h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's the day before my birthday and I feel exhausted ... and tearful.

I've just seen a posting from my great friend tonsil revenge U186749. I can't believe that I missed the last sentence in a post from him that said his wife has left him taking his child and dogs.

I took part in an alternative therapies health fair yesterday, giving workshops on qigong. While I was there, I saw the iridologist and was asked to go and see the chiropractor (who was placed out of the way and hadn't any customers). The iridologist shone a torch in my eyes - one at a time - and said, 'You store your anger, but I wonder if you ever express it. You need an outlet for it'. True. I was brought up in a household in which negative feelings were not allowed. She told me I had digestive difficulties - malabsorption. True. Lung weakness - true. I had a very mild form of TB as a child and I was poor at running at school - I ran out of breath. I wasn't the worst, but was certainly not one of the best. She told me that I am incredibly stressed. Probably true. The chiropractor told me that I had several points on my spine which were inflamed and blocked movement and that if I didn't do the t'ai chil/qigong work that I do, it would be very much worse.

Today I had a meeting with my team, for hich I had taken some work home last night. I didn't complete it and I intended to get to work by 8.00am this morning so that I could. I was up well in time. Little was awoken well in time. He was very sleepy and took quite some while to get out of bed. He got out of bed in time to be ready for breakfast club. I worked on my breakfast and getting his after school food ready and put in his lunchbag. When I finished, he wasn't ready, or even near it. By the time we got out of the house, we were almost 30 minutes late. I got to work and found that I'd left the work I'd been working on behind. I had to do the report again from scratch. I made it in time.

I also finished work on the new qigong course. I was anxious about it as it was a form I used to be really good at, but haven't practiced for a while and I am very rusty on it and my notes are a little at variance with what I was taught. Nevertheless, I worked out what I was going to do for the initial session at least. I worried whether or not I could get anyone to the course, given that I have had a biggish gap between the last time I ran courses, due to holidays and this first session of the new course. In the end, I had a good turnout and people had to turn sideways to do some of the moves, otherwise they would have bumped into each other. It was a really nice first session and people were very happy with it.

In the afternoon, I sorted out a query that I had referred to my assistant director - getting mobile phones for six staff. They had been pushing for ages. I supported them, however the request had to go through my boss to the assistant director. In the end, I went to see him and got it sorted.

I spoke to one of my staff at work. We discussed how difficult it was if one didn't have anyone to let off steam to. Where should stress be dumped? It's not appropriate at work. It may strain a relationship if it's done within that relationship. She told me she gets tearful - she can't do it with her husband, however she has a sister that she can do it with and it seems to work well. They don't do it about each other. Who have I got to do that with? I don't feel I can do it with Roy as a matter of routine, although if I have a big problem, I can. Maybe I should journal more. It was useful when I did it more regularly. I think it's probably finding the time to do it. There are so many things I feel guilty in not doing. When I get home I am often exhausted. I have the evening meal to make, sometimes homework to sort out, a little boy to get to bed and read a story to, clothes to wash and iron, floors to hoover, computer stuff to be done.

I do meditate and exercise in the morning, but not in the evening. Another thing I *should* but haven't managed to get to do as a routine.

It's my birthday tomorrow. Need to pack things, feed little , tidy the house. I'm just very tired.

On the positive side, I had a lovely present from my team. A silver bracelet set with sparkly things and a pair of matching white gold earrings, which were absolutely lovely and I'm really pleased with them and with my team for choosing them!

Hello ZSF

You've got too much going on, imho Is there anything that you can put on the back burner for a while? There seems to be very little space for 'you' in all of that.

One thing that struck me is that you talk about things that you 'should' find time for. That suggests that they are things that you feel that you ought to do, not necessarily things that you want to do. I get attacks of the 'oughts' sometimes and have to stop myself, because I never get the greatest benefit from things that are essential in my head, but not in my soul. Does that make sense?

Now, tell us how you are going to celebrate your birthday?


Fb

Oh my dearest dear,

Happee burfday for tomorrow!!
HUGE bunch of red s faintingly fragrant. Just bury your nose in them!

I do NOT know how you do all you do.

You are quite extraordinary my

and yet you still hve time for all of us.

I shall think of you tomorrow, and keep wishing that you are having a wonderfully happy and contemplative day.

Your very ing friend

Also Ran1
And K. with affection

Odd, it's almost my birthday - i've had the most beautiful present from my team and I'm feeling very tearful and very tired. I haven't mentioned all the projects I'm involved in. I'm starting a Toastmasters club in my local authority (I've got support, but if I don't do it, it won't happen) - I'm bidding for £100,000 for a project at work - I'll find out in November/December if we have got the money, however it means writing new job descriptions, negotiating with partners, engaging the interest and participation of schools, plus a number of other on=going projects.

Where am I in all this? I don't know. I've just put little to bed and he's really preoccupied about two pieces of homework he has to do. And he's just scibbld on the paintwork and been upset in telling me that he'd done something 'that he used to do'. He'd tried to wipe it off with a flannel, but it hadn't all come off. There's plenty of time to do his homework. It's not due in until Tuesday.

Oh, the 'oughts' - I ought to sort out my middle bedroom. I ought to decorate my bedroom, sort out the loft and the attic, have the carpets cleaned, make the curtains for my bedroom, sort out scrubbing and painting the outside wall, getting the garden into shape, taking little to Cubs, finding a t'ai chi teacher, doing my reiki 2 course, doing (and paying for) a human design course, while finding someone to look after little . Do, do do!

How am I going to celebrate my birthday? We're going tomorrow to Gillingham to a hotel ahead of a reunion for Roy's old school - he was on the TS Mercury and it's a big number celebration. We went last year and I had to take little to the Isle of Wight for mum and dad to look after him as children weren't allowed. This year is more of a family thing, so he is allowed and we can eat with the men this time. Posh frock do.

AR1

Thank you for the s - they smell wonderful and just what I need. Thank you and thank K for me, my dear.

I wish I knew why I was feeling so down. After all the effort, my qigong class at lunchtime went really well, was well attended and well received.

I hope in the morning I will feel much better and look back to today and wonder why I was being so foolish.

I do feel dreadful, though, having missed seeing the last line in tonsil's last message to me about his wife leaving. F74784?thread=151699&latest=1

Hi,

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,Happy Birthday dear Happy Birthday to you


and anything else that might make you happy

You sound as if you need and more than anything. You are clearly doing far too much, which is fine if you feel great but you obviously don't at the moment.. Could little be feeling your pressure too

Make a list and ask yourself honestly what MUST be done and what you would LIKE to do, and forget the rest for a while. Guilt and an overdeveloped conscience are some of the most energy sapping things I know, and that's from one who knows! There are only 24 hours in the day and you seem to be trying to fit 48 in to it. Oh, and I bottle it up too

Now then, tomorrow, you have permission from all of us here to do nothing