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thepermanentrainpress · 2 years

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Gallery: Cafuné @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre - Vancouver, BC Date: September 28th, 2022 Photographed by: Timothy Nguyen

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badgiraffe · 2 years

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This just in: Hamilton is great.

#finally got to see it in person #damn son #what a fucking show #i almost forgot how fucking uncomfortable the seats at the qe theatre are jesus #like how is anyone meant to sit comfortably and enjoy the show in those seats idk #but it was breathtaking #even from the nosebleeds lol #hamilton #king george is an icon

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silverwolf1977 · 2 years

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This woman has worked as an usher for Vancouver theatre for years. I met her briefly when I saw @bactouring Hamilton at the QE theatre, she is a lovely person and kind. She was attacked after her shift and not entitled to any WorkSafe help. Link in my bio to her GoFundMe. Please share, she is an 85 year old woman that some asshole coward attacked. @juliusthomas3 @darnellabrahamofficial @cyoungonstage #fundraising #gofundme #seniorattacked #hamiltonmusical #bactouring (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChVElvTpF65/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#fundraising #gofundme #seniorattacked #hamiltonmusical #bactouring

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clubhappenings · 2 years

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@bhytes looking gorgeous (at Burton Cummings Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfsTTfSM-Qe/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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thrilling-thrifter · 4 years

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❌17/05/2020-Sold out❌ •Ai qe la njerez pa shtepi dhe me motivin se skishin leje ndertimi nuk u rimbursoi asgje. Perse? Se i nderuari kryeminister eshte burre me namuz dhe ben cdo gje sipas rregullave. Kryeministri yne eshte nje Zot qe e ben mortjen te dale me oraret qe vendos ai . Zoti yne, qe e quan veten artist po shkaterron vete historine, kulturen, vete artin. Po tani Zoti Kryeminister, ku ishin rregullat, ku ishin oraret, ku e ke namuzin, ku ishte e drejta?! Nje thike pas shpine ndaj popullit, e do vijne shume te tjera ne qoftese bytha jote e ndyre do vazhdoje te dhjese mbi ate karrike „drejtuesi“. Po e trajton vendin tend si te jete nje kurve te lire dhe ti nje tutor pa skrupuj. Thone qe populli meriton ate qe zgjedh, por c‘zgjedhje quhet kur ske ke te zgjedhesh. Diktature? Jo, me keq. Demokraci jofunksionale. Rregulla qe sjellin ndeshkimin e te drejtes dhe te vertetes. Kjo NUK eshte Shqiperia qe duam. E ta mendosh qe skemi pare asgje akoma!! . .#theatre #stage #artist #mbroteatrin #aleancapermbrojtjeneteatrit #teatrikombetar #edirama #filmphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CATAYW0gXBh/?igshid=1as34saxa1gdb

#theatre #stage #artist #mbroteatrin #aleancapermbrojtjeneteatrit #teatrikombetar #edirama #filmphotography

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massielandnetwork · 3 years

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Important Economic Trends During Anarchy

2021 – Let the Games Begin

12. A Christian Secession – “Double Double toil and trouble”

The Demented Marxists (DM) have the cauldron at the rolling boil stage. A few weekly highlights included Arizona calling out their National Guard because of the catastrophe occurring along their Mexican border but Biden and his merry band of DMs say everything is fine. The DM’s favorite harpy, Dr. Fauci, announced Xi “Masks forever!”. Our military is now politicized with Critical Race Theory (all whites are bad) being used to remove political conservatives, now to be treated as domestic terrorists. Biden has appointed his panel of liberals to recommend expanding the U. S. Supreme court from 9 to 13 justices. Why only 13?

If they are going to make the Supreme Court a source of mockery, perhaps they should increase it to 90. Afterall, the DMs and BLM have successfully eliminated “blind justice” and replaced it with mob rule and intimidation. An illustration of the DM’s definition of capitalism, the BLM Founders have become wealthy shaking down major corporations including sports organizations. When does the Marshall arrive to be the adult in the community and wipe out the bad guys?

With Hong Kong now fully “integrated” into China, Xi is sending large sorties of fighters and bombers into Taiwan air space. Meanwhile, Russia has amassed 80,000 troops along the Ukraine border. The explanation given is that Trump was unpredictable but Biden is known. Does that mean “owned”. Which is more important to these characters, money or power?

