new for old!

Spent I don't know how long rejigging my home network.
Typically, did things back to front

It al began when OH bought me a new tower pc and snazzy monitor as early Xmas present.

Several hours/days or do I mean 'daze' later, I have started using new pc and monitor. My original 'work space' was too small, so OH has constructed a bespoke work surface which fits on top of the original desk. Now, I can view the 22 inch monitor from the proper distance.


However, the age and construction of the house have defeated modern technology. I cannot access the www from the new dining room! Wi-fi will not work and neither would using plug-in via the mains. Too many iron brick walls in the way. Also, this building has at least 3 separate ring mains.

blast from the past

Came across someone that I worked with during my days of torment in previous 'life'.
No idea why I 'let on' and said 'Hello'. guess I was being polite.

Well, I gained an update on the past nearly 7 years worth of what's been going on in that place and momentous changes are afoot for 2009.

The old place, scene and witness to my years of torment is to be closed and demolished in 2009. Two people I knew have lost their jobs completely, the head will not be in charge of the new site, but she still has her snout in the gravy trough/

Meanwhile, they are busy on a spending spree, using up funds on such things as a jolly to Iceland by a guy that was my junior and a proverbial waste of space. Politically correct sycophant with no knowledge of geology or of the physical side of Earth Sciences.

the pressure is on or should that read up

Tomorrow afternoon it's back once more to the medical centre :-((
Must remember to take with me results of the ECG.
Am trying to be 'good'; no spicy foods, no alcohol and drinking decaf coffee.


This is what the bruising looks like, fortunately, it's only on one arm and is now multi-coloured so must be on the mend
That's the result from a careful practitioner, doesn't need much of an imagination to realise why I do not like blood tests. There's nothing much to see on my other arm; but the length of time it took!!!

According to the doctor nothing untoward shown in test results, but he put me on meds for the next month.

not in this universe

chatting to a long, long time friend of many, many moons.
Sisters we ought to have been,we are only one's and sisters by choice.
(You can choose your friends...)
I needed a chat to share/mull over recent happenings. We are always 'there' for each other.
Explaining the events of the past week, nurse and doctor appointments and BP measurements. Mulling over the possibilities, laughter is the best medicine, let 'them' do their tests and see if there is an underlying problem.
Nurse recorded BP systolic 150s+ and 160s+ plus, doctor tested left arm 160+ and then right arm 190+ oops!
Hence I've got two appts on Monday morning both at the same hospital. An ECG and blood tests.
Did a 'dry run' to find how long it'd take to get there and where the place is.

Two days to take action (preventative measures). Decaf coffee!
Not in this universe...a reference to me often confusing the medics, and their readings, what's the norm for others is rarely norm for me...

More rotten news, god-daughter is in hospital. {{{hugs}}}}
Hope she' better soon.
Curiously, the way I found out was online!

Luckily she has web access, so I can keep in touch.

My hospital visit went better than expected, but taking bloods is always problematic. The people at the Sir A Jones Memorial hospital were friendly and professional. Hardly any bruising to speak of, tho' it was a struggle to get enough in the vial.

Even went for ECG an hour early so didn't need to wait. How good was that! Result of ECG no worries. taking printout with me to appt with doc on Friday.

quandry

Last Christmas OH bought me a new camera D-SLR and am just getting to feel comfortable using it as it has lots of 'bells n whistles'
Now he wants to buy another for this Christmas because they have brought out an even more 'all singing and dancing' one!
Also, there is a special offer / discount £££ off the usual price.
I'd be happier if he spent less and bought me a wide-angle lens for my camera.

Shouldn't moan but...

not so good

Had appt for BP check, but it kept on registering as 'high'. asked the nurse if the 'collar' was too tight, cos that's how it felt; but she kept on trying without changing it size or position on my arm.
Result!
High BP noted on records and appt made for Friday pm to see doctor.
At least I get to see a doc for once!
Nurse commented it had been a long while since last appt with doc! Told her of the discouraging tactics used by reception staff which prevented me seeing doc on several occasions.
Spent about an hour with nurse; discussion ranging over many topics. Reminisced about previous doctors back in the 1980s 1990s and what the practice was like in those days. Went on to compare with now and remembered previous doctors. One always used hospital referrals as much as possible. Nurse said that had kept the secretary very busy (1980s).
Reminded me of how grateful I'd been to that doctor, as he'd sent me to have my voice problems diagnosed.
This led to years of speech therapy with the chief speech therapist at the hospital; who 'worked wonders' with my voice preventing further damage and possible loss of voice.
Over the years, we became friends and often chatted about her daughter. Just before I was discharged I learnt the therapist had developed breast cancer.
that's a sad memory, I feared the worst, but no way of knowing cos lost contact.

Wonder what Friday will bring?
I need to have a test for Raynauds syndrome and probably blood tests. Talked to the nurse about the last time when the bloods were taken at the local centre. I had to wear sleeved garments to hide massive bruising.

Roses

Deeper red roses have almost velvet-like textured petals. Their buds are deepest red.

