Hello! Just an attempt at a general update here. I’ve been pretty quiet of late, so I thought I’d outline a few ongoing life issues. Nothing too serious though. I think.
Due to my previously discussed new health problems, I’ve decided to knock booze on the head as best I can. I’ll allow myself Christmas, New Year’s Eve, my birthday and a hair-of-the-dog for the resultant hangovers, but that’s about it.
While I am, indeed, doing this for my own health, it was inspired by a gaming buddy not wanting to get together anymore when I was in that state. I wasn’t being nasty or anything, I just think it was bothering them to hear me in that condition. I’d keep off the bottle even if they still didn’t want to game with me, so this isn’t me trying to guilt-trip them. Sometimes you just need that kick up the arse.
I must say, going to the pub every day and asking for an orange juice & soda water has been a hurdle, as you do get the odd comment. Mostly though, people have been really cool about it, which has been a great relief. I mean, we all go through these things, right?
Sadly, what has made it harder has been a few smaller, random, unrelated things going wrong. These have been: medical appointments proving fruitless due to professional incompetence, stuff breaking down on me, and people I know going through their own life difficulties, leaving me feeling sad for them and nihilistic about the general unfairness of life. Despite these things, I’m learning to just ride the wave, and accept that getting drunk won’t solve any of the issues that keep cropping up.
Related to my staying on the wagon, I’m also trying to get more exercise, mostly by going out for a walk in the morning every day, then hopping on the exercise bike just before bed. Both boost my mood and leave me feeling really positive. It’s just the gaps in-between that fill me with anxiety, dread and hopelessness. What about, you ask? Nothing. It’s just good old clinical depression hard at work. I think the time is nearing for me to go back to my doctor and try out some different antidepressants, as my body seemed to start rejecting Fluoxetine after eight loyal years.
I’m still playing the lottery, which I’m forever unsure about. Some days it fills me with enough hope just to get through the week, then some days it fills me with despair, especially since I never win the jackpot. I just need to win once though, I keep telling myself. Just once!
My lottery-related “what if?” fantasies are becoming more and more regular and detailed. I hunt for houses on the internet that I’d like to buy, should I win the jackpot. I’ve favourited a few extravagant doozies to my browser. I’m not planning on staying in Sheffield, as there’s nothing keeping me here anymore. I’m looking to go back down south, where the landscape might be easier for a person with mobility issues to deal with. Sheffield is just too full of deadly little surprises.
Any recommendations you have will be much appreciated. I’m sure I’ll win tonight and have to start packing my bags in the morning, hehe.
Elsewhere, I’m working on my fiction writing, which could also spell my way out of this hellhole. It’s slow going, but I’m feeling pretty positive about it. I just need to stop dwelling on the chapters I’ve already written for now and just plow on to the end of this draft. I keep holding myself back by obsessing over the handful of opening pages. That behaviour needs to wait until the next pass.
So, yes, life’s mainly been a series of sharp peaks and troughs, which is something going back on medication should smooth out. I might make that appointment tomorrow. I’m getting a bit tired of randomly bursting into tears.
Well, I best leave you for now. I’ve been struggling to sleep this week, so my exercise routine is a bit hit and miss .I didn’t go for my walk this morning, and I’m not too sure whether I’ll be steady enough to go on the bike later. Sleep deprivation is truly a horrible thing.
Do stay in touch, darlings. If anyone is actually out there. My pageviews aren’t very encouraging these days, but it wasn’t any better before I left social networking, so I’m not putting it down to that. I guess I’m just fading away. I’m not a big seeker of attention anyway. Less is more.
Anyway, that’s my spleen vented for now.
Toodles.
Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Tuesday, 22 October 2019
Despair in the early hours
Kinda feel like my life's come to a halt recently. Things that are generally out of my control, but which still involve me, keep going wrong. I try, but the universe seems bent against me. I'm struggling to summon the strength to fight all this negativity. It's all just so awful. Please say this isn't how it'll be forever. It hurts so much.
Sunday, 13 October 2019
"I have no mouth, and I must scream"
A good friend, with whom I have broken bread nearly every day for the past couple of years, has found themselves in a very difficult situation. For many reasons, I am unable to help them. There is not one thing I can do about any of it. This is very frustrating. I can barely express in words how upsetting it is to have a friend in need and be unable to reach out to them. I have been on the verge of tears and have been physically shaking for days due to how useless I feel. I only hope that, whatever is currently happening on their end, it all comes to a happy conclusion and we are able to speak again soon. These are dark times indeed. My faith in humanity can get no lower. Life truly is an endless horror.
