Post #7
We are currently enjoying unnaturally good weather here in BC at the moment with temperatures that must be in the low 30's regardless of what the local media are saying. This, and the thunder and lightning storm that hit on Saturday night, has caused around 100 forest fires in the Provence, no doubt stretching the already thin resources for fighting fires even thinner. Last weekend, as we were enjoying the sun at Harrison Hot Springs (a wonderful place if you've never been - actually, it's wonderful if you have been too) a fire was raging near the town of Kelowna and 10,000 people had to be evacuated for a few days as the the fire was fought and brought under control.
The family and I were over on the Sunshine Coast this weekend visiting friends from Scotland who are here visiting relatives and we spent a great weekend chilling out (an odd phrase given the temperatures but never mind) on the beach, watching fireworks and an annual parade in the local town. Thanks guys for a wonderful weekend.
The result of this, though, is that I feel drained of energy and struggled to get out of bed this morning. I felt the same last Monday after our weekend of chilling at Harrison and I have put it down to a combination of the heat and the meds I'm on and until the medical professionals figure out what caused the recent seizures (this may never happen apparently) and the source of the general fatigue (could be the my body getting used the meds or my body not liking the meds or something else entirely) I/we will have to put up with it.
My friend Brian told me about the ex-footballer, John Hartson's battle against cancer. He was diagnoses with testicular cancer recently and the tests revealed that it had spread to his brain and lungs. The news on the web today has suggested that he is recovering from a second brain operation, is recovering well and gaining strength, but there's gaining strength and gaining strength.
I'm also reading a book called "My Stroke of Insight" by Dr Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b_0_9?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=my+stroke+of+insight&sprefix=my+stroke
It is her story of how, at the age of 37 this Harvard neuroanatomist suffered a rare form of stroke in the left side of her brain greatly compromised. As the stroke happened she was able to recognise the deterioration of various functions of her brain academically but nonetheless lost the ability to walk, talk, speak and think properly. I'm about half way through the book, on Day 2 of her hospitalization, but, not wishing to spoil the ending for anyone wishing to read this, she makes a full recovery and writes the book.
So as I moan and groan about how my minor condition makes we tired and prevents me from drinking beer (a love I have, particularly on a Friday night but hardly the end of the world), driving (notice now the beer comes first in this list mmmmmm!), swimming, flying on long haul flights and pretty much do anything after a day at work (erm...that's it), that's all.
John Hartson and Jill and numerous others; my mother who fought breast cancer, my mate back home who lives with CF, friends whose son was diagnosed with CF after birth and many others are constant inspirations to me and, on the really tired days give me the kick in the arse I need.
Brian told me about a couple of bands he has been listening to recently. The Friendly Fires www.myspace.com/friendlyfires sound a bit like an early Spandau Ballet, but good and Cajun Dance Party www.myspace.com/cajundanceparty sound just like The Kooks. All of this will mean nothing to those who have never heard of either Spandau Ballet or The Kooks but who cares.
More soon........
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You must start listening to Elbow.
ReplyDeleteTheir latest Album The Seldom Seen Kid is quite excellent.We saw them at The Glasgow Carling Acadamy and they were superb!
CD in the post of their work along with others.
I will check them out. I've heard good reviews of their stuff, but I need to find Friendly Fires first. Slater.........
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