Shakespeare Plays. Most of my years in high school that phrase signaled something to be endured in English class. But his writings took on a new meaning when I saw my first live Shakespeare play with professional British actors in a professional theatre. I have been hooked ever since. While I am not a student of his plays, I seek them out because I enjoy them. My preference is his comedies but even his tragedies are enjoyable because Mr. Shakespeare interspersed humor in odd places in them. He knew his audience. He poked fun at everything.

This past week, if not this year, has reminded me of the famous scene in William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” where the witches gather around their cauldron to stir up the trouble to be endured by the characters in the play. Those witches are hyper-active today. I can hear them chortling as they chant “Double Double toil and Trouble” while stirring their boiling pot.

Talk about boiling pots, the NBA announces its number of viewers is estimated to have dropped to around one-half of the pre-BLM level. Some former NBA fans have been quoted using a different phrase “Shut up and dribble”. While quite descriptive and clear in its communication, it does not have quite the same ring as Shakespeare’s famous witches’ quote.

Another popular phrase heard in the discussion about the NBA is “Go Woke and Go Broke”. Apparently, the NBA Commissioner is concerned because he said this week that the BLM phase was about over. Do you think he meant his players would shut up and dribble or was he commenting on the fact that the three self-described Marxist BLM founders have become multimillionaires? Woke folks are hard to understand.

In contrast with “Wokeness”, a group of artists in Cuba have created and performed a song that has become amazingly popular. It is called “Patria y Vida” (“Homeland and Life”) and lauds freedom while celebrating George Washington. Can we send the BLM folks to Cuba?

Meanwhile, Portland continues to be a war zone. The police are the equivalent of unarmed rangers and the downtown area is, well, destroyed. Beyond heartbreaking, one church had been feeding 1,000 homeless folks but has been forced to stop because they are spending their money on repeatedly repairing their building from the riots. Is this still America? When do the adults show up and re-establish sanity? No wonder there is a movement in Oregon to merge most of that state with Idaho. The Idaho legislature has voted to consider it. A sign?

1. Keep watching the activity about the fraudulent election last November.

a. The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the Michigan Secretary of State exceeded her authority when she approved a variety of changes to the state’s election laws. Was the “certified” election in Michigan a fraud? YES.

b. The Arizona legislature authorized recount of 2.1 Million votes in Maricopa County, Arizona is about to start.

c. Wisconsin’s legislature voted to investigate the 2020 election. All the DM’s voted against it. Odd behavior for anyone convinced the election was honest.

d. The Georgia Secretary of State is blocking the review of the Fulton County (Atlanta) Georgia actual ballots by the auditors. Odd behavior if there is nothing to hide.

e. Lawsuits have been filed and counter filed by Mike Lindell, Sidney Powell, and Dominion (the voting machine company). Stay tuned, much more to come.

100 days into the DMs’ coup (am I the only one that feels like it has been 100 years), here are some quick observations of events that will impact our economy:

1. This week it was reported that the rate of inflation in March was 1%. That is an annual rate of 12%. Talking heads reading their teleprompters reassured the public that the rate of inflation was going to calm down as we move through the year. After all, the DM’s are in control using economic techniques refined in Venezuela. What could go wrong?

2. Biden and his fellow DM’s continued to push their twin infrastructure bills. The DM’s have us on a path of massive spending to make the national debt “manageable” via devaluation of the Dollar which the consumer experiences as inflation (rising prices). In contrast the Trump Administration had the USA on a path of rapid economic growth which would thus enable the payment of our national debt. The contrast in pain is enormous. Churchill once said that “Believing you can tax and spend to create prosperity is the equivalent of standing in a bucket and trying to raise it by its handle.”

3. In a truly capitalistic economy, the brake on this run-away train would be applied by the 10-year Treasury. While it continues to fluctuate 1.50% to 1.70%, I do wonder what the rate would be if The Fed was not distorting the financial market via Quantitative Easing (QE) - The Fed buying our government debt. Even in the face of QE forecasts from various sources estimate that by the end of 2021 the 10-year Treasury will be 2.5% to 3.0% and mortgage rates will increase to 4.0% to 4.5%. That is a low mortgage rate but a huge increase over the lowest rate last fall.