UPDATE: Crisis over. Stress reduced. Faith in humanity improving.
UPDATE: Crisis over. Stress reduced. Faith in humanity improving.
Saturday, 14 September 2019
The end of an era
Long-time no see, readers! I’ve been preoccupied with random distractions, it seems. Such is life, I am afraid.
I’ve recently decided to leave social media services for good, which wasn’t an easy decision to make. I’d made a few failed attempts to do so in the past, attempts that usually ended with me falling off the wagon due to my fairly isolated lifestyle. What has cemented this final closure of my accounts is an increasing realisation that the social landscape of the internet has changed, rather radically, over a number of years. It was a slow and subtle change, but a change that I’ve felt the effects of quite strongly, leading me to want to make my own change.
While there were many exceptions, I feel that, when its boom began in the mid-90s, the internet was a haven for awkward nerds, like myself, who found it difficult to connect with people out in the “real world”. They were generally passive, rational and logical folk, with open hearts and minds. Most importantly, they were lonely and sought the company of others like themselves. For people like me, that first ten years or so was a utopia. I met many friends, some of whom I met in person, including my ex-girlfriend.
So, what’s changed? Well, getting onto the internet used to be a fairly tricky affair. You needed a computer and an internet connection, neither of which were cheap and easy to set up. You had to really want to get online. Those who weren’t really that bothered were content with driving their cars to meet their already-established social circle in person. Now, anyone with a phone can access the internet and insinuate themselves amongst the online community, including some very hostile, irrational and illogically-minded people. It is no longer a haven for lonely souls wishing to make a connection with other people. It has become a battleground for attention and self-righteousness.
This is where my decision to leave social media comes in.
My general approach to posting online over the years has been to write relatable, witty and interesting anecdotes about my life that might provoke a discussion. I would also post about my varying cultural interests, but overall it would be stories about my personal comings and goings. However, I slowly became concerned that, not only was I boring people, but I may even be annoying them and embarrassing myself.
There is also something that I would describe as my "self-service checkout theory". Simply put, from personal observations, a self-service checkout takes longer to use than standing in a queue and waiting to be served by an actual member of staff. This feels similar to social media, in that we have all come to believe that, by simply adding people to our friends lists, we are staying in touch with them. This, like the belief that the self-service checkout is somehow quicker, is merely an illusion. There still needs to be some sort of interaction to happen, but we have become unwilling to do so. In fact, if you do attempt to chat, even if you were not the one to make initial contact (friend requests and all that), then people are simply confused. So now we have a case of: "That guy I went to school with thirty years ago is now in my friends list, so we must be the best of friends again!". No. This is no longer enough. For me, at least. I want to talk.
To add to these thoughts and concerns, the new wave of internet users meant that many feeds became filled with arguments about politics and current affairs, baby-boomers gushing tediously over their toddlers, or enthusiasm about terrible, terrible, terrible superhero movies. None of which I can relate to. I don’t consider myself a snob (ok, maybe a little), but I have some taste, and pop culture now seems to have officially lost me. Or perhaps I have lost it. I am nearly 40, after all.
The political and current affairs stuff is quite important to note, as this has arrived with an aggression that I am very uncomfortable with. People claiming to be coming from a liberal and socially responsible place have begun to act like the fascists they apparently hate so much. The word “hate” there is quite crucial. To abuse, taunt and physically assault people for their beliefs, whatever they might be, and to incite others to do so, and to create an atmosphere of fear where people are afraid to express themselves, are acts of fascism. The “Never Stop Punching Nazis” movement and their ilk appear to be unaware of the grim irony of their own actions. There are no exceptions, and there are no excuses. No matter how righteous you believe yourself to be, this behaviour is wrong. Furthermore, negativity is being spread by people believing themselves to be doing good by disseminating it. They seem to feel that, by sharing news items or posts about things they don’t agree with, often with their own snide commentary attached, they will make the world a better place. This is untrue. All they are really doing is spreading hatred, and also adding to it. What a shame.
So, yes, I have voted with my feet and left the internet’s social landscape. For the most part. With any luck, other passive, peaceful, logical and soft-hearted liberals like myself will also become weary and follow my example, leaving only the rabid dogs to fight amongst themselves. Maybe those left will see the horror they have created and amend their ways to allow folk like me to return, but I shall not be holding my breath.
