Or even bonkers* :)
At, well, I can't be exact because my bedroom clock is a load of wotsit, but my internal clock said 03:06 am. I shot bolt up awake absolutely wide awake, which is no mean feat, utterly convinced that errm, I'm not sure how to describe it....
Something moved from where it should have been. I don't mean furniture and stuff. I mean something about the way things were, from where they should have been. So I shuffled downstairs, and half way down, the Elder Cat started yowling, and scratching at the front door to get out. Then the local dogs started barking, and the cat was getting desperate, so I opened the door, let her out, and followed her as she shot up the path.
Looking down the road, I noticed a few people were stood at the end of their paths in their dressing gowns looking confused and gosh, it was cold. There were a few bedroom lights on too. The local magpies and rooks were wide awake and scattering overhead.
After a few freezing minutes, I went indoors, waited for the old girl to come back in, and went back to bed. At 06:24 (checked on this computer) Sniff the cat did the same again, but I didn't get the same sense.
My first impulse was that it was a minor earthquake. There was one last year in the Stratford area that felt like an express train going through our living room, many miles from here, that caused no damage. But I've checked online and all I can find is :
RHOS,CARMARTHENSHIRE
February 07, 2010
Time: 13:17:47.6
Lat./Lon.: 51.956 -4.281
National Grid: 243.3 km E, 231.1 km N
Depth: 7.9
Magnitude: 1.2
7KM SE OF RHOS
So it's not that then.
Any ideas?
*not quite right, off their head, sandwich short of a picnic.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Oh, my....
It just had to happen, dinnit.
Had a 9 o'clock in the morning conference call to Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo Time. Tokyo is GMT +9 hours.
Picture the scene. I have a perfectly good two monitor and web cam set up set up on my desk. I can, and do use that for face-to-face conversations often. However, it's a little uncomfy for lengthy conversations, because I have my desk and computer set up on my left, the dining table on my right, and my rather comfortable Wheels, which doubles as my computer chair, sandwiched in-between.
With me in it. Ahead of me is my rather nice 42 inch tv.
It means I usually have to twist to the left to face the camera.
Since I have a hdmi input free on the tv, I thought, run the output that usually serves a monitor to the television instead, stretch the webcam across and plonk it on the tv stand. That way, I can comfortably face forwards. The camera was a bit wobbly, but a bit of blu-tak fixed that. With me so far? :)
Back to the time zones. 0900 in Tokyo is midnight gmt. The mob had retired for the night. I'm alone (hurrah!) I carefully set up the web-cam, angling it up so covered about tummy up.
There I am, best dress shirt, posh tie, suit jacket, chatting away. After about 15 minutes, I discovered that, contrary to English perceptions, Japanese businessmen do indeed have a sense of humour.
Unknown to me, the heat from my (Japanese made) television was slowly melting the blu-tak, and it slowly, slowly, dipped downwards. Below waist level. Guess who, thinking it wasn't necessary, was wearing nothing but his rather brief underwear?
Me, that's who. For the best part of 5 mins, they'd been talking to my nether regions, perfectly straight faced. But once one guy started laughing, that was it. Worse, it took me 2 mins. to notice why.
Now I'm the "Crazy Englishman". Oh, my, oh my, oh my.....
Had a 9 o'clock in the morning conference call to Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo Time. Tokyo is GMT +9 hours.
Picture the scene. I have a perfectly good two monitor and web cam set up set up on my desk. I can, and do use that for face-to-face conversations often. However, it's a little uncomfy for lengthy conversations, because I have my desk and computer set up on my left, the dining table on my right, and my rather comfortable Wheels, which doubles as my computer chair, sandwiched in-between.
With me in it. Ahead of me is my rather nice 42 inch tv.
It means I usually have to twist to the left to face the camera.
