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State Of The Koala.
Aug. 22nd, 2015 07:33 pmHaven't written anything of any consequence in the Journal in what seems like an age. So, I suppose this is a bit of a where-I-am-now post. Geographically, I'm still stuck in a village with one bus an hour except on Sundays where there is nothing. One shop; one pub. Tried to learn to drive about 2 years ago and came up against a brick wall, despite the fact that this time I was learning in an automatic rather than a stick shift. Bought a (old) bike which I hadn't realised (due to my complete absence of nouse and mechanical skills) had a dodgy clutch and ended up selling it at a loss to someone who did have the requisite mechanical skills. That and His Lordship worried every time I went out on it put the kybosh on that.
Mentally, been going through the wringer. Went back on Venlafaxine again for 6 months, then found a local sexual health charity that was offering inexpensive counselling, so have been working through with that for a few months now, which seems to be working fine. especially since my councellor works to the Person Centred methodology, with which I have a degree of familiarisation. It is a minimal amount they charge, but I have volunteered to help them man their tent at Leicester Pride next month.
Healthwise, now have a formal diagnosis of Sleep Apnea (which many have suspected for years) and now the proud posessor of an "Inflate-A-Steve" as I call it. Still trying to get used to it; it will take time, but given the potential health benefits, I am determined to make it work. Noticed today that I managed to swim further than I could before starting the treatment, so the snatches of sleep I am catching with the device on seem to be having some effect. However, I am feeling particularly fat at the moment - my mental health has meant that my comfort eating has been worse than usual. My consultant at the Sleep Clinic at Leicester General tells me that one of the benefits of the CPAP treatment is that I should start producing more of a hormone that stops these cravings, so here's hoping. His Lordship not really helping here as he tends to take the p--- out of any attempt to undertake any form of exercise, from his well-worn seat on the sofa.
Work - oy vey. Where do I start? I can't really go into much detail as we have a social media policy which prevents me from identifying who I work for online, but I am being micro-managed out of my head. Not by local management who, for the main part, are supportive but those above, including one manager who I refer to as The Smiling Assasin as she pretends everything is nicey-nice and wonderful, whilst stabbing people in the back at any opportunity. Paranoia levels high! Took a test last weekend for another department which I felt I did well in but of course my self doubt kicked in. Should hear before the end of the month on that one.
Musically, seem to be listening to a lot of Joni Mitchell of late, thanks to a local chanteuse by the name of Sally Barker who achieved a degree of fame a couple of years ago by getting to the finals of the UK version of The Voice, being coached by Sir Tom Jones. She has managed to return to her roots, playing local venues and touring, despite being offered a recording contract which, frankly, would not have shown the British public how truly versatile she is.
On the travel front, apart from our road trip from Oakland to Seattle last year, spent a few days in the northern Netherlands based in Zwolle, which I throroughly enjoyed. A bit of winter sun in the Algarve too, which is just what the doctor ordered. And, of course, the few days by the Loire last month. Got a trip to see little sis in Sweden in October, along with Florida in December as a Fiftieth birthday treat from His Lordship.
Well, I think that's everything for the moment, apart from losing my beloved maternal grandmother a couple of weeks ago - she was 94, so she'd had a fair innings, but it's still hard to let go of someone you've known for 49 years.
Mentally, been going through the wringer. Went back on Venlafaxine again for 6 months, then found a local sexual health charity that was offering inexpensive counselling, so have been working through with that for a few months now, which seems to be working fine. especially since my councellor works to the Person Centred methodology, with which I have a degree of familiarisation. It is a minimal amount they charge, but I have volunteered to help them man their tent at Leicester Pride next month.
Healthwise, now have a formal diagnosis of Sleep Apnea (which many have suspected for years) and now the proud posessor of an "Inflate-A-Steve" as I call it. Still trying to get used to it; it will take time, but given the potential health benefits, I am determined to make it work. Noticed today that I managed to swim further than I could before starting the treatment, so the snatches of sleep I am catching with the device on seem to be having some effect. However, I am feeling particularly fat at the moment - my mental health has meant that my comfort eating has been worse than usual. My consultant at the Sleep Clinic at Leicester General tells me that one of the benefits of the CPAP treatment is that I should start producing more of a hormone that stops these cravings, so here's hoping. His Lordship not really helping here as he tends to take the p--- out of any attempt to undertake any form of exercise, from his well-worn seat on the sofa.
Work - oy vey. Where do I start? I can't really go into much detail as we have a social media policy which prevents me from identifying who I work for online, but I am being micro-managed out of my head. Not by local management who, for the main part, are supportive but those above, including one manager who I refer to as The Smiling Assasin as she pretends everything is nicey-nice and wonderful, whilst stabbing people in the back at any opportunity. Paranoia levels high! Took a test last weekend for another department which I felt I did well in but of course my self doubt kicked in. Should hear before the end of the month on that one.
Musically, seem to be listening to a lot of Joni Mitchell of late, thanks to a local chanteuse by the name of Sally Barker who achieved a degree of fame a couple of years ago by getting to the finals of the UK version of The Voice, being coached by Sir Tom Jones. She has managed to return to her roots, playing local venues and touring, despite being offered a recording contract which, frankly, would not have shown the British public how truly versatile she is.
On the travel front, apart from our road trip from Oakland to Seattle last year, spent a few days in the northern Netherlands based in Zwolle, which I throroughly enjoyed. A bit of winter sun in the Algarve too, which is just what the doctor ordered. And, of course, the few days by the Loire last month. Got a trip to see little sis in Sweden in October, along with Florida in December as a Fiftieth birthday treat from His Lordship.
Well, I think that's everything for the moment, apart from losing my beloved maternal grandmother a couple of weeks ago - she was 94, so she'd had a fair innings, but it's still hard to let go of someone you've known for 49 years.
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