From Graham to You
Dear ones all,
Airasa’s right, I should send an update of my own, rather than relying on her or Linda to keep you all posted. But frankly, I’m weary of discussing what condition my condition is in…largely because it’s proceeding slowly and, right now, I’m feeling both frightened and despondent about it. I work so hard, but things proceed so slowly. In addition, I’m finding I’m having to do a lot of “managing” (manipulating) the staff and even the occasional fellow ward mates to manage the long hours of every day. This is largely the result of my not being able to propel myself in my chair, feed myself unassisted, brush my teeth, and probably most of all the many occasions I ask for CD changes. Music has become my essential/desperate refuge from the ward noise – mostly televisions – and the long hours of inactivity/too much time to think, as I can’t read with my helpless hands, the nursing staff doesn’t have the time to read to me, and when I have visitors I want to visit.
Airasa is also right in that I don’t have to limit my “updates” to what condition my condition is in! Right now, the telly is showing the blessing at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. The country as a whole, naturally, is far more anxiously awaiting the start of the Grand National steeplechase, the most challenging horserace in the world. The Brits know how to handle competing obsessions in that the blessing started at 2:30 and the steeplechase starts at 4:10. Of course, for those no doubt many millions of the kingdom who don’t give a farthing for royal doings – this one in particular – there is, as there is for the Triple Crown plenty of pre-race coverage. The Queen herself is very ‘fond’ of the Grand National so the race had to be put back an extra time (it was due to start at 3:45) so that she can finish with the wedding folderol and still get to see the race!
The other big news over here (the Pope’s funeral is yesterday’s news, but I’m sure the selection of a new one will have its couple of days of big news) is the May 5th General Election. Airasa is right, yet again, in her assessment of Tony Blair as a caricature of himself and the Conservative Party is not as reactionary as our Republicans, but the Tories are doing their best to catch up. I politick whenever I can for the Liberal Democrats. Unfortunately, the Brits don’t have the luxury of voting for Prime Minister directly. As you know, the Prime Minister is determined by the party with the most MPs, and there are too many Labourites who are social(ist) democrats in their heart of hearts so the choice isn’t between Blair, Howard, and Kennedy, but between your local MP candidates. Still, I think it would do the Brits good to have a sudden upsurge in Lib Dem representation in Parliament. After all, the (merged) party has held power not all that long ago in the British history scheme of things a good 2000 years (after all with all the Roman ruins around the island). At least the British are blessed with having a six-week campaign rather than the seemingly endless American one (editor’s note: besides which, Brits ‘stand’ for election and Americans ‘run’). They are also blessed by having a Shadow Cabinet so they don’t have to put up with the inaugural transitional hoo-hah. Frankly, I think both countries would benefit from adopting the Australian system, but I will leave it to you excellent researchers (and not just at Clio) to determine the details of the Aussies’ approach if you are not already familiar with it.
I’m running out of breath so I’ll close with the thought that, whenever someone praises me about my courage, faith, optimism, endurance, etc. regarding my coping with “the new (helpless) Graham”, I think to myself “boy howdy, however did I manage to get him/her so fooled!?!?!”
Still it’s not only nice to hear, but it does help.
Peace, love, and all best wishes,
Graham
Airasa’s right, I should send an update of my own, rather than relying on her or Linda to keep you all posted. But frankly, I’m weary of discussing what condition my condition is in…largely because it’s proceeding slowly and, right now, I’m feeling both frightened and despondent about it. I work so hard, but things proceed so slowly. In addition, I’m finding I’m having to do a lot of “managing” (manipulating) the staff and even the occasional fellow ward mates to manage the long hours of every day. This is largely the result of my not being able to propel myself in my chair, feed myself unassisted, brush my teeth, and probably most of all the many occasions I ask for CD changes. Music has become my essential/desperate refuge from the ward noise – mostly televisions – and the long hours of inactivity/too much time to think, as I can’t read with my helpless hands, the nursing staff doesn’t have the time to read to me, and when I have visitors I want to visit.
Airasa is also right in that I don’t have to limit my “updates” to what condition my condition is in! Right now, the telly is showing the blessing at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. The country as a whole, naturally, is far more anxiously awaiting the start of the Grand National steeplechase, the most challenging horserace in the world. The Brits know how to handle competing obsessions in that the blessing started at 2:30 and the steeplechase starts at 4:10. Of course, for those no doubt many millions of the kingdom who don’t give a farthing for royal doings – this one in particular – there is, as there is for the Triple Crown plenty of pre-race coverage. The Queen herself is very ‘fond’ of the Grand National so the race had to be put back an extra time (it was due to start at 3:45) so that she can finish with the wedding folderol and still get to see the race!
The other big news over here (the Pope’s funeral is yesterday’s news, but I’m sure the selection of a new one will have its couple of days of big news) is the May 5th General Election. Airasa is right, yet again, in her assessment of Tony Blair as a caricature of himself and the Conservative Party is not as reactionary as our Republicans, but the Tories are doing their best to catch up. I politick whenever I can for the Liberal Democrats. Unfortunately, the Brits don’t have the luxury of voting for Prime Minister directly. As you know, the Prime Minister is determined by the party with the most MPs, and there are too many Labourites who are social(ist) democrats in their heart of hearts so the choice isn’t between Blair, Howard, and Kennedy, but between your local MP candidates. Still, I think it would do the Brits good to have a sudden upsurge in Lib Dem representation in Parliament. After all, the (merged) party has held power not all that long ago in the British history scheme of things a good 2000 years (after all with all the Roman ruins around the island). At least the British are blessed with having a six-week campaign rather than the seemingly endless American one (editor’s note: besides which, Brits ‘stand’ for election and Americans ‘run’). They are also blessed by having a Shadow Cabinet so they don’t have to put up with the inaugural transitional hoo-hah. Frankly, I think both countries would benefit from adopting the Australian system, but I will leave it to you excellent researchers (and not just at Clio) to determine the details of the Aussies’ approach if you are not already familiar with it.
I’m running out of breath so I’ll close with the thought that, whenever someone praises me about my courage, faith, optimism, endurance, etc. regarding my coping with “the new (helpless) Graham”, I think to myself “boy howdy, however did I manage to get him/her so fooled!?!?!”
Still it’s not only nice to hear, but it does help.
Peace, love, and all best wishes,
Graham
posted by Cosmic Sunshine at 6:03 PM
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