I am curious, yellow

I've been taking a course of vitamins. They are intended for men aged 65 years and over. According to the label the vitamins help support men 'meet their nutritional needs and maintain general wellbeing'.

I don't feel any different taking the tablets. I have no idea if they have any effect on me whatsoever except in one respect. After taking a tablet my urine is a very distinctive colour. Yellow. Bright yellow. Very bright yellow.

Sore throat

Look up 'sore throat' on Google Images and you will see a lot of rather gross images of...well...sore throats. I was looking for an image of a good looking male with a sore throat to illustrate this post but I didn't find any. I scrolled through many screens of 'sore throat' images until I reached this one...

...what does it have do with sore throats? I think, I'm not sure but I think, the band is playing a song called 'sore throat'. It will have to do.

With wilful, typical timing, nature - or someone - has given me a sore throat and cough on the eve of my overseas holiday which will involve many hours spent in aeroplanes. It is an itchy, dry cough, most annoying and has evolved into laryngitis and cough. Friends in as disparate locations as Brisbane have been laid low with similar symptoms. I am taking medication.

This happens to me too often. 'Big trip coming up?' 'Here, take a cold/cough with you.'

The longest of the flights is the first leg, this Saturday. Thirteen hours and forty minutes to Los Angeles. Subsequent flights will be five hours and thirty minutes to New York, eight hours and ten minutes to Helsinki, a mere three hours and five minutes to London, an even shorter two hours and fifty minutes back to Helsinki, nine hours and fifty minutes to Hong Kong and finally nine hours and twenty minutes home to Sydney.

Lots of opportunities for me to pass my sore throat on to others, lots of opportunities to catch a sore throat back from others.

Making the move

Last night I had my first session in a 'Key Moves' exercise program. I am notoriously slack at pursuing exercise and have never attempted this type of therapy previously. Rolling about and stretching myself on mats is not the easiest for me with my lack of flexibility and the extra weight I carry around my belly. I'm also at a disadvantage in this program only joining it at session 4 of 10 in total as a replacement for someone else.

I have to admit I felt quite good after the hour's work and I did sleep pretty well. A pity I missed out on earlier sessions about correct breathing technique. Hopefully I'll see out the remainder of the course.

Watch this space.

So so

(offbeatbride.com)

So so. That's how I've been feeling since last Thursday evening.

Why?

I've had a recurrence of my Meuniers like symptoms although, according to two doctors, I am not a Meuniers sufferer.

What am I experiencing? Shaky vision where what I see jumps (jerks?) from side to side. What else? Some vertigo. Anything else? Some imbalance standing still and whilst walking. No I am not experiencing all three at the same time and not any one of them all of the time but combinations of the three on and off since last Thursday. Especially in the evening.

It is a return of what happened to me back in June 2009 following a flight from Brisbane to Sydney. I suffered some sort of inner ear damage or disturbance and these symptoms followed two days later. The symptoms were very severe and I ended up in hospital for three days.

But the doctor and a specialist both assured me the symptoms would eventually disappear completely. They haven't done so this far. I suffered them, in very mild form at least weekly right through to about eight weeks ago.

It was then I started seeing a Physiotherapist and her work on me brought the best relief I have experienced. I was almost thinking she had 'cured' me of these symptoms so their sudden return is most disappointing. I'm not sure why they have returned but one reason could be the Manly ferry trip I took last Thursday. As we passed by the Heads (the gap opening to the Tasman Sea) the ferry, as it usually does at that point, rocked wildly from side to side through the incoming waves. As it did so, I kept my eye fascinated on the horizon as it dipped out of sight then rose to almost completely cover the window.

Maybe my fixated stare at that moment induced some fresh disturbance in my inner ear?

Anyway I am counting the days till the symptoms abate. Even typing this has had my head/eyes spinning. It is not pleasant.

By the way, the photo above has nothing to do with me. I simply Googled Images for 'Shaky vision' and this photo was one it retrieved. I thought the couple looked so cute I used the image anyway.

Beware the 'bergs

I renewed my membership at Bondi Icebergs Club today. As clubs go it is a great one to impress your guests or visitors. Not because of its facilities or services which, frankly as clubs go, are quite modest. No, it is the location right alongside Bondi Beach with that fantastic view up the beach and out to the sea that makes a visit here for the uninitiated such a memorable experience. Provided it is not too crowded that is, because it doesn't take too many people to crowd this small establishment. I have had to abandon a visit to the club with guests previously when unable to find anywhere that we could sit to enjoy drinks, let alone our intended meal.

As you see from my card I am a social member. That is distinct from an alternative membership that requires you to swim in the club's pool many times through winter, an activity that gave the club it's name and fame. I'm not fit enough, nor active enough, nor motivated enough to endure that burden. However, I very much enjoy my meals sitting on the balcony overlooking those members as they plough their way up and down the sea filled pool shown in this year's membership card.

For those of you possessing hefty wallets there is always the separate Icebergs Dining Room and Bar located above the club. It is very fancy indeed - from reputation, not personal knowledge - and is frequented by many international celebrity visitors to the country.

I'll stick with the Club.