4. This week NAR released a study on the land market in 2020 which highlighted that the land and the residential markets were the two real estate segments that did well in 2020. The others suffered significant losses. The residential market experienced significant increases in prices. The NAR report indicated that land prices were more stable but they did not dissect the land market into its different segments. Our database indicates the segments experiences varied greatly.

In the land market, I am hearing the same conversations I have heard just before each of the last four recessions. Environmental regulations have gotten worse and approval times are lengthening.

Remember, higher interest rates mean lower real estate prices. We are in the peak of this real estate cycle. Every previous time I have witnessed bubbles burst, shortage become surplus seemingly overnight. Unsustainable things continue until that unpredictable moment when they stop. In a financial crisis “Cash is King”. Get prepared.

A great piece of land remains The Best investment long term unless the DMs get us to full-fledged Marxism. Capitalism builds wealth, Marxism/Socialism consumes it in self destruction. Pray for a return to honest elections in the USA. God is in control. Men make plans, but God ALWAYS wins as Paul describes in a letter written while he was imprisoned in Rome.

“I want you to know, beloved, that what happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.”

(Philippians 1:12-14) New Revised Standard Version, Oxford University Press)

Stay healthy,

Ned

April 22, 2021

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bellriverhomesblog · 4 years

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Introducing Mornington - our display home located at the Willowdale Estate in Leppington, NSW

Introducing Mornington - our display home located at the Willowdale Estate in Leppington, NSW. Our Mornington homes are effortlessly chic and the perfect example of executive style living. The design comes packed with features including an alfresco area, 4 bedrooms, a study, a theatre room and two living areas. The Mornington home meets the needs of modern families, with enough room for the family to spread out, and multiple living areas for entertaining and coming together. Come and see this magnificent home in Leppington where our display home is open 7 days a week! This content was originally published on Instagram by Bellriver Homes

#home improvement #home design #home building services

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roxeechulo · 4 years

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Lovely!😁👍🏾🌎🌃🥃🍸 #vancouver #vancouverbc #canada #traveling #vacation #seeingtheworld #goodtimes #havingfun #sightseeing #nightlife #anightonthetown #valentinesdayweekend #drinks #brownssocialhouse (at Browns Socialhouse QE Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/B870YnFH45xsKfAmjF3-kEJ--4nxdZTsjk74HI0/?igshid=1tnnhoq1k9125

#vancouver #vancouverbc #canada #traveling #vacation #seeingtheworld #goodtimes #havingfun #sightseeing #nightlife #anightonthetown #valentinesdayweekend #drinks #brownssocialhouse

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littlemahmah · 4 years

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Elske’s going to kill me because she didn’t like this shot, but I think we look way better in this one! I’m grateful to have met this lady in my first year at Uvic education... so many years later, so many life events later, so many brunches together, and she still makes me laugh like those uni days!! #holidays #brunch #ladiesonholiday #unidays #memories #friendship #bffs #gettingolder #theyservebrunch #isboxingdayaholiday #lucky #grateful #itsbeentoolong (at Browns Socialhouse QE Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6jQqF7lDiC/?igshid=sw0cubqnwctm

#holidays #brunch #ladiesonholiday #unidays #memories #friendship #bffs #gettingolder #theyservebrunch #isboxingdayaholiday #lucky #grateful #itsbeentoolong

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romanremeras · 5 years

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Juan Román Riquelme | 2018 - ¿?, 12 de diciembre.

▪ Diesel T-Joe Only In Nashville QE T-Shirt, Black ▫ TAdorned with a theatre style graphic and 'Only in Nashville, Diesel Theatre' text, this T-Joe t-shirt from Diesel will add some attitude to your casual look.

Fashioned from cotton jersey that has been pre-washed for extra softness, it is cut to a regular fit and features short sleeves and a crew neckline.

#JRR #Juan Román Riquelme #Diesel #Moda #Riquelme #Roman Remeras

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silverwolf1977 · 5 years

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This is why I think the QE Theatre screwed up their renovation. The person in front of you perfectly blocks your view. Do you know where the main performer keeps ending up? Right in front of his head. It’s like they know exactly where to stand. I can’t believe people don’t complain about not being able to see properly. Also the seats are crappy. (at Queen Elizabeth Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwySoXtB7Tw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b6qlh4elrohm

