Had two near-migraines in the past week.  This means migraines that are noticed early, when I take drugs and go to sleep and they go away, leaving me only a little fragile afterward.  There may be some hormonal implications there, although I think copious amounts of cream in last night's dessert, along with (for me) copious amounts of red wine and staying up till midnight because I was drinking said wine in a very comfy armchair and no-one required me to talk to them, so I kept thinking "I'm tired, I think I'll go to bed" but continued sitting there... I think all of those played their part too.

So it seems I can have up to 3 triggers, and get away with it (provided I'm not overtired or stressed) but 4 or more is a bridge too far.

Haven't had a massive migraine for a fortnight, and my neck was out of whack then, which was the trigger.  Mind you, that one was truly horrible.  Just to remind me, apparently.

Why is it that when I am routinely online, you all post the merest "still alive" postings.  Yet if I go off-air for about 5 days, I come back to a minimum of two pages of eventful stuff??

Is it a conspiracy?  (that is a joke)

 Did a quick cruise through Flist so I roughly know what you're up to - those of you posting.

Can't reply because wifi is surprisingly low, and I'm supposed to be doing some actual paid work to a big deadline - which would be why I'm phaffing about here:  (thinks) <i>I can't possibly do my work without at least checking that no-one's died, had a baby, had a promotion, renovated, or cooked something nice for dinner...</i>

I've been quietly domesticated for the past few days.  Only 1 migraine.

 I'm still alive.  I cooked some veggie mash today so I have meals for a couple of days.  I stewed some plums.

I'm busy doing some writing.

you know how it is.  Just caught up a week of reading.  Phew.

I've been to another 21st, and I drank 1.5 glasses of wine, so I'm rather giddy. Also I'm a bit ramped up at the moment. There seems to be a lot on, and I am socialising a lot (for me...ie. some which is wonderful, but... It would be nice to have no ambivalence about seeing people I love and don't see enough of. I don't actually have the ambivalence at the time, its later when I collapse like a marionette with the strings cut. O well... its not like this giddy whirl will go-on indefinitely. These days I don't collapse during socialisation, so that would be progress, then.

My physio is very happy with my progress. ( Read more... )

Am doing all the irritating jobs that tend to crop up in the latter end of the Financial Year. ( Read more... )

I am behind on my writing. I have permission to do the work on hand next week so I will have a day off tomorrow. Hooray!

Oh yes, I saw Star Trek film last night. It was great. Stupid, but great.

Just received some lovely feedback:

"X and I were just saying how much of a difference you have made to the project with your vigour and flair."

Well, shucks. I'd say "it weren't nothin'" but it was too. Hence megalomaniac pride.

Well, I haven't watched it often this season, then got (re)hooked in the final 3 episodes, and I blubbed like a baby while watching last night's season finale of House.

*the rest of this post & associated links contain spoilers I tried to do a cut but its a bit erratic.

( Read more... )

Did some work on another writing task yesterday, which is due COB Monday. Took Thursday off in lieu of the midnight oil I'd burned Wednesday night (and, indeed, Thursday morning). Was a bit spacey and slow, but survived better than I expected. No migraine. Hurrah!!

Thursday, treated myself to a new pillow. Who knew that personal happiness could be purchased for $60? I chose the Easyrest Luxury Pillow: latex with pincore ventilation system, non-allergenic, with a cotton japara cover. This pillow works for back or side sleepers (I'm both). Had a test-nap on it Thursday afternoon and it was lovely. Now I've had two night's sleep on it, and I'm beginning to feel like a new woman. I've discovered that daily neck ache isn't just because I'm middle-aged, it was partly because of the pillow! And now it's gone away.

Have done some evil clothes shopping, egged on by my so-called friends who took me into temptation's way. Santa Rudd helped fund the extravagance of a new top and a new skirt. Add that to the skirt I had taken in last week, and I practically have a new winter wardrobe. Of course its all black or charcoal grey, so I may have to do something about that...

My nephew has a milestone birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, and I am so far ahead of the game, I have bought the gift. I wonder what else I can have forgotten?

Hubby continues with housing renovations which were going to take "a couple of weeks" back a couple of months ago. But who's counting? I believe that new tenants have been engaged so it has to end soon so they can take possession. Hubby is very cheerful when he has a project on the go.

My distressing symptoms (of various sorts) are subsiding, which is a blessing. Thank God for antibiotics.