99.9

So read my scales this morning which seems an optimistically large drop from the horror figure of only a week ago but I'll take it. It places me back under three figures (just) but the important thing is that is the direction I want to be headed.

102.7

I knew it before I entered the doctor's surgery. I expected it. His look of disapproval. His words of reprobation.

I knew, from the scales at home, that I had put weight on since the last time he checked it about six months ago. I hoped the increase when checked in the surgery would be at the lower level of the range but no such luck. The reading was at the higher level.

Five kilos heavier than when I weighed in six months earlier. My heaviest ever weight. My first ever readings in three figures.

That was bad enough but I wasn't expecting the double whammy. My blood pressure readings, so good for so many years now, were a shock. Both readings. Lying down and standing. I remembered that I had forgotten. I'd forgotten to take my medication that morning. That might have had some impact. Wake up to myself, all that additional weight must be a significant culprit.

Less food. Healthier food. Exercise.

Here we go again.

Enough already.....

I've been laid low by a cough turned head cold which emerged on Wednesday and still has my nose running and me sneezing this Sunday morning, the start of Spring in Australia.

I've felt lethargic, and am facing 'cabin fever' stuck at home. I had a ticket for the Opera yesterday and toyed with attending right up to an hour before performance time but my condition would not have endeared me to my fellow patrons I'm sure; so that was $275 down the drain. I couldn't negotiate a transfer - or at least didn't even consider doing so - as the ticket was for the final performance of 'Tosca' for the season.

I've been watching and snoozing through movies and sport on television and have fast scrolled through those horrendous election advertisements at every opportunity. And then there is this posting, my first attempt at any serious blogging activity for days.

Don't feel sorry for me. I certainly don't. I endure one of these colds once a year or so. They last a week or thereabouts and whilst I'm in the midst of one it seems like I may never feel well again. I always do. Eventually. And today it is spring. And this day next week the election will be over. And we won't be happy regardless of which disliked leader has been elected the Prime Minister.

And although I am not feeling recovered yet, I believe I am feeling the best I have since Wednesday so I will be going out with friends today and to the movies no less, my most favourite activity. Enough already.

Hearty breakfast

The Zoo Cafe in Bondi Junction Mall

'They' say you should start the day with a hearty breakfast. Is this one I had yesterday hearty enough? Perhaps. Will it help me lose any weight? No, I didn't think so either. What use are 'they' with their glib sayings!

Walk on by

I've missed posting for a few days mostly because I've been tied up with a number of issues including assisting a mate who is recovering from a hospital procedure and preparing for a house guest arriving this evening with whom I'll be attending sessions of the Sydney Writers Festival 2012 for the remainder of the week.

I'll aim to resume regular posting now.

In the meantime I made an attempt at some more serious exercise, at least in the form of walking, starting last Sunday. I did a circuit of Centennial Park which took me the best part of an hour by proceeding at a steady pace.

Families pushing prams overtook me

I have to admit the 'walk' included a ten minute wait in the queue at the kiosk to purchase a fizzy drink and a lamington. I know, I know; that's not serious enough but I couldn't resist. However I will endeavour to stick at it. Listening to podcasts as I walk certainly helps.

'Spread the news I'm on my way'*

(* 'Walking Back To Happiness' by John Schroeder and Michael Edwin Hawker)

I always have the best intentions to walk every day to build my fitness and health but time and time again (that is, every day) I find reasons not to do so...today. Usually that means slacking off on the sofa watching recorded television programs of little consequence and less importance. But tomorrow I will go for a walk. I promise.

Well I got home from the hospital early today and the weather was simply gorgeous.

Who could stay indoors on such a beautiful afternoon. Unfortunately I could but for once even I was too embarrassed to waste the afternoon on the sofa and so I went for a brisk walk around nearby Paddington and Woollahra.

I walked past the Flat White cafe, just two blocks from my place and always packed in the mornings, unvisited by me to date. It was closing for the day. One couple sat eating at their table surrounded by other tables with chairs stacked on top.

I walked past all manner of terraced and standalone housing protected by hedges and high walls.

I walked past the antique stores and the clothing stores with their inspirationally beautiful models beaming at me through the store windows.

I walked onward and homeward. A forty-five minutes walk. My heartbeat was up. I could feel it had done me some good. I must do it again tomorrow. I will do it again tomorrow.

In no time at all I will look as lean, fit and tanned as this fellow who I past at the aptly named Queen Street intersection. Two or three days; that's all it will take. Only joking.

Yep, I'm walking back to happiness.

The Tug Toner

What I miss by not watching television at 2am. Get tugging boys!

Handsome exercise

I spent a short time walking in Centennial Park today. I've been meaning to resume some daily walking for...oh well, it must be years now...for exercise, for health purposes and...latterly...as preparation for my European holiday next month when I expect a lot of walking will be on the agenda.

And so with the holiday just a small single figure number of weeks away I finally performed the deed. Everyone says walking is good exercise and it was quickly obvious how much I need it. I was short of breath only minutes after the start when I loped gently up some steps. Boy am I unfit.

