Thursday 6 June 2013

Hello again.

So now it's June. June! And how are you?

So the last five months have existed, and I am still here. The last five months have been pretty good, actually. I wonder if that's why I haven't outletted (?) on here during them... Anyway, I'm going to catch you up on thoughts and things wot have happened.

  • Exam Leave
My FAVOURITE time of year is here again. This beautiful pair of words denotes luxurious expanses of Time and Quiet in which work and "work" can take place without the unhelpful disruption of Year Eleven and Sixth Form. It is why I am currently surrounded by microphones, saxophones and dictophones rather than workaphobes and faketanophiles. Bliss!

  • Engagements
EVERYONE I know is engaged. Wait, that's not true. MANY PEOPLE I know are engaged. It seems the beginning of 2013 was the time for it. Which means now I am engrossed in Remote Wedding Preparation, which is lush. It also means that I will have to invest in some more dresses suitable for weddings. OH NO WHAT A SHAME. I'm musicking at some, sort-of-bridesmaiding at others and simply attending the rest. Wicked!

  • U.L.I.P.
"U.L.I.P." - collective noun: abrv. 'Unfit Ladies In Pink'. Denotes women (usually of a certain age and build) participating in the annual sweat fest that is The Race for Life.

I'm doing the Race for Life. The last time I ran was in 2008.

  • The British Summer
When I was little, I always used to get a bit of a kick from packing for a British holiday. I'd pack my shoes on top of my bag, and slip my suncream into one of them and my umbrella into the other. "How idiosyncratic!" I'd think. "What larks, England!" (or Wales) "You're so quirky, with your heatwave one day and your hailstones the next. How hilarious you are!"

Now I find myself thinking "Rain?! But I hung my washing out this morning/last night" or "Is it frowned upon to remove one's leggings in public, if one dressed inappropriately for 30 degree sunshine?"

Old.





Right, time for me to go. I am at work, after all, and this cup of tea won't drink itself...

Tuesday 22 January 2013

The Good, The Bad and The Other

Good Things That Happened Today:
  • Two members of my form (two of the ones who wrote the song for me in this post) gave me a birthday present in the form of a Teddy Bear. (Southfield tradition is to bring one in for Children in Need Day, and they were aghast that I didn't own one...)
  • I found a packet of Magic Stars in my drawer at work (I suspect they were a gift from my housemate - thanks, housie)
  • The 'Word of the Week' is effervescent. It's a goodun.
  • I wasn't late for work





















Bad Things That Happened Today:
  • I discovered my new car has been driven into, hugely denting the driver's door. No, they didn't leave a note. Yes, I was on the road, but I was up on the curb as out of the way as I could be.
  • I have been told we are not allowed to run A level music next year, as the (school? county? government?) are requesting a minimum of 9 students per course, and that NEVER happens for music. Well, except once.
  • I am probably going to have some sort of reduced timetable next year, or reduced job, or increased hours of teaching Not Music, due to the above.
  • I rang the doctor to sort out a reduced hours return to work - she isn't in til Thurs, and the receptionist was in a really loud environment, both of which stressed me out. Disproportionately so, admittedly.
  • It is massively icy






Other Things That Happened Today:
  • I'm currently watching Batman: The Wail of the Siren. It's a bit ridiculous. I haven't decided if it's in a good way or a bad way yet...
  • This, however, is definitely excellent:







Thank you, Alfred.

Thursday 17 January 2013

Life on Loan

It's a bit odd, this Post-Concussion Syndrome.

It's sent me a bit mad.


For a while, my life didn't really feel like my life. I mean, shortly after the C had occurred (brain hitting against skull during accident, apparently) I was constantly aching, sleeping and not really aware of anything that was going on around me, but I thought that was the after-effects of the accident itself and that it would pass. It pretty much has, but with a few lingering personality changes.

What I wasn't prepared for was the feeling of imminent tears at any minute, and the unaccountable short fuse. Normally, I am quite patient. With the kids at school, at least. Then last week, I found myself either being profoundly irritated by them (and not only them), or on the brink of breaking down in tears in front of them all.

Since not being in work this week, the irritability appears to have lessened, and life is a bit more manageable. Especially with all the wonderful people in it, doing wonderful things like providing me with food and hairstrokes and things. Every now and then, though, I am overwhelmed with weary weepiness for no apparent reason.


Tuesday, for example, had been a fairly strong day. Tues eve came, and I was happily ensconced in a little bubble of joy, and then without warning and for no reason at all, someone poured a huge bucket of sadness over my head. Hugely unfair.


Weds was a heavy day, and I didn't deal with it very well.


And today I've mostly had a headache.


But tomorrow is my birthday.

And on Sat we have a gig, at which some of my most favouritest people will be.


And perhaps it will feel a bit more like my life, even if I am still driving someone else's car...
(which is actually my own. It'll feel like it soon, I'm sure...)




Viva la Birthday!

Tuesday 8 January 2013

PTSD

"A person with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder will often relive the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and have feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt.

They may also have problems sleeping, such as insomnia, and may find concentrating difficult. The symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person's day-to-day life.


Some people with PTSD deal with their feelings by trying not to feel anything at all. This is known as emotional numbing. They may feel detached or isolated from others, or guilty.

Someone with PTSD can often seem deep in thought and withdrawn. They may also give up pursuing the activities that they used to enjoy."



Don't let me give up things I enjoy.