Passing of an Armchair Pioneer

Very few people would I expect be familiar with the name Eugene Polley. Well, a couple of days ago he passed away at the ripe age of 94. The reason his passing is so significant is due to the the fact the Eugene was instrumental in the design and development of an item found in practically every home, an item we would all struggle to do without. It's the remote control.
Back in the 1950's, attempts were being made to produce a device that would have the ability to operate a TV set enabling the viewer to change channels and adjust the volume. Previous to this, remote controls had been designed and made available on high-end sets, for radio receivers.
The remote control of 1955 was a far cry from the slick invisible infra red handsets we all take for granted today, but the principle is similar. For the original wireless remote controls worked by shining a beam of light at receivers on the set. The light would pulse, thus telling the TV to either change channel up or down, or change the volume level. The design worked but did require very precise aiming.

Another version was affectionately known as the 'clicker' and modern day remotes are still referred to as 'clickers' today. These worked in a different way, by literally making a loud clicking sound whenever buttons were pressed. The TV had a sound receiver that would decode the click (each button click was produced at a slightly different pitch) and the channel could be changed.
It wasn't until the late 70s that the infra red remote control was produced. It was driven by the BBC and the need for a more complex remote control that could operate CEEFAX, the new teletext service. The remote would need a number pad to enable the viewer to enter page numbers. It was in 1980 that the first commercially available IR remote control was produced.
I recall well visiting the home of a school friend and seeing for the first time his new teletext enabled TV with remote control. This must have been in 1983 or thereabouts. The remote control was chunky and it felt strange to be able to do so many things from the other end of the living room without wires.
So, how difficult it is then to imagine a world without the remote control. My son will grow up not knowing what it was like to live with remote control-less TV. But I did, I remember it well and in a strange way, I do slightly miss it...
RIP Eugene Polley, and thanks.

RIP Robin Gibb

So sad it was to wake up this morning to the news that Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees had lost his fight against cancer. Once again, we have lost some very unique talent though we can take comfort in knowing that the music he produced has been recorded to be enjoyed for years to come. I wonder how many of us have been whistling or humming the tunes to some of their many tracks? I know I have.
RIP Robin.

I've been a little disjointed these last few days, busy trying to update my website and spending hours trying to fix a problem I have with the navigation bars. I'd rather not publish the site if part of it isn't working so it is down for maintenance until I manage to fix everything.

I'm hoping to hear something about my volunteering for the NHS in Spalding soon. In the meantime, I've applied for a new role that I discovered on the King's Lynn NHS website for an ambulance driver and carer. It involves driving disabled and vulnerable patients between the hospitals and home and providing basic care where required. There's a lot of training provided and the mix of driving and care would I think be very enjoyable. Early days of course but I'm as always hopeful.

The Call to the Bank

There is very little (besides spiders) that fills me with absolute dread, but today I had to call the bank. I woke this morning knowing I had to call the bank and frankly I've spent the entire day worrying about it. My wife left for work this morning without mentioning it and I must admit that part of me had hoped she had forgotten. But my hopes were to be in vain. My wife returned home from work at about 3pm this afternoon and immediately asked me if I had remembered to call the bank. I felt the colour rush out of my face and had all the feelings I last experienced just before a school exam or telling my maths teacher I hadn't done my homework. I knew it had to be done and there was no escaping it.
The call to the bank is to make a 'token' payment towards our mortgage arrears. Since I fell ill and lost my job, we have been unable to meet the payments though until recently we did have an insurance policy that paid the contracted amount each month. Sadly this was only for a limited period so we were faced with paying it ourselves. Being unable to pay the full amount, we negotiated a payment arrangement with the bank, who at the time were very understanding and dare I say it, synpathetic.
The amount we pay is nowhere near the full amount, not even half. Despite the arrangement being in place, I cannot help but feel guilt and anxiety. My mind fills with 'what if's' and thoughts of them being less unerstanding or demanding we pay the full amount. My biggest fear is that we are forced to sell the house, or have it reposessed. I really don't know how I would cope with that, if at all.
My wife placed the phone in front of me with the number I had to call. I should have done it there and then, but I couldn't instead finding things to tinker with on my website. This went on for a good half hour until I had thought through several times the likely course of events and every scenario possible. I decided I would try to bargain with them by offering my pension as security. There's certainly enough in it to cover the mortgage totally.
So with sweat beginning to form all over me and my heart beginning to race, I picked up the phone and called them. A familiar recorded voice giving me menu options finally directed me to a real person and I was asked for my role number in a strong Scottish accent. I read out the long number and I was then asked a series of mandatory security questions. I've done this so many times now, the answers just roll out. After a brief silence, I was told that my mortgage was in arrears and by how much. This bit I really hate. I don't want to hear how much I owe. I know it's a lot and I dearly wish I could pay it, but to be reminded is just so very painful.
I told the chap that I wanted to make a payment for the amount agreed in our arrangement. I gave my card details and scribbled down the authorisation code. I've never had to do anything with it, but I write it down every time as if I should.
I was then asked if my situation had changed. 'No, sadly not', was my reply. I did go on to say that I had volunteered at my local NHS Trust and was hoping tha in time this would perhaps materialise into something permanent and more importantly, paid. He made a note of this and he seemed to accept this as proof that I am trying to do something to get out of the hole I'm in. I felt a little better.
Next, he asked if he should set up another arrangement, to which I replied 'yes please'. Of course I want another arrangement - there's no way I can afford to pay the full monthly amount, or the arrears. He said he'd set up another three month arrangement and asked how much I could afford. I replied that it would need to be for the same amount. After all, it's all we can squeeze out of my wife's meager part time wage.
He asked if we were in debt to other creditors and I told him that we are but that the payments had been reduced in favour ensuring as much as possible could be paid toward the mortgage. He seemed to sound very sympathetic and again I felt a degree of reassurance.
He told me the arrangement had been set up and that I should pay the next amount by the 20th of next month, giving me an extra three days. I was grateful for this and thanked him for his help and understanding.
We said our goodbyes and hung up. It was done and I felt huge relief but also depressed at having had to call practically begging for help, and at having the whole sorry situation read out to me. It's a depression that hopefully won't last too long and the very thing that's prompted me to write this account. As I've said before, writing about my experiences and thoughts really seems to help. I suppose it's a way of venting some of what's festering inside and making me feel so bad.
I should feel relieved. I have negotiated us another three months. The arrangement will be reviewed in August, and thinking about this makes me realise just how quickly this year is passing. By then I really hope things will have changed. They have to. But despite the relief and the somewhat false feelings of security, I do wonder if things will ever get better. To call every three months is, in reality, an admission of failure. I've broken my agreement with the bank and failed to raise the necessary funds to balance my account with them. I know there are thousands, possibly millions of people in a similar position, and though this makes me feel that I'm not the only one, a name in bold red font in some debters ledger, I still feel alone in having to deal with it. That's why this blog is so important to me. It's a kind of sounding board, a way of expressing what I'm going through. That it is read by anyone is of no conseqence. It lets me translate my anxieties into words, and by doing so, makes me feel just that little bit better.

