Everybody was kung fu fighting

I’m finding myself in a rather passive place in my life at the moment, due to various outside forces. Nothing sinister, mind you. Basically, I’m having to address each day at a time, and take instructions about my comings and goings from other people. I still get to do my own hobby stuff, but I’m having to keep an open mind and schedule for if I’m required to be elsewhere. It’s not as frustrating as it sounds, but I do feel in a sort of limbo. The one positive aspect of this is that appointments etc. are forcing me out of the house, so I’m getting more fresh air and exercise. It’s always a bonus if these things happen in the morning, so that the world outside isn’t so hectic. Having to make your way around with a white cane is especially tricky when “smartphone zombies” get in your way. It’s amazing how many sighted people don’t take stock of their surroundings. I guess if you didn’t need to, you wouldn’t.

Yesterday, I went via the city centre to one of the more ethnic parts of town. It’s a very fun street, full of exotic cafes, restaurants and independent shops. It’s almost jarring when you’re walking along and you see a chain business there. They curiously stand out. I went to an Asian café for a relaxing drink, with the option of a bite to eat. I’m trying to phase out going to the pub due to my recent health issues, so nestling into the corner of a coffee shop seemed like the perfect alternative. I’m not feeling quite as spaced-out as I was, possibly due to my new medication, but I was still able to sit chilling for a couple of hours without feeling too self-conscious. I was counting on my recent lightheadedness to help me relax. It was, as mentioned previously, an odd little bonus of my recent diagnosis.

I did a search for cafes on that street before heading out, but I was still unsure whether I’d find any of them. Luckily I did, almost by accident, and went in for a seat. It was decorated more like a restaurant than a café but, due to their casual takeout service, they definitely seemed to be going for the coffee shop-vibe. I felt a little intimidated at first, as my night-blindness kicked in when I first walked in (as usual). Thankfully, the waitress approached me pretty much straight away and told me just to grab a seat and she’d be along shortly. I sat as close to the exit as possible, so I could street-watch (also so I could have a little more natural light). It was the waitresses first day on the job, so she was even more confused and nervous than I was which, in turn, conspired to increase my anxiety at my being in a new place. I really could have done with someone more experienced serving me, but we seemed to get there in the end. When she turned up to ask me what I wanted, I gave her my drinks order and she spent a few minutes jabbing at her ordering pad (quite what’s wrong with the old-fashioned pen and paper that has serviced waiters for hundreds of years is quite beyond me), making me obviously assume she was inputting my request. Afterwards, she looked up and asked me what I wanted again, which confused me. After a fumbled back and forth, she finally divulged that it was her first day, to which I rather too profusely exclaimed: “Ohhh!”, as if her admission had explained something that was hanging over the situation. It was a little insensitive of me but, like I said, I was rather nervous. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I had two coffees, a bottle of water and a spicy omelette. The waitress seemed to think it was strange me ordering the omelette, as the menu boasted it having four eggs in its recipe, but it was surprisingly light, and I had no trouble in finishing it. Even the owner of the café remarked on my ability to eat it all when I got up to pay. I became slightly self-conscious by both of these remarks. I suppose I do have a large appetite. It just seemed like they were implying, with a glance at my figure, that I didn’t need any more eggs in my diet. But that certainly wasn’t said explicitly. They were all extremely polite, and I think I’ll return next week. I’m assuming it’s a quality place, as it did get rather busy at one stage. It’s always encouraging when you find an ethnic restaurant where the likewise ethnic folk actually eat at in large numbers. Is that racist? It’s not meant to be.

After what turned out to be my lunch, I headed along the street to the Asian supermarket that I used to go to quite regularly. I’m not sure what made me stop. Perhaps a drop in my mobility a few years ago. I bought three bags of fresh chillies (they have a great assortment) and a pack of paprika powder, all of which came to less than £2. From a chain supermarket, the same basket of goods would come to around £5. I almost expected the checkout woman to admit that she’d made a mistake and recalculate. But she didn’t. Amazing. I will be back there too.

I made the mistake afterwards of waiting for a bus home next to the big indoor market in town. It’s a terrible place to stand in summer, as the buildings and concrete paving reflect the sun and heat back at you quite intensely. I should have made my way around to the bus station or just gotten a taxi. I have no idea why I didn’t. I guess I just forgot how horrible it was waiting there.

