The New Movie Normal

Due to various health and economic issues, I had pretty much resigned myself to not seeing any movies in the conventional fashion weeks before the current Corona virus crisis. What happened since then has only confirmed the idea that I was right to do so.

In a way, it's a shame. After all, some of the best memories of my life involve movie theatres.

On the other hand, I really don't see anyone with as many breathing issues as I have being all that comfortable wearing a mask for two hours just to watch a movie that I could see far more safely at home. Add to that the fact that movie theatres seem to be charging me more and more while providing me with less and less and suddenly cable TV and DVDs don't seem like bad alternatives.

Besides, the only real change I see on the horizon is an end to library rentals. My local library is finally allowing patrons to check out and check in books but the check out process is by appointment only and while I don't mind going through all that to read a book, going through all that to rent a movie is another story.

Quote of the Week

The health of nations is more important than the wealth of nations.
--Will Durant, The Mansions of Philosophy: a Survey of Human Life and Destiny

Not Quite Sick Leave...

Apparently my being a Type 2 Diabetic with heart issues puts me in a high-risk category in regard to the Corona virus. I haven't got it yet but I've been asked by my supervisor to stay home the next two weeks in order to prevent any possible on-the-job exposure.

Fortunately, I have some vacation time coming so it shouldn't be too much of a financial problem for me. Plus I'm already starting to lose weight so I might end up being healthier when I go back to work than I've been so far. We'll see.

In the meantime, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. And I'm grateful that I already have a box of face masks on hand that I bought long before anyone ever heard of the Corona virus. And I'm especially thankful that I'm not in the hospital right now. All too many people nowadays don't have a choice about that.

Things I'm Thankful For

1. Not having acquired the Coronavirus.

2. Not having to go to the hospital.

3. Being able to take time off work without losing my job.

4. Having friends and family who are well and healthy.

5. Not having to experience again what it feels like to be on a ventilator -- especially when there's a strong chance that next said experience might not involve giving me sedatives to keep me unconscious.

Good Times, Bad Times, You Know I've Had My Share...

I came this close to calling the paramedics this morning but fortunately, I was able to resolve my health issues without their help.

Still... I'm dreading the day when I have no choice but to call them. Last time I had such a day, I ended up in the hospital and I'm still paying bills from that period.

Pensamientos Acerca de Televisión

Evil: “Pilot”

Stop me if you heard this one but apparently there was this guy who liked to investigate cases of a supernatural nature and his partner just happened to be a woman who was very skeptical about the supernatural...

Okay, there's obviously more to the new Evil show than that but unfortunately, I doubt I'm ever going to find out. After all, the last time I tried to watch the first episode by myself, my eyes started blurring and several hours later my blood sugar and my blood pressure crashed. I doubt the two incidents were related but then again, I'm not really eager to test that theory when it concerns a TV show that at best seemed to be so-so.

On the plus side, it was good to see actor Michael Emerson of Person of Interest back on prime-time TV again even if his role as a demon enabling so-and-so was far from sympathetic.

On the minus side, I'm not sure how eager I am to watch yet another TV show about demons. Especially since two of those demons had the same names as two of my relatives.

Trailer of the Week: Hellboy (2004)

It seems kinda sad to watch this trailer in the wake of actress Selma Blair's real-life health problems. Here's hoping that she gets better.

In and Out of the Hospital Again, Mr. Kruger?

Needless to say, this has not been a very good week for me. But at least I'm still alive. So that's one thing.

Home Again

I'm finally back home after all too many days in physical rehab.

I hope to return to work soon. We'll see.

Yes, I'm Still Alive

I am currently recovering from a fall at work -- an incident that lasted less than five minutes but had consequences that have lasted for at least a week so far.

I went to the local hospital almost immediately after the accident took place on Tuesday of last week and was later transferred to a physical rehab facility on Tuesday of this week because I was still having trouble standing on my own for reasons too complicated to describe here.

On the plus side, none of my bones are broken, none of my organs are injured or impaired, and despite my worst fears, I have shown no signs of a head injury.