A Miracle Marathon and Needless Loss

Another week has passed, all too quickly. The past week has been a mix of political shambles, who said what to who, more Euro crisis and tragedy.
We did start the week on a high. Claire Lomas, paralysed from the chest down following a horse riding accident completed the London Marathon in 16 days. She was assisted by a pair of robotic legs which literally enabled her to walk. This is an amazing achievement and I am struggling to find the words to describe the admiration I have for someone so determined to succeed. The look on Claire's face as she reached the finish line said it all and it was deeply moving to see so many people present to congratulate her. The only sadness I have is the refusal of the Marathon organisers to award Claire a medal. Apparently some ridiculous rule requires the participant to complete the course the same day. I understand though that many fellow participants had graciously offered Claire their own medals in recognition. What a wonderful good news story.

In the news, this week will be remembered again for the Leveson Inquiry and the appearance of Andy Coulson and Rebecca Brooks. Once again we were treated to many hours of questioning and cross examination in light of the ongoing investigation into phone hacking and press ethics at the News of the World. At times, the questioning did become quite frosty and I do actually find these things very entertaining. I do consider myself a shroud judge of character and whether the truth is being told. Needless to say, I considered much of the responses given to questioning to be lacking in sincerity and honesty.
I am, like many, eagerly awaiting the appearance of Jeremy Hunt MP. This guarantees to be a very interesting event with enormous repercussions.

Europe has again been in the news and the increasing likelihood of Greece leaving the Euro. The inability of the current president to form a government will certainly result in fresh elections, but of greatest fear is the rise on popularity of the far right neo-fascist groups. These groups are firmly anti-austerity and more alarmingly, anti-immigrant. Should they reach the echelons of government then I fear very much for the future and whether such a movement could be confined to just Greece. I say this as there is an alarming trend toward anti-austerity developing with France being the latest country to reject the German led austerity plan.
At the moment, I can see no way out for Greece. The choice is to stay in the Euro and abide by the austerity agreement thus benefiting from further bail-out or reject the plan, default on their loan agreement and leave the Euro. The repercussions of the latter are being planned for at the moment by the major banking institutions, such is the belief that this is where the country is headed. It is uncharted territory as no country has before now ever left the Euro and returned to their former currency. Quite what effect this would have on an already fragile union is unknown, but it can't be good.

The last week will be remembered for tragedy which came to Derby in the form of a house fire claiming the lives of six children. Now, I really struggle with things like this. I simply cannot understand how, in 2012, house fires can still occur and moreover how a house fire could claim lives. Surely we live in an age now where things are designed not to burn rapidly? Surely we live in an age where every house must be fitted with smoke alarms by law? This was a council house, a well known council house having appeared on TV for a documentary made by Anne Widdecombe. At the very least, shouldn't the council have fitted smoke alarms and checked them regularly? I really struggle to understand. Of course, it is shocking beyond all comprehension at the loss of so much young life, their hopes, dreams and aspirations ahead of them.
I actually find myself feeling angry, angry that this kind of thing can still happen. The police are investigating of course, and if this was perpetrated by some sick individual, then I would wish nothing less than the ultimate penalty. If this was an accident, I still find it inexcusable that sufficient safeguards were not in place to prevent a fire from taking hold or to alert occupants to the danger. After all, this property was over-occupied and if the local authorities were aware of this, then responsibility is with them to ensure safety for all concerned.

I continue to work on my website. It has begun to evolve into a technology-focused site but with off-shoots to such things as railway modelling and gardening. I'm even thinking of a section devoted to road safety as thins is something I am passionate about. I'm hoping there will in time be at least something of interest to the visitor. Aware that a great many e-books are in the public domain, I have started listing some from my collection for download. So there's a great deal to keep me occupied at the moment, which is good. I've decided to continue producing a weekly audio journal which I'll record either Friday or Saturday of each week. This will be uploaded to the site each weekend.