I must keep at it or else suffer embarrassment keeping up with the others when we are away. Certainly exercise in the park comes with one considerable inducement.

Rangers and gardeners abound including some handsome examples at least one of whom was working away just where I enjoy my men...in the bushes.

Ear bashing

What is the point of tinnitus?

Whoever or whatever creates things in this universe, what were they thinking when they dreamt up this affliction?

I have suffered from this ringing, echoing, annoying scourge on and off for...oh I'd say...fifteen years now. Ever since I swam laps at a nearby pool to improve my fitness. Apart from a slightly slimmer waist, I lost no weight, my hearing in my right ear and acquired #@$%^ tinnitus.

I always knew that no good could come from exercise.

2010 City to Surf (Part 2)

Continuing yesterday's City to Surf fun run as the participants passed through Edgecliff...

9.12am - Star Wars interlopers.

9.12am - these participants paused to meet bystanders and (Andrew, please note) there was much bowing between them before the participants resumed their run.

9.19am - Andre Agassi searching for a tennis court.

9.22am - he can still 'raize' a smile.

9.22am - he is a shopper passing by and not in the event...humour me...after all, I am gay.

9.24am - faster than a speeding bullet.

9.29am - a passing cyclist who stopped briefly to watch the run...now, why did he distract me?

9.31am - this group paused to demonstrate 1980s aerobics.

9.39am - no idea what they represented.

9.43am - mostly walkers now, some with their shopping in hand.

9.46am - a leisurely walk.

9.46am - 'ring, ring' and he peeled off at this point to join an even cuter looking mate in the entrance to the railway station.

9.54am - nearly ninety minutes after the elite runners' starting gun was fired and walkers continue to pass by the electorate office of my member of Parliament whose election poster I inadvertantly captured in this photograph.

2010 City to Surf

The 40th City to Surf fun run was held this morning. The course covers 14km of hilly terrain starting on the Eastern boundary of the Central Business District and finishing at Bondi Beach on the Pacific Ocean. There were 80,000 entrants to this year's event.

I watched the runners (and walkers) pass by near where I live in Edgecliff, about 1.5km after the start of the race.

8.08am - less than thirty minutes before the start and the cross roads are all closed off leaving the course free of motor traffic. Click on the photo above and you can see roller bladers in the distance (far right) taking advantage of the vacant road.

8.17am - the cross road where I live, Ocean Avenue, leading down the hill to Double Bay closed and guarded by a Policewoman apparently assisted by a couple of volunteers.

8.37am - the vehicle escorting the leading elite runners reaches Edgecliff indicating those runners have taken 6 minutes and 53 seconds to reach this point.

8.37am - the leading elite runners.

8.41am - hard work running up that hill...and worse is to come.

8.47am - from Edgecliff it's a downhill run to Double Bay.

8.50am - hot work even on a cool morning.

8.52am - neither heat nor rain nor sleet nor snow....

8.56am - supporters of charity.

9.00am - half an hour after the first runners started some could still smile.

9.11am - 'I go to Rio...'

9.05am - invisible men?

9.00am - clothing readjustment stop.


More tomorrow...

Good times and bum times, I've seen them all...

(* "I'm Still Here", from Follies, Stephen Sondheim)

I saw my doctor this morning to renew my prescriptions. No problems for me to report to him but it is that time of year for him to organise a series of annual tests to determine my overall state of health.

He - or at least his heavily pregnant assistant - checked my blood pressure, weight, body fat and also put me through an ECG. Blood pressure was excellent and Doctor expresses he is 'very happy' about that. Bully for him; it's my blood pressure. Weight a little bit up. Not so happy now, he knows how hard it is to lose weight as you (that is, me) get older and, heck, he was once over 100 kilos. Again, bully for him, I have never reached 100 kilos. I must eat smaller portions he informs me in a serious tone and cut down on pasta, rice and noodles. These, of course, all are favourites of mine.

ECG shows my heart is working well. So there!, to those former lovers who thought me heartless.

Then on to the blood tests. He issues me a referral for sufficient blood tests to meet the needs of a battalion of men. Discreetly he ponders should he include tests for my sexual health? Sheepishly I admit an absence of sexual activity since my previous testing to warrant an update in that area. Embarrasingly, my admission appears to be no surprise to him.

Oh well, I suppose he is familiar with the senior variety of the gay species.

And, I'm still here.

Chocolate overdose

One of the nice things about volunteering is the generosity of employers, workmates and others who show appreciation for our efforts with end of year gifts.

This year at both the hospital and the nursing home I have received an embarrassing amount of gifts. I've even received a gift from an inpatient simply because she felt I put her at ease on her admission; that is, just for doing my job. The gifts include several hampers of goodies and far too many chocolates, the latter testing my sweet tooth addiction to the limit.

I'm sharing the chocolates around and trying not to get too big a head in awareness (to paraphrase Sally Field) that 'they appreciate me, the really appreciate me'.

Fun

OK, it is an advertisement but it is also fun and interesting.

For James.

Potato salad

I'm not sure that a diet of potato salad helps you do what these women were able to do - keep watching the clip - but they sure were flexible. I wonder how mobile they were when they reached 60?