Until a new wind blows, I am finding a great deal of satisfaction in actually leaving my home and meeting people in person. My regular trips to the pub on weekday afternoons is my new social media. It used to be the other way around, whereby I would talk all day online then skulk off to sit quietly in the corner of a pub all by myself. Now the opposite is true. How very strange. But interesting.
Anyway, if you wish to have a chat, then do seek me out in an ale house somehow, somewhere, sometime. I’ll get the first round in, my friends.
Do stay in touch, and be excellent to each other.
Toodles!
I’ve recently decided to leave social media services for good, which wasn’t an easy decision to make. I’d made a few failed attempts to do so in the past, attempts that usually ended with me falling off the wagon due to my fairly isolated lifestyle. What has cemented this final closure of my accounts is an increasing realisation that the social landscape of the internet has changed, rather radically, over a number of years. It was a slow and subtle change, but a change that I’ve felt the effects of quite strongly, leading me to want to make my own change.
While there were many exceptions, I feel that, when its boom began in the mid-90s, the internet was a haven for awkward nerds, like myself, who found it difficult to connect with people out in the “real world”. They were generally passive, rational and logical folk, with open hearts and minds. Most importantly, they were lonely and sought the company of others like themselves. For people like me, that first ten years or so was a utopia. I met many friends, some of whom I met in person, including my ex-girlfriend.
So, what’s changed? Well, getting onto the internet used to be a fairly tricky affair. You needed a computer and an internet connection, neither of which were cheap and easy to set up. You had to really want to get online. Those who weren’t really that bothered were content with driving their cars to meet their already-established social circle in person. Now, anyone with a phone can access the internet and insinuate themselves amongst the online community, including some very hostile, irrational and illogically-minded people. It is no longer a haven for lonely souls wishing to make a connection with other people. It has become a battleground for attention and self-righteousness.
This is where my decision to leave social media comes in.
My general approach to posting online over the years has been to write relatable, witty and interesting anecdotes about my life that might provoke a discussion. I would also post about my varying cultural interests, but overall it would be stories about my personal comings and goings. However, I slowly became concerned that, not only was I boring people, but I may even be annoying them and embarrassing myself.
There is also something that I would describe as my "self-service checkout theory". Simply put, from personal observations, a self-service checkout takes longer to use than standing in a queue and waiting to be served by an actual member of staff. This feels similar to social media, in that we have all come to believe that, by simply adding people to our friends lists, we are staying in touch with them. This, like the belief that the self-service checkout is somehow quicker, is merely an illusion. There still needs to be some sort of interaction to happen, but we have become unwilling to do so. In fact, if you do attempt to chat, even if you were not the one to make initial contact (friend requests and all that), then people are simply confused. So now we have a case of: "That guy I went to school with thirty years ago is now in my friends list, so we must be the best of friends again!". No. This is no longer enough. For me, at least. I want to talk.
To add to these thoughts and concerns, the new wave of internet users meant that many feeds became filled with arguments about politics and current affairs, baby-boomers gushing tediously over their toddlers, or enthusiasm about terrible, terrible, terrible superhero movies. None of which I can relate to. I don’t consider myself a snob (ok, maybe a little), but I have some taste, and pop culture now seems to have officially lost me. Or perhaps I have lost it. I am nearly 40, after all.
The political and current affairs stuff is quite important to note, as this has arrived with an aggression that I am very uncomfortable with. People claiming to be coming from a liberal and socially responsible place have begun to act like the fascists they apparently hate so much. The word “hate” there is quite crucial. To abuse, taunt and physically assault people for their beliefs, whatever they might be, and to incite others to do so, and to create an atmosphere of fear where people are afraid to express themselves, are acts of fascism. The “Never Stop Punching Nazis” movement and their ilk appear to be unaware of the grim irony of their own actions. There are no exceptions, and there are no excuses. No matter how righteous you believe yourself to be, this behaviour is wrong. Furthermore, negativity is being spread by people believing themselves to be doing good by disseminating it. They seem to feel that, by sharing news items or posts about things they don’t agree with, often with their own snide commentary attached, they will make the world a better place. This is untrue. All they are really doing is spreading hatred, and also adding to it. What a shame.
So, yes, I have voted with my feet and left the internet’s social landscape. For the most part. With any luck, other passive, peaceful, logical and soft-hearted liberals like myself will also become weary and follow my example, leaving only the rabid dogs to fight amongst themselves. Maybe those left will see the horror they have created and amend their ways to allow folk like me to return, but I shall not be holding my breath.