Since I have a hdmi input free on the tv, I thought, run the output that usually serves a monitor to the television instead, stretch the webcam across and plonk it on the tv stand. That way, I can comfortably face forwards. The camera was a bit wobbly, but a bit of blu-tak fixed that. With me so far? :)
Back to the time zones. 0900 in Tokyo is midnight gmt. The mob had retired for the night. I'm alone (hurrah!) I carefully set up the web-cam, angling it up so covered about tummy up.
There I am, best dress shirt, posh tie, suit jacket, chatting away. After about 15 minutes, I discovered that, contrary to English perceptions, Japanese businessmen do indeed have a sense of humour.
Unknown to me, the heat from my (Japanese made) television was slowly melting the blu-tak, and it slowly, slowly, dipped downwards. Below waist level. Guess who, thinking it wasn't necessary, was wearing nothing but his rather brief underwear?
Me, that's who. For the best part of 5 mins, they'd been talking to my nether regions, perfectly straight faced. But once one guy started laughing, that was it. Worse, it took me 2 mins. to notice why.
Now I'm the "Crazy Englishman". Oh, my, oh my, oh my.....
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
I say tomato..
One of the things about being a stroke survivor - particularly if, like me, you are prone to further mini-strokes despite being on half a ton of pharmaceutical medication - is that you're looking for alternative recipes.
I've rarely over the years used ready meals or sauces, and I haven't been in a pub more than once a year for nearly 30 years, and then only for the beer and Christmas traditional carols:)
However, as much as I love cooking, I've had to have a look at what I cook and make sure I'm not overdoing it with the salt (mainly). I'm told I'm pretty good at gravy's soups and sauces. I'm not a salt avoider, on the basis that a little bit can make a difference, and my dietician agrees.
However, I've found it's the simple stuff I have to avoid, like tomato ketchup, and baked beans because their high salt, high sugar. Don't be fooled by the labels.
Below is a simple homemade Tomato sauce. If your looking at it and thinking, hmm, that's a pasta sauce with a preservative, you'd be quite right. Killed two birds with one stone there :) I'm not going to give a exact amounts here - that spoils the fun. Play !
Tomato Ketchup.
400g (14 oz) Fresh and/or Tinned Tomatoes.
A good slice of fennel chopped. Well, looking at a fennel bulb, maybe 1/4 inch top to bottom?
Fresh Chilli - depends how much 'tang' you want. I use a teeny bit, chopped.
Coriander - I prefer a handful of fresh, but a teaspoon of powder is fine.
A pinch of black pepper, and likewise, sea-salt. One finger and thumb, no more.
1 desert spoon lemon juice, or 1/4 of lemon . If your using a fresh lemon, just throw 1/4 in.
1 large red onion, finely chopped, preferably minced.
3 cloves of garlic. Pull them out of the bulb, put them on the counter and beat the heck outa them.
THEN peel them - much easier. Then if you you want to squash them - hit em with a rolling pin.
1/2 finely chopped pear. Yup. Apple will do. Otherwise, if you realy must, 1/2 tsp brown sugar.
More to come....
Method.
Put the ingredients, except for tinned tomatoes in a thick bottomed pan, with a good glug of olive oil, on a low heat. Put the lid on. Simmer for 20 mins. That, in my opinion is the important bit. It belends the flavour.
Keep an eye on the onions and garlic, and make sure it doesn't burn. Add the tomatoes, and a cup of water. Not an American (8 oz) cup - just a cup of water, and bring to a simmer - don't boil, simmer until it's thick.
Liquidise it. So far you have a nice pasta sauce.
At this point, if you add a good dash of white/red wine vinegar, and reduce again, you have a tomato ketchup. If it doesn't thicken for you as much as you like, add (French) potato flakes, UK, cornflour, or USA anything as long as it gets thick :) But, I've found mashed potato works fine in an emergency.
I've found it keeps with the vinegar for 6 months in a cool dark place or the fridge.
