Nine Feet Underground

Apparently I have large/wide ear canals. This would probably why I'm always hearing someone singing 'O sole mio' with an Italian accent. Ear canal. Near canal. Far canal. Down to earth. Busy working day ahead, but at least it's a Friday. After yesterday's visit to the ear emptier, I've decided to reduce the amount of time I use in-ear earphones.  To that end I've ordered a pair of over ear headphones with built in mics, and these should be delivered today.  Having had reduced hearing for well over a week, and probably longer in reality, I've realised how much I value my hearing and how difficult life would be without being able to fully listen to music. Now I'm, ahem, slightly older, I need to take care of my ears, or at least do a bit better. At lunchtime son #2 returned from Costa Rica by way of Houston.  It was nice to see him again, though I'm sure he and his gf would prefer to be together.  Work's now done and I'm packing up.  Q and ...

Could this be the last post under this banner?  As the day starts, I don't have a new title, so at this rate, probably not. I've still not found the cap. Whatever the outcome, it is the last day of the year. Reflecting on 2022, I think I can safely say it's been a mixed year.  There have been a lot of positives for me, and I will be entering into 2023 with a great deal more optimism and positivity as far as the personal sphere is concerned than almost any previous year in a long while. Politics is still a source of much negativity and despair, it seems like the average voter seems resigned to accepting things getting worse and worse, rather than acting to change things.  Quite a few members of the current administration (they are not deserving of the word 'government') ought to be behind bars, though no doubt they'll manage to brush all the lies, corruption, and anti-democratic actions under the carpet. The personal sphere has included several sad losses and is ...

Back to life. Back to reality. Which means work, in case you're in any doubt, and the usual knock-on consequences for this blog apply. The project I'm working on is pretty full-on as we approach year-end, such that I'm going to have to find time to do some training this weekend, otherwise I'll never finish it by the deadline. Luckily I'm not heading to Liverpool until Monday, so I should have time, if I can find the focus. Sons 1 and 2 are out tonight to watch the footie so I'll be (almost) home alone. With much kindness on show, as always, a good friend delivered E's meds, including her anti-seizure medication which she's low on, but must not stop taking.  We are so lucky at times and I am very grateful. The boys are out and I can't bring myself to watch the England game, so finish watching the documentary on the Edinburgh fringe I started yesterday.  There was some great footage of Alexei Sayle and reminds me of when I first saw him years ago.  ...

Walked after the first carer call then hot-footed it to the shops to collect some meds from the pharmacy and pick up a coffee. Back in time to start work before 9 a.m. Amongst the work work, there was also some admin and planning to do, owing to some training that's spread over 6 weeks and totally fucks up my annual leave plans.   Called Talking Therapies and booked my initial assessment / consultation for next week after which  I also notified my manager of my impending sessions as a heads-up in case of any work impact.  I had planned to spend parts of my annual  leave doing the above training, but have decided in light of the TT goings on that days are either work or leave and not some mix of the two.  It won't feel like a day off if I have to get my laptop out and work for part of it. Work Plumber came late morning and measured up the en-suite. He also made a repair to the existing problem which should allow us to use the shower by Monday, but not before...