Quality Time With My Beloved Son, James

Today I enjoyed a wonderful supervised contact with my beloved son, James.

Today's supervisor was: Shana.

We went swimming, then to WHSmiths and McDonald's.

UNISON's 2012 National LGBT Conference

"LoveSpirit Festival

University London Union, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY

LoveSpirit Festival brings together a huge array of different ideas, faiths, belief systems, practices and tools under one roof. A festival that celebrates and explores our spiritual and sexual diversity. We're investigating and honouring the rich spiritual heritage of Queer people throughout the ages and celebrating our spiritual and sexual diversity.

Join 300-400 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning explorers at LoveSpirit to reclaim a life that considers and includes the spirit and the body, where we bring our unique and diverse perspectives together to explore the 'Great Mystery'.  Meet others on the path of self-discovery and together we will show the world and ourselves that the human race can embrace diversity of belief, sexuality and lifestyle to create a community of beings that care for each other and the world."

I am over the moon to have booked to attend the following workshops at tomorrow's LoveSpirit Festival:

11.00 - 12.30: Gender, Sexuality, Spirituality: Exploring the interplay - CHRISTINA BEARDSLEY & REV SHARON FERGUSON.

12:45 - 14.45: Quaker Meeting & info - GROUP.

I will be leaving the LoveSpirit festival at 13:45hrs, so that I can be on time for my supervised contact with my beloved son James. I am looking forward to seeing him and spending some quality time with him. I have arranged to take James swimming.

I am also delighted and feel privileged to have been chosen by my union -UNISON, based on my membership, to be a Branch Delegate to attend UNISON's National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender conference. This conference takes place annually and is for and attended by LGBT members. LGBT delegates from all over the United Kingdom come together to discuss common issues and debate motions.

The conference will be taking place in Brighton from Friday 16th November to Sunday 18th November 2012.

As well as attending the conference, I will be expected to write a brief report on the conference: the main debates and speakers. This will be published on the branch website.

Work, Rest & Play

Today on my return home from the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton, after watching the film: Anna Karenina. I found that I had received my educational material from The Open University. So, it's official, my education towards obtaining a BA degree has now started. I am delighted! I am really going to work hard because my aim is to then study the MA Gender & Sexuality. That Masters in Gender & Sexuality will motivate me to excel. One day at a time.

This is my weekend off duty at work, so I have decided to give my dear old Brompton Bicycle a well earned  two day rest. Instead, tomorrow morning I plan to go for a swim and sauna, then go to a 'Meeting for Worship' at my local Streatham Quaker Meeting House. In the evening, I plan to attend a Twelve Step Meeting. Then it will be back to work  for me on Monday, where I  will continue to drink lots of Green Tea and plenty of water. I also aim to drop-in for another 30 minute ear acupuncture session after work, to help with stress management. 

Just for today, I have secured my train tickets for my October day trip to Birmingham. Purchased my Ritzy Cinema tickets to watch the live showings of the Bolshoi Ballet: The Sylphide. This takes place later this month. Then I will watch The Royal Opera House: Swan Lake, in October. I also paid for my ticket to watch The Tiger Lillies perform Hamlet, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, on my day off this forthcoming week. I last saw Hamlet performed a few years ago at the Old Vic. Loved it!

I am thrilled to have received my invitation to the 2012 STONEWALL Awards, yesterday, due to my being a close friend of STONEWALL. It will take place at the Victoria & Albert Museum in November.

Now back to Anna Karenina. I am such a love addict! Poor Anna. That film broke my heart, just like Atonement did.

Strava & Star Trek

When I was with my beloved son James last Saturday, he asked me to watch the Star Trek film. My son has watched this film 15 times and loves it. During my phone contact with my son this evening, I mentioned that I had watched it and thought that it was a great film. James could not believe his ears when I also told him that I wanted to watch it a few more times before I have my next supervised contact with him.

The things we do for love.

Since last Friday I have resumed cycling to and from work on my Brompton. What makes this an ongoing joyful experience is most of my work colleagues cycle. Not bad for a team which works with addictions and mental health conditions. Now I have convinced most of my team to download Strava.