I've rarely over the years used ready meals or sauces, and I haven't been in a pub more than once a year for nearly 30 years, and then only for the beer and Christmas traditional carols:)
However, as much as I love cooking, I've had to have a look at what I cook and make sure I'm not overdoing it with the salt (mainly). I'm told I'm pretty good at gravy's soups and sauces. I'm not a salt avoider, on the basis that a little bit can make a difference, and my dietician agrees.
However, I've found it's the simple stuff I have to avoid, like tomato ketchup, and baked beans because their high salt, high sugar. Don't be fooled by the labels.
Below is a simple homemade Tomato sauce. If your looking at it and thinking, hmm, that's a pasta sauce with a preservative, you'd be quite right. Killed two birds with one stone there :) I'm not going to give a exact amounts here - that spoils the fun. Play !
Tomato Ketchup.
400g (14 oz) Fresh and/or Tinned Tomatoes.
A good slice of fennel chopped. Well, looking at a fennel bulb, maybe 1/4 inch top to bottom?
Fresh Chilli - depends how much 'tang' you want. I use a teeny bit, chopped.
Coriander - I prefer a handful of fresh, but a teaspoon of powder is fine.
A pinch of black pepper, and likewise, sea-salt. One finger and thumb, no more.
1 desert spoon lemon juice, or 1/4 of lemon . If your using a fresh lemon, just throw 1/4 in.
1 large red onion, finely chopped, preferably minced.
3 cloves of garlic. Pull them out of the bulb, put them on the counter and beat the heck outa them.
THEN peel them - much easier. Then if you you want to squash them - hit em with a rolling pin.
1/2 finely chopped pear. Yup. Apple will do. Otherwise, if you realy must, 1/2 tsp brown sugar.
More to come....
Method.
Put the ingredients, except for tinned tomatoes in a thick bottomed pan, with a good glug of olive oil, on a low heat. Put the lid on. Simmer for 20 mins. That, in my opinion is the important bit. It belends the flavour.
Keep an eye on the onions and garlic, and make sure it doesn't burn. Add the tomatoes, and a cup of water. Not an American (8 oz) cup - just a cup of water, and bring to a simmer - don't boil, simmer until it's thick.
Liquidise it. So far you have a nice pasta sauce.
At this point, if you add a good dash of white/red wine vinegar, and reduce again, you have a tomato ketchup. If it doesn't thicken for you as much as you like, add (French) potato flakes, UK, cornflour, or USA anything as long as it gets thick :) But, I've found mashed potato works fine in an emergency.
I've found it keeps with the vinegar for 6 months in a cool dark place or the fridge.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Metformin warning.
When I was first hospitalised with a stroke, some of the tests they did were for diabetes.
Stroke and heart problems are often associated with uncontrolled diabetes.
In my case, it seems that I had been an undiagnosed 'skinny type 2' diabetic for some years. How that is diagnosed, and the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and how that can lead to stroke is for another post. For the purposes of this post, I'd like to post a little warning about the treatment of diabetes, and how it can negatively impact stroke care.
To control the diabetes, I was prescribed Metformin, a very effective treatment. Getting the dosage right takes some time. Lots of self testing and blood average blood sugar level tests (Hba1c), liver and kidney function tests.
I take 500 mg tablets three times a day. There is, however, a little known side effect with Metformin. B12 deficiency. It's by no means inevitable, or common, but effectively, the longer you take it, and the higher the dosage of Metformin,, (Or Metfartin, as users call it) the more likely B12 deficiency.
The problem is that B12 deficiency mimics many of the problems with uncontrolled diabetes and stroke, in particular, pain in fingers and toes (and yup, even if you have weakness, lack of feeling or paralysis through stroke, you can get pain) Lack of feeling or pins and needles in extremities, confusion, certain forms of psychosis and personality changes - for instance feeling a need for isolation or being unusually bad tempered....
I've had no extreme symptoms, but my recent blood tests have thrown up large, badly formed blood cells, so I'm being investigated for various B12 deficiency problems. I'm fairly confident that the Metformin is the culprit.
