New Year's musings
wishing all of you a very Happy New Year.
As with most years, I find, this last one has been pretty good at times and at others not so great.
I'll start with the not so great because, actually, it really was the only really bad thing of 2008 for me.
As most of you know by now, I had an encounter whilst driving, with a car coming in the opposite direction to me, which resulted in my car being totalled and with me in the hospital overnight with concussion and suspected retinal damage. Glad to say the other driver was unhurt and his car was driveable - though he did lose his number plate and get a bent fender.
My dear little car had to be towed to the knackers' yard though and I still have no idea when - or if I can replace it.
My concussion was mild, fortunately, and the retinal damage turned out not to be retinal at all, but loosening of the aqueous jelly in the eye which caused it to float around - thereby creating a nauseating visual disturbance. I'm glad to say that this has now cleared up. On my check up however, they found that I also have a cataract growing so I have an appointment on January 15th to plan on getting that removed as soon as possible.
I had to have a few days off work with the concussion and visual disturbance but nothing major. I am now, however, back to using the bus to get to work each day which adds and extra 2 hours to my day.
The rest of the year had some wonderful highlights.
Seeing Steve Carlson in London in May - and the subsequent gigs with Jason Manns and Riley and Hank (from The Life Of Riley) was one such. Having my great friend, Sue, over to visit from Vancouver, and spending time at the gigs together (as well as at Asylum 2) was another.
My job got more involved and busier, the new ward opened about 5 months late but to great applause and much fanfare. I discovered the joys of working with people who genuinely care about each others' welfare as well as that of their patients.
I went to Chicago in November for Creation Con, and had a fabulous time meeting up with many online friends for the first time, and some old friends too. I followed that up with a trip to Vancouver to stay with my great friend Sue, and we collaborated on a story together which made us both very happy. I also learned to play the organ thanks to a crash course from her husband. (I might not win any prizes at it but I am looking forward to getting my own keyboard set up so I can practice my new skill).
My daughter passed her senior reporter's exam and so has secured a pay rise at her paper. My husband gave a presentation on housing to a select committee at the Houses of Parliament and we topped that all off with a delightful Christmas. My husband and myself, my daughter and her partner, her partner's parents and grandmother, as well as his brother and sister in law and their two children, spent a wonderful day together with good food and good company.
This coming year will no doubt have its great trials and tribulations for us all. The economic situation looks shaky everywhere, many people's job security is threatened, many people will be buried under the weight of much stress - probably I will have my share of that too.
Having said all that though I am still hopeful that the innate spirit of co-operation that human beings can manage to produce at times of great need will help to buffer the increasingly depressing situation.
There is much to be hopeful for. Great changes are needed in the way things have been organised to date and with the coming of a new year this year we also have changes in leadership of one of the key players in that organisation. (We all know who they are right??)
May those charged with that duty be granted clear vision and firm support.
May you all find peace in your hearts amongst the clamour and (as Dave Allen would have said) may your God bless you all and send you a happy new year.
HUGS to you all
As with most years, I find, this last one has been pretty good at times and at others not so great.
I'll start with the not so great because, actually, it really was the only really bad thing of 2008 for me.
As most of you know by now, I had an encounter whilst driving, with a car coming in the opposite direction to me, which resulted in my car being totalled and with me in the hospital overnight with concussion and suspected retinal damage. Glad to say the other driver was unhurt and his car was driveable - though he did lose his number plate and get a bent fender.
My dear little car had to be towed to the knackers' yard though and I still have no idea when - or if I can replace it.
My concussion was mild, fortunately, and the retinal damage turned out not to be retinal at all, but loosening of the aqueous jelly in the eye which caused it to float around - thereby creating a nauseating visual disturbance. I'm glad to say that this has now cleared up. On my check up however, they found that I also have a cataract growing so I have an appointment on January 15th to plan on getting that removed as soon as possible.
I had to have a few days off work with the concussion and visual disturbance but nothing major. I am now, however, back to using the bus to get to work each day which adds and extra 2 hours to my day.
The rest of the year had some wonderful highlights.
Seeing Steve Carlson in London in May - and the subsequent gigs with Jason Manns and Riley and Hank (from The Life Of Riley) was one such. Having my great friend, Sue, over to visit from Vancouver, and spending time at the gigs together (as well as at Asylum 2) was another.
My job got more involved and busier, the new ward opened about 5 months late but to great applause and much fanfare. I discovered the joys of working with people who genuinely care about each others' welfare as well as that of their patients.
I went to Chicago in November for Creation Con, and had a fabulous time meeting up with many online friends for the first time, and some old friends too. I followed that up with a trip to Vancouver to stay with my great friend Sue, and we collaborated on a story together which made us both very happy. I also learned to play the organ thanks to a crash course from her husband. (I might not win any prizes at it but I am looking forward to getting my own keyboard set up so I can practice my new skill).
My daughter passed her senior reporter's exam and so has secured a pay rise at her paper. My husband gave a presentation on housing to a select committee at the Houses of Parliament and we topped that all off with a delightful Christmas. My husband and myself, my daughter and her partner, her partner's parents and grandmother, as well as his brother and sister in law and their two children, spent a wonderful day together with good food and good company.
This coming year will no doubt have its great trials and tribulations for us all. The economic situation looks shaky everywhere, many people's job security is threatened, many people will be buried under the weight of much stress - probably I will have my share of that too.
Having said all that though I am still hopeful that the innate spirit of co-operation that human beings can manage to produce at times of great need will help to buffer the increasingly depressing situation.
There is much to be hopeful for. Great changes are needed in the way things have been organised to date and with the coming of a new year this year we also have changes in leadership of one of the key players in that organisation. (We all know who they are right??)
May those charged with that duty be granted clear vision and firm support.
May you all find peace in your hearts amongst the clamour and (as Dave Allen would have said) may your God bless you all and send you a happy new year.
HUGS to you all