I haven't been blogging much - especially about everything I've been up to since the beginning of September. A couple posts ago, it was all about being sick.
This post is no exception.
I thought I was over this nastiness, but it would appear that after having spent Sunday outside in the snow and slush of the Alberta Foothills, I am, once again, not well.
I would really rather be blogging about anything other than this, but right now, THIS is what's eating up my time - getting better! Grr...
I opted out of English class this morning, and won't be going to yoga. I haven't been to pottery in ages either.
I simply do not have the stamina.
It seems, as of late, that I've simply been going through the motions - doing only what is absolutely necessary. For a number of weeks now, it seems I've not been wholly involved in all these things I've been so excited about - Detective Fiction at the U., Pottery, Yoga; all these things that have, up until recently, made for me a wonderfully balanced life.
I also recognized that I'm incredibly connected socially. I didn't realize to what extent until I started hearing from people who have been wondering, "Where's Turtle?"
I love people, and there are so many good ones in my life. How do I keep up??
Everything seems like an effort today - perhaps today is not the best day to ask.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
When is 'sick' really SICK?
I don't 'pop pills' or rely on dopey medications and a quick-fix prescription from the doc. I may feel lousy when I get the sniffles, but it's never been my cue to pack it up and head straight for the clinic at the fist sign of a cold.
There's something going around here, and it seems everyone I know has it. I've been taking notes and collecting handouts for a girl in my English course this week, only because I know her from last term's class. She's so sick, she hasn't made it to any classes all week - this, the first week back to school for most University students. (I will post about this soon, but right now Turtle Health Care is on the top of the agenda!)
Tuesday came around, I went to class feeling like I had a cold, but nothing to hold me back; really tired though, so opted out of yoga.
On Wednesday I went to the chiropractor. I hardly said a word while in the office - the staff KNEW there was something up! The chiropractor came in, and placed his hand on my back, as is normal procedure. Immediately he said,
"OK, Dave... have you been sick? Everything's swolen!"
I remember uttering something, not quite sure what. He did the regular adjustments, which seemed really harsh in comparison to most weeks.
"There. This one will definitely kick-start your immune system."
At that point, I felt fluid move into my right ear. This is when I know a cold is serious. As soon as my ears are involved, I'm usually headed for a prescription.
On Wednesday night, I lost my voice. I decided to skip the monthly board meeting at the church, and to email my prof. to let her know that if I didn't show in the morning, that was why. I regained my voice overnight and felt quite OK by morning. (That, and I didn't want to miss one of M.'s lectures - golden words, I swear!) She was quite happy to see me, but noticed that I had taken a seat off to the side and away from the class. She remarked in an email later,
"I was pleasantly surprised to see you in class this morning, though I thought you looked a bit peaky"
"Peaky"... must be a touch of British slang, me thinks.
I slept Thursday afternoon, thinking I was quite on the mend. Supper time rolled around and my throat was so sore, eating was a challenge.
As I write this in the wee hours (because I cannot sleep), the back of my tongue is swolen, and my throat is so sore it hurts when I move my head side-to-side, let alone when I try to swallow. I tried gargling some mouthwash - no good, I had to swallow it, but it felt good as it went down.
This must be it. I'm off to see the doctor come 8:00; I think I'm sick.
There's something going around here, and it seems everyone I know has it. I've been taking notes and collecting handouts for a girl in my English course this week, only because I know her from last term's class. She's so sick, she hasn't made it to any classes all week - this, the first week back to school for most University students. (I will post about this soon, but right now Turtle Health Care is on the top of the agenda!)
Tuesday came around, I went to class feeling like I had a cold, but nothing to hold me back; really tired though, so opted out of yoga.
On Wednesday I went to the chiropractor. I hardly said a word while in the office - the staff KNEW there was something up! The chiropractor came in, and placed his hand on my back, as is normal procedure. Immediately he said,
"OK, Dave... have you been sick? Everything's swolen!"
I remember uttering something, not quite sure what. He did the regular adjustments, which seemed really harsh in comparison to most weeks.
"There. This one will definitely kick-start your immune system."
At that point, I felt fluid move into my right ear. This is when I know a cold is serious. As soon as my ears are involved, I'm usually headed for a prescription.
On Wednesday night, I lost my voice. I decided to skip the monthly board meeting at the church, and to email my prof. to let her know that if I didn't show in the morning, that was why. I regained my voice overnight and felt quite OK by morning. (That, and I didn't want to miss one of M.'s lectures - golden words, I swear!) She was quite happy to see me, but noticed that I had taken a seat off to the side and away from the class. She remarked in an email later,
"I was pleasantly surprised to see you in class this morning, though I thought you looked a bit peaky"
"Peaky"... must be a touch of British slang, me thinks.
I slept Thursday afternoon, thinking I was quite on the mend. Supper time rolled around and my throat was so sore, eating was a challenge.
