Anyway, so we (me and the locals) lived life and grew up, went to uni and all that other rubbish people do. All in our tiny little bubble, most accepting of how (some) people were around us, us Muzlamics. Even as a student nurse in my 30s I had a run in with some 'pre....ism' at the local hospital until eventually my fight or flight response kicked in (Paula McDonagh was her name) with someone who I'll not mention why or where. Fast forward a year and eventually, after waiting and waiting, my perfect job came up.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. I still remember my first shift and the feeling. A village boy who'd never really stepped out of his rather large village (town actually... biggest in Europe they told us) cos the world was a scary place, especially the cities. Well that first day everything changed and turns out all the BS the BBC had been feeding us wasn't true at all. I couldn't smell the prejudism in the air and folk were looking to be genuinely smiling.
Anyway, thats what this place (though we might not always agree) reminds me of.... Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and thanks to my first manager, Gemma Gregory for giving me my first (proper) job. So thanks all!
In no particular order....
GregMay for that SS frame and DaveK for them boots which were the stepping stone to leap into some Arteryx... Bumpy Jonas for the vaguely exciting tent he waited weeks and weeks for, Colin for passing me forth his pants and tops (Its not what you think... they're Singletracks) and the chap that sold me his ST 3quarts many moons ago. Stuart and Dee for everything as well as 'the pole' which has finally found its tent. Jase and the other lad for helping me through the final miles of the BB200 and Andy for saying hello whilst climbing up that hill. Peter for saying wellDone fir not throwing out my teddy and Duncan fir putting me extra straight as well as stopping me buying a Mango CK headset. The person that sold me the DT boost wheelset for my Stan (probably Colin) and Trep for reminding me to stop in garden for a tea when riding by ever again. Karl for saying 'you're not slow' on the prewinter bivvy and Sean for not having me for calling him 'The Sheep'. Reg for all his encouragement and teaching me/us the truth about quarries. All the people that sold me their ace gear including the Revelate stuff and BreninBeener (or someone else) for saving the PHD off me before I ripped it. Rich and his othee half for all the chocs/crisps we raided from their car in midWales. Last but not least, everyone else (Gian, MAM, Jon, the list being endless but you know who you are.. Luke etc etc etc) ... Just saying.
I missed out a sentence somewhere that (in my religion... there are others!) we're taught from a statement based upon the prophetic (Muhammed PBUH) tradition that goes along, 'a person that can't thank the people/creation isn't able to thank Allah'...
Anyway, thanks a bundle all!
. Sometimes seems these days people have forgotten the art of thanking, which diminishes life in a small but perceptible way.
