Naoko's news, views and shoes thread

[Handley_Page]

Yay for Piglet, she sounds like a toughie, unlike my great big girl of a husband; he's been shot (he called me from Darwin, after being airlifted in for emergency surgery, to say he'd been 'a little bit shot, but I'm fine now' with a hole in his chest you could drive a steer through without the horns catching on the sides) held hostage, kidnapped and beaten, performed surgery under fire, under duress, and once, under a tank, but let him get a cold and he turns into a snivelling, watery-eyed, pitiful, dying plague victim, and he goes on and on until I really, really want to go get one of his shotguns and put him out of my misery. He truly does match the cliche 100%.

When I get a head cold and feel like crap I have to carry on; husband person is a great surgeon, not so good at dealing with actual sick people; his attitude is a hearty 'if you're not dead, you must be fine, so come on, a nice 5K will do you a world of good' (unless he's the one with a mimsy little cold; then the world must stop and coddle him, poor fragile baby that he is). When the Lemsip and Night-Nurse have kicked in, and he's finally passed-out, I do look fondly at him and consider the fact that if there was just one wife and mother on the jury, and any justice in the world, I'd be acquitted at warp speed...

Oh Lori,
I do love the way you write.

Until somewhere around 3pm this afternoon, I had a very itchy cyst on the inside of my eyelid. It was the injection of " a little local anaesthetic" which spoiled the fun.
Those who poke needles and things may not be too aware of just HOW that feels to the recipient.
In my case it was long (right eyelid to left ear?) and bloody hot!

After "the procedure" came the clean-up, which featured a hot thingy; It's the first time I've seen a tendril of smoke coming from my face.
But I'm sure I'll be OK in the morning (<fervent prayers to the Deity of Choice> )
The staff were superb, and put up with my nervous humour very well.
At the moment, the eye is merely sore.

 

[stickygirl]

Piglet off colour, lanced HP ... whatever next?

New Shoes
https://36.media.tumblr.com/57c3c5b74ce2b005657e1d7ba766faae/tumblr_o3uap2zuJc1rx9ovro1_540.jpg

 

[Handley_Page]

Piglet off colour, lanced HP ... whatever next?

New Shoes

Jane, me dear,
are you joining the military, perhaps ?
Or taking up long-distance fell-walking ?
Or heavy Gardening ?

Something involving stone, perhaps ?
A Mason, maybe ?

Do tell, dear, please

PS. I think I now realise what the medics referred to as "bruising".
It's getting sore. . .

 

[stickygirl]

I'm not yet old enough to take your bafflement as anything but a compliment
It's a girl thing
I wanted them in brown but the didn't have any left my size in the sale

 

[Handley_Page]

I'm not yet old enough to take your bafflement as anything but a compliment
It's a girl thing
I wanted them in brown but the didn't have any left my size in the sale

Your reply reminds me of something on TV about Terry Pratchett a while ago.
The interviewer looked at the desk about which were six computer screens.
"Why six screens?" asked the innocent Interviewer.
"'Cos' I cannot have eight," was the reply.

It's an accurate answer but not the expected one. <giggle>

Heavy-duty foot protection at the Barn Dance ?

 

[stickygirl]

Your reply reminds me of something on TV about Terry Pratchett a while ago.
The interviewer looked at the desk about which were six computer screens.
"Why six screens?" asked the innocent Interviewer.
"'Cos' I cannot have eight," was the reply.

It's an accurate answer but not the expected one. <giggle>

Heavy-duty foot protection at the Barn Dance ?

Well... the weather is awful, so pretty shoes are out. I spend much of my day in workshops. I have to run, often through puddles, for buses or just to cross the road. They also express my youthful resentment of women being pidgeon-holed into looking like bimbos ( even though I have pretty shoes for posh ). They are actually fashionable. They have replaced a worn out pair of dockers. I usually wear jeans to work so these go with them. They are much softer than they look and the killer feature!! they are zipped even though they have all those laces and buckles.

 

[Handley_Page]

Well... the weather is awful, so pretty shoes are out. I spend much of my day in workshops. I have to run, often through puddles, for buses or just to cross the road. They also express my youthful resentment of women being pidgeon-holed into looking like bimbos ( even though I have pretty shoes for posh ). They are actually fashionable. They have replaced a worn out pair of dockers. I usually wear jeans to work so these go with them. They are much softer than they look and the killer feature!! they are zipped even though they have all those laces and buckles.

Oh, my dear, that's . . cheating !

Ah, but 'work boots'; that make sense.
Well done, young lady.