Until a new wind blows, I am finding a great deal of satisfaction in actually leaving my home and meeting people in person. My regular trips to the pub on weekday afternoons is my new social media. It used to be the other way around, whereby I would talk all day online then skulk off to sit quietly in the corner of a pub all by myself. Now the opposite is true. How very strange. But interesting.
Anyway, if you wish to have a chat, then do seek me out in an ale house somehow, somewhere, sometime. I’ll get the first round in, my friends.
Do stay in touch, and be excellent to each other.
Toodles!
Friday, 2 August 2019
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!
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!
Tuesday, 30 July 2019
Mischief below
Hello! I don’t have a great deal to update you with, but I shall endeavour to pad out my goings on with a generous infusion of incoherent wittering nonetheless. Health updates will come after my final send-off, as optional reading material.
I’m currently trying to work out what’s going on downstairs with my neighbour - “Karaoke Girl”. As mentioned in my previous post, her mother and younger siblings are spending the week down there in her one bedroom flat, making as much noise as you can imagine. One of two things seem to be happening: either Karaoke Girl is moving out, and her mother is there to help her empty the flat, or she’s doing some interior decorating and is, alarmingly, here to stay. The evidence I have is that they’ve dumped a lot of furniture downstairs by the wheelie bins, including a sofa, but I haven’t heard any replacement stuff arrive. It would seem strange for one to stay in a person’s home if they’re removing all their furniture (where would you end up sitting and sleeping?), which is why I fear she is simply upgrading her interior. However, I overheard her male partner referring to Karaoke Girl’s mother as “my in-laws”, so perhaps she’s just gotten married and is about to move into a bigger property with her new husband. Oh how I hope this is the case.
Another annoyance is that her siblings misbehave a lot, and their mother’s style of disciplining is to just swear and shout at them. I’ve literally just heard her threaten to “break [their] fucking head”. Charming. This, of course, has no effect whatsoever, so the infantile noisemaking is pretty much constant. I really , really, really cannot wait till they all bugger off for good.
In other news, I tried popping out to the pub yesterday, just to see whether I’d enjoy the experience now that I’m a little more relaxed. Before, I was finding my temper quite short, mainly due to not knowing what was wrong with my body. I was quite frustrated at life in general. Generally, I found myself more chilled yesterday, and didn’t feel the need to drink heavily; however, I did end up barfing it all back up after getting home. I usually don’t vomit when I drink unless I’ve ODd on spirits, so this was quite unlike me. When I was sat at the bus stop before arriving at the pub, I did think to myself: “You know what? I would really be quite happy just sitting in a quiet coffee shop, drinking tea and staring out the window for hours”. I think this will be the plan from now on. Methinks my pubbing days are over.
I’m still soldiering on with the two weighty audiobooks I’m currently listening to: Swann’s Way and Les Misérables. The latter is very entertaining, and I’m finding Victor Hugo’s liberal sensibilities and subversive humour very much akin to that of James Joyce, whom I adore. I only wish somebody had warned me that the main protagonist doesn’t turn up until fourteen chapters in, before which we get a bunch of information about the bishop of a small town who ends up serving only a very minor role in the overall story. I was very confused at first, and legitimately thought I was listening to the wrong book. Even though Hugo digresses somewhat, it all still rolls along at a good pace. Alternately, Swann’s Way is incredibly ponderous, as Marcel Proust often spends the equivalent of an entire chapter (the book is liberally divided into three or so parts, rather than having short chapter breaks) describing inconsequential objects or events, such as a church steeple or his housekeeper’s routine. Nothing of note really happens. It is, however, very amiable, incredibly French and uninhibitedly gay. It’s quite wonderful, basically.
I’ve just been researching which film adaptation of Les Misérables to invest in, although I’m not sure whether to wait until I’ve finished reading the book first. It’s a very long book, so there’s a real chance I may never finish it. The versions I’ve settled on are the 1934 French film and the 1998 Liam Neeson-starring one. The former is supposed to be the best adaptation out of the many, however I do remember quite enjoying a few scenes in the 1998 one when I caught it on television many years ago. Maybe I’ll purchase both.
My ex-girlfriend has been messaging me on Facebook and posting links on my timeline quite a bit this week. She often does it during the day, so I’m wondering whether she’s on long-term sick from work yet again. I’m avoiding any talk of local events and whathaveyou so as not to encourage talk of a meeting, as I feel those days are done. I told her over Christmas that I was fed up with her behaviour and wanted no more to do with her, but she somehow managed to stick around. Who knows what will end up happening. It’s an unknown quantity that slightly unsettles me. Oh well.
