This post is actually a mish mash of mostly new writing and an existing blog:
---
So Mama Raw posted a lovely link on my page today (Oct 27th 2013) about the young girls, who are military kids, that have released a song to raise money for the Poppy Appeal. Obviously, I can relate.
However, what I cannot relate to are the nasty and spiteful comments that the Daily Fail site has attracted. I sometimes hate the internet and the people who hide behind their keyboards. I won't comment on the actual site because it will do no good and will only anger and upset me further - there are some battles even I can't win.
Like this song or not, these are wee girls who have to say goodbye to their daddies every few months, FOR a few months (sometimes years, actually) knowing they may never see them again. That's a lot to deal with when you're 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 years old.
Not only are they dealing with the usual shite that comes with being a kid at school (bullies, packed lunches v school dinners, shit labelled trainers, own brand supermarket crisps, perm v straight, etc) but they have this in the back of their minds too, every second of every day - the fact that their Daddy might never come home, ever again.
You tell me, what part of any of that deserves the venomous shite spouted about servicemen and women and the kids who adore and idolise them AND the parent left at home doing the jobs of two people and never bitching about it. Not once.
These people have probably never known a ‘knock at the door’. If they understood this, I feel they would have more compassion for our fallen men and women.
I am not happy that I understand the impact of ‘a knock at the door’. My Dad died, due to his Navy service, as I turned 19 (literally on my 19th birthday, any need?). That is no age to lose a parent. But you know what, my mum lost her Dad at the age of 17 so I already had a role model and knew that I would cope. My Mum coped. So would I.
"Oh look at those kids getting exposure just for winning a song contest...pat on the back to them..."
What people fail to understand is that I, and all those other kids, would give up every pat on every back, every pay rise in every shit job and every amazing opportunity afforded to us in the film, acting and/or singing world to have just 5 more minutes with our Dads, our heroes.
My mum is my heroine and she knows it. I just hope my Dad knows the place he holds in my heart. He died far too soon. I only hope he is watching from above and knows that he is the moral compass that I hold high, his is the humour barometer I hold aloft when my life is dark and his sense of outrage is the one I hang on to when I see that things are pish and need to be changed.
I am gobby. I am opinionated. I will effect change. I am a Raw. I always will be.
PS leave these wee kids alone to idolise their heroes. If you had any clue what it's like you wouldn't even question them, so fuck off.
Fecking hell, where has the time gone?
It seems like only 5 minutes since I was taking pictures outside the Caird Hall...
... and in the Caird Hall... ...on orientation day on 10th September 2012 which marked the very start of my new insane journey - kicking off a 4 year BSc Honours Degree in Forensic Psychobiology at Abertay University in Dundee at the grand old age of 38.
How did it all begin? Well, I was divorced, bankrupt and starting again so I decided it was time to do something for me, something dramatic and I thought to myself - 'what else can I possibly cram into my already ridiculous life - I know a 4 year degree'!
My Awesome Divorce Party
So, I found out what qualifications I needed to get into Uni for the course I wanted and discovered I would need either a Higher in a Human Biology (I only had O Grade Normal Biology) or a Certificate in Forensic Science and Medicine. Ach, sod it, I'll go for the certificate then.How the fuck would I pay for it though? It was over £1,200?! Oh, I know, I'll say YES to the lovely lady who wants to write about my divorce and divorce party for the magazines and use that to part pay for it...
Front Page - I'm top left!!
So, cheque in hand, I signed up for a 1 year course in Forensic Science and Medicine at The University of Edinburgh.I started the course in October 2010 and on the first night of class was presented with a 100 year old penis in a jar. I felt like I had found my way home.I met some amazing people and had a great time. I looked forward to my Wednesday night classes. I think they saved me.The course content was brilliant but meeting different types of people was just as amazing - I was the only arty type in the room. Everyone else was a solicitor, a Procurator Fiscal, a cop, a nurse, a physio or a doctor. On day one, when we went round the room and when I said I was an actor looking for something different, there was an interesting reaction. I loved it. I asked the questions everyone else was too scared to ask in case they looked stupid - you know me, I couldn't give a fishes tit about looking cool or not cool. We made DNA strands out ofliquorice andmarshmallows (mine was shit). We had maggots in Tuppeware containers, post mortem photos and crime scene images.