As I write this in the wee hours (because I cannot sleep), the back of my tongue is swolen, and my throat is so sore it hurts when I move my head side-to-side, let alone when I try to swallow. I tried gargling some mouthwash - no good, I had to swallow it, but it felt good as it went down.
This must be it. I'm off to see the doctor come 8:00; I think I'm sick.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Recycling made easy, and lemon scotch
Did I find the coolest thing today!
I took my recycling over to the V.R.R.I. bottle depot this afternoon.
I had with me, also, a mass amount of glossy magazines, newspapers and cardboard. I didn't see any recycling bins on site, so I asked the fellow at the cash register if there were any such bins close by. It seems not all the malls have them anymore, and the ones that do seem to be further and further from my house. (
To my amazement, the fellow said,
"Yes, we have a green bin at the very back of the lot. Just throw all your stuff in there."
I said,
"Do I have to separate it?"
"No, there's just the one bin, and I was told it was for all papers and cardboard. Just toss it in."
Cool! I'm beginning to LIKE recycling! Makes me wonder though, why do they make you sort it at most of the recycling depots around town?
In the process of dumping out my magazine box, I promptly allowed it to slip and fall straight down into the bin. A fellow who worked there was having a smoke. He came over and fetched my plastic file box out of the bin for me, in exchange for telling him what time it was. I think I got the better end of THAT deal!
Recycling today was a nice break from having slugged away in the office on dreaded paperwork. I opted out of yoga class for today because of the effects of this nasty head cold I've had. In dealing with this, I've discovered that if you lace Neo Citran with a shot of scotch, it really does make a difference to the quality of sleep you get in a night.
That, and it's really nice and lemon-ey...
I highly recommend it.
I took my recycling over to the V.R.R.I. bottle depot this afternoon.
I had with me, also, a mass amount of glossy magazines, newspapers and cardboard. I didn't see any recycling bins on site, so I asked the fellow at the cash register if there were any such bins close by. It seems not all the malls have them anymore, and the ones that do seem to be further and further from my house. (
To my amazement, the fellow said,
"Yes, we have a green bin at the very back of the lot. Just throw all your stuff in there."
I said,
"Do I have to separate it?"
"No, there's just the one bin, and I was told it was for all papers and cardboard. Just toss it in."
Cool! I'm beginning to LIKE recycling! Makes me wonder though, why do they make you sort it at most of the recycling depots around town?
In the process of dumping out my magazine box, I promptly allowed it to slip and fall straight down into the bin. A fellow who worked there was having a smoke. He came over and fetched my plastic file box out of the bin for me, in exchange for telling him what time it was. I think I got the better end of THAT deal!
Recycling today was a nice break from having slugged away in the office on dreaded paperwork. I opted out of yoga class for today because of the effects of this nasty head cold I've had. In dealing with this, I've discovered that if you lace Neo Citran with a shot of scotch, it really does make a difference to the quality of sleep you get in a night.
That, and it's really nice and lemon-ey...
I highly recommend it.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Bob, my buddy - rest and be free
BOB - June 1993 - September 7, 2007
About half an hour ago I said goodbye to Bob. His kidney failure had progressed to the point where keeping him here would serve only for my comfort.
Back in October of last year, I said goodbye to DJ. I remember wondering then if I had been something of a coward, staying only until he was sedated.
I promised Bob I would stay to see him on.
The whole experience was the same, but different in a way. Somehow, it seemed the right thing to do - regardless of whether I truly have the right to play God or not.
Below are some photos of Bob, and I'd like to share the rather humorous story of how he came to live with me back in 1994.
I came home one evening to find a cat on my front door step. It was cold - in the minus 20 degree range. I let him in. It's no mystery that when you start feeding cats, they don't leave.
About two months later, the Census lady came around asking all the usual questions. Only, this year there was one more:
"Do you have any pets?"
Bob was sitting on the pony wall at the front door. I said,
"Well, I've got this thing, but he wasn't by choice, he just kinda showed up."
She said,
"That's funny, the guy across the street said he HAD a cat up to a couple months ago."
We had a little laugh, and she said,
"I'll go tell him I found his cat!"
So, over comes my neighbour. He says,
"Oh, you can keep Bob. I found him out of town as a stray. I have Thor, my German Sheppard."
What makes this story funnier, is that this fellow's house mate was allergic to cats; thus, Bob was living in the garage. I've always pictured what it must have been like: Bob sitting in the middle of the road, looking one way thinking,
"House...",
the other, thinking,
"Garage...", the choice was abundantly clear.
Over the years I've become quite fond of Bob. I think what I will miss the most is how he always wanted to be in the same room as I, not necessarily on my lap or 'in my face', but he just wanted to be 'around'. We also had a mutual understanding in that when he needed his space, he took it. When I needed mine, I'd have to close the door. There was something one-sided about that, I know, but I loved him none the less.