I’ve noticed I’ve started playing guitar a little more this week. While I was waiting for medical results etc. and getting rather anxious, I had pretty much stopped playing altogether. But that seems to have been only temporary. I’ve even started practicing in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. I feel like I haven’t done that for ages. I do enjoy being creative, so it concerned me greatly when I lost my passion for doing, well, anything. Let’s take things slow and see if I can keep up my productivity. To what end? Who knows.
Now that I’m done with Will & Grace, I’ve started back up with the Frasier boxset. I wasn’t enjoying it at first, but the series really does pick up around the last disc of the first season (episodes 19-24, I believe). I don’t know what changed. Perhaps they employed some better comedy writers, or the actors simply settled into their characters a little more. But, yes, if you’re a first-time viewer, do persevere for those first few discs. It all starts off a little creaky.
Well, anyway, I think that’s enough for now. I do hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves.
Do stay in touch, darlings.
Toodles!
.
.
.
.
HEALTH UPDATE
I’ve just started taking my diabetes medication as of Saturday. I will end up having to take four a day, but my doctor started me on just the one, as the side effects are quite severe. Today is when I up the dosage to two, so I’m curious to see how that will make me feel. The main things I’ve noticed so far are nausea and headaches, neither of which are that extreme, so I’m coping.
One symptom of the illness is light-headedness which, oddly enough, I’m quite liking. I’ve suffered from clinical depression since around the time I hit puberty, so being spaced-out most of the time and generally not caring about stuff is like taking a holiday. The downside to this is that I struggle to concentrate on things and don’t seem bothered about working on my fiction writing, but there’s a very real possibility that this won’t make much of a difference. I was one of life’s great procrastinators before I came down with diabetes anyway, so hey-ho.
Well, all that’s left to say is that I’ve got that nurses appointment tomorrow, where she’ll be coaching me on living with this condition, so that’ll be interesting/upsetting. I shall report back.
Thanks for reading.
I’m currently trying to work out what’s going on downstairs with my neighbour - “Karaoke Girl”. As mentioned in my previous post, her mother and younger siblings are spending the week down there in her one bedroom flat, making as much noise as you can imagine. One of two things seem to be happening: either Karaoke Girl is moving out, and her mother is there to help her empty the flat, or she’s doing some interior decorating and is, alarmingly, here to stay. The evidence I have is that they’ve dumped a lot of furniture downstairs by the wheelie bins, including a sofa, but I haven’t heard any replacement stuff arrive. It would seem strange for one to stay in a person’s home if they’re removing all their furniture (where would you end up sitting and sleeping?), which is why I fear she is simply upgrading her interior. However, I overheard her male partner referring to Karaoke Girl’s mother as “my in-laws”, so perhaps she’s just gotten married and is about to move into a bigger property with her new husband. Oh how I hope this is the case.
Another annoyance is that her siblings misbehave a lot, and their mother’s style of disciplining is to just swear and shout at them. I’ve literally just heard her threaten to “break [their] fucking head”. Charming. This, of course, has no effect whatsoever, so the infantile noisemaking is pretty much constant. I really , really, really cannot wait till they all bugger off for good.
In other news, I tried popping out to the pub yesterday, just to see whether I’d enjoy the experience now that I’m a little more relaxed. Before, I was finding my temper quite short, mainly due to not knowing what was wrong with my body. I was quite frustrated at life in general. Generally, I found myself more chilled yesterday, and didn’t feel the need to drink heavily; however, I did end up barfing it all back up after getting home. I usually don’t vomit when I drink unless I’ve ODd on spirits, so this was quite unlike me. When I was sat at the bus stop before arriving at the pub, I did think to myself: “You know what? I would really be quite happy just sitting in a quiet coffee shop, drinking tea and staring out the window for hours”. I think this will be the plan from now on. Methinks my pubbing days are over.
I’m still soldiering on with the two weighty audiobooks I’m currently listening to: Swann’s Way and Les Misérables. The latter is very entertaining, and I’m finding Victor Hugo’s liberal sensibilities and subversive humour very much akin to that of James Joyce, whom I adore. I only wish somebody had warned me that the main protagonist doesn’t turn up until fourteen chapters in, before which we get a bunch of information about the bishop of a small town who ends up serving only a very minor role in the overall story. I was very confused at first, and legitimately thought I was listening to the wrong book. Even though Hugo digresses somewhat, it all still rolls along at a good pace. Alternately, Swann’s Way is incredibly ponderous, as Marcel Proust often spends the equivalent of an entire chapter (the book is liberally divided into three or so parts, rather than having short chapter breaks) describing inconsequential objects or events, such as a church steeple or his housekeeper’s routine. Nothing of note really happens. It is, however, very amiable, incredibly French and uninhibitedly gay. It’s quite wonderful, basically.
