07.16.07

Getting some reading done.

Posted in Books at 7:48 am by emerym

A line I’ve taken from a good book I’ve read recently is:

“Feel the fear, do it anyway”

which I prefer to other shorter things like “Just do it” or “No Fear”. Now I’ve Googled the line I find a lot of people are using it in songs, self help books and CDs. I wonder who came up with it first?

I’ve recently finished Stephen King’s “Cell”. A very addictive book that I was given by my Mother. Thanks Mum! :D I read it in about a week.

I think I’ll start “Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth” soon.

Mark 2.0

Posted in Health at 7:26 am by emerym

I didn’t get to go swimming on the Friday 29th June. My mother in-law asked if I could do some driving to help move things out of the house she’s just sold and I did that instead.  It felt very odd sitting back watching my brother in-law do the hard lifting work for a change. I’m sure I could have helped but the kid-gloves were on.

Denise and I then got the head cold that Laurence had and swimming had to go on hold.

By July 10th I felt better and took Sophie swimming with me. I managed a few of my “Matrix Moment” laps underwater (“You think that’s air your breathing?”) in the hour we were there. A few strong surface swimmers saw what I’d achieved and tried it themselves. The furtherest they could get was 3/4 of the length. My swimming style under water is more relaxed, almost whale like and burns oxygen slower. The other swimmers are too aggressive, trying to use their surface style and run out of air too quickly. The faster you go the less chance you have of getting to the other end.

Towards the end of the swimming my neck and throat were tightening up, which was rather disappointing.  Thanks to the recent help I’ve been getting I’m feeling much better, in the week that’s passed I’ve only had the problem a few times and with less severity.  I can also manage an hours power walking (0600 start, part of my recovery program) and have a much more positive mindset – People saying I won’t be back for months doesn’t bother me anymore (partly due me thinking they’re wrong, my recovery is better than they realize, partly my acceptance that I have a few more trips to the specialist to make before I’m given the all-clear to return to the office). My wages dropping is just an annoying event that will be dealt with if and when it happens. As it probably will I’ve taken steps to reduce it’s impact.

Steve in NY had made the comment that he hoped things returned to better than normal. I’d like to think he’s right, what I hope people will see when I return is Mark 2.0, a Marked improvement on the old version.