Why?or less

With such a super-abundance of wireless networks in our vicinity, it seems mildly ironic that I'm in a perpetual struggle with our own router - having to repair and re-connect with an amazingly high recurrence of such necessity, or could it be that this fertile wireless terrain is causing the problem?

As a newcomer to the wireless world this becomes a major concern, alongside concerns regarding the number of unsecured networks within such a narrow range. Anyway, ours not to reason why ... ours is to do ... when a connection is available! The loss of connection proves extremely frustrating when one suddenly loses the connection whilst trying to "send" an e-mail, via web-mail, only to find that the message itself has been lost by the time one returns from the disruptive "cannot find server" screen.

This morning, the aches in my upper arm muscles, elbows and wrists have returned and, I'm hoping it's just a reflection of present tensions rather than the neurological condition I'm beginning to suspect. Perhaps this is a warning that I need to rest, having spent a full 90 minutes free of duvet-dom! Strange thing is, I felt fine until I had a shower but, following the shower .... a discomfited fatigue seems to have set in.

I'm preparing this on a fully wired PC, having temporarily given up the struggle with wireless. Time to rest!

A Compliment Returned

Some 45 minutes ago, I started my evening blog only to find when I attempted to publish I encountered the fabled "cannot find server" screen. This time I was attempting the posting on the wired PC. Four hours ago, I attempted the same thing on my laptop ... this time wireless and the same thing happened! Perhaps there's a problem with the new router but, as you can imagine, by this time I'm feeling rather peeved having totally LOST two postings.

It really is rather ironic considering that, in both cases, I'd been describing what a good day it had been. Started the day on a positive note, after a non too early arising, even managed a trip into town for a couple of monetary transactions. It's not really that often, these days, that I can be such an intrepid adventurer!

M. came around this afternoon and finalized the wireless network set up but, now I'm waiting to see just how efficacious the move to wireless has been! (Current problems affecting both "wired" and "wireless" machines !) Anyway, I'll take some of those misgivings back if this posting works.

This evening Helen and I settled down to watch "Beetlejuice", I'd forgotten just how brilliantly entertaining this movie was! The viewing was aided by a bottle of smooth and plummy "Los Robles Carmenere", Curico, Chile 2003. The fact that this wine is produced for Traidcraft (Fair Trade), added an extra nuance to our appreciation!

We watched part of the programme (BBC1) examining the Mafia links of "Ol' Blue Eyes" and, I also remembered to set the video to record Sinatra's 1970 Royal Albert Hall Concert (BBC4).

Helen's head hit the pillow about one hour ago and, as is her great gift, immediately entered the land of dreams. No matter how exhausted I may be, or have been, the Sandman always delays his visit.

Anyway, I'd best forget my earlier moans, they go totally against the general tenor of the day. This was a good day, and I rejoiced and was glad in it ... well, most of the time! I started the day on a positive note (as recorded by Heterocon) and the day strove to repay the compliment.

A Few Words before the Sandman calls

The salmon dish proved satifactory, served with a large jacket potato and then, the rest of the evening was spent with visitors (more details of which can be found on Heterocon's blog).

By this time, I'm getting a little weary despite my late arising; I am bearing witness to colliding letters on the screen in front of me! So, if brevity is the soul of wit ... this should be heading that way.

Just set up the video to tape "Hiroshima, Mon Amour", I last saw it in the early 60's, when I was living in the metropolis. I'm just curious as to whether it has lost any of it's New Wave power?

Bed calls me and, I must obey. Goodnight one and all.

Of Victuals and Vitality

Started the day semi-wide-awake, not semi-awake as that would seem to veer towards an unconscious awakening, around 6.00am! This was quite remarkable as, for at least 90 minutes, I'd been struggling with a bout of reflux from around 1.15am and so, lay awake at this stage.

That early start to the day was a false alarm in any case, the clutches (and even gentle coaxing) of the arms of Morpheus gained a convert. My final disengagement with the lair of sheets and duvet didn't occur until late-morning, reluctance to emerge being a temporary aberration.

Helen had, meanwhile, gone out to the day hospital where she appears to have had a rewarding session, both creative-writing wise and educational information gleaning! Having only grabbed my breakfast cereal in the latter part of the morning, a couple of slices of wholemeal bread and honey, together with a banana sufficed for lunch! I look forward to preparing some fresh salmon fillets for dinner, with my special herby spiced peppers and mushrooms; the entire dish will be subjected to a little char-grilling!

Does anyone get the hint that FOOD is beginning to play as essential part, in my life, as it does in the lore of the Hobbits?

Sunshine and Hospitals and ....