I had a great time with my new forensic pals and our wee clique are still pals today and that makes me happy.
And then fast forward to September 2012...
I've been accepted into Abertay and I decided to live in Uni Halls - what else would I do at 38?
I've had a whale of a time living with the most random folks you can imagine: A Chinaman, a Brown woman, a very pale worrier and a sociopath/psychopath. We didn't mix with the socio/psycho other than to retrieve the things he had stolen or phone the police when he started lashing out. Other than him, it was a very happy flat - we were all quite racist and ageist to each other and we all found it quite hilarious. I now live in a flat on my own, near a big park and a junkie chemist. I live next door to Kevin and everyone seems to know Kevin. He has 2 massive dogs and seems like a decent bloke, even though I get folks knocking on my door wanting to know where he lives, I make out like I've never heard of him. He's grateful for that.Bridget is a wee tourist attraction in the street and folks round here are generally pretty cool and mental - it's like being back in Leith but stepped up a notch.2nd year starts on 23rd September and in our next year we have:- Biological Psychology - Cognitive Psychology - Human Physiology 2&3 - Introduction to Psychopathy and Crime - Psychological Research Methods 2 - Scientific Detectives 2 To say I'm excited about 2nd year is a bit of an understatement.I turn 40 at the end of 2nd year and I plan to behave disgracefully. I have signed up to Tough Mudder and will raise money for charity by doing the most hideously difficult assault course going in the same year I hit the big milestone. Life is fun, once you get the hang of it :-)
I've had an anti hayfever injection for the last 5 years in Fife. I move to Dundee and am told it doesn't exist. I know it exists cos I've been jabbed with it - don't tell me it doesn't exist cos I know it does and I understand a lot more than just the stories from the round window with Little Ted.
To add insult to injury, I was told at my last Depo appointment (in Dundee funnily enough) that the Depo wasn't being provided anymore cos of Osteoperosis. WTF - I'd have that over the other things any day. If my bones crumble and snap, it would be less painful than what I have when my periods are not controlled.
I had my first period when I was 9 (I think - was at my Gran's and I remember crying a lot). I had my first proper period when I was 12. I became regular when I was 15 - my mum took me to the docs. I have had problems forever. When I have a period, I'm on for 2 weeks and off for 2 days then back on for two weeks. I never get a break and I'm anaemic and ill the whole time. Without the Depo I have a period pretty much all month, every month. I slowly bleed to death. It also means I'm a murderous psychopath for most of the month.
I understand all the drama surrounding the Depo injection because I've been getting it every 12 weeks for the last 10 years. You (who is 'you') now say it's unsafe and I might get osteoporosis. But, here's the deal:
without this medication my body can't actually cope with periods - maybe it means I'm less of a woman, I don't really give a fuck. What I am telling you is, without this medication, I am more likely to kill, frequently.
without the jag, at period time, I will bleed more than a stuck pig and will need medication for anaemia, I will also need state help to pay for the number of tampons and winged pads I will need. At my worst I go through a 32 pack of Superplus every 1.5 days.
without this medication I get pains worse than labour pains (I suspect) and often collapse in a heap whilst at the shops.
I can NEVER go horse riding or windsurfing without this injection - they don't make pants big enough to hold the 'blood soaker uppers' I need them to hold. If you are a woman you will understand - imagine having your period every single day of your life. That is what my life will be if the Depo is removed from GP surgeries.
DEPO for me is the last resort - my problem is so bad that facing osteoperosis in my old age is a preferable solution.
Don't let a bunch of men in suits make this decision... Also, give me back my hayfever injection you horrid people...otherwise, I have eyes like this all summer:
I've never met any of them, although I did write to Jimmy once. I now know why he prob didn't respond - 'too busy with other matters'.
I am a rape survivor and since all this has come out about our 'treasured' TV folks, I've been asked if it makes me want to officially report my rape more than before?
