Life, And Other Natural Disasters...

I am at a loss.  I just don't get it.  And I certainly want 2016 to be over.  What has happened to the UK and the US?  I certainly don't understand my own country any more and as for trying to understand our larger neighbour to the west, which I thought I was starting to...

The Trump talks of reconcilliation, whilst appointing a whole stream of right wing nutjobs into seemingly powerful positions, and pouting and posturing when someone has the audacity to call his running mate on his ultra white christian, gay hating beliefs.  I thought it was done with love and respect but the perma-tanned ferret thinks otherwise.

I hear conflicting stories as to what the new administration can/can't to to the hard fought LGBT* rights brought in by President Obama.  Could the USA even go as far as some Middle Eastern countries and introduce a gay test at the borders?  Yes, it sounds ridiculous but frankly, I wouldn't put it past someone like Mike Pence.

I just don't know what to think any more.

...the first word I heard on my radio this morning was "re-elected"!

So, started working at my permanent office in Coalville today.  Second set of fond farewells in 6 months yesterday - a surprise gift coupon and both the managers of the office thanking me for my help.  Which all helps build up the old self confidence levels, but I still feel like the new kid today.  Trying to suss people out and figure out what procedures are different in the new office.  And building myself up to the days when I start walking to and from work.  Which started earlier than expected when the bus didn't turn up and I had to walk home.  No biggie usually but I didn't have my walking shoes on today.  Oh well...

But one of my colleagues did have a particularly cute blue-eyed long haired bear today, so the day had a particular high spot ;)

So, the move is pretty much on.  Don't have a date yet, but have been in conversation with people and the plan is for me to work on detachment from my new office for about two months in a place called Hinckley.  Then, hopefully around the end of April, I will transfer back to my new office in Coalville.  Which is about 30 minutes walk from where my new home will be...

It begins...

Most of the time, I kvetch that I do not seem able to pass my driving test.
Some days, though, perhaps the population should be thankful that I am not behind the wheel, as I can be the most impatient pedestrian in existence.  Cussing the volume of traffic; speed or otherwise of vehicles and some drivers inability to use an indicator.  So, if I were let loose behind the wheel...

Probably best not to think about it.

Please think healing thoughts for a speedy recovery today for beastbriskett .

HUGS.

...mentally speaking, that is.
Having come off the Venlafaxine with the help of my GP, having come to an un-easy truce with the events of the last three years or so, having discovered new strengths within me, progress has definitely been made.

But...
Despite going to the GP last week to sort out my sleep problem, namely the vivid and weird dreams I've been getting, which I have started getting again and getting a prescription for sleeping pills, I have found that after a few days, the pills get less and less effective and the dreams are coming back.  I will most likely try and ring the medical center for an appointment to discuss the next course of action.

However...
I went to Birmingham Pride on Saturday and made some very useful connections; I discovered that there are gay mens groups in both Dudley and Wolverhampton - the Dudley group meets monthly and the next meeting is while I am at The Summer Good Food Show on June 13th.  The Wolverhampton group meets weekly on a Monday night (except Bank Holidays, which is why I am not going to head over there tonight.

So, progress.  Still stuff to do though...

The other day, the new boss (Mandy) caught me on the hop.  She made a comment along the lines of hoping I would bring a little sophistication to the office because I sounded posh.

"Posh???"  I looked up with horror and my voice went up at least two octaves.  "Posh???!!!"

I'm not really that cut glass am I???

An unexpected side effect of my accident 6 weeks or so ago was the curing of a long standing fear of mine.  I have had, for more years than I care to think of, a morbid fear of general anesthesia.  Up until 6 weeks ago, I had never had one.  Indeed, over my 42 years or so on this planet, I had developed quite a nice little phobia.  First, many years ago, I heard too many tails of people either not waking up or suffering permanent brain damage after being filled with Carbon Dioxide instead of Oxygen upon waking when someone got the pipes confused.

I spent many years researching statistics and managed to convince myself that these accidents were quite rare and, by and large, most regular procedures took place without incident.  Fine.  Then I find out about a case where someone with a fear of anesthesia is induced and dies of a heart attack whilst induction was taking place.  Great.

Imagine, therefore, my horror when the registrar in the emergency room told me that because of the fracture on my humerus, they would have to re-position my dislocated shoulder under general anesthesia.  Very calmly I explained to him my fear; naturally, he told me not to worry as I would be able to have a chat with my anesthetist prior to the procedure.  I am wheeled up to the ward and shortly afterwards, I am introduced to my anesthetist, a cheerful lass who virtually assuaged my fears and went through everything with me.  So, when I was wheeled to the theatre suite and into the anesthesia room, I was quite calm.  She positioned an Oxygen mask over my face then inserted a syringe in the veniform in my arm.

"100... 99... 98... ..."

I awoke in the recovery room after what felt like moments and I swear the first thing I said was "Well, that was wierd..." in a very David Tennant-esque manner.

So, now I have to find something else to be afraid of.  Any ideas...?

Have sorted out a solicitor this morning; now all I have to do is wait for the sale to collapse from underneath me.  Hell, why should this go smoothly?  Very little else so far has...