 

[JackLuis]

Well... the weather is awful, so pretty shoes are out. I spend much of my day in workshops. I have to run, often through puddles, for buses or just to cross the road. They also express my youthful resentment of women being pidgeon-holed into looking like bimbos ( even though I have pretty shoes for posh ). They are actually fashionable. They have replaced a worn out pair of dockers. I usually wear jeans to work so these go with them. They are much softer than they look and the killer feature!! they are zipped even though they have all those laces and buckles.

I'm surprised, what with the English weather lately, they are not hip waders!

 

[stickygirl]

I'm surprised, what with the English weather lately, they are not hip waders!

Totally hip
... that was a word wasn't it? Like fab

Oh, my dear, that's . . cheating !

Ah, but 'work boots'; that make sense.
Well done, young lady.

<awkward curtsey>

 

[Handley_Page]

Totally hip
... that was a word wasn't it? Like fab

<awkward curtsey>

You're welcome

 

[Gorza]

Piglet off colour, lanced HP ... whatever next?

New Shoes
https://36.media.tumblr.com/57c3c5b74ce2b005657e1d7ba766faae/tumblr_o3uap2zuJc1rx9ovro1_540.jpg

Squeeze me for my absentia!

I have returned to peruse the Lit footware situation. Jane, if you want to glamorise work boots, lace them with laces in a contrasting colour. When I was a soldier we had black parade boots with white laces. They looked like gleaming train tracks!

Well, I've been absent due to work problems. My department is being restructured, and my job is being reduced to its core teaching hours. Initially, my plan was to stay in the restructured job and apply for funding for part time research with my old research group. It's looking increasingly unlikely that I'll find funding in time, so I'm going to take redundancy and look for a new job. I've got a good union official and lawyer sorting it all out. I'm not particularly tied down, so I could end up anywhere. While that's exciting, it's also a bit unsettling to have so much freedom. Once this term's out, I'll hire a car and go camping on the Llyn Peninsula, to clear my head. Before I go, I've three more applications to send: two in different colleges in London, and one in Wales!

The first few chapters of my sexy spy story should also go up soon.

 

[Hypoxia]

We are edging closer to departing on an extended housecar journey. (We're still dealing with service issues.) It is a not-large coach, a thinner-than-most 25-foot class C on a hyper-efficient Mercedes Sprinter chassis. (I calculated that at current in-town pump prices, the turbodiesel RV vs our premium-gas Nissan Murano crossover costs one penny more per ten miles, worst case.)

The coach, yclept The Slim Princess, has plenty of external storage but not so much inside. Footwear will be an issue. I don't have an Imelda Marcos collection but I still NEED a variety of platforms for my clodhoppers. Wellies, sneakers in 3 colors, Teva river sandals, coach slippers, something formal, something ludicrous -- y'know how it goes.

Fitting enough zithers inside will be tight too. At least the harmonicas have a space.

Soon, to the Superbloom. Soon, we shall stand naked (except for Tevas or sneakers) in bright desert sunlight, surveying vast miles of floral color, pissing on whatever strikes our fancy. Soon, warm winds will dry our soggy nethers and perspirey pits. Soon, we shall proceed to Area 51 and hope for alien abduction. But that didn't work last time. Ratz.

As long as we stay away from the Pacific coast, we can avoid tentacles. But my partner wants to make a down-the-coast run, San Francisco - Santa Cruz - Big Sur - Pismo Beach - Santa Barbara - etc. Oh, the tentacles...

 

[Handley_Page]

Squeeze me for my absentia!

I have returned to peruse the Lit footware situation. Jane, if you want to glamorise work boots, lace them with laces in a contrasting colour. When I was a soldier we had black parade boots with white laces. They looked like gleaming train tracks!

Well, I've been absent due to work problems. My department is being restructured, and my job is being reduced to its core teaching hours. Initially, my plan was to stay in the restructured job and apply for funding for part time research with my old research group. It's looking increasingly unlikely that I'll find funding in time, so I'm going to take redundancy and look for a new job. I've got a good union official and lawyer sorting it all out. I'm not particularly tied down, so I could end up anywhere. While that's exciting, it's also a bit unsettling to have so much freedom. Once this term's out, I'll hire a car and go camping on the Llyn Peninsula, to clear my head. Before I go, I've three more applications to send: two in different colleges in London, and one in Wales!

The first few chapters of my sexy spy story should also go up soon.

Good Luck!

 

[NaokoSmith]

Sending wishes for Piglet's speedy recovery and a smooth day for you.