I've deliberately avoided going into depth here because of time constraints, but I'll probably expand on it later.
Thousand Year Gravy.
This'll wind up the 'Elf and Safety people.
I'm a decent cook. I love making sauces and gravies.
A tip I picked up from a chef friend, many years ago, was the Thousand Year Gravy.
Dead easy. Everyone has found a gravy recipe that works for them. Don't kick yourself or be embarrassed if you use use the instant stuff, it works (sorta) with that. Even I have a tub of that stuff tucked at the back of a cupboard (use by June 2005. hmmmm).
My gravy varies with, well, whatever I'm cooking. You ain't seen nuthin' 'till you've seen a wobbly fella cooking. Think flubbles on speed. Metaphorically speaking. Some times herbs go in, often Hendersons Relish (so good, it's going on my sidebar soon) Home made meat, fish or veg stocks, and of course, good ol' Oxo :)
Tip :- a dash of mustard, either powdered or ready-made, goes a long way with flavour.
Why a Thousand year? In my fridge, I keep a pot. At the moment it's a Bombay Bad boy snackpot container. Every time I make a gravy, a ladle-full goes in the pot, and given a good stir. The next time I make a gravy, half the contents go into the next gravy. I change the pot now and again (to be careful) or stick it in the wish dosher. But the contents of my current 'thousand year' have been going for 5 years :)
Should point out that if you only make a gravy every couple of weeks, don't do it. But, if like my mob you like a good bolognese or even a mild chilli on a very regular basis, it works and tastes wonderful, and the longer you do it, the better it is. However, make sure it's cooked through thoroughly.
The fun is in the experiment :)
Stroke and heart problems are often associated with uncontrolled diabetes.
In my case, it seems that I had been an undiagnosed 'skinny type 2' diabetic for some years. How that is diagnosed, and the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and how that can lead to stroke is for another post. For the purposes of this post, I'd like to post a little warning about the treatment of diabetes, and how it can negatively impact stroke care.
To control the diabetes, I was prescribed Metformin, a very effective treatment. Getting the dosage right takes some time. Lots of self testing and blood average blood sugar level tests (Hba1c), liver and kidney function tests.
I take 500 mg tablets three times a day. There is, however, a little known side effect with Metformin. B12 deficiency. It's by no means inevitable, or common, but effectively, the longer you take it, and the higher the dosage of Metformin,, (Or Metfartin, as users call it) the more likely B12 deficiency.
The problem is that B12 deficiency mimics many of the problems with uncontrolled diabetes and stroke, in particular, pain in fingers and toes (and yup, even if you have weakness, lack of feeling or paralysis through stroke, you can get pain) Lack of feeling or pins and needles in extremities, confusion, certain forms of psychosis and personality changes - for instance feeling a need for isolation or being unusually bad tempered....
I've had no extreme symptoms, but my recent blood tests have thrown up large, badly formed blood cells, so I'm being investigated for various B12 deficiency problems. I'm fairly confident that the Metformin is the culprit.
I've deliberately avoided going into depth here because of time constraints, but I'll probably expand on it later.
------------------
Thousand Year Gravy.
This'll wind up the 'Elf and Safety people.
I'm a decent cook. I love making sauces and gravies.
A tip I picked up from a chef friend, many years ago, was the Thousand Year Gravy.
Dead easy. Everyone has found a gravy recipe that works for them. Don't kick yourself or be embarrassed if you use use the instant stuff, it works (sorta) with that. Even I have a tub of that stuff tucked at the back of a cupboard (use by June 2005. hmmmm).
My gravy varies with, well, whatever I'm cooking. You ain't seen nuthin' 'till you've seen a wobbly fella cooking. Think flubbles on speed. Metaphorically speaking. Some times herbs go in, often Hendersons Relish (so good, it's going on my sidebar soon) Home made meat, fish or veg stocks, and of course, good ol' Oxo :)
Tip :- a dash of mustard, either powdered or ready-made, goes a long way with flavour.