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darkhorseva · 5 years

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It's #thankfulthursday and this week qe want to say thanks to @riversidecpa They are in the middle of their run of #thecolorpurple the #musical and you should check them out. They offer high quality performances and #dinner too! What could be better? #darkhorseva #artistssupportingartists #theatre #local #fredericksburg #riverside #performingarts #smallbusiness #thankful #gratitude #dinnerandashow #dinnertheatre #keepupthegoodwork https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwax0CVBww4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qb0qt09u8d75

#thankfulthursday #thecolorpurple #musical #dinner #darkhorseva #artistssupportingartists #theatre #local #fredericksburg #riverside #performingarts #smallbusiness #thankful #gratitude #dinnerandashow #dinnertheatre #keepupthegoodwork

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katrina57014 · 7 years

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Kinky Boots at the QE was fun! I don't think I've seen the theatre that packed since The Lion King was in town... #broadwayacrosscanada #kinkyboots #vancouver

#vancouver #broadwayacrosscanada #kinkyboots

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nuclearblastuk · 7 years

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ANTHRAX | NEW TRAILER FOR UPCOMING TOUR EDITION FOR ALL KINGS REVEALED!

February/March 2017 will see legendary New York thrashers ANTHRAX back on European soil for the band's first full European headline tour in more than a decade. Dubbed the Among The Kings tour, dates will kick off on 9th February in Birmingham, UK and wrap on up in Paris, France on 16th March. On each of these dates to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its release, ANTHRAX will perform live, start-to-finish, their classic and Silver-certified 1987 album Among The Living alongside fan favourites from throughout the band's rich 35-year career. ANTHRAX's Among the Kings European dates are in support of the band's critically-acclaimed album For All Kings (26 February 16 via Nuclear Blast). British metallers THE RAVEN AGE will support on all dates. In support of this upcoming trek, ANTHRAX will release a limited tour edition of their latest studio album For All Kings on February 17th. As well as the regular album it will include 'Vice Of the People' (previously only available in Japan) as well as a bonus disc of demo versions.

Today, the band unveil the official trailer for the tour edition of For All Kings. Watch it here via YouTube: http://youtu.be/3JCJPuo8-QE

Pre-order For All Kings (Tour Edition) now: http://nblast.de/ANTHRAXForAllKings

For All Kings - Tour Edition - Tracklisting:

CD1 - For All Kings 01. You Gotta Believe 02. A Monster At The End 03. For All Kings 04. Breathing Lightning 05. Suzerain 06. Evil Twin 07. Blood Eagle Wings 08. Defend/Avenge 09. All Of Them Thieves 10. This Battle Chose Us 11. Zero Tolerance Bonus: 12. Vice Of The People CD2 - Demos 01. Breathing Lightning 02. A Monster At The End 03. This Battle Chose Us 04. Soror Irrumator 05. Vice Of The People ---

Order 'For All Kings' here: Digital Album from iTunes: http://nblast.de/AnthraxForAllKingsIT Limited Edition Double Gatefold Etched Lilac or Clear Vinyl from the Nuclear Blast UK store: http://nblast.de/AnthraxNBUK Limited Edition Digipack CD from Amazon.co.uk: http://nblast.de/AnthraxForAllKingsDigi ICYMI: Trailer #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iG08V-DCUQ Trailer #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W18-mSiXIUQ Trailer #3: http://youtu.be/xkLviIc2GzY More on 'For All Kings': 'Suzerain' official lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3NJRZKvaic 'Evil Twin' Lyric Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPmLkF3e6Fc 'Breathing Lightning' Official Track: https://youtu.be/NXYKpKWHxaI 'Blood Eagle Wings' Official music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwgclLTCzHc 'Monster At The End': http://www.vevo.com/watch/anthrax/Monster-at-the-End/USME31600498