Thank you - she is much better now and was able to put in a stellar performance delivering her one line in the drama club's production of The Wizard of Oz yesterday.

Got back from business trip to US a couple of days ago - bit fraught, had to let a few people go in a re-organization.
...
Finally, I put up a submission to Lit yesterday - first in almost 3 years! It's in the sig line and is dark with a jaunty packaging. Called "Doodle Dandy Walker" It's only got 30 odd reads in two days so needs a bit of help.

ugh, that sounds very unpleasant.

Yay, for the articulate boyfriend though!

C'mon people, let's give Ishtat's poem some love. It's not linked in his sig line yet, you can find it here. Really nice turn of tone in it.

(Y'know, Ishtat, maybe it would be a good idea to add a note at the end to mention the Dandy-Walker syndrome? Although someone has helpfully mentioned it in a comment.)

When I get a head cold and feel like crap I have to carry on; husband person is a great surgeon, not so good at dealing with actual sick people; his attitude is a hearty 'if you're not dead, you must be fine, so come on, a nice 5K will do you a world of good' (unless he's the one with a mimsy little cold; then the world must stop and coddle him, poor fragile baby that he is).

LOL, have you ever seen that great video Nick Frost made about manflu?

Until somewhere around 3pm this afternoon, I had a very itchy cyst on the inside of my eyelid. It was the injection of " a little local anaesthetic" which spoiled the fun.
Those who poke needles and things may not be too aware of just HOW that feels to the recipient.
In my case it was long (right eyelid to left ear?) and bloody hot!

After "the procedure" came the clean-up, which featured a hot thingy; It's the first time I've seen a tendril of smoke coming from my face.
But I'm sure I'll be OK in the morning (<fervent prayers to the Deity of Choice> )
The staff were superb, and put up with my nervous humour very well.
At the moment, the eye is merely sore.

HP, I do hope you are feeling better today! especially after the nailbiting finish to the match yesterday. (I hope you got to watch the match OK?)

New Shoes

Very gorgeous! Oooh, I bet you are a picture as you skip between the puddles in those.

I'm surprised, what with the English weather lately, they are not hip waders!

Hullo, ole silverback!
*hug*s

Squeeze me for my absentia!

*squee-eeze*!
Good to see you back.

Very sorry to hear this bad news.

Hope you get a much better job immediately, with people who really appreciate you.

We are edging closer to departing on an extended housecar journey.

Travelling with a slim Princess! and with all the shoes in here at the moment, and HP's pet in his avatar, there should surely be a story in there ...? Post pictures of the shoes!

 

[Handley_Page]

The eye's easier, thanks.
The thought occurs to me that Stickygirls new boots might be just the right gear to wear in the yard where my Dragon lives.
It's all right; he's quite tame really. . . . .

 

[NaokoSmith]

Yayyyyy!!!!

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/funny/2/banana-with-kilt-smiley-emoticon.gif

The eye's easier, thanks.

Glad to hear it. (Well played your team on winning the championship.)

 

[NaokoSmith]

Ugh, I was congratulating myself on escaping the Piglet head cold but it has struck me down. I feel a bit woozy and my nose hurts (I mean that bit that joins your throat). You can tell how poorly I am, since I actually wanted to have a cup of Piglet's horrid herbal teabag tea, instead of longing for a proper cup of tea and having decaff coffee. Such a pity, I have to go and see my student with the early dementia today and as she lives en route to the gym/pool; I was happily planning an extra swim - with my bus fare paid for by the uni!


Hopefully if I take it a bit easy today I'll feel better by tomorrow, although Piglet is still struggling with her cold. Anyway, into each life a little rain must fall. I was feeling very good about the swimming, and had started to find myself surprisingly energised. I hadn't really thought I had breathing problems before but suddenly my lungs seemed so clear, it was great. However, this will just be a few days off and then I can plunge back in.

*sniffle*

 

[Handley_Page]

Ugh, I was congratulating myself on escaping the Piglet head cold but it has struck me down. I feel a bit woozy and my nose hurts (I mean that bit that joins your throat).
.
.

Hopefully if I take it a bit easy today I'll feel better by tomorrow, although Piglet is still struggling with her cold.

*sniffle*

I do hope you are not thinking that this cold is an easy-fix ?
They never are, IME.
Just take it steady, OK ?
Get well soon.

 

[curl4ever]

Adding my get well wishes...

