So, I got the call from the Beeb. It was a bit surreal really, listening to the presenters Mat and Liz on my mobile. Their voices are so familiar that it just seemed like they were recorded… not actually asking me questions as they were. I’d done quite a bit of research on disability in Japan, but in the end there was so little time I didn’t really have time to mention any of it. I seem to remember talking about taking tablets for a sex-change and toilet seats catching fire.

Oh well. Shows how little has changed since the phone in to BBC Hereford and Worcester in which I talked about farts, age 10.

At least I got an Ouch mug for my English cup of tea. And Mat asked me if I was a writer… he obviously hasn’t read TDM.

I would like to encourage everyone to subscribe to the Ouch Podcast. Not because I’m on it, but because I think it’s really important that the wider public becomes more aware of disability issues. It also happens to be really funny, being presented by two crip comedians as it is.

After that it was the Sheffield presentation-via-Skype thing. I’ve no idea how that went as it was very one-way. I get the impression people were a bit bored by it, but I don’t think there was much else I could have done. I did my best, and that’s all that matters. I mean, not knowing your audience makes presenting a topic pretty tricky. Not being able to see them and engage with them makes it even trickier. Still, the second we finished the 30-min conference thing, an email dropped into my inbox from someone in the US thanking me for the podcast, telling me how much they enjoy it.

I really appreciate that. It’s what it’s all about. I’m also pretty pleased that I’ve broken my bandwidth limit this month for the first time ever – and this is despite having only released one episode in April.

I’m not saying this to blow my own trumpet. Rather, I’d like it to be taken as inspiration, in a kind of “If that gimp can do it, so can I!” type way.

Tomorrow morning then I’m off to the NHK studios. The show, “Kaitai Shin Show“, is an educational program about the body, broadcast on NHK 1 on Saturday from 10pm ~ 10.30pm. Educational program about the body …this sounds strangely familiar!! They’ll be no excerpts of my home videos on THIS one though!

One thing I am a little curious about is the fact that they needed a native English speaker – when they’ll be dubbing over it in Japanese!

Anyway, after such an exciting day I think it must be bedtime!

Oyasumi!

!!!