I’ve just been researching which film adaptation of Les Misérables to invest in, although I’m not sure whether to wait until I’ve finished reading the book first. It’s a very long book, so there’s a real chance I may never finish it. The versions I’ve settled on are the 1934 French film and the 1998 Liam Neeson-starring one. The former is supposed to be the best adaptation out of the many, however I do remember quite enjoying a few scenes in the 1998 one when I caught it on television many years ago. Maybe I’ll purchase both.
My ex-girlfriend has been messaging me on Facebook and posting links on my timeline quite a bit this week. She often does it during the day, so I’m wondering whether she’s on long-term sick from work yet again. I’m avoiding any talk of local events and whathaveyou so as not to encourage talk of a meeting, as I feel those days are done. I told her over Christmas that I was fed up with her behaviour and wanted no more to do with her, but she somehow managed to stick around. Who knows what will end up happening. It’s an unknown quantity that slightly unsettles me. Oh well.
I’ve noticed I’ve started playing guitar a little more this week. While I was waiting for medical results etc. and getting rather anxious, I had pretty much stopped playing altogether. But that seems to have been only temporary. I’ve even started practicing in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. I feel like I haven’t done that for ages. I do enjoy being creative, so it concerned me greatly when I lost my passion for doing, well, anything. Let’s take things slow and see if I can keep up my productivity. To what end? Who knows.
Now that I’m done with Will & Grace, I’ve started back up with the Frasier boxset. I wasn’t enjoying it at first, but the series really does pick up around the last disc of the first season (episodes 19-24, I believe). I don’t know what changed. Perhaps they employed some better comedy writers, or the actors simply settled into their characters a little more. But, yes, if you’re a first-time viewer, do persevere for those first few discs. It all starts off a little creaky.
Well, anyway, I think that’s enough for now. I do hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves.
Do stay in touch, darlings.
Toodles!
.
.
.
.
HEALTH UPDATE
I’ve just started taking my diabetes medication as of Saturday. I will end up having to take four a day, but my doctor started me on just the one, as the side effects are quite severe. Today is when I up the dosage to two, so I’m curious to see how that will make me feel. The main things I’ve noticed so far are nausea and headaches, neither of which are that extreme, so I’m coping.
One symptom of the illness is light-headedness which, oddly enough, I’m quite liking. I’ve suffered from clinical depression since around the time I hit puberty, so being spaced-out most of the time and generally not caring about stuff is like taking a holiday. The downside to this is that I struggle to concentrate on things and don’t seem bothered about working on my fiction writing, but there’s a very real possibility that this won’t make much of a difference. I was one of life’s great procrastinators before I came down with diabetes anyway, so hey-ho.
Well, all that’s left to say is that I’ve got that nurses appointment tomorrow, where she’ll be coaching me on living with this condition, so that’ll be interesting/upsetting. I shall report back.
Thanks for reading.
Friday, 26 July 2019
Nesting instinct
Good evening! Here is a summary of my general goings on for your weekend perusal. I’ve not included any health updates in the main body of text (nor will I in future posts), instead placing them after my usual send-off, making it more of an optional thing for you to read. I feel it necessary to get said stuff off my chest for my own sanity but, as mentioned in my previous post, I’m aware that the subject matter may not be particularly fun for people to read.
Anyway… onwards!
I’m not sure what the exact temperature is, but I think it’s safe to say that it’s pretty bloody fucking hot. It’s like when I was out playing as a kid and didn’t have a watch on but, by the general dimming of the light, knew that I was out way past my bedtime and should probably expect a telling off. I don’t need to know the precise centigrade. I get it. It’s a hot one.
I’m amazed I got through the night actually, as there was definitely a point where I thought to myself: “I’m never gonna be able to sleep in this!”. I did though. Somehow. I only wish I remembered how I did it. Giving up on trying probably helped. I usually have to trick myself into unconsciousness anyway.
I did try ordering an electric fan from the supermarket (to be delivered with my usual weekly grocery order), but it didn’t arrive. I’m guessing there was a rush on them at the supermarket. It was a bit of a long shot, and I think I would have actually been more surprised if it had turned up. Oh well, I’m managing to survive with the torn-off sheet of cardboard that I’m wafting myself with. Fancy, huh?
