Sunday 8 June 2008

Dr Who & Big Brother

Big Brother lasted approximately eight minutes on the TV screen this evening before I felt so uncomfortable, squirming with embarrassment, it went off in favour of a documentary. It usually takes a week or two before I get to that stage as I actually quite like Big Brother.

At the end of the latest episode of my beloved Dr Who on Saturday was an announcement about a Trailer maker. I waited a suitable time for the rush to calm down and after a faltering start, when I nearly gave up, I've created my own Dr Who Trailer which can be seen here:

www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/trailermaker/view/7f0nxa

Of course I had to include "the kiss". If you are so inclined, you can make your own!

Nice productive day as I composed and printed up an Ode for a relative's 40th birthday later this week and made some photo collages.

Saturday 7 June 2008

Smoked Haddock

Smoked Haddock on Cheddar Mash with Poached Egg and Hollandaise Sauce served with Spinach.

That's what I chose for lunch yesterday in a rather lovely old country house hotel restaurant in Staffordshire. After driving the wrong way and ending up driving small roads past green fields and through small villages with Classic FM pumping out rip-roaring greats such as Land of Hope and Glory.

I'm so glad that when my friend phoned on Thursday evening and asked me if I fancied joining her for lunch the next day that I said "yes". The weather was perfect sunshine and my friend had bagged the window seat for us with its plush high backed leather chairs.

And then once the ferocity of the sun had calmed down it was out in the garden for Strawberry Cheesecake with fresh strawberries and cream, and a coffee. Bliss.

Thursday 5 June 2008

A new blog is born

At the nursing stages, I have born a new blog. Up until now I have written plenty about me and situations and circumstances, and maybe snapshots into some of the people in my life but I have, hopefully, kept them discreet. Now I feel like I am coming out of the closet - not because I am going to hand over my name and address - but because I am going to be more open with my feelings about a specific person. Another blogger no less. Someone who has leaped out of the webosphere and into my life. And yet I am not talking about my darling Mr Doris who I met online 10 years ago and who is fundamental to who I am now.

The new blog is about my friendship with Jo and the feelings and experiences surrounding our friendship and the thought provoking nature of it. Friendships are like that and I have been blessed in my life with some amazing friends and each in their own way, like my husband, have had an impact on me and continue to do so. My friendship with Jo could be seen as being a bit more sensational and different because Jo was born male and is currently transitioning to a female life. What I didn't expect to get from Jo's mind churning was an appreciation of my own femininity so the name of my new blog has a double meaning. However, we have a relationship that goes beyond gender issues, where I have supported her and she has encouraged me.

A part of me wanted to keep these posts part of Doris Mash as it is important to me not to fragment off and to keep my life integrated. Another part of me, feels this subject is really important to me and too big to hide within my current blog. I want to expand on some ideas and perhaps even continue some of the gender related studies I was doing back in the 1980s! I don't know how this will pan out and don't make any promises. I'll just have to see.

So far, I have just copied over some of the posts about Jo together with the comments made at the time. I have yet to get started on actually writing and felt that an easy birth and just a little introduction was in order first.

Welcome to my new blog


PS. Jo knows that I am going to start writing about her but she doesn't yet know it is a whole new blog so that will be a bit of a surprise ;-)

PPS. I have switched comments off this post as, on this occasion only, I have duplicated this post on the new blog where comments can be made.

PPPS. Just to clarify! This blog continues in its here and there kind of way :-)

Sunday 1 June 2008

Furstjewnitis

Introduction
Furstjewnitis is a common mental affliction that affects mature adults feeling their life is somewhat out of control and rushing past. It is a momentary precipice that can either lead to depression, great soul searching or even increased activity.

Furstjewnitis is most commonly a response to calendric triggers and the condition usually occurs in summer. It is not contagious. There is no medicine that can deal with the affliction, although alcohol has been known to be used, and the affliction usually clears up on its own.


Symptoms
The early symptoms of furstjewnitis are similar to those of common depression. They include:
  • twinges of the mental faculties
  • mild feelings of loss
  • mild anxiety
After two to three days the symptoms tend to peak, and may become more severe:
  • confused thought processes
  • fear of losing all
  • faster than normal heartbeat
  • irregular eating and sleeping patterns
  • continuous low mood or sadness
  • feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
  • low self-esteem
  • tearfulness
  • feelings of guilt
These symptoms can be very worrying, but most cases of furstjewnitis are not serious. However, if you are showing symptoms of furstjewnitis and are under 40 years old, or have an underlying mental health problem then you should see your GP as soon as possible.


Causes
Most cases of furstjewnitis are a simple process caused by the passing of time. Particularly the end of May and the onset of June triggering the realisation that the middle of the year was rapidly passing by.

Once the affliction enters the sensory system, it makes its way down to the furthest reaches of the mind distorting all perceptions.


Diagnosis
Self-diagnosis is usually sufficient. The blot test involving discarded calendar pages may also be used.


Treatment
There is no medicine that can deal with the affliction that causes furstjewnitis and most cases clear up on their own within two weeks. However, there are treatments that can ease your symptoms and make them more comfortable.

If your furstjewnitis is mild, you can treat it at home in the following ways:

  • Being proactive - stop whinging and get on with getting things done.

  • Alcohol - used sparingly, alcohol can numb the effects of furstjewnitis but this is only a temporary sedative. However, on occasion, it may be sufficient to allow the affliction to pass and no longer be a problem.
  • Retail therapy - use online shopping websites to order the most extravagant items that make you smile. However, it is important to not actually enter any payment details and to definitely not press the buy button. This form of retail is particularly effective as it does not lead to further debt.
  • Glass therapy - look at the year being half full and all that has been done and achieved rather than the year being half empty or half gone and nothing done.

Complications
Severe depression leading to the pits of hell.


Prevention
Get off your backside. Go out and have fun or at least try to. Walking the walk and talking the talk is extremely effective as a preventative measure.


Useful advice
Blogging has been known to be a help and sometimes a hindrance.