On the other side, I really, really, really, really can't wait to get out of here and go home. I'll give you more details about that last part when I get home.

And Now My Right Wrist Hurts

My right wrist started hurting so bad the day before yesterday that yesterday it took me about ten to fifteen minutes to figure out how to start my car -- and even then I had to use my left hand to do so.

Needless to say, I'm having to take off work at a time when I really don't want to. What else I may have to give up in the future, I don't even want to think about.

Ironically, my left wrist works just fine -- though I still have fears about overusing it.

I Wear My Wrist Brace Like a Badge of Honor

Okay, not really but I don't see myself taking it off any time soon. And I can't noticing that at least two of my co-workers wear wrist braces as well.

On the plus side, my wrist no longer aches like it used to. Plus I'm able to work again. So there's that.

In the meantime, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

My Wrist Still Hurts

My left wrist still hurts. I'm currently wearing a wrist brace per doctor's orders. I take Tylenol to help with the pain and try to do as many of my daily actions as one-handed as possible.

But my wrist still throbs and I don't know how I'm going to deal with work. Fortunately, I'm on medical leave right now but I can't stay home forever.

As for this site, well, luckily I don't need two hands to use a keyboard. However, writing checks is going to be a bit tricky. Heck, writing anything by hand is tricky nowadays. And don't get me started on how much fun it is to try opening a prescription pill container with one hand.

And Now My Left Wrist...

My left wrist has been bothering me for a couple of days now. My physical therapist recommended some pills and an ice pack but so far it has not helped. It has become increasingly difficult for me to do anything as simple as open a prescription pill container with my left hand. Fortunately, my right hand has been unaffected but then I'm left-handed. Just my luck.

I'm hoping it will ease up soon. We'll see.

Health Report

I have been seeing a physical therapist about my neck and so far her efforts have paid off. I have been back at work for over a week now and so far my neck has not bothered me like it used to. It helps that I'm doing exercises to improve my neck muscles. It helps that I am paying more attention to my posture. (Holding up your head is actually a good way to prevent future neck pain. Who knew?) And it helps that I'm getting neck rubs on a regular basis. (I used to get regular neck rubs from my mejor amiga but since she retired and is no longer with us, that is no longer an option for me.)

Of course, I'm not totally out of the woods. I recently had to change health insurance companies and as you might guess, that is causing all sorts of problems. Plus the sight of my physical therapist makes me miss my former novia and bride-to-be even though the two of them are hardly identical.

Oh, well. When I was in the hospital, I saw so many people who had worse problems...

My Mother's Still Sick

But she's getting better. Seriously.

I, on the other hand, have been forced to take at least a week off from work due to medical issues. Hopefully, I can return to work soon.

And Now My Mother is Sick...

But on the bright side, she is getting better. She still has a bit of a sore throat and a cough but she sounds better today than she did yesterday. Seriously.

And Now My Neck!

The last thing I wanted to do this month was go see a doctor but my neck started to act up so badly at work this past week that I had no choice. The doctor's assistant* looked me over and found no cause for alarm. But she did prescribe some pills and a muscle relaxing cream as well as a list of exercises for me to do in my spare time to build up my neck muscles. I also use a heating pad on my neck but so far the relief from neck pain has only been temporary. If I work long enough, it comes back.

If this keeps up, I may need to see a physical therapist. We'll see.

* Also a doctor, natch.

My Head Says I'm All Better Now...

...but my body keeps disagreeing. Especially my nose* and throat...


*Yes, technically my nose is part of my head. But still...

Boo Hoo, I Have the Flu

According to my family doctor, I officially became the first person this year to come down with a case of the new "Flu B" strain, a fact I found out the day before yesterday. I should be well again by the beginning of next week but in the meantime, it's been a pain. I have been coughing a lot, wheezing, and trying in vain to keep my nostrils clear. For a while, even my appetite was gone.

But at least I'm feeling a bit better today than I did Thursday. I no longer cough as much, my nose doesn't run as much, I don't wheeze as much... Plus I've been eating more soup, so I definitely have more of an appetite.

I'm hoping to be well again by Monday but we'll see. Please wish me luck.