In bed, before the promise of sleep looms, I’m currently delving into the fifth season of Will & Grace. Usually, I stop at the end of the fourth season, but I thought I’d push the boat out and see if anything after that is watchable. The two titular characters falling out on the first disc is very upsetting, which I think is why I usually avoid it. But, after that (where Will becomes truly loathsome), things do pick up. In fact, there are a surprising amount of memorable comedy moments to enjoy in Season 5, which I’d totally forgotten about. One of the key problems, though, is that it’s brimming-over with celebrity cameos. It gets to the point where every episode has someone famous making a guest appearance. It’s quite exhausting. You start to pine for a simple storyline. A “bottle episode”, even. But some of the cameos are actually really fun, in particular Elton John as the head of the “gay mafia” and Gene Wilder as Will’s new day-to-day boss (Gregory Hines’ replacement). But, yeah, after a while, it all starts to get a bit much, but I think I’ll permanently add the fifth season to my watching experience. Four was too few.
I think my downstairs neighbour, whom I’ve come to nickname “Karaoke Girl” due to her drunken, late-night singalong sessions with friends, has her mother visiting. Possibly even staying under the same roof. As it turns out, her mother is louder, stupider and even more inconsiderate than she is, so you can imagine how much fun I’m having this week. It’s actually quite amazing how unpleasant she is. I think Karaoke Girl must have a much younger brother and sister who’re also staying, as there’s suddenly a lot of noise from kids down there. I believe the sister's name is "Miley", which says it all really. I’m not too sure how so many people are able to fit into a one bedroom flat for more than a brief visit, but they seem to be managing it. I think they’ve turned their balcony into a temporary living room, so sometimes I don’t bother with the television. Their scally cackling is entertaining enough.
Speaking of balconies, I finally got my arse into gear and ordered that small patio set to place out on mine. I’ve lived here eight years and have only unlocked the balcony door two or three times. Once the set arrived, I was very relieved to find that I didn’t need to assemble anything. It’s a folding set, so it all fit into its delivery box in one piece. Well, three pieces, as there’s a table and two chairs, but you know what I mean. The plan is to sit out there very early when I have my morning coffee. Any time after that will be when passersby will start to show an interest and possibly verbally abuse me. Especially teenagers and immature adults. So, fingers crossed I can keep to a sensible sleep pattern that will allow me to make use of my new kit.
Right, I think that’s all for now. I best go sort some food out. I’m a growing lad, after all.
Hope you all have a nice weekend. Do let me know what you’re up to.
Toodles!
.
.
.
.
HEALTH UPDATE
So, yes, here we are with a few updates regarding my recent diabetes diagnosis.
My doctor just rang to discuss the results of the blood test I had retaken yesterday. This retake was just to confirm 100% that I have it, and that no mix-ups took place at the clinic. I do have it, and it’s Type 2. This means I just need to take some oral medication and try to lower my sugar intake, rather than having to inject myself with insulin every day (which is what you have to do with Type 1). It’s obviously still bad, but it appears, so far, to be the lesser of two evils.
I’ve now got an appointment with a nurse next week, who will train me on managing this medical condition. I’ll be given a machine to monitor my blood sugar levels, which will be interesting/a pain in the arse, plus I think I’ll be having more blood tests, which will be painful.
I asked the doctor over the phone whether I’d be able to drink alcohol with diabetes, to which the doctor said “yes”. However, while it’s still quite new and I’m learning how to cope, he recommended just taking a break from it for a while. I’m sure I’ll manage, as I had stopped enjoying boozing anyway. Or at least going out to have a drink. I may still just stay in and get drunk while watching bad movies. It’s fine.
That’s all for now, I’ll update you with more as it crops up.
Thanks for reading!
Anyway… onwards!
I’m not sure what the exact temperature is, but I think it’s safe to say that it’s pretty bloody fucking hot. It’s like when I was out playing as a kid and didn’t have a watch on but, by the general dimming of the light, knew that I was out way past my bedtime and should probably expect a telling off. I don’t need to know the precise centigrade. I get it. It’s a hot one.
I’m amazed I got through the night actually, as there was definitely a point where I thought to myself: “I’m never gonna be able to sleep in this!”. I did though. Somehow. I only wish I remembered how I did it. Giving up on trying probably helped. I usually have to trick myself into unconsciousness anyway.
