Minimalist poet, minimalist lifestyle

Well, I've just done it and there weren't any problems - it only took a few minutes and I haven't lost any channels; unlike some unfortunate people who have been on radio phone-in programmes all day.

I don't understand why the re-tuning is necessary - some money making scam no doubt.

They must be genuine because they appear on the official DWP website.

These are my favourites:

BFC - Built for Clerical
BS - Harsh Breath Sounds Harsh
CWL - Capable Within Limits
DDE - Departmental Disruption Executive
DNW - Do not Weed
ESO - Eyesight Screening Officer
G - Guilty
GSW - Gunshot Wound
HSW - Heart Sounds Normal
KJ - Kneejerk Reflexes
NL - Nipple Line
SLR - Straight Leg Raise
UTP - Unshielded Twisted Pair

I've been walking all day on Thorne Moors and went all the way across to the Lincolnshire boundary to the point where the Peatland Way long distance footpath enters Yorkshire from Lincolnshire - there's a sign there which reads:

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

Thorne Moors

Danger: Snakes live here, do not touch them.

That's useful...so, what important information do visitors to your town need to know

My meeting with the Disability Employment Advisor didn't go well. I explained to her that I've recently been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and my diagnostic report states that I need a lot of extra support in finding employment. All she could suggest was that I see my doctor and get a sick note...when I asked her how this would help me get a job she just said that it would give me a break for a few weeks.

The stupid cow just doesn't get it; I don't need a break for a few weeks...I'm not sick...I'm DISABLED - the diagnostic report explains in detail in what areas I qualify: ICD -10 Classification of Mental and Behaviour Disorders, World Health Organisation - F84.5 and DSM-IV 299.80.

I pointed it out to her where it states in bold print and underlined that I need a lot of extra support in finding work and I asked her what is available, but she didn't seem to know, so I made some suggestions...the jobcentre paying my wages for a year so that it won't cost an employer anything to set me on, paying me a social wage or underwriting my benefits so that I can take temporary and casual work, sending me for some sort of skills and employability assessment, taking advantage of disability employment law...but she dismissed everything - she just didn't want to know.

After a bit of persuasion on my part she finally made arrangements for me to claim Disabilty Living Allowance, which is what is recommended on my diagnostic report; of course this is making an assumption that support is actually going to be available once my permanent change of status is acknowledged.

I'm very frustrated...something has get to change...but I don't really know what to do next.

Tomorrow I've got an appointment with the Disability Employment Advisor at the jobcentre. I'll inform her about my recent Asperger's syndrome diagnosis and present her with a copy of my diagnostic report, whilst pointing out that it makes specific recommendations about receiving a lot of additional help and support in finding work...and several extensive medical tests and assessments which need doing.

In total these measures to attempt to insert me in to the workforce will cost several tens of thousands of Pounds, and someone with authority and access to a budget is going to have to make some difficult decisions as to whether or not this investment in my future is viable.

Ideally I would like to work together with the jobcentre and the NHS and hopefully participate in job trials, job subsidies and a guaranteed interview scheme, however if this strategy isn't deemed to be viable then the status quo isn't acceptable to me...my diagnostic report ststes that I should really be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance; so reluctantly I'll have to accept a few extra pounds a week in benefit [and a bus pass], declare victory, and walk away from the battlefield.

The weather's been pretty decent for the last week and I'm feeling a bit frustrated because I haven't been able to get out for a walk; I've had appointments to see people. It's good that I've been busy and am able to make some initial progress in pursuing opportunities that might arise because of my Asperger's diagnosis - I just wish the appointments had fallen more conveniently for me so that I'd have a day free to spend in the countryside.

It seems it might be a while until I'll be hiking on the moors again; the lad who organises the trips is going away for a fortnight.

I'm struggling a bit at the moment in knowing how to best take advantage of my Asperger's syndrome diagnosis. There are several issues that I need to resolve; getting various medical tests and assessments organised, possibly claiming Disability Living Allowance, opting either for opportunities offered by the jobcentre or the JobPlus programme run by Autism Plus...or whatever else comes along. I'm not good with personal choice or dealing with people and prefer to undertake tasks sequentially and so the whole process is going to be difficult for me, yet whatevrer I decide I'm sure the outcome will be better than what I've got now; a bit more money, some sort of job, training or voluntary work and a limited social life.

I only managed the first 13 miles of the White Rose Way walk; it was dsrk and after my bedtime and I was tired and stumbling, tripping and slipping; and ended up pulling a couple of muscles and so couldn't continue. The event has probably raised over £1000 for a cancer charity though.

I'm all psyched up and ready for tomorrow evening when we do our charity walk - the White Rose Way on the North York Moors.

All I need to do is place the items I need in my knapsack which I'll be carrying on the walk and the items [mainly drinks] that will be left in the vehicle.

The seventieth anniversary of the start of the war is all over the media this morning.

All this commemorating and celebrating is quite alien to me because my family were all coal miners; a reserved industry along with the railways, trawlermen, shipbuilding, power generation, steel production and probably others.

Many people misunderstand the term 'reserved industry', thinking it was an option for consciencious objectors...when in truth it meant that these industries were vital to the war effort and the survival of the country and no-one was allowed to leave their jobs and join the armed forces.

As far as I'm aware there are no momuments to thje people working i8n these industries who lost their lives.