Why a Thousand year? In my fridge, I keep a pot. At the moment it's a Bombay Bad boy snackpot container. Every time I make a gravy, a ladle-full goes in the pot, and given a good stir. The next time I make a gravy, half the contents go into the next gravy. I change the pot now and again (to be careful) or stick it in the wish dosher. But the contents of my current 'thousand year' have been going for 5 years :)
Should point out that if you only make a gravy every couple of weeks, don't do it. But, if like my mob you like a good bolognese or even a mild chilli on a very regular basis, it works and tastes wonderful, and the longer you do it, the better it is. However, make sure it's cooked through thoroughly.
The fun is in the experiment :)
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Bearisms
I marry the strangest women. I should know, I've done it twice.
Typical conversation in this household, no artistic licence taken whatsoever.
Me:- "I've found some Tixylix"
Boss :- "What? giver her a quid for some Tixylix?"
Me. "Does that sound like me?"
"You Wheels ? Heck No!"
"Well geeor then!"
or
Her. "Is that her getting up?"
Me "Stop that!"
"Stop what?"
"Asking me things I couldn't know"
pause..
"Well, is it?"
"Is What?"
"Her getting up?"
"(sigh..) Yes dear"
2 minutes later
"See, you were right, as usual"
"Oh, Good Grief Woman!!"
and
Conversation between Bear and youngest daughter.
"Where's your dad?"
"Sat there as usual, you Wally" said youngest daughter.
"(puzzled) Sat where?"
"THERE !! "
"Don't shout at me, and don't call me a Wally"
"I just did"
(pause)
"Where did he go?"
"He's still THERE"
"Errr....."
"You can't remember what you wanted him for, can you?"
"Errr....no.."
"See!"
"Um, where did you say he was?....
AAAARGH! DON'T CREEP ON ME LIKE THAT! TELL HIM NOT TO DO THAT!"
"Who do what? (grin! :)"
"You said it wasn't going to rain"
"I lied"
"That's just typical, that is."
"What is?"
"But it was nice this morning"
"Uhuh"
"But I've just this minute put the washing out :( "
"Heh, heh, heh!....."
"I suppose you think your funny, don't you? Get up. Stop laughing..."
Like I'm responsible for the weather.
Finally :)
Her. "Right, I'll log off Facebook"
Me. "Ok"
Her. "What time is it?"
Me. "2 o'clock"
Her. "But I've only been on since half past nine. What? stop staring at me like that, it's creepy. Are you alright?
Wouldn't swop her for the world. And yes, she does call me 'wheels' or 'wheelie'
Typical conversation in this household, no artistic licence taken whatsoever.
Me:- "I've found some Tixylix"
Boss :- "What? giver her a quid for some Tixylix?"
Me. "Does that sound like me?"
"You Wheels ? Heck No!"
"Well geeor then!"
or
Her. "Is that her getting up?"
Me "Stop that!"
"Stop what?"
"Asking me things I couldn't know"
pause..
"Well, is it?"
"Is What?"
"Her getting up?"
"(sigh..) Yes dear"
2 minutes later
"See, you were right, as usual"
"Oh, Good Grief Woman!!"
and
Conversation between Bear and youngest daughter.
"Where's your dad?"
"Sat there as usual, you Wally" said youngest daughter.
"(puzzled) Sat where?"
"THERE !! "
"Don't shout at me, and don't call me a Wally"
"I just did"
(pause)
"Where did he go?"
"He's still THERE"
"Errr....."
"You can't remember what you wanted him for, can you?"
"Errr....no.."
"See!"
"Um, where did you say he was?....
AAAARGH! DON'T CREEP ON ME LIKE THAT! TELL HIM NOT TO DO THAT!"
"Who do what? (grin! :)"
"You said it wasn't going to rain"
"I lied"
"That's just typical, that is."
"What is?"
"But it was nice this morning"
"Uhuh"
"But I've just this minute put the washing out :( "
"Heh, heh, heh!....."