I did try ordering an electric fan from the supermarket (to be delivered with my usual weekly grocery order), but it didn’t arrive. I’m guessing there was a rush on them at the supermarket. It was a bit of a long shot, and I think I would have actually been more surprised if it had turned up. Oh well, I’m managing to survive with the torn-off sheet of cardboard that I’m wafting myself with. Fancy, huh?
In bed, before the promise of sleep looms, I’m currently delving into the fifth season of Will & Grace. Usually, I stop at the end of the fourth season, but I thought I’d push the boat out and see if anything after that is watchable. The two titular characters falling out on the first disc is very upsetting, which I think is why I usually avoid it. But, after that (where Will becomes truly loathsome), things do pick up. In fact, there are a surprising amount of memorable comedy moments to enjoy in Season 5, which I’d totally forgotten about. One of the key problems, though, is that it’s brimming-over with celebrity cameos. It gets to the point where every episode has someone famous making a guest appearance. It’s quite exhausting. You start to pine for a simple storyline. A “bottle episode”, even. But some of the cameos are actually really fun, in particular Elton John as the head of the “gay mafia” and Gene Wilder as Will’s new day-to-day boss (Gregory Hines’ replacement). But, yeah, after a while, it all starts to get a bit much, but I think I’ll permanently add the fifth season to my watching experience. Four was too few.
I think my downstairs neighbour, whom I’ve come to nickname “Karaoke Girl” due to her drunken, late-night singalong sessions with friends, has her mother visiting. Possibly even staying under the same roof. As it turns out, her mother is louder, stupider and even more inconsiderate than she is, so you can imagine how much fun I’m having this week. It’s actually quite amazing how unpleasant she is. I think Karaoke Girl must have a much younger brother and sister who’re also staying, as there’s suddenly a lot of noise from kids down there. I believe the sister's name is "Miley", which says it all really. I’m not too sure how so many people are able to fit into a one bedroom flat for more than a brief visit, but they seem to be managing it. I think they’ve turned their balcony into a temporary living room, so sometimes I don’t bother with the television. Their scally cackling is entertaining enough.
Speaking of balconies, I finally got my arse into gear and ordered that small patio set to place out on mine. I’ve lived here eight years and have only unlocked the balcony door two or three times. Once the set arrived, I was very relieved to find that I didn’t need to assemble anything. It’s a folding set, so it all fit into its delivery box in one piece. Well, three pieces, as there’s a table and two chairs, but you know what I mean. The plan is to sit out there very early when I have my morning coffee. Any time after that will be when passersby will start to show an interest and possibly verbally abuse me. Especially teenagers and immature adults. So, fingers crossed I can keep to a sensible sleep pattern that will allow me to make use of my new kit.
Right, I think that’s all for now. I best go sort some food out. I’m a growing lad, after all.
Hope you all have a nice weekend. Do let me know what you’re up to.
Toodles!
.
.
.
.
HEALTH UPDATE
So, yes, here we are with a few updates regarding my recent diabetes diagnosis.
My doctor just rang to discuss the results of the blood test I had retaken yesterday. This retake was just to confirm 100% that I have it, and that no mix-ups took place at the clinic. I do have it, and it’s Type 2. This means I just need to take some oral medication and try to lower my sugar intake, rather than having to inject myself with insulin every day (which is what you have to do with Type 1). It’s obviously still bad, but it appears, so far, to be the lesser of two evils.
I’ve now got an appointment with a nurse next week, who will train me on managing this medical condition. I’ll be given a machine to monitor my blood sugar levels, which will be interesting/a pain in the arse, plus I think I’ll be having more blood tests, which will be painful.
I asked the doctor over the phone whether I’d be able to drink alcohol with diabetes, to which the doctor said “yes”. However, while it’s still quite new and I’m learning how to cope, he recommended just taking a break from it for a while. I’m sure I’ll manage, as I had stopped enjoying boozing anyway. Or at least going out to have a drink. I may still just stay in and get drunk while watching bad movies. It’s fine.
That’s all for now, I’ll update you with more as it crops up.
Thanks for reading!
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I must say, sticking to wine and beer is giving my alcoholism a fine longevity indeed! I’d usually be questioning every decision I’ve ever m...
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I can’t tell you how great it is to have the temperature drop like it has. Well, I can: it’s really great! Sitting still and not sweating ...
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Well, after the usual stuttering start, the autumnal weather seems to be here to stay. Woo! I could do with a little more sunshine though, a...