The answer - NO.
I understand that my rapist may well have raped again. I understand that my rapist may well be panicking in case I say something. I also understand that I may mean nothing to my rapist and he may be living his life in peaceful bliss. However, I do hope that he has a daughter. I do hope that he looks at her every day and prays that she doesn't meet a man like him on her travels. I hope he experiences that pain and dread. Every. Single. Day.
Nothing I do right now will change what happened back then but it WILL change what happens now.
I am in the midst of a 4 year degree - do I really need to be involved in a rape trial?
I have just gotten over (grammar) a hideous divorce and the bankruptcy following that divorce - do I really need a rape trial?
I am, finally, not a basket case - do I really need to be involved in a rape trial?
I am counselling a young rape survivor right now and I haven't advised that she go to the police. I have let her know that it is an option but in her fragile state, a police investigation would be horrific for her.
I think that the more people who understand rape from the 'victim and/or survivor' point of view we have, the better off we will be.
A trial is not the be all and end all. It's like a death in the family. It is something that happens TO YOU. You can't control it, you can't stop it. It just happens.
Rape is about control so all you can do is take that control back.
I may report my rapist when it is the right time for me. I am not waiting for him to become rich or famous, I am merely waiting for me.
There is no statute on rape. He knows it's coming but it will be when I am ready, not him. This is not about 'waiting to get him at his most expensive/vulnerable/famous' this is about reporting it when it is right for me. I may never report it. Our school reunion could be interesting though... Most people who legislate about rape have never experienced it and have never had a daughter/niece/sister/mother/brother/son/nephew/in-law who has been a victim/survivor - what the hell do they know?
Him Hello,you have a wonderful look of which i would love to be your very good friend and know you better,please if you do not mind telling me much of yourself. Have a nice day , Waits for your reply. Me Who are you? Him Thank you for your respond and i am happy having you as my friend,i am 51 years old,I came from SIMI Valley California and work as UN peace keeping committee under assignment here in Afghanistan and i was leading troops of 3rd infantry in Syria,please i want to know are you married, what is your job,and your age?take care. Me You're 51. No way Jose. Him I re-visited your profile today; your profile is good and so interested. I love it. I have to admit that you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. You are so beautiful. I have some questions I want to ask you? Have you ever really love a man? To understand him, know him in any thought. See inside. Hear every dream, and give him wings when he wants to fly. To tell him that it's going to last forever. I want you to answer the questions above. I would like to see your question and to see how much love you have for your loved ones. I will tell you more about myself in my next email Take good care of yourself and have a nice day. With love Me I have answered your questions in the order they were posted: You: I re-visited your profile today; your profile is good and so interested. I love it. Me: Thank you but I have to wonder what you gained from my profile as it’s pretty private? You: I have to admit that you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Me: Thank you, have you never seen Cameron Diaz? You: You are so beautiful. Me: Thank you. Have you never seen Penelope Cruz? You: I have some questions I want to ask you? Have you ever really love a man? Me: Love a man? Well yes I have but it ended badly when he told me he used to be a woman and that his penis was fake You: To understand him, know him in any thought. Me: I’m not sure I will ever understand men, except that they mostly like beer and boobs. You: See inside. Hear every dream, and give him wings when he wants to fly. Me: I did cast a spell on a guy once, in the hope that he would fly away. I didn’t work and he plummeted from the building. Sad day. You: To tell him that it's going to last forever. Me: Hey, who am I to promise ‘lasting forever’I can’t keep a mint plant alive. You: I want you to answer the questions above. I think I have. I would like to see your question and to see how much love you have for your loved ones. Me: I have much love for my loved ones. You aren’t one of them, obviously. You: I will tell you more about myself in my next email Me: Okay, can’t wait. Me Have you ever loved a woman so much that she is screaming in silence fast on her feet ready to run from you? Him I just have to tell you a little about myself, if not for other things but for the efforts you have made in giving me a good feeling of love this few time we have spent together. I’ve turned to look for a partner, because this is the 3rd year since i divorce