Here is the News

Hello to you.

After 6 weeks away from work, sorting through my personal issues, it seemed time to prepare an update. So, I think things are definitely on the up. The good news is that the therapy has really helped and I am seeing life in a much more positive light. I have also taken some action to close off some of the things causing me pain.

It's hard to convince people that I haven't just been away on holiday, enjoying myself. For the first 5 weeks, I mostly sat still rebooting my brain. I'm not very good at just "wasting" time, so this was quite odd, not really doing anything, just sitting peacefully in my garden, watching the birds, smoking my cigs and reading.

Thanks to the kind attentions of my therapist however, in the last 10 days or so, I feel myself returning to some semblance of normality. For example, this last Monday, I went and actually bought some new music (IQ and Chickenfoot if you're interested). This seemed to represent "One Little Victory" as I had listened to nothing for weeks. Anyone who knows me will know that this is highly irregular behaviour for a Rock Pig such as I !

So, I have been able to "place" my issues in some kind of context and have begun to move on, in the immortal phrase. I am avoiding certain triggers, such as work, anything to do with Edinburgh, Leeds (I avoid the weather forecasts, for example) and a variety of other seeming nonsensical and illogical, at least to the outside, items. So, no trip to see Frost and Dream Theater this weekend.

My last visit to the Doctor confirmed that my depression has improved greatly, but he didn't think I was yet fit to return to at least my current employer, given the intertwined nature of the various things ailing me, so I have been signed off for another 4 weeks. We'll have to see what happens after that, but I do feel more ready to emerge, blinking, into the sunlit uplands.

I also recommend immersing oneself in several series of Frasier, which is not only a right top laugh but also has some pithy observations on human emotions and relationships. It's rather similar to Fish (ex lead singer of Marillion) claiming that he cured himself of a bout of teenage depression by listening to Pink Floyd's, The Wall.

Only with jokes.

And laughs.

I have also much enjoyed the spectacle of our ruling classes getting found out for what everyone knew they were up to for years, the trough snuffling, swill gorging bastards. Also, much merriment at the spectacle of the Labour Party devouring itself - I know people who have waited 12 years for this moment and to see the look of joy in their faces has cheered me up no end.

What else ? Oh yes, I have enjoyed very much getting to know my 2 1/2 year old daughter a bit better, her and me being at home together. And I am looking forward to a Summer of Sport in glorious High Definition and Surround Sound here at Gable End (courtesy of Sky, Pioneer, Arcam and Kef), with the Lions Tests and the Ashes, the 20/20 World Cup providing the thrills and spills.

Until the next time then, ta ra.