This whole journey was undertaken with very little physical exertion, which has been one of the bonuses of losing weight this year. Before, just walking down to the bus stop around the corner from my home would render me on the verge of a heart attack, but now I can go anywhere without having to plan for shortcuts and sit-downs. It’s really boosting my confidence. The only remaining issue is, of course, my visual impairment, which will forever make things difficult. I guess I don’t need to explain why.

As I got home after the bus ride, I noticed a cooker had been added to the furniture dumped outside by whoever is emptying their flat. I initially assumed it was my neighbour downstairs - “Karaoke Girl” - as she has family over, who I thought were here to help her with taking down the interior of the property. It suddenly dawned on me last night that the two things may very well be a coincidence, and that it may not be her stuff that’s being abandoned for the council to collect. I really hope it is her moving, as her loud music-listening sessions have become intolerable, especially since it’s summer and all our windows are open. There’s still a chance it is her, but I’m trying to keep an open mind about it. Anyway, her replacement could be even worse, you never know. At least my antisocial neighbours are giving me an extra excuse to bugger off out the house for a few hours.

I’m going through a classic movie phase at the moment, of which I have an abundance in my video collection. I’m finding them nice to watch in bed at night before I settle down to sleep. I’ve gone off sitcoms slightly, but I’m sure that desire will return soon enough. This week, I’m checking out some of the films in my David Lean boxset. The collection comprises his earlier, pre-epic, works, which are a lot of fun. I’m sure I’ll manage to sit through the entirety of the tiresome Ryan’s Daughter one day. I’ve not managed it yet though. Last night, I watched Blithe Spirit. I have seen it before, but was put off by its plot running contrary to my expectations. For whatever reason, I believed it would be a quaint fairy tale about the ghost of an old woman - Margaret Rutherford - living in a family’s house. A light and frothy Beetlejuice, you might say. It turned out that that’s not what it’s about at all, instead it’s a dryly witty and camp situation comedy about fidelity and martinis. Yes, there is a ghost, but it’s not Rutherford. She is great, though. She plays an eccentric (is there any other kind?) medium. Since I was prepared for something other than my original expectations this time, I enjoyed it far more. In fact, I may even use my next Audible credit on a set of dramatisations of a selection of Noel Coward plays, since he was the writer of Blithe Spirit.

So, yes, I think that’s just about all for now. I’m sure I’ll update you with more ramblings soon enough.

Do stay in touch, darlings!

Toodles!
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HEALTH UPDATE

So, you’ve decided to stay for the long haul. Jolly good show, old bean!

I went for my appointment with the nurse at my GP surgery on Wednesday. She was very friendly and seemed a little wet behind the ears which, unlike the café incident above, actually served to calm me down. She took three vials of blood for yet more diabetes tests (I forget what they were for exactly) and gave me a blood self-testing kit. The kit is very simple to use, but the major downside is that I have to stab myself in the finger twice a day for a month to draw blood. This morning, it took me three attempts before the machine would accept my sample. It was a bloodbath. Semen has blood in it, so wouldn’t it be easier if I just wanked over it? Oh, who knows. Any old excuse, huh?

To make the above process slightly easier, the nurse gave me a bag of automatic stabbers, which takes the self-harm aspect of the grisly task out of the equation. I am incredibly squeamish, and doubt I’d have been able to cut myself with a blade knowingly. These little devices simply require the quick push of a button from the user, and a blade pops in and out automatically. Then out comes the old red stuff! It’s genius. Still fucking hurts though.

I’m having to keep these blood test results on my laptop, as the diary booklet she gave me is far too small for me to use (what with my visual impairment). I’ll transpose the data over to a large sheet of paper using a marker pen when I have to hand them into the doctor.

Sorted.

I’m adjusting quite well to avoiding sugary food and drinks since my diagnosis as, even though I do enjoy them, I am generally known for not having a particularly sweet tooth. I much prefer savoury snacks. It is tricky when I’m out and about, as my instinct is just to grab a generic bottle of pop from the fridge section of wherever I am, but now I’m having to aim for the plain water section. Again, this is more about breaking old habits, rather than having a craving for something sugary.

Having to deal with my diabetes diagnosis is proving to be somewhat trickier due to a friend being away a lot at the moment. Our regular chats have helped me keep my mind off things over the years and boosted my mood and confidence in general. However, their absence at such an unexpectedly emotion time for me is proving to be something that requires adjustment. Perhaps it’s a sign that I just need to make more friends and get out more, which is no bad thing. Still, it’s all been rather trying.

Anyway, that’s all for now.

Thanks for reading!