my wife, and i thought i can be able to live the rest without woman, but as the days passes by, i understand the need for me to have another woman to share my love with, well i am very new on the search but i haven’t yet met someone who has really fulfilled my expectations. I am from America but right now I am still in Afghanistan and I am 51 years old and i am divorce, I have a daughter. I’m not searching for adventures or games, on the contrary, I hope to find that special person in you, and someone with whom I can create the family I’ve always wanted and spend the rest of my life with. Therefore, I sincerely look forward to becoming a proof that this type of meeting possibility really works and changes our lives. As regards my family, i am the only son child of my parents and i have only one sister is just two of us, and my sister who is taking care of my daughter now both my parents are dead. I have a daughter named DORA and she is 13 years old, my wife divorced since 2010. Actually I enter face book because I am searching for a wife and because I want to marry outside my country so that I will learn a different culture and customs. But because my job so I don’t not have time to travel out until my assignment in Afghanistan, so I decided to use this media searching a good, lovely and honest caring wife and I promised my daughter that I must get a wife and step mother for her this year As I told you I am looking for a wife, I sincerely want to tell you that since I see your picture in the face book my heart really accepted you and good feelings I have for you never go away from me and it may sound funny to tell you this but honestly I think I am in love with you and would want to have you as my wife because am falling in love with you. Please let me know if you will be ready to spend the rest of your life with me and if you’re ready to be a mother of my child? With love. Me Well, I'm barren but I'd like to know more about your plans. Do you have a big penis? That's a deal breaker for me. Less than 6 inches doesn't interest me.
Him My dearest, I am so happy reading your message and I also thank the Almighty God who has made it possible for two of us to meet and with the oath I took as a soldier to defend my country I uphold the same oath to you to love and care for you and protect you with my life and the last drop of my blood. Actually like I told you in my previous message my assignment will finish soon and I will be going back to my country and I have planning to come visit you in your country by end of next month so that we will do the marriage and other things and after that we will live together as one family. please I have something very important to discuss and do with you but I want to know something CAN I TRUST YOU? The thing I want to discuss with you is my life so if you assure me of your trust I will tell you details.
So, the last FB message I had from the mentalist who wants to marry me for a work visa basically said he never wanted to hear from me again...here is the last wee bit of our convo from 18th Feb:
Him: Bye forever don't message me again.
Me: Okay. Oops, I just did, dammit.
Him: Stop
Me: OKAY
Him: Please STOP
Me: I said okay. Jeez.
Him: Really stop you have sick mind
Me: Yep, I take tablets for it
Him: Really please I beggeng for you Mam Raw to stop
Me: Aye, fine. Fair doos...
I told him to contact Annie Need and totally lied to him by saying that she gives out visas like confetti. I posted the email she received in one of the other blogs. She, of course, has told him to bugger off.
Today, this started (Tuesday 11th March)
Him
hello miss helen raw how are you i really miss you allot
Me
You seem to have forgotten your last message to me: "Bye forever don't message me again."
Him
yes i know but i can't do this... i don't know seriously my mind & heart gose on to you miss….
Me
How can you miss someone you don't know?!?! Please don't start this again - I don't think I have the energy for another 6 blogs about it!
Him
i think its feelings & its natural thing i can't control my own self they giving me signal about your self…
Me
What a load of shite.
Him
its not a shite its a real feelings miss helen i don't know why this doing with me....
Me
Ooops, there goes another rib.
Him
Dear Miss helen its not a rib or shite its called miss-understanding between us.
Me
There is no misunderstanding. You say you 'love me' and want a work visa from me. I'm saying I don't love you and you're not getting a work visa from me. Simples.
Him
to be honest miss i want visa of your country and marry with any one who understand me and give me love and respect than i will give to her same response because thats the most important thing in our life's. miss i was not cheater i was so honest but i think i still not explain you my clear em-age its not my fault... but please don't think wrong about me clearly its misunderstandings between us.
Me
There is no misunderstanding. You are a stranger who has approached another stranger on the internet for a visa and marriage. I couldn't give a fishes tit how honest you say you are...