For the last two days I have been monitoring my cycling times on Strava via my Blackberry smartphone. Today I beat my time by a whole minute! I celebrated this achievement when I finished work for the day by folding my bike and taking it home on the bus.

However since Friday I have been swimming twice and relaxed in the sauna afterwards on both occasions. This evening I also told my son that during our next supervised contact we will be going swimming. James is delighted and so am I.

James & Me

Today I enjoyed a wonderful contact supervision with my beloved son James.

Today's contact was supervised by AYO

We went to Whsmith's in Brixton. The Kennington Coffee Shop. The Imperial War Museum and McDonald's in Brixton.

I was delighted to spend some quality time with my son. He has grown taller and his voice has deepened.

Me & Winston

Today I was present at Rethink Mental Illness to participate as a Commissioner of the Schizophrenia Commission and took this photo.

Me & my beloved Winston Churchill.

Winston Churchill wearing a Strait Jacket.

I have saved this photo on my blackberry screen saver.

I recall appearing on national television as part of the 2009, Comic Relief Red Nose Day and saying that it was easier for me to tell people that I was gay than to say that I had a mental illness. When I was asked about the stigma of mental ill health, I asked what would 'we'  have done without Winston Churchill?

I am feeling over the moon because I spoke to my beloved son James on the phone, this evening. I am due to have a supervised contact with my little angel, this Saturday. My son's voice is getting deeper. He is a Star Trek fan and is looking forward to the release of the next Star Trek film.

Endless Beginnings

I have been extremely fortunate in my life, and I am truly filled with love and gratitude for all of the people, lessons and experiences, that the Universal Law of life's 'School of hard knocks', has placed on my journey. Anthony Robbins & Joseph McClendon III were amongst them.

Before I went to prison in June 2009, at a turning point in my life, I had the privilege of attending a three or four full day Anthony Robbins workshop at the Excel Centre. I was one participant of thousands who were given a tailor made unforgettable experience. I literally walked on burning red hot coals during that weekend and I believe that the workshop sincerely prepared me to attract and endure outstanding achievements and to prevail.

Within the last few days, I spent a day at the Wandsworth Prison college as a person with lived experience of mental illness who has come in contact with the criminal justice system. I participated in a Rethink Mental Illness, Mental Health Awareness course for PACT Prison Visitor Centre Staff.

Now I am about to embark on another challenge. This will take several years of patience, diligence, hard work, tenacity and perseverance. In October I will begin a part time Open University Combined Social Science of Sociology and Social Policy BA (Hons) first degree. I will, of course, continue my much loved full time employment working with Complex Needs and Mental Health clients within the field of Inner City Homelessness Charity work.

I am still a member of the Conservative Party and am delighted to have also been cleared to attend this year's Conservative Party conference, which is taking place in Birmingham in October. I will be attending the conference to hear Prime Minister David Cameron make his speech and look forward to wearing - with pride - my Stonewall 'Some Girls Marry Girls' sticker in full view of my Conservative colleagues.

In November, I aim to attend the 2012 MIND Media Awards for best media portrayal of Mental Health in the media. Mr Stephen Fry will be the host this year. It is a RSVP affair and I feel privileged to have participated in short-listing the speech category, this year.

Within this month of September, I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my beloved son, James, I will also be attending a Stonewall Supporters function at the London Television Studios, I shall be participating in a Gay Marriage debate with the VCA - Vauxhall Conservative Association,  I will be concluding my participation as a lived experience Commissioner on the Schizophrenia Commission, I am waiting to find out how I got on in my recent interview with Time To Change - this is my attempt to secure the role on the Senior Management Group as a Black, Minority Ethnic Lived Experience Mental Health Representative. If I am successful I will be attending four hourly meetings every three months. I am also waiting to find out if I have been successful at securing an interview for the 'Speakers Parliamentary Placement Scheme.' If I am successful for this position, it will entail my taking a nine month sabbatical from my employers to work with an Member of Parliament within 'the Westminster bubble'.

Early next year I look forward to travelling to Edinburgh for a few days to attend the History of Freemasons workshop - if it takes place. But just for today, I am going to say THANK YOU, while I continue to read Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins.