BAZ - THE PERSONAL PROFILE

1. BAZ -THE PERSONAL PROFILE A SHORT HISTORY OF A GINGER FROM CONCEPTION TO THE PRESENT DAY

2. Stuff about me… • Barry Tudhope – aka Baz/Nugget/Weebadger • Age 40 – look at my photo though ain’t I just so young and gorgeous looking • Youngest and cutest of 7kids of Andrew and Isabell • 4 brothers: Andrew, David, James and Robert. 2 sisters: Denise and Anne • Uncle to various nieces, nephews and 2 great nieces • Previously married, now divorced. • Just a wee bit GAY – I love the boaby! • No pets – I used to like fish though Kirstin and Me Sweden Dec08 Sliding in the Swedish Snow Dec08

3. Had a myriad of jobs in my exciting and varied life, and enjoyed every single one. Started working in 1984 at the age of 16 as a YTS with Burtons earning £25 a week. Worked in Paisley then moved south to work in stores in Maidenhead, High Wycombe, Aylesbury and London Waterloo. Made redundant in 1991 and moved back to Paisley. Next job was in the local hospital as a porter for a year, Went on to be a Care Worker in various local Childrens’ Homes for 2yrs on temporary contract only due to lack of relevant qualifications Another stint as a hospital porter followed. In 1995 l landed a job with Broadcasting Support Services as an advisor with the BBC Helpline. This was a Social Action based service for BBC Radio and Television. Stayed there for 5 years, The last year and a half I worked more directly within the BBC Customer Services division, migrating the call centre and correspondence services to our new centre in Belfast and within the existing centre in Glasgow. Left the BBC in 2001 changing career to work within the Plumbing and Heating trade with local merchant City Plumbing Supplies, altogether staying there for 4yrs. 2005 I went to work selling Sky TV packages and became a total legend within the centre, my memory lives on with all who worked with me! In 2007 I went to work as Business Development Exec with a metals trade company, was with them for 6months before leaving, happily. 2008 Saw me reaching that 40yr milestone, and taking reflection on my life decided to go on and do some studying, finding myself opting for an HND course in Travel and Tourism at Reid Kerr College, under the expert tutelage of Ashley, Mel and Angus. 2009 I finally stopped laughing at the last sentence I just wrote!! 2008-09 Currently working part-time in The Body Shop. 1985-91 I was involved in various local community youth projects, including the set up of the local Youth Council and Young Peoples Drop-in Centre. Work, College and Other Random Plopp…

4. More Plopp…and introducing some Kex… • Hobbies - At the moment I have none, other than reading, fav authors are Irvine Welsh, Chris Brookemyre, Ian Banks and James Kelman. Been very lazy recently but that’s about to change this year, so watch this space… • Friends - Have many weird and wonderful friends and acquaintances that I have met over the years, characters each and every one. Special mention to my closest:Kev(akaSB), Susan(akaSparkles), Wee Jim, Damien and Naomi (my best friend ever) • Likes - Spending time with my family and friends in whatever form that may take. Trying to make the most of my time with my mum in particular as she don’t keep in the best of health these days. Loads of other things but you gota ask me… • Dislikes - Not seeing enough of my brothers and their families as they live to far away. Tomatoes: cant stand them! • Best experience - Being married in Las Vegas by Elvis on Xmas Day 1999. Honeymoon and Millennium in San Diego. • Worst Experience - The split from my ex-wife Naomi. Happy to say she is still the best friend I’ve ever had. • Other useless info - School Sports Champ 4yrs running(1980-83). Championship Bowler(2001).

5. Culture - Background, Identity, Heritage Born and raised in Paisley and spent most of my life living and working there. Spent a few years living in various great parts of the UK, but I think its always gona be home no matter where I go or end up. My parents were very old fashioned in their views, Dad=Man of the House: worker and provider…Mum=Housewife: Cook, cleaner, carer. They have become more modern over the years though. They were never religious although Church Sunday School and the Boys Brigade were a must for me when I was young, but on becoming a teenager it was left to me to decide whether to continue or stop going. I was brought up to show respect and be polite and taught how to look after myself and that’s served me well throughout the years. As for my own identity, I guess there’s been 3 parts to me (so far!) Part 1 - From a kid and right through my teens, I was very shy, naïve and self conscious with not a lot of confidence about me at all. I didn’t really know me until I was about 21 when I moved to work in and around London. Met me wife-to-be 3months after I arrived and its one of the best things I‘ve ever done and it brought me out of the shell I had been in, so that’s Part 2! Part 3 is when I came out as gay. Hard at the time, but discovered a whole new me, and I like to think a new improved me! I think no matter what I have been through, whether personally or as part of a group or family, I have always been accepting and respecting of everyone's views, ideals and individuality and can relate to anyone regardless of status.

6. Cultchur – Scoatland The Brave This just sums up being Scottish... Its Pure dead brullyant!1. Ye can properly pronounce McConnochie, Ecclefechan, Milngavie, Sauchiehall Street , St. Enoch, Auchtermuchty and Aufurfuksake...2. Ye actually like deep fried battered pizza fae the chippie.3. Yer used tae 4 seasons in wan day.4. Ye cannae pass a chip / kebab shop withoot sleverin when yer blootert.5. Ye kin fall about pished withoot spilling yer drink.6. Ye see people wearin shell suits with Burberry accessories - pure class!7. Ye measure distance in minutes.8. Ye kin understaun Rab C. Nesbitt and know characters just like him, in yer ain family.9. Ye go tae Saltcoats cos ye think it is like gaun tae the ocean.10. Ye kin make hael sentences jist wae sweer wurds.11. Ye know whit haggis is made ae and stull like eating it...12. Somedy ye know his used a fitba schedule tae plan thur wedding day date...13. You've been at a wedding and fitba scores are announced in the Church / Chapel...14. Ye urny surprised tae find curries, pizzas, kebabs, fish 'n' chips, Irn Bru, fags and nappies all in the wan shop.15. Yer holiday home at the seaside has Calor Gas under it.16. Ye know Irn Bru is a hangover cure... 17. Ye learnt tae sweer afore ye learnt tae dae sums.18. Ye actually understand this and yurr gonnae send it tae yer pals...19. Finally, you are 100% Scot if you have ever said / heard these words or sayings:How's it hingin – Clatty – Boggin – Cludgie – Pished - Get it up ye - Wee beasties - Erse bandit – Amurny - Awa' an bile yer heid - Peely wally - Ba'-heid - Baw bag – Nugget/Dubble nuggetAnd finally...A wee Glesga wumman goes intae a butchershop, where the butcher has just come oot the freezer, and is standing haunds ahint his back, with his erse aimed at an electric fire. The wee wumman checks oot the display case then asks, "Is that yer Ayrshire bacon?" "Naw," replies the butcher. "It's jist ma haun's ah'm heatin'.

7. Disability – My Understanding and Experience • Disability is a restriction of ability relative to a personal or group standard or norm. Alternatively it is simply a spectrum OF ability. Disability may involve physical, sensory, cognitive or intellectual impairment or a state of mental health. • I’ve had experiences of disabilities on different levels. I worked as a volunteer with a PHAB (Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied) group as a teenager. The group provided a social meeting place for children and adults with disabilities and their carers. • Personally I have suffered several bouts of depression, which affected my daily life for various periods over a number of years. Thankfully I had a lot of support from family and friends and my GP and this no longer affects me now. • Most recently my mother has become wheelchair bound, and is also affected by kidney failure meaning she has to have dialysis 3 times per week. My father is her full time carer but being nearly 80, he has assistance from the local social care network who have been very supportive over the past few years, helping organise equipment like chairs and hoists, ramps to be installed and the fitting of a new wet-room and bathroom, along with the personal daily care. • Disabled access to most public venues and places, as well as a host of careers is, on the whole and in my opinion, at a good level although there is always room for further improvement. Many organisations, as well as the general public, are more acutely aware of the rights, restrictions and difficulties faced by those with a disability, helped through increased events and campaigns; employment laws, legislation and building requirements.

8. The End…or is it…