopefully next time. The next thing, and it probably isn't as impressive to most, was a huge slice from a sequoia redwood tree they had on display. This thing was massive and about 1335 years old. As most know, they grow in the sierras in California, where I am from, so it was like a slice of home. I was surprised in that they didn't have really any plants or trees on display, but it seems as if they are more dedicated to animals and minerals there. The redwood slice was the main thing they had, guess it is why it impressed me so much!! It was a great time out, as most of the museums in this great city are.

The other thing that made my day was that I found out that Wicked, the play of the untold story of the witches of Oz, is definately coming to London. There was an ad for it in today's paper. It opens in September, so I am going to book tickets straight away. Now, if only I had someone to go with.... To read more vist: www.wickedthemusical.co.uk. I think it should be a blast. I will write about it once I see it of course. :)

Working in snow.

Okay, so it wasen't a big snowfall or anything. Quite light in fact. But, it is still a cool experience. When I was on my course today we were doing some general tyding up of an area which includes pulling brambles and nettles from the root and clearing some braken. It was in an area of the cemetery where they used to have a pond, but unfortuately too many people through beer cans and other rubbish as well as urinated in it, so it got infilled. Anyway, at one point while we were working, a light snow started to fall. It was the kind you could catch on your glove and see the small white speck. It didn't stick on the ground or anything, and it was quite brief. Still, it was a perfectly clear sunny day and brought a big smile to my face. I do love working outdoors because you get great experiences like this.

Pub crawl.

So, I did something last night that I haden't done before. A new housemate had moved in this week and she suggested going out for drinks to get to know us. I rarely would find an excuse not to go to a pub. Well, there ended up being 3 of us out of the total 8 that live here, but it was enough. So, we get to the first pub and decide to have a pint. I always get ale, it is my favourite. Although cider comes in second. She then suggested (and I might say she is very outgoing and open minded) going to a different pub. Well, we did that but got a half pint each. Then she decided she wanted to go to yet a different pub. Mind you, in england you are never short of pubs and we have quite a few around. We ended up at 5 different pubs in total. We had half pints and the rest of them as well. Suffice it to say I was pretty well pissed by the end of it. We started at 7:30 and left at 12:45. So, quite a long evening. Luckily none of us worked today so we could rest it off.

I can't say that there is a better way to get to know someone than that. Definately a welcome addition. I do love pubs. One of the great things about england that you just don't get the same of in the states. And, as stated in a previous post, from next summer they will be smoke free which is a major bonus. I don't go out to the pubs that often because not only am I tight for finances, but mostly because I don't seem to have much of anyone to go with and I don't like drinking alone. So, if any one who reads this wants to come and visit me, we will go to the pub and first round is on me!!