Roses are my favourite flowers, no matter whether they are shrub, climber, patio or rambler.
Talking on Plurk about roses, it seemed a good idea to blog and post some pix. Especially as when I did Digital Photography (OU short course) I found that I'd taken more pix of roses than anything else.

I prefer them to be scented, rather than showy; the heady perfume of roses on a balmy Summer evening is bliss.



This particular rose changes colour as it develops from bud to full-blown.

puppy 'madness'

Youngster now has proper paws instead of rabbit-like baby paws.
He's either full-on or heavy zzzzzz.
Quiet puppy = sleeping or = chaos with no in-between.
Today he looks even more grown-up and has begun to choose toys (pulls and chews) to play with.
He knows his name and runs into the house if you say 'bye-bye' and pretend to close the door.
Thank goodness for the older girlie acting as big sister and playing/telling him off

Archaeology SA188

Course materials arrived for my latest OU venture. Lots of lovely materials to investigate, I may be a while.
One of the activities is to visit the British museum web pages.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/
A lovely way to explore archaeology.

return to GMT

Doglets didn't understand the hour change, so wake-up was normal for them but an hour earlier for me. Normality has now been resumed. Unfortunately, the weather has turned squally and puppy isn't keen on heavy rain and I don't blame him...
Here's some more pix

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

home once more

It's good to go away, but better to return home knowing you don't have any long journeys to make for a while.
Made a promise to share more puppy pix, so that's may personal task for today. Time to connect cameras and organise images.

Zaq loves playing in the autumn leaves



He's getting good at posing for pix!

But not yet old enough for his ears to stand upright...won't be long

Wendishness had an idea so I followed

This is taken from handwriting analysis...it takes no account of brain fade and senior moments

;-)

Joangee is moderately outgoing. Her emotions are stirred by sympathy and heart rendering stories. In fact, she can be kind, friendly, affectionate and considerate of others. She has the ability to put herself into the other person's shoes.

Joangee will be somewhat moody, with highs and lows. Sometimes she will be happy, the next day she might be sad. She has the unique ability to get along equally well with what psychology calls introverts and extroverts. This is because she is in between. Psychology calls Joangee an ambivert. She understands the needs of both types. Although they get along, she will not tolerate anyone that is too "far out." She doesn't sway too far one way or the other.

Joangee is an expressive person. She outwardly shows her emotions. She may even show traces of tears when hearing a sad story.

Joangee is a "middle-of-the-roader," politically as well as logically. She weighs both sides of an issue, sits on the fence, and then will decide when she finally has to. She basically doesn't relate to any far out ideas and usually won't go to the extreme on any issue.

Joangee doesn't write too large or too small, indicating a balanced ability to be social and interact with others.

She has the best of two kinds of minds. One is the quick investigating mind. The other is the creative mind. Her mind thinks quick and rapidly in the investigative mode.

Joangee can then switch into her low gear. When she is in the slower mode, she can be creative. She is more logical this way and can climb mental mountains with a much better grip.

Zaq

Another GSD ;-)
We have a lovely little male GSD and OH thought it'd be good to call him 'Zaq' note the different spelling!

Lady GSD has begun to accept him and today they started to play together. He is all action one second and spark out asleep next. Learning the basics: 'in', 'enough' and 'up'
Nearly learnt his name!

Kernow

Kernow is the 'old' name for Cornwall.
Spent the past fortnight in Penwith enjoying the autumnal sunshine; walking country lanes and byways with the dog some half dozen times a day.

As you can see, dog and horse get on well together.


Sunny weather brought out butterflies, and I managed to capture some on camera

Kernow

South West England, a county called Penwith bordering the Atlantic Ocean.
Historic tin mining area, remnants remain on the landscape.

The Crowns, Botallack, engine houses on the cliff edge.


Geevor, where mining 'heritage' money ploughed in £millions to make a museum for tourists in area of high unemployment. (instead of jobs)





The beach at Porth Nanven, yet another area taken over by the relentless purchasing power of the National Trust.

Pix

Last weekend's visit to meet a litter of GSD puppies.
55 pix taken and here's a glimpse of the happy puppies!

Invite!

The OU (bless them) have sent info on more psychology courses to consider.
No way!
I've had as much as I can stand of 'death by assignments'. At least in their latest synopsis of SD226 they urge careful reading of the course description!
I ought to be writing my ECA (End of course assignment).
Having teeth drawn without anaesthetic would have more appeal.

Needs must, I have to complete and submit the work or FAIL

Various

Came across some poems written in darker days, and decided to put them into my blog. Jubilado is the Spanish word for 'retirement'; what a lovely thing to call it. A much better word than our prosaic 'retired'.
Took a course in learning Spanish (introductory) because I wanted to try to understand or grasp a bit of the language.
My studies came in handy on an OUGS trip to Almería in SE Spain. We stayed off the tourist track, ate at the local taverna and I was able to read the menu and make my self understood.
OK, so I didn't end up eating anything and having to guess what it was, but I prefer it that way.

Maelstrom

Maelstrom thoughts

“Don’t just sit there!
Pull yourself together!”

Darkness in my head
Maelstrom thoughts
Aching, bone weary
Lost for words.