"I suppose you think your funny, don't you? Get up. Stop laughing..."
Like I'm responsible for the weather.
Finally :)
Her. "Right, I'll log off Facebook"
Me. "Ok"
Her. "What time is it?"
Me. "2 o'clock"
Her. "But I've only been on since half past nine. What? stop staring at me like that, it's creepy. Are you alright?
Wouldn't swop her for the world. And yes, she does call me 'wheels' or 'wheelie'
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Offline for about 24 hours while my internet provider 'upgrades my line'. Does this mean I'll be able to type faster?
I'll leave you as Bear works her way through a gigantic bag of Prawn Crackers after an equally enourmouse Chinese meal, cooked by yours truly. Oh, aright then - we ordered out for the mobs egg fried rice. Yuk.
My thought for the day is that the Brit and States Immigration offices are crap. So there.
I'll leave you as Bear works her way through a gigantic bag of Prawn Crackers after an equally enourmouse Chinese meal, cooked by yours truly. Oh, aright then - we ordered out for the mobs egg fried rice. Yuk.
My thought for the day is that the Brit and States Immigration offices are crap. So there.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Yer can tell a Yorkshireman....
But you can't tell him much :)
Apparently, I'm the most cussed, stubborn, pig headed, unfeeling man on the whole planet.
It's seems I can't see a crisis if it jumped up and bit my bum, and I'm responsible for everything from the fall of the Roman Empire to World War III, by simply being there.
Phew. That's all right then. For a minute there I though there was something wrong.
I was there at the fall of the Roman Empire? Golly, I know at my age my memory is bad but..
Best do a bum check soon. Not seen mine for ages. (Oh, no it isn't) Brit Joke there. See what I did :)
Apparently, I'm the most cussed, stubborn, pig headed, unfeeling man on the whole planet.
It's seems I can't see a crisis if it jumped up and bit my bum, and I'm responsible for everything from the fall of the Roman Empire to World War III, by simply being there.
Phew. That's all right then. For a minute there I though there was something wrong.
I was there at the fall of the Roman Empire? Golly, I know at my age my memory is bad but..
Best do a bum check soon. Not seen mine for ages. (Oh, no it isn't) Brit Joke there. See what I did :)
----------
Disassociation - well, it is a Stroke blog :) A common word, uncommonly applied. In the interests of promoting understanding.
Ever heard the phrase "The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" ?
It's kinda like that.
Stroke survivors variety in the alterations of function vary across a wide spectrum - hey, that sounds good - sounds better than the word disability anyways :)
It can vary from next to nowt, through life-support, to the most common perception, paralysis, typically down one side. I have lack of feeling on the right side, and disassociation.
For me that means I have movement, to a lesser extent than I had before, but the movement I have on my right side seems to belong to someone else, if I forget. Day to day, it's not a problem, unless I stop and think. Then me and Righty need to negotiate, which is not entirely a physical function - there's some intellect involved too. I'll post more if anyone requests so.
So thar'y'go. A new word, if your interested in the processes of stroke.
A couple more words you might like to google are Dysphasia and Aphasia.
I'm off to ignore World War 3 :)
Ever heard the phrase "The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" ?
It's kinda like that.
Stroke survivors variety in the alterations of function vary across a wide spectrum - hey, that sounds good - sounds better than the word disability anyways :)
It can vary from next to nowt, through life-support, to the most common perception, paralysis, typically down one side. I have lack of feeling on the right side, and disassociation.
For me that means I have movement, to a lesser extent than I had before, but the movement I have on my right side seems to belong to someone else, if I forget. Day to day, it's not a problem, unless I stop and think. Then me and Righty need to negotiate, which is not entirely a physical function - there's some intellect involved too. I'll post more if anyone requests so.
So thar'y'go. A new word, if your interested in the processes of stroke.
A couple more words you might like to google are Dysphasia and Aphasia.
I'm off to ignore World War 3 :)
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