An Evening with ANTHRAX - Among The Kings w/ THE RAVEN AGE 09.02. UK Birmingham - o2 Institute 10.02. UK London - o2 Forum Kentish Town 11.02. UK Bristol - o2 Academy 13.02. UK Nottingham - Rock City 14.02. UK Manchester - Academy 15.02. UK Glasgow - Barrowland 16.02. UK Newcastle - Northumbria University 17.02. UK Norwich - UEA 19.02. NL Utrecht - Ronda 20.02. B Antwerp - Trix 21.02. D Oberhausen - Turbinenhalle 22.02. D Stuttgart - LKA Longhorn 24.02. D Nuremberg - Löwensaal 25.02. D Munich - Backstage Werk 27.02. S Gothenburg - Pustervik 01.03. FIN Helsinki - Ice Hall Black Box 03.03. S Umeå - House Of Metal Festival @ Idunteatern 04.03. S Stockholm - Berns 06.03. DK Copenhagen - Amager Bio 07.03. D Hamburg - Docks 08.03. D Frankfurt - Batschkapp 09.03. D Berlin - Huxley's 10.03. PL Warsaw - Stodola 12.03. H Budapest - Barba Negra 13.03. A Vienna - Arena 14.03. I Milan - Live Club 15.03. CH Zurich - Komplex 16.03. F Paris - Elysee Montmartre More ANTHRAX dates: 02. - 06.02. USA Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL - 70000 Tons Of Metal w/ KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 29.03. USA Montclair, NJ - The Wellmont Theater 30.03. USA Columbus, OH - Express Live 31.03. USA Knoxville, TN - The International 01.04. USA Norfolk, VA - The NorVa 03.04. USA Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore 04.04. USA Wallingford, CT - The Dome at Oakdale 05.04. USA Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory 07.04. USA Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live 08.04. USA Detroit, MI - The Fillmore 09.04. USA Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE 11.04. USA Raleigh, NC - The Ritz 12.04. USA Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle 13.04. USA Lake Buena Vista, FL - House Of Blues 16.04. USA Pharr, TX - Boggus Ford Events Center 17.04. USA Houston, TX - House Of Blues 18.04. USA Dallas, TX - House Of Blues 20.04. USA Tempe, AZ - The Marquee 22.04. USA Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern 23.04. USA San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore 25.04. USA Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo 26.04. USA Portland, OR - Roseland Theater 28.04. USA Denver, CO - The Fillmore Auditorium 30.04. USA Kansas City, MO - Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland 01.05. USA St. Louis, MO - The Pageant 03.05. CDN Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall 05.05. USA Huntington, NY - The Paramount 06.05. USA Clifton Park, NY - Upstate Concert Hall 07.05. USA Boston, MA - House Of Blues --- More info: www.anthrax.com www.facebook.com/anthrax www.nuclearblast.de/anthrax

#anthrax #for all kings #Nuclear Blast Uk #Tour Edition

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heartlog · 7 years

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I’m part of the first generation with half a heart to survive to adulthood.

I’m Donna, 49 years old and married with two children; nothing out of the ordinary there. But everyone has a story to tell and this is mine…

When I was born in 1967 there were no ante-natal scans, so when I was struggling and turning blue on feeding at three months old, and the Cardiologists at Birmingham Children’s Hospital found I had a complex cardiac condition it came as quite a shock to my parents. In fact, the only reason I survived was because my patent ductus remained open – usually it closes shortly after birth. They were told I would be doing well if I survived to the age of five! I became known as the ‘girl with the blue nose and lips’.

At nine years old I had a Glenn shunt between my heart and lungs to get more oxygen around my body. After this operation my parents were told that on opening me up it was all more complicated than the surgeons realised and they would just have to see how I managed. In those days the Children’s Hospital was based at Ladywood, Birmingham and to go down to the operating theatre you were taken outside – a few years later a big fundraising campaign was set up and a canopy was erected in order to protect the children on their way to and from the theatre. Also you didn’t go to ICU, you simply returned to the ward (chest drains and all) with your bed situated close to the Nurses’ Station.

Throughout my school years it was obvious that I could not take part in PE. Before my Glenn I even struggled at playtime, especially in the winter months, and spent most of my time in the classroom reading – I think by the time I left primary school I had probably read every book in the school library! At no point in my school life did I receive any extra support, and I do remember feeling very breathless every time I got to the top of the stairs if I needed to go to a lesson on one of the upper floors when I was at senior school. I also recall the time my class had to walk across the fields to the local sports centre where sports day was being held; we were told to run, so I did… and collapsed under a tree. The teachers were very careful not to repeat that incident!

After I left school I went to college and then started working in a General Practice as a Medical Secretary. I also met Andre, who is now my husband, and life continued on. I had learnt to cope and manage my heart condition, and although I got more tired and breathless than other people, I feel I tried hard to not let it interfere with anything I wanted to do. It wasn’t until I suffered a TIA that my Cardiologist at that time (Dr John Wright) suggested that there was a new operation available, the Fontan, which could help me. At the time I was 22, and really just wanted to get on with my life, but after the benefits was explained to me, in particular that it may give me a chance to have children, and after much discussion with the important people in my life, I decided to go for it!

