Yusuf/ Cat Stevens

Songs of Cat Stevens, who changed his name to Yusuf Islam after converting to Islam in 1977, (didn't know his name was Steven Georgiou) have always been a favourite, though enigmatic lyrics at times. I was not going to concerts when he toured here last (1964), so it was great to have the chance to see him on this tour.
He commented that it was ironic that his picture in the newspaper showed him looking older than he'd like , and above it the name "The Age"
He sang all the old favourites as well as newer stuff. Peace Train, Where Do The Children Play? Father and Son, (Remember The Days Of The) Old School Yard, First Cut Is The Deepest, Oh Very Young, Wild World, Moonshadow, Matthew & Son, I love my dog, Morning Has Broken and so very many others. All just as relevant today!!
A truncated version of Remember the Days of the Old School Yard was a taste of the hitfest to
come, using the show to preview a musical, Moonshadow, based on a character called Stormy that linked a string of his songs together.
A Review sums it up
"Like Simon and Garfunkel last year, Yusuf's pure voice and great band managed to create an intimate atmosphere in a not-so-intimate venue."
It was a great concert he went on longer than advertised by singing an few extra at encore Thunderous applause. A great experience!
there was a weather alert for strong storm winds at 11pm but while i walked back to the car int he Gardens in a strong breeze it was surprisingly mild.

Walking far

After many months of walking the same route to work I felt I needed to do more to keep fit, as though I walk 60mins a day it is still the same as 12 months ago.
So I was looking for new places to park at no cost and though there are a few, the attraction of Arden Street in Kensington is that it is quick to drive to in the morning; I turn out of the long Dynon Rd traffic just where it starts to build.
So instead of moving the parking space I now walk a longer route,doubling back really. This route takes me along the small streets of houses in Kensington, or past the four mill, and at times up on to Racecourse Rd and then along Flemington Rd. If I want it a bit shorter I can finish off on the way home by going up over the railway overpass. A good charge on the last leg!

One route is to walk along the river from Arden st to Maccauley Rd and that makes a change from the traffic down the hill.

Private Practice

Thought I might blog about my change in work to doing some private practice. I have always been a bit reluctant, as nursing is never a service that people pay for, and is not rebate-able under health funds. But I decided to start in February and so dropped down to a 4 day week at the Kids.
I chose to stop on Fridays as my friend Anne has a consulting room in their new house, and they are not there on Friday. They have a business called AWAKE DRY, a bed wetting treatment service.
It is a good size room (the master bedroom on the new house plans, so has an en suite next door as well with the house hall being a good waiting area.)
I started by getting some business cards and flyers done and letting the paediatrician at work know, they were very supportive and enthusiastic (2 in particular have become a source of referrals.)
My first referral came form the Paed at RCH and since then I have had a steady referral of about 1-2 new ones a week.
I was also invited by Helen Stevens who runs Safe Sleep Space to join them in some sponsored talks to Regional MCH nurses. I presented there about Fussy Feeding and that has also garnered some referrals, as well as an invitation to do a talk to the Southern region.
I also built in the option of doing some of the work as home visits and that has worked out well for some families.
I sent some material to a Pediatric clinic in Camberwell, handy to North Balwyn where to room is,and I was invited to a network meeting. From this I have had referrals from the clinic of one paed. who was at the meeting.
A true network result!
I am away for all of July so I expect things will slow down after being unavailable, but when I return from Europe (27th June to 30th July) I am dropping to a 5 day fortnight at RCH .That will mean Mon, Tues, and alt. Wednesdays.
That will give me time to do sessions in the room as well as home visits, and not be dashing from one to the other; Friday week ago was exhausting. I also hope to contact all the private health funds who do pay for some nursing work but you need to be registered with them, and that means ringing them all individually!
More about the actual work next time.