I’m not sure any of us would have known about the Oscars were it not for the ‘slap’ of the unfunny presenter. A strange event in these times of the grim news of Ukraine, fuel crisis, world worries about covid…yes that’s still rampant.

In a strange quirk I too was in front of the cameras on Monday! I was being interviewed by ITN for a programme called Breaking Boundaries. My family suggested I remember not to get in a muddle and say Breaking Bad or Breaking Wind!

I think I managed to avoid those. Prof C and I travelled together and put the world of urology to rights. I was up first. The cameraman dabbed my face with non reflection powder the best of a hint of make up.

Then a lunch break where I retold some of my stories. Remember the one about the erudite professor of education and her enthusiasm for the ‘ squeezy’ app? !

Prof was up next. The cameraman found Profs hair too wild and promptly grabbed a pair of scissors and snipped the offending hairs off!,

The film is to be premiered (! ) alas not at the Oscar’s but at the ACA conference in May. I’ll let you know.

Medical wise it’s more waiting. My volley of emails to GP resulted in humble apologies and “ we will learn from this. My referral to NBB had been vomited out of the system. Ie there are no appointments for serious asthma in my local hospital. In a rare showing off I wrote once more inadvertently (!) leaving a list of my NHS projects after my signature. For whatever reason they have agreed I and indeed all patients can choose their choice of care. So Bart’s London is now on offer. They too have no appointments however promise a few weeks wait, a phone number and a target waiting of 8 weeks. That helps lower expectations but raises hope.

As for everything else horrible antibiotics not really helping but somehow something might, I guess. Who knows.

Research project bids are due in tomorrow. Both have been an incredible compliment to be involved in. The imposter syndrome in me still wonders at what the hell I think I’m doing. But to observe the clinicians and academics putting so much into the detail,the care,the concern for patients and actually their humour too is a total revelation and a massive boost. I wish them luck. Hope they get to Stage 2 and beyond.

In the world of education I’m zooming a few lessons. Some of my old students needing pre public exam support. And my favourite? Some Ukrainian children holed up in bunkers or Warsaw. They are a total inspiration.

Onwards we go.

Keep well. Keep grinning. Those children do!