Depression clings to me,
Clogging my mind
Words fail me.

“There’s nothing wrong with you!
You are making yourself ill.”

Depression grips tighter
Ever tighter
Mind, body, soul
Enforced lethargy

Your words thudding into me

¿Why?

¿Why?
do I remember
with such
awful clarity
hurtful words?

¿Why?
does sadness
remain my
unbidden companion?

¿Why?
does anxiety
cloud my thoughts?

¿Why?
do anniversaries
bring despondency?

¿Why?
am I bone-weary
aching to the marrow
of my soul?

¿Why?
does despair
with its iron grip
cling persistently?

¿Why?

Tenacious, the Black Dog
worries its prey
gnawing hungrily
tearing through
mind and body.

Depression, the Black dog,
has me in thrall
gripping relentlessly.

JMG 07/03/05

Answer, came there none!

She plucked up Courage
and Spoke!
Words tumbled into the Silence.

She spoke Again
Did anyone Hear?
Did anyone Listen?

Answer came there?
None!

She plucked up Courage
and Wrote.
Words tumbled onto the page
Sent out into the ether.

She Wrote Again.
Her words were read.
Did anyone Listen?

Answer came there?
None!

Depressives make good listeners;
but when she spoke…

answer came there none.

So I Retreat
garnering Words in my Mind.

Mind whimpers
‘Speak to Me
and I Shall Listen
Ssspeak to Me
I Shall Reply.
Talk to Me
I am here’.

JMG 2005

poetry

Jubilado

“Retired, you’ve retired!
Bliss and rapture,
More time to spend together.”

Together?
We worked together
For years…
Same building, different roles
Days at work together,
But apart
Hardly ever speaking or meeting

Our working partnership

Jubilado! Retired!
Together for days on end
Stifled, confined together.

Questions, questions
Instructions
Babe, I need you!
Come here!
Just do this…
I need you

At work we were
INDEPENDENT

Now he depends on me
Too often
Using my mind instead of his

Claustrophobia of the mind

He cares deeply, painfully
Aware of everything
Missing nothing
In control of the day to day

Demanding,
Relentlessly dependant
Jubilado!

Have you come across ;-)

ATI Adolescent Teamwork Impulse ~ a set of pointless and expensive activities, designed to distract and to foster work avoidance

PCO Periodic Committee Obsession ~ a delusional 'belief' that committees improve decision making!

UPF Unconscious Power Fixation ~ an irrational belief that certain job titles endow the holder with 'deserved magic power'

Commonplace afflictions found in the 'workplace'

GSDs

I am totally over the moon with happiness; having spent several hours today with a friend and her doglet's litter of puppies. (see pix)

I have shared my life with canine companions for decades and am thoroughly nuts about long-haired, plush coated 'table-top' GSDs.

Have been searching to find another canine companion and fingers tightly crossed, hopefully the search nears its end.

Tutorial SD226 Bio Psych

Decided that as it was the last f2f tutorial available, I'd try it and see what happened.

Went with mixed feelings, hoping to gain useful insight into ECA requirements and
hoping against hope
there would not be a repeat of the whingeing

Problem being that it is a bitsa course, bits of psych and bigger bits of neurology (science).

Psychology students moan regularly how they hate, don't understand, can't get on with the neuroscience.

I love neuroscience! Bring it on! Anatomy is fascinating!
Told the tutor how much I enjoyed the course content, but found the questioning 'Machiavellian' torture.

Plurk

A 'write about yourself' n involve others place on the Web.

Where I came across some lovely people (or peeps?) Sharing bits of info, having 'conversations' and dotting messages with emoticons. Fun, funny n simple, cheerful entertainment.

However, at the mo, it's all gone quiet cos various peeps are taking advantage of 'le weekend' to go various places.

Also, being world-wide, when UK folk are thinking 'Morning!' for others it's nearly this evening, and yet more folk are about to start the day.

Tech

Bet that's got some folk thinking!
Few stray thoughts crossed my mind n guessed I'd write them down.

Lived thro' the tech revolution, experienced changes when at work. 'They' put a BBC B in my 'care' n to use, even let me pay to attend evening course to find out how to run the d*mned thing!

Reminds me of an old idea that
Policing would seem similar to teaching when...
Police are expected to fund (out of their own pay) the running of vehicles they drive and uniform they wear.

[memo to self 'don't follow that thought trend' You'll annoy yourself and bore others.]

Back to tech

Babylon 5 n the techno mages, idea of tech wires like filigree, filaments coursing thro' veins

My OH n tech! computer Luddite (named himself)
However, being an engineering minded guy...knows all about the innards of puters, refuses to 'work one' tho'

Calls my puter place 'the black hole' (speaking in a derogatory manner)

Yet, is the first to want online ebilling, warranty registration of purchases n searches done for him!

mf?

Now, three laptops later n similar number of towers not mentioning peripherals; spending time online has become 'second-nature'

Purple

• Purple people eaters
  
• Purple rain
  
• Purple Haze ~ Hendrix
• Deep Purple
  
• When I am old, I shall wear purple
• going through a purple patch
• when the deep purple falls over sleepy garden walls...