Rest, my good friend, and know you brought me and many others lots of joy while you were here.
Namaste, peace.
...there was the time Bob had an abscess in his foot and had to wear a cone. He wasn't happy, but he looked rather funny.
Bob used to hang out in the office with me to 'supervise'. The 'boss' was such a tyrant!
This is one of my favourite moments: when I walked into the bathroom to discover he was makin' trouble!
About half an hour ago I said goodbye to Bob. His kidney failure had progressed to the point where keeping him here would serve only for my comfort.
Back in October of last year, I said goodbye to DJ. I remember wondering then if I had been something of a coward, staying only until he was sedated.
I promised Bob I would stay to see him on.
The whole experience was the same, but different in a way. Somehow, it seemed the right thing to do - regardless of whether I truly have the right to play God or not.
Below are some photos of Bob, and I'd like to share the rather humorous story of how he came to live with me back in 1994.
I came home one evening to find a cat on my front door step. It was cold - in the minus 20 degree range. I let him in. It's no mystery that when you start feeding cats, they don't leave.
About two months later, the Census lady came around asking all the usual questions. Only, this year there was one more:
"Do you have any pets?"
Bob was sitting on the pony wall at the front door. I said,
"Well, I've got this thing, but he wasn't by choice, he just kinda showed up."
She said,
"That's funny, the guy across the street said he HAD a cat up to a couple months ago."
We had a little laugh, and she said,
"I'll go tell him I found his cat!"
So, over comes my neighbour. He says,
"Oh, you can keep Bob. I found him out of town as a stray. I have Thor, my German Sheppard."
What makes this story funnier, is that this fellow's house mate was allergic to cats; thus, Bob was living in the garage. I've always pictured what it must have been like: Bob sitting in the middle of the road, looking one way thinking,
"House...",
the other, thinking,
"Garage...", the choice was abundantly clear.
Over the years I've become quite fond of Bob. I think what I will miss the most is how he always wanted to be in the same room as I, not necessarily on my lap or 'in my face', but he just wanted to be 'around'. We also had a mutual understanding in that when he needed his space, he took it. When I needed mine, I'd have to close the door. There was something one-sided about that, I know, but I loved him none the less.
Rest, my good friend, and know you brought me and many others lots of joy while you were here.
Namaste, peace.
...there was the time Bob had an abscess in his foot and had to wear a cone. He wasn't happy, but he looked rather funny.
Bob used to hang out in the office with me to 'supervise'. The 'boss' was such a tyrant!
This is one of my favourite moments: when I walked into the bathroom to discover he was makin' trouble!
My private life, private.
As I sat down to post this morning, I was thinking about what I would write.
I came up short, quite honestly.
My life has been so full and rich these days, I've not blogged about much. I was going to write about my visit with N. last night around the fire pit, over scotch. Both the scotch and the conversation were good. N. is one of my 25-year-plus friends. Those longterm friendships are rare and rightfully treasured. But as I was typing, I decided not to write about that.
I began thinking about blogging and how much we tend to share with everyone, and openly and candidly at that. I was reading over some of my early posts here to discover that I did, indeed, share a great deal, and likely that is why I have what seem to be rather 'close' (if I may use that term) blog-relationships. We all have our regular readers and passers-by, and that is likely because we share a great deal of ourselves and our lives here.
Then I thought about the times I could have posted recently, but chose not to. I suppose some things are worthy of sharing, while others are deserving of their own private moments.
I came up short, quite honestly.
My life has been so full and rich these days, I've not blogged about much. I was going to write about my visit with N. last night around the fire pit, over scotch. Both the scotch and the conversation were good. N. is one of my 25-year-plus friends. Those longterm friendships are rare and rightfully treasured. But as I was typing, I decided not to write about that.
I began thinking about blogging and how much we tend to share with everyone, and openly and candidly at that. I was reading over some of my early posts here to discover that I did, indeed, share a great deal, and likely that is why I have what seem to be rather 'close' (if I may use that term) blog-relationships. We all have our regular readers and passers-by, and that is likely because we share a great deal of ourselves and our lives here.
Then I thought about the times I could have posted recently, but chose not to. I suppose some things are worthy of sharing, while others are deserving of their own private moments.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Off and away
For those of you who were successful in your bids at the Armchair Auction, you'll be interested to know that all pieces were shipped this afternoon. Expected delivery time, 11 business days.
I'm looking forward to some delicious returns - figuratively and quite literally!
Enjoy!
I'm looking forward to some delicious returns - figuratively and quite literally!
Enjoy!
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About Me
- Turtle Guy
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- English student, Pottery enthusiast, Yoga novice and lover of all people. I make friends over a warm handshake and a beverage. I discover, every day, someone willing to help me along my path.