Him
Miss i know i was stranger for you but i was not cheater i was so honest because every person not been same every person mind set and thinking different but i was not the others if you meet to me in real life than you can understand me that how much i was nice person miss its miss misunderstanding between us.
Him
have a humanity on this world or not...?
Me
It is NOT a misunderstanding. I do not know you. You do not know me. I have humanity yes, but not enough to marry a stranger from the internet and give him a work visa! Come on, get a grip.
Him
i know i was stranger for you but you don't call me liar or anything wrong me... because miss if have humanity on this world you can trust on me and show me also...!
Me
No. Goodbye. You're annoying me again now.
Him
miss i was not annoying you i was just asking to you...
Me
No, you're annoying me
Him
okay miss next time i never told you about visa or anything...! but miss you told me first about marry with you on that time i was not interested for that and you know that.
Me
I also told you I liked shagging goats - why do believe what a stranger tells you on t'interweb?!
I shall post more as it comes in...I really shouldn't encourage him but it's just so ridiculous!
to be continued...
Him
dear miss i don't know that things so clearly and that type of work. because i was so humble person and my nature so different to the others and i think if i don't do anything wrong with others than the other person not given me wrong reaction and will give me same response like me thats the simple reason thats why i trust on everyone because i think the humanity still have in this world. but miss every one still playing with me same like a football and kick me every-time…!
Me
Me
Well, you're an idiot for trusting people you don't know. This is the INTERNET... Jeez.
Me
Instead of talking to strangers, try saving up money to sort your own life out. Nobody owes you anything.
Plus, you have no goats to barter with.
Him
dear miss you are saying right i was idiot because otherwise not have any chance to stable my own life yes i was working in private distribution on very short salary and also i was financial supporting to my own family with this salary my salary is almost 12 thousand rupees in our currency and if you convert in pounds so that is almost 80 pounds for my monthly income because here is not have the jobs. So miss how i can try saving up money to sort your own life.
Him
only one way to stable my own life if someone provide me visa than its possible for me to stable own life. dear miss so many people going out side because of internet.
Me
You're right. I think I will go outside now and feed my pigs and swim in my huge swimming pool.
Him
why you miss?
Me
Miss what?
Him
for that you are told me that I think I will go outside now and feed my pigs and swim in my huge swimming pool?
Me
Well, you said that people don't go outside because of the internet and I agreed. I should come off the internet and go outside.
Him
no i said that the so many people gone out side because of internet. out side mean out of country....
Me
Ah my bad. Leaving your country doesn't leave the internet though. The internet is EVERYWHERE. You cannot hide...
Him
i know that the internet everywhere...
Him
i can't leave the internet...
Him
dear miss you are saying right i was idiot because otherwise not have any chance to stable my own life yes i was working in private distribution on very short salary and also i was financial supporting to my own family with this salary my salary is almost 12 thousand rupees in our currency and if you convert in pounds so that is almost 80 pounds for my monthly income because here is not have the jobs. So miss how i can try saving up money to sort your own life.
Me
No, I said you were an idiot for saying that you trust everyone on the internet. Pay attention.
Him
okay but thats mean not have the humanity on this word thats why everyone playing with me own style...! but i was a human not have a animal or football…!
Me
How do I know you're a human?
Him
that means you think i was other type of species...
Him
thats
my weakness that i always given to others so much respect because i was
human and i always have the humanity in my soul & life.
Him
and also my strength the humanity...!
Me
You could be cat that's just walking across a keyboard in an efficient manner for all I know.
Him
i
was working in private distribution on very short salary and also i was
financial supporting to my own family with this salary my salary is
almost 12 thousand rupees in our currency and if you convert in pounds
so that is almost 80 pounds for my monthly income because here is not
have the jobs. So miss how i can try saving up money to sort your own
life?
Me
Dunno, that's not my problem.
Him
i know its not your problem...
Me
So stop telling me I have to save your life and give you a visa then.
Him
okay...
Him
hello?
Me
WHAT?
Him
miss
we are friends if you don't want to help me okay no problem i can
understand that its difficult decision for you but i can understand
miss...!
Me
We are not friends. I don't know you from Adam.