Been off LJ because I was already spending enough hours in front of a computer screen, and because my arm gave out on me from all the typing. It was incredibly sore on Sunday, and on Tuesday the physio said, "I'm not surprised" as I had adhesions and tendonitis in the shoulder. It's that pesky infra spinata (and all the other rotator cuff muscles). Still went to see Crusher on Friday, so I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.

16 hours in the making... five of them since 4pm this afternoon. Oer... I'm so over it. I get a break now while some other poor bugger has to read it.

Seeing as its 3.45am, I wonder how many tpyos tehre are ni it?

The reward for a job well done is going to be a new pillow, but right now I'm off to visit the old one.

Well, as if the digestive "issues" weren't enough, I have today discovered I have another boil. That would be in the same extremely sensitive and already disconcerted area in which I had the last one.

That could explain why I've been feeling very tired today, I guess. What a pain in the ass! (In every sense.)

I went back and searched LJ and I last had one...in the first week of May, last year. Oer, it could be an annual infliction! Or is this just the bit of the year coming into winter when my immune system does a nose dive? Who can say...

I guess I'll be off to the doctor tomorrow or the next day for some antibiotics. Which will really help the digestive issues, I'll bet. *frowns peevishly*

Other than all of that, I'm actually in quite good shape. Sigh.

I have been having some difficulties with my digestive system. It's a problem with commitment, really - the food refuses to hang around long enough to nourish me. On the plus side, I lost 4kg in 2 days, most of which I'll gain back in the next week. I won't share further, you've probably got the idea.

It's probably just a *thing* but if it continues I'll have to have it investigated, because, like everything else I have, it's probably nothing but it could be something awful. splodgenoodles - I have even more respect for your amazing coping abilities now that I've experienced a mere toe-wetting of your oceanic experiences.

As such, I am behind at contract work. So I am working on 3 different jobs, moving between them whenever I have done "some" or "enough for now" on any one. I am finding this rather flighty approach is quite productive and fun. My inner naughty-child likes not having to finish her veggies before she has dessert. In a sense, I am taking a few bites from entree, main and dessert according to my own whims. And at the end of a certain period, all will have been dealt with. (It sure cuts down on the mutinous "I don't want to eat my broccoli!!".

I was given a Mother's Day gift today. It was from a colleague who told me she thought i deserved it since my business is my baby (and anyway, my business involves a lot of contact with and support of children). So nice! [If you're a mother and feel confronted by this, please do not hesitate to keep your outrage to yourself.]

The fork soup I posted about last week has been one of the things I can eat responsibly. I have had to reduce my caffeine habit. Today I had 1.5 coffees, but only because I was getting a migraine. After nearly 5 days on "a sip if I'm lucky" I'm bouncing off the walls right now. I'm off anything fatty, nuts & seeds, popcorn etc., and fresh fruit. Thank god for Pringles faux-potato chips, which you can suck down to sludge. It's hard to eat a rational amount when you don't feel you're enjoying food.

I had a really *interesting* dream recently, but I haven't time to post it now.

The telecommuting is eating into my LJ time, for sure. I've been busy writing this week, and doing Domestic Goddessery and a spot of Shopping Fairydom in my "spare" time. (it was nice to have an excuse to stay away from the hot laptop for an hour.)

Next week may be even busier, as I am doing some fixing up of some writing for another team-member. The other team members are mostly subject experts, whereas I am the wordsmith of the undertaking. I gather they have worked out I'm the fastest writer on the team too. At the rate I'm getting, I'm kind of underpaid, but as its enough for now and I get to do it from home, I'm not complaining. It's just that future gigs will have a higher rate, especially as I can explain how cost-effective it is.

I received a pat on the head by shrink this week. Being a good woman and CBT-trained, she isn't all "oh you poor thing, I can see you're trying..." she's more, "Yep, we all have problems, so what have you done to overcome them this week?" So a pat on the head is a prize worth perservering for. There's also the fact that I'm feeling more peaceful in myself - inner and outer reward, cool!

I don't know why I'm sneezing so much today. It doesn't seem dustier than usual. My eyes are red as well.

I saw Crusher today, and am having a "makeup" session with him on Monday. My physio has slightly lowered my weights in favour of upping the repeats. I'm apparently "guarding" out of habit - so my forearm muscles lock when I move my R arm, and this is not good for them. I feel very Zen about making all my movements free and easy.

Thanks to drwhacky for expert fact-finding assistance this week. Above and beyond, and very much appreciated.

Gotta go, Hubbius is here with the take-away for dinner.