 

[Lori_the_Hoosier]

Ugh, I was congratulating myself on escaping the Piglet head cold but it has struck me down. I feel a bit woozy and my nose hurts (I mean that bit that joins your throat). You can tell how poorly I am, since I actually wanted to have a cup of Piglet's horrid herbal teabag tea, instead of longing for a proper cup of tea and having decaff coffee. Such a pity, I have to go and see my student with the early dementia today and as she lives en route to the gym/pool; I was happily planning an extra swim - with my bus fare paid for by the uni!


Hopefully if I take it a bit easy today I'll feel better by tomorrow, although Piglet is still struggling with her cold. Anyway, into each life a little rain must fall. I was feeling very good about the swimming, and had started to find myself surprisingly energised. I hadn't really thought I had breathing problems before but suddenly my lungs seemed so clear, it was great. However, this will just be a few days off and then I can plunge back in.

*sniffle*

Dear Naoko, how do I sympathize; Will and his psychotic friends have been tramping around in the windswept, rain-lashed great outdoors for the last three days, shooting small squeaky creatures at the drop of a hat, and I've been in my cosy office talking to kids, and he's glowing with health while my little angels have passed-on to me the cold that's going in the Guinness Book of Records - there ain't no justice. I've been soldiering on, trying to silently yet eloquently portray deep suffering, and all Will did was hand me a pot of paint and a brush and tell me to put a cross on my door...

Last night was a bummer; I'm almost 100% certain I went to sleep in my bed, so why I woke up in my shower-stall is a mystery, and either that conversation I had with a pelican and Nemo the fish actually happened, or they've done something horrible to Co-Codamol.

Will did have the nerve to share something (from across the room, while wearing a surgical mask and gloves) one of his professors at Kings once let him in on; with treatment, cosseting, and lots of support, a cold should be gone in 7 days; if I just relax and accept the inevitable, it will last about a week.

So I'm going to kill him, slowly, I'll be wearing Fredericks of Hollywood when I do it, and they'll have to use a mallet to close the lid on his coffin; there's more than one way to skin a cat.
But first I have to stop feeling like a figment of my imagination, and write his suicide note...

 

[NotWise]

Dear Naoko, how do I sympathize; Will and his psychotic friends have been tramping around in the windswept, rain-lashed great outdoors for the last three days, shooting small squeaky creatures at the drop of a hat, and I've been in my cosy office talking to kids.

You do have the most expressive posts, but you don't present a character that earns much of my sympathy.

Kids are such germ wagons. My wife and I used to both do volunteer work for a local ballet company. She worked backstage and wrangled groups of dancers -- let's say 70 a day. I worked the front and greeted 1,200 people a day for performances -- usually wearing a tux and white or yellow dress gloves. After a show was done (and often before) my wife would be sick and I would be only marginally sympathetic.

I can only manage just so much sympathy when she receives the known consequences of something she loves to do. I also know when it's time to arrange my own dinner.

 

[Lori_the_Hoosier]

You do have the most expressive posts, but you don't present a character that earns much of my sympathy.

Kids are such germ wagons. My wife and I used to both do volunteer work for a local ballet company. She worked backstage and wrangled groups of dancers -- let's say 70 a day. I worked the front and greeted 1,200 people a day for performances -- usually wearing a tux and white or yellow dress gloves. After a show was done (and often before) my wife would be sick and I would be only marginally sympathetic.

I can only manage just so much sympathy when she receives the known consequences of something she loves to do. I also know when it's time to arrange my own dinner.

For me, picking up every flu-bug and cold virus doing the rounds in the schools is an inevitable consequence of working with children the way I do, and is a small price to pay for the benefits they will reap (hopefully) in later life. I'm a pediatric psychotherapist, so kids is kind of what I do for a living, and there's really no escaping what they bring into my consulting rooms with them. Yeah, kids are germ wagons, and I do spend a lot of time feeling less than sparkly because of what one of them has sneezed all over my office, but I'm a doctor, so painkillers, antihistamines, and a couple of vitamin shots put me back on an even keel fairly rapidly. It's still the only job I ever want to do.

 

[NotWise]

Yeah, kids are germ wagons, and I do spend a lot of time feeling less than sparkly because of what one of them has sneezed all over my office, but I'm a doctor, so painkillers, antihistamines, and a couple of vitamin shots put me back on an even keel fairly rapidly. It's still the only job I ever want to do.

My wife (aside from ballet commitments and an affliction for fabric arts) is a psychiatric nurse. She graduated near the top of her nursing class then decided that she would rather care for people than for the machines. There are always consequences for caring for people. Sometimes it's germs. Sometimes it's more emotional.

 

[Lori_the_Hoosier]

-----

 

[ishtat]

Naoko. Your PM box is full - at least, it was a couple of days ago.