Him
???
Me
FFS what don't you understand this time?
Him
FFS WHAT?
Me
Okay. Bye.
Him
NOT BYE OKAY.
Me
I beg your pardon? I'll decide when I'm done talking to you.
Him
miss what is pardon?
Him
dear miss in our country you-tube blocked for some reason.
Me
I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, There's gotta be a little rain sometimes. When you take, you gotta give, so live and let live, Or let go. I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden. I could promise you things like big diamond rings, But you don't find roses growin' on stalks of clover. So you better think it over. Well, if sweet-talkin' you could make it come true, I would give you the world right now on a silver platter, But what would it matter? So smile for a while and let's be jolly: Love shouldn't be so melancholy. Come along and share the good times while we can. I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, There's gotta be a little rain sometimes. Instrumental break. I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden. I could sing you a tune or promise you the moon, But if that's what it takes to hold you, I'd just as soon let you go, but there's one thing I want you to know. You better look before you leap, still waters run deep, And there won't always be someone there to pull you out, And you know what I'm talkin' about. So smile for a while and let's be jolly: Love shouldn't be so melancholy. Come along and share the good times while we can. I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, There's gotta be a little rain sometimes. To fade.
He didn't get it, AT ALL...
Him
thats nice song...
Him
Only joy from now on, no more pains to mitigate Embraced I have all the shades in world's palette I permitted her to leave, little did I know Took along all my belongings, that who left through my gate An abstract expectation I have from each face Which ever direction I look, comes my promised date This world is like the journey of some traveler Some are bound to leave early, some will be late An abstract expectation I have from each face Which ever direction I look, comes my promised date Embraced I have all the shades in world's palette Only joy from now on, no more pains to mitigate…!
Him
Birds, rivers, gusts of wind No border inhibits them Borders are for people Think about it, what have you and I Obtained by being born as humans? Birds, rivers, gusts of wind No border inhibits them Borders are for people Think about it, what have you and I Obtained by being born as humans? If we were both birds We would soar in this blue sky Spreading our wings The entire Earth would be ours Ours would be all sights In the open atmosphere we would fly Taking all the love in our hearts Birds, rivers, gusts of wind No border inhibits them Borders are for people Think about it, what have you and I Obtained by being born as humans? If I were a river and you Were a gust of wind, then what would happen? When a gust of wind touches the body of a river Waves, waves are made If we would meet, then something like that would happen Everyone says these waves Wherever they go, no one bumps against them Birds, rivers, gusts of wind No border inhibits them Borders are for people Think about it, what have you and I Obtained by being born as humans? Birds, rivers, gusts of wind No border inhibits them...!
Me
It's not a competition.
Him
hahahahahah i know that
2 hours later...
Him
Are you singer?
Me
Yes.
Him
But you still not show me your songs in your voice? How many songs you sing before?
Me
If you have the internet you can find me.
Him
This time not have i was on my cell phone
Me
Tough titties then
Him
What?
Me
Titties that are tough
Him
Are you married
Me
You should know this already if you paid attention to all our messages.
Him
Because i saw your pictures thats why i was asking?
Me
I don't understand the connection
Him
In your fan page lots of images is that you on images?
Me
Not, it's a pretend person
Him
If its personal so how you showing your images on fan page?
Me
Who said it was persona?
Him
I just ask
Me
What a ridiculous question.
Him
No one said
Me
Said what?
Him
Which you ask
Me
Okay. Bye
Him
Are you crazy
Him
How many sisters and brother have?
Me
ARGH. This has all been discussed already and yes, I am crazy.
Me
Plus, yer a right nosey fecker
Him
No no you still not tell me about your family?
Me
Oh well, sucks to be you.
Him
What?
Me
Do you know what, this is getting boring for my readers now. Bye.
UPDATE - SHE BLOODY WON. MY WEE SIS IS OFFICIALLY THE BEST VETERINARY NURSE IN THE WHOLE OF BRITAIN. So proud I could burst.
My wee sis has been a thorn in my side since she turned 8 and has been a pain in my arse for years.