I have been thinking quite seriously about buying an electric bike. Or at least, saving for one.

I quite like riding a bicycle, but there are hills around the cowbyre that are not moocow-friendly. (In case you're wondering, I'm somewhat willing to push the bike UP the hill, but I'm quite frankly terrified of the speeds one can acquire going DOWN, based on horrible past experiences) There is also the issue of "tired days" when I would be more likely to undertake local errands if I had transport. Much of my life now occurs within 15km, but it would be nice if a trip to the Botanical Gardens didn't require two trams. And there are days when I don't have much choice for my daily bevvy, as I can only walk to the local.

If you need more persuading, a local company has a list of 10 Good Reasons (which they've sourced from the UK, but it does seem to broadly apply).

I particularly like the idea that they actually encourage exercise. On reading the local Victorian Traffic laws there may be good evidence for this. Effectively, to qualify as a "bicycle" rather than a "motorbike", the engine has to be auxilliary, and the pedals provide the primary power. There are some alarming newspaper articles in NSW, of e-cyclists who have been "done" for driving an unlicensed vehicle because they weren't pedalling at all!

I like the look of this, although I worry the pedals are too short - seems to me I'll need the engine on hills bigger than a bump.

Nope, now I'm in love with the tricycle version (you'll have to scroll down past the text for piccies). Sure it's twice the price, but it's so pretty and practical. I think I'm in love.

Courtesy of drwhacky, here's an article about the enduring - and increasing - popularity of romance fiction: www.walrusmagazine.com/print/2009.05-don-gillmor-harlequin-romance/

And it's written by a man.

It's many years since I had a stab at writing one of these. I do agree with the quote that they're easy to parody and hard to write.

I have made a delicious lamb, barley & veg "fork soup". ( recipe ) It even tasted good the same night, and I expect it will be extra good tonight. For dessert, I stewed pears and dried fruit salad in some green ginger wine, spice and a drop of water. After all that domestic goddess-yness, I am pretty tired today. I have done some admin that was becoming a HUGE guilt-god in my mind. So I feel relieved but a bit overstimulated. My BAS is due tomorrow, and I haven't done the last one yet. My bad. I don't think I can do 6 months of account reconciliations in one night. I know I don't want to. I have to ease off on the BONES dvds: last night I had nightmares the whole night, involving multiple serial killers who were, if not actually after me, rather hard to avoid. of course, the serial killers may just represent the accounts that I haven't done, I guess.

Finished - to a given amount of finished - the writing assignment. Stayed up until 1am to do so. Was wired. Still am, not-so-surprisingly.

Have discovered in myself a latent talent for soap opera. In one part of the assignment, I needed to flesh out some scenarios with names, etc. I had to put the characters into various sticky situations, then write a possible (plausible?) outcome for them. woo hooo! I wrote 'n wrote, then I wrote some more. Initial feedback is cautiously positive, and rather amused.

So that's off my desk and I have begun doing some copyediting for a friend which I have been trying to get to for ages.... but paid work does have to come first. Did that till my brains dribbled out my ears.

Have also spent a refreshing hour deep cleaning the home office/sewing room. It honestly worries me a little how therapeutic removing dust from crannies is for me. I pulled out desks, shelving etc and wet-dusted the skirting boards. Really, I think I might need help OTOH... I haven't sneezed as much tonight. And the cleaning fit is a very intermittent hobby.

Was totally outraged by Lie to Me last night. ( spoiler alert )

sorry, can't get the lj cut to work.

On a break from writing and reading, so naturally I am writing and reading.

I am having university flash-backs. I notice that whenever I have a freelance writing deadline, I always want to clean my kitchen and/or bathroom, or make something crafty.

I am thinking hard about a costume for winterfeast. Also about a hundred different embroidery, cooking, sewing, knitting, quilting, soft-furnishing, painting and tiling projects. Also the fate of the world during the financial crisis, the needs of parents of young children, the needs of working mothers (and why businesses should employ them), the Comedy Festival and whether I'll get to any of it - and whether I should wear noise-cancelling headphones if I do. Also, what is with man's inhumanity to man?

And when will that drwhacky finish with the latest Felix Castor novel so I can start reading it.

Do you think I'm maybe drinking too much coffee again?

I'm becoming addicted to Bones. I have been watching Season 1 on DVD. Will begin Season 2 tonight, but must leave time for the return of my other great trash viewing: Lie to Me. Which returns after a whole month off the air. Hooray.