So far this has been yet another of my better days; it must be tied in to visiting the psychiatrist! The good news is that he's halved the dose of Mirtazapine for one week only, after that he'll check how I manage without any medication and, I see him again in six weeks time. He's also seeing about a referral to the physio/pain-management person who had read my blogs and, thought maybe she could help. Of course it had to be mentioned how much calmer I had become (on the temper front) since resuming smoking.

So appointed hospital visits are now for mid-september (trick-cyclist), end of September blood tests (liver function) and 7 November blood tests (multiple). I suppose someone's got to keep them in a job!

Suddenly the weather has turned rather hot again, I hope it knows when to stop, although, at the moment it's still rather pleasant in the breeze. Recent rain had topped up the garden pond sufficiently to withstand a few sunnier days. If somehow I can find it in my energy reserves, I may even get around to mowing the lawn as well as a little pottering about in the garden.

On returning from the hospital (with my beloved chauffeuse) we listened to a brilliant performance of Mussorgsky's "Pictures From An Exhibition" (the Ravel orchestration of course) by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra ... what a wonderful brass section!

Got a little more work done on the laptop this morning, before preparing a curried pasta lunch (part reclamation plus Peppers, Mushrooms and Ham, a tin of tomatoes thrown in for added refreshment). It's possible I'll be back later in the day but, don't take it as a promise ... somehow obligation takes away the joy!

A better day

Today has been a much better day in terms of concentration and, also for keeping my cool at times of (technological) testing! The aches in my arms have been minimal but, sore eyes (right from my emergence into the day) and a niggling headache have been the days primary set-back.

For a better day, I give thanks!

Auto-healer

Just a few words before I dine. Most of my waking hours, after a somewhat belated start to the day, have been spent playing around with my new toy. It's not all plain sailing but,i felt it important to download an anti-spyware programme and, update Windows ... 24 items were detected to download and install. Heterocon has already reported on one or two hiccups so, I won't bore you again.

It really is amazing how much the new gizmo has enabled me to push my various aches & pains into softer focus. I'd not realized that a new machine could be such a wonderful physician. Perhaps it's part and parcel of the normal remission before I visit the 'trick-cyclist' at the hospital!

A better behaved body

Having listened to my body mid-morning, and grabbed the extra sleep, I seem to have had a rather better day than for some time. Of course, the new distraction possibly played some part in it as, that resolved the quandary of decision-making that has been rather haunting me.

This evening we watched "Agatha Christie's Poirot : Five Little Pigs" on ITV; neither of us had seen it before and, we're both agreed that it's one of the best episodes. Meantime, we had the video kept busy recording John Grisham's "The Pelican Brief" for watching at a later date. I have a vague idea that I may have seen the film but, Helen definitely hasn't and seems quite eager to view it.

David Jacob's programme, on Radio 2, is keeping me company whilst I prepare this blog, it always features some good music from the musicals and some of the great songwriters. A sign of my great age is that I still think of him as the presenter of 'Juke Box Jury'. As my vision is now starting to get blurred, it must be my body asking me to take note.

God bless and, sweet dreams.

Today the Sun has Shone

Last night, like so many of late, was not the most restful although, I felt a litle more refreshed on a relatively early emergence from duvet-dom. This proved to be a false alarm however, as by 11.00am I required a few minutes lie-down which swiftly turned into one and a half hours of sleep. I had just emerged from this surprise nap when Helen returned from having taken a service at one of the circuit chapels.

After lunch, one of my minced beef curry specials, I decided to visit Comet to do a bit more browsing. One of the laptops, which had been my earlier preference, had now been reduced in price by £80, so after my lengthy indecision process ... decided, yes this was the one. It was the display model and, another salesman came over to it whilst our salesman went to collect the packaging. Apparently, another person was on the phone at that point having just decided they would like it. How fortuitous was that, after all that earlier indecision, I only just managed to get the machine I wanted (a newly discontinued model!)

My beloved and myself have just been enjoying this week's edition of "Songs Of Praise" before Helen went out to the evening service at her local chapel. Must be a day for piety, taking a service and worshipping at another one; perhaps one day soon I'll have the resilience to participate in such worshipful endeavour!

Interlude

Twenty minutes ago, my other persona, Heterocon, had to give up writing, doubled over in tear provoking discomfort. After this brief interlude, only the aches remain but, it's hard to ascertain whether the various supports or the painkillers are kicking in. I, myself, find it hard to believe that it's such a short time ago that I was in the throes of a screaming cringe-making intensity of pain.

Why can't life be simpler, how long do I have to scream before someone realizes I'm not just crying wolf! Anyway, I must be grateful that at least I can sit reasonably upright once more. At the moment, with Radio 3 playing in the background, I am the picture of contentment. I only hope that this content never turns to contempt.

Life is short, we should rejoice and be glad in it.