For the first time the complexities of my condition were explained to me: the fact that I had no tricuspid valve (tricuspid atresia), transposition of the great arteries, ASD and a single ventricle – ‘half a heart’. I was informed that I was part of the first generation with my condition to survive to adulthood.

I had my Fontan June 1990, in the middle of World Cup fever! Personally I was hoping to spend the whole tournament asleep, but after a stint in ICU, which included being rushed back to theatre for a burst blood vessel, I returned to the ward. Lying in my hospital bed, feeling very uncomfortable from my chest drains, my mum read from my notes that I ‘had been slow to warm up’. My dad turned to my then boyfriend (now my husband) and asked if that was true…. Poor bloke didn’t know where to put himself!

My Fontan certainly did improve my health – for the first time I was pink, and my breathing was so much better. We got married, and then we wanted to start a family. Since my Fontan I had been on Warfarin so I knew that pregnancy was not going to be easy. Dr Wright referred me to a very eminent Cardiologist, Dr Jane Somerville, at the Brompton Hospital thinking she had experience of single ventricle patients having children. However, during our consultation she remarked: “Well I’ve never had any one with your condition have a baby, but I really think you should try!” So we did! In no way can I say my pregnancy was uneventful, with a long stay in hospital, episodes of bleeding and constant scans, but in January 1996 our son, Nathan, was born. A few years later, when I was unexpectedly pregnant again, I informed the doctor about to carry out my echocardiogram that I was about 10 weeks pregnant; “People with Fontan’s don’t get pregnant” was his reply. Imagine his surprise when I told him I already had a seven year old at home! During my first pregnancy I was still under the Children’s Hospital, as there were no Adult Congenital Heart Units, but by the time I had Cerys, our daughter, I was under the team of adult specialists at the QE Hospital, Birmingham.

It is this team that four years ago, when I was struggling again, and there was talk of a heart transplant; picked me up, sorted me out and put me back on my feet again to carry on with my life.

Obviously life isn’t perfect; my cardiac condition impacts on how much I can do, especially as I get older (and at 49, apparently I really am an old Fontan!), and both my children have CP and are full time wheelchair users, but we enjoy life. My son is now 20 and at university, and my daughter is 13 and very creative. We are very proud of them both. We have a family motto that “in order to be irreplaceable, you have to be different” and we certainly are unique.

When I was growing up, my parents and I didn’t have a supporting charity like Little Hearts Matter, and I love to see how the charity offers advice and support to all the parents, children and young people. I also enjoy seeing how the parents support each other via the Facebook pages, etc. I feel I can empathize with how the parents are feeling; having sat next to several hospital beds with my own children, and how the children feel when they have had their operations (chest drains – yuk!) and the young people growing up with ‘Half A Heart’. I hope that they know life is there for the taking and to enjoy the adventure!

��2(��

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jacknicholson1963 · 7 years

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Up close with HMS Queen Elizabeth

In this photo-essay, we go aboard the largest warship ever constructed for the Royal Navy as she prepared to leave Rosyth to put to sea for the first time. This is not an exhaustive tour (the ship is made up of over 3,000 compartments) but gives an overview of some key features.

The scale of HMS Queen Elizabeth is obvious as you approach the vessel, but upon stepping aboard, the feeling of size and spaciousness is magnified by the unusually wide and high passageways around the ship. The immediate impression is that she is quite unlike HMS Ocean or her Invincible class predecessors and is very much a ship of the 21st Century. It is clear she is robustly constructed, designed to survive action damage and serve the nation for up to 50 years. Strength, safety and survivability are obvious from the equipment fit, heavy watertight doors and subdivision and designed to mitigate against fire, flood and blast.

Many critics have asked why build such big ships? Not only does this make aircraft operations easier, but spare capacity will allow for easier upgrading to support new generations of aircraft and UAVs in the coming decades. In extremis, large numbers of extra personnel and stores could be embarked.

Great consideration has been given to ergonomics and accessibility to minimise the overall manpower requirements and workload on the crew. For example in older vessels, storing the ship for sea would require most of the ship’s company to form a chain, manually pass boxes and strike them down into storerooms. On the QE, store ship can be done in a harbour with around 20 people thanks to automated lifts and carefully planned access routes. (Additional seamen would be required when conducting a replenishment at sea). Another example is the Highly Mechanised Weapon Handling System (HMWHS) that moves ammunition around the ship and requires only around 30 people to operate.