And I'm reading a fascinating book about the history of Italian food and Italian cooking, set against the relevant socio-political background. It's by an English writer who has previously written a book the Italians say is the best book about the Sicilian mafia ever. If a peasant eating is a chicken, either he or the chicken is sick

And I still have to finish my freelance writing. I'm so close to finished, I am completely bored and over it... with around 500 words to go.

On Saturday night I went to a party. There was drinking and dancing. And cocktail frocks. And masks. I knew only the birthday girl and her partner, but there were about 50 other people present. There was music which began quietly, but got louder as the night wore on. There were tragic 80s rock videos. There were horses doovers. I didn't get to bed until midnight. I drank 3 glasses of champers, and chatted with strangers and danced with my husband several times. The birthday girl liked the present I had picked out.

In short, it felt like a brief excursion into Reallife (tm).

Hubby was astonished, because he was finding the music a wee bit loud. I think the champagne might have shorted my sensory system, because I knew it was loud, but it wasn't causing pain and/or crankiness. Well, not for me.

I was quite tired on Sunday, but I didn't have a hangover - helped by copious non-alcoholic drinking, and an antihistamine before bed.

As I watched a horde of age-mates dance and commented to Hubby: "the difference between 18 and 40, is that when you're dancing at a party at 40, you're actually enjoying yourself".

Hubby quipped back that the enthusiasm reached such a pitch, that when Laura Branigan's "Gloria" came on, he feared lives would be lost.

I am starting to surface after a day of migraine. That's the longest migraine for a while, so the trend is gently upward. Didn't help much as I lay in bed in a foetal position, with my bionic ears and a sleep mask valiantly attempting to shield me from such stimulation as my husband breathing (gratuitously) nearby, and the occasional peek of light from the hallway.

Still, I have come across a new explanation for what is going on for me. I have discovered the book: The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine Aron. First published a decade ago (hey! that's 'last century' now!).

I had heard of this book - vaguely - in the way you do. Yet I have never seen myself as a "sensitive person". I scored high on the self-test, and Hubby said,"well...duh!" and my shrink (who hadn't read the book either) glanced at the criteria and said, "Yep, that sounds like you." So BFO, moocow. Shrink asked why I didn't see myself as sensitive. I thought for a bit, then said, "Er...sensitive people are blonde and slender and petite? They're not husky tall brunettes with broad shoulders." Yeah, I know, but that's what was installed in my subconscious program. Erk.

Sensitivity in this context, means having an easily-excitable, easily overstimulated nervous system. So nothing to do with hair colour. Classic signs are becoming overwhelmed when exposed to too much (of something, of anything, of a bit of everything): heat, light, noise, smells, mess, emotions, etc. How much is too much? It depends on your individual makeup.

Still, I'm not introverted, and I do like to travel, even if the process of travel is pretty unpleasant. So I was confused until I read about one subgroup of Sensitivity. Extroverted Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), with High Sensation-Seeking (HSS). Which puts me in the minority within the minority a couple of times over. Does this sound like anyone you know?:

"Often they use all the activity that the HSS part wants as a defense against ... the HSP part. The HSP part, in turn, is used to having a rough time of it ever since childhood, and even of being misused by others and powerless to stop it. So the HSP part is given little attention, which allows their HSS part to wear them out physically until they develop some illness or chronic syndrome, the only way the HSP can get its needs met, which is for rest, nurturing, less stimulation, and a chance to process. "

In a different field, the Swedes, God bless 'em, are doing some interesting research on odour-sensitivity, and are pushing to have it a recognised condition: airway sensitivity hyper-reactivity. Since around 2005, they've done some population-based testing that suggest that about 6% of us have an increased sensitivity to bad smells. They have also shown that the majority of those who subjectively feel they are sensitive to smells such as cigarette smoke, perfume, petrol, solvents, and wall-to-wall carpet etc also show increased sensitivity on objective tests of airway reaction. Read the research article here.

About that migraine, Elaine Aron has this to say:

" By the way, if you get migraine headaches, look at The Migraine Brain by Carolyn Bernstein. I heard her interviewed and had the distinct impression that most of these sufferers were HSPs. She has found that “the migraine brain” is one that is more reactive to change of all kinds than are other brains. This is what all the types of migraines--those due to hormones, food allergies, etc.--have in common. The brain is reacting with unusual dismay when there are fluctuations in its environment"

So now I am in the market for some nose filters. They are to one's nose as noise-cancelling headphones are to the ears. Such as these.