When she was really wee, I used to feed her, mother her and speak for her. Then, she got older, found her own voice and I thought it was annoying.
If I wanted a biscuit, I could no longer pretend that it was cos my 'wee sis wanted one'. FFS.
In high school, I watched out for her, took beatings for her and generally made sure she was okay, even though at home she used to beat me with the hoover pipe on jobs day (Wednesday). To be fair I used to batter her back so it was always a fair fight and by the time Mama Raw came home, we were best friends (fake) and the house was clean (ish) and we would have bruises all over our arms (hidden, obv) and we'd be sitting next to each other on the couch nipping each other on the arms in secret (in the really fleshy bit that hurts).
We shared a bedroom until I was in 4th year at High School. Her side was neat and geometrically lined up, mine was just a heap. We both hated the other side of the room. When we moved to what we affectionately called 'the mansion' we each got our own room. Cath's was organised with military precision and not a spec was out of place. My room was a different story. It was wall to ceiling Tom Cruise posters with a heap of stuff in the middle of the floor. I knew where everything was but it looked a bit like Stig of the Dump's house.
Sometimes, Cath would threaten to kill me with scissors if I dared step into her bedroom, so to annoy her I would do the 'dance over the threshold' and keep stepping in and out just to see her turn into the Tasmanian Devil. I would often go in and move things a couple of inches to see how long it would take her to notice. It was usually just seconds!
I now feel her pain as the OCD has finally worked its way down to me and I can't bear things not being where they should be...(thanks Papa Raw, ya radge).
Anyway, back to the point. In High School, Cath decided she would quite like to be a vet. She studied hard but didn't make the grades needed for Vet School, so Mum and Dad spoke to her about being Veterinary Nurse instead.
My folks were amazing and big on maximising what you could do but equally big on helping you understand your limitations.
With Cath it was "why not be a Vet Nurse rather than a Vet - you love animals and a Vet doesn't really look after the animals - that's what a Vet Nurse does".
So, with the amazing encouragement from Mama and Papa Raw (and some slagging off by me), Baby Raw set out on a career of Vet Nursing.
In the meantime, she was humouring me by being part of the youth theatre I set up - yep, I got my wee sis singing on a stage. Amazeballs (she actually has a lovely voice but she'd never admit it).
Anyway, she started in a work placement post at a Vet Hospital when she was 14 and still in school.
She worked her way up through different Vet practices, working all the hours the big man sent, saving all the animals on the planet you care to name to become HEAD NURSE at Broadley's Veterinary Hospital in Stirling.
She has extra qualifications in 'Bereavement Counselling' and is a 'Specialist Nurse in Exotics and Wildlife'.
She has lectured to qualified vets at Glasgow Uni on rabbit care. Yep, my wee sis is brought in as an expert speaker - how AMAZING is that?
So, what is the point of this blog post? Well, she's only bloody gone and got herself nominated as one of the TOP 3 VET NURSES IN THE COUNTRY. Yep, people think she is so amazing they have been voting and writing about her in their droves. The finals will be in April and we don't even care if she doesn't win cos to us, she already has.
--- CATHERINE RAW - TOP BANANA.
She does my nut in, she angers me to the point I want to smash her face in, she makes me want to punch myself in my own face sometimes BUT, she also makes me laugh hysterically, she makes me want to keep doing what I'm doing, she makes life seem more fun, she is brilliant, she is an expert in her field, she thinks I'm brill, she is top banana at her work and if anyone says anything bad about her, they can consider themselves cursed.
For the avoidance of doubt, I am the ONLY one allowed to call her names and give her Chinese burns.
Love you Smeg xxxx
Catherine Raw RVN
Head Nurse, Bereavement Counsellor and Exotics Advisor
Catherine qualified in 1998. She has worked at Broadleys since 2000 and been leading our team of dedicated nurses since 2002.
I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work with animals, and I love every aspect of my job.
I love ‘little critters’ so much that I couldn’t resist having a few myself: 4 rabbits, 4 guinea pigs, a hamster, a gerbil and a degu.
In my spare time I enjoy crafts like card-making and scrapbooking.