Hangar and Lifts

The ship has been designed from the outset to embark four squadrons of aircraft. Initially, there will be helicopter squadrons and then a single F-35 squadron. It will be well into the 2030s before the UK has enough F-35s to embark two squadrons (of approximately 12-aircraft each). US Marine Corps aircraft are likely to be frequent visitors and may even embark a full squadron at times. The air management organisation (on 2 deck aft), provides each of the four aircraft squadrons with their own spacious offices and mission planning spaces. There is also a large group briefing room/lecture theatre. The movement of aircrew from their accommodation to briefing rooms and on to their aircraft has been carefully designed to be as quick and easy as possible, in contrast to older carriers.

Control positions

Spacing out the main machinery into two almost separate systems is the primary reason for the unique twin-island design of the QE. This separation requires funnel uptakes that are a distance away from each other. This arrangement makes the ship’s propulsion particularly resistant to action damage. The Flyco is now entirely separate from the bridge and this will take some adjustment for experienced carrier operators who are used to having flying control team close to the navigation team. This also offers additional redundancy, as the aft island could act as an emergency conning position or forward island as Flyco if the other is damaged.

As currently configured, QE has 6 aircraft operating spots (this could be increased if needed in future). With around 45 meters between each spot, this provides a large safety margin. There 3 areas of the flight deck that have been coated with TMS (Thermal Metal Spray). This coating prevents damage to the steel deck plates from the fierce heat of the F-35B jetwash, when landing vertically and conducts the heat away, preventing damage to aircraft tyres.

The F-35 is coated with radar absorbent material which is relatively fragile. The aircraft must be handled more carefully than older generation jets. Some critics have suggested it will degrade rapidly in the harsh marine environment (it is reportedly standing up well to harsh desert wind and sand in the US). The flight deck has blue markings down the aft port side where F-35s can be parked overhanging the deck, although they will be probably kept down in the hangar as much as possible. When on the flight deck, it is planned helicopters will usually be parked on the starboard side, clustered around the islands.

QE is designed to operate up to 40 aircraft in her main Carrier Strike role. When operating in the Littoral Manoeuvre role she can embark a maximum of 43 helicopters. It should be noted that it will be some years before the UK has enough aircraft to send to sea in these numbers. The mix of aircraft types embarked will vary depending on the mission and availability – this is the concept is known as the Tailored Air Group.

Living on board

Without the air group or an embarked military force, the regular ship’s company now amounts to more than 700, of which around 100 are officers. There appears to already have been a small rise in the number of personnel required, beyond the original target of 679. Delivering such a high-profile project as the QE class aircraft carriers in a glare of publicity demands the RN get it absolutely right. Particularly at senior levels, many of those appointed to serve on the QE represent the cream of the RN surface fleet. There is considerable accumulated naval experience and for some this represents the culmination of their career and ambitions. For a few, QE will be their first experience of going to sea, sailors ages range from as young as 17 right up to 58 year old veterans. During this tour the ship was buzzing with activity but talking to members of the ship’s company both junior and senior, there is an assuring sense of calm professionalism and pride.

The crew have been living on board for over a month and this helps build team spirit and an emotional attachment to the ship. The Commanding Officer, Captain Jerry Kyd must establish a positive ethos and reputation that will lay the foundation for potentially 50 years of service to the nation. After completion of the ‘fast cruise’ in early June, the ship’s company continued to conduct drills and tests to build confidence before sailing, even as civilian contractors completed the final work on the ship.

The ship must become a home before it is a warship and the accommodation standards are the best in the Navy. Building on the pattern set by the Type 45 destroyers, junior rates have 6 berth cabins with bunks that are 3 ft wide, an improvement on the narrow beds fitted on older ships. The large single mess squares adopted on the Type 45 destroyers have been adapted slightly as some feel this can be a little impersonal. The junior rates messes on QE are divided into smaller communal areas for relaxing. Good accommodation is an important factor in efficiency and morale. It also aids retention of sailors in a navy short of people, competing with comfortable civilian jobs ashore.

More images at large size available here:

from Save the Royal Navy http://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/up-close-with-hms-queen-elizabeth/

#Save the Royal Navy

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