KT Dodge

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Today is the anniversary of my father in law’s passing.  Arthur was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer not more than a month after Andrew and I first arrived back in the US to start our married lives together.   This blow came after we had just got through Andrew’s colon cancer diagnoses, consequent operation and chemo.  We were beaten up once again that now his father had terminal cancer.  Cancer was plaguing our family.Arthur was such a brave man.  He complained very little even though we know that he must have been in immense pain.  Instead he planned for the inevitability of his death carefully and made it easier for us to fulfil his last wishes.  I must admit that I’d never seen somebody actually breath their last breath before (except in the movies) and it was peaceful and painful.My only regret is that I didn’t have more time with Arthur to get to know him better and hear more of his jokes.  I can still hear his voice recounting tales of Boothbay Harbor and hardy Mainers which he was one.  I will never forget his blue eyes which somehow had a mischeviousness lingering behind them as he was about to deliver the punchline.  We miss you Arthur.

I am very pleased that Equity have brought attention to the attack on performers salaries by the BBC.  Ok we all know that Jonathan Ross was being paid ‘big bucks’ for his shows at the BBC but that is not a reason to axe already low wages on the rest of performers employed there.   Most performers are lucky to earn anywhere near even 5k per year.  To actively cut performers pay across the board because of a few high earners is ridiculous.  It seems to me that the BBC would be better served if they look to wield the axe on making their administrative machine less expensive and leave the performers alone.

I have yet another piece on the NHS up at PJM. This time I am rounding up some of the recent horror stories of poor and sometimes deadly care.

Well I haven’t posted on my blog for a very long time.  This weekend I helped a friend do a craft fair.  She has exquisite jewellery with many pieces crafted in 18 and 22 karat gold. She is a master goldsmith and creates beautiful jewellery. It was interesting to see how each day of the weekend brought contrasting results. On the Saturday she made some brilliant sales, selling some of her most exquisite pieces

Well are you one of those ‘other women’ who have just been dropped by your married lover?  It seems that in recessionary times rich men are cutting back on extra expenses and mistresses are one of them.  It seems that financiers, hedge fund managers and brokers are all cutting back and know that a costly divorce would be financial suicide during a downturn.  Oh dear, all those dropped mistresses better have something else to offer.  Lets hope that you all feathered those nests of yours during the good times and he doesn’t own your apartment as you might find yourself homeless.

I am delighted to say that I will be taking a short course at Lee Strasberg to enhance my acting skills.  Manhattan seems much more ‘polite’ than I remember 10 years ago.  Everybody (well except the drunk in the bar!!!) was really courteous and could do nothing but help us and have a laugh.  I hope my longer stay there will yield the same results .. now all i’ve got to do is find a place to lay my hat!!!

I finally got my butt in gear and went to see Slumdog Millionnaire.  From the moment it started it swept me up and propelled me into Mumbai life.  The energy bursting out of the screen was incredible.  This energy continues throughout the film which has a wicked pace with a very satisfying structure and storyline.  It is really well written and acted.  I now know why it has won so many awards which are richly deserved.  This film touches all the right notes and if you haven’t seen this film yet go see it it really should not be missed. 

Well my husband is pretty depressed, he’s gone as far as saying that this is the worst day of his political life because the US is about to get a ‘Socialist’ President, namely Barack Obama.  He doesn’t object to Barack Obama as a person and admires the fact that the US has elected a minority President.  He just doesn’t see how a socialist vision works in the US.  I’m still waiting to see how his whole presidency pans out.  I know how much debt the UK is in helped by a Labour Government and I suspect he has the same kind of plans to attempt to spend his way out of trouble.  I must admit he is more charismatic than any of his UK counterparts but will this make him a successful President?

Once again the complacency of the NHS lets a patient die. A down syndrome patient who suffered a stroke and was unable to swallow died of starvation when he had not been fed for 26 days due to a lack of communication between the doctors and nurses who were treating him.  The Doctors thought that he was being fed through a tube in his nose when he wasn’t.  This total lack of communication and care is becoming all too common in the NHS.  I will never forget my terrible experience at the hands of poor nursing care when I broke my ankle a few years back and keep wondering whether it will ever get better.  I was lucky that I had the support of family and friends to oversee my care in hospital and cannot imagine what it would be like if you are debilitated enough that you cannot explain what you need.   For a patient to die in hospital because of starvation is absolutely shocking.  It seems to me that the NHS is better at harming people than healing them these days!

There’s always so much pressure at New Year to firstly have a good time and secondly have a good time.  This year I intend to stay at home all warm and cosy with a bottle of wine and some nice home cooked food.  No trudging through inclement weather for me.  No worries about not being able to get a cab, or if I can get a cab can I afford it without applying for another mortgage.  Maybe I’m just getting old and more cynical.  What is it about New Year that makes every bar, club, cab service triple their prices?? at least that’s what happens in London.Now don’t get me wrong, i’m pleased 2008 is nearly over.  It’s not been the best of years for people close to me and like most I hope that 2009 will herald in happier healthier times.  However, with recession gripping the world methinks 2009 may be tricky. As I said I’m going to stay home but wish all you brave souls who still want to party on one of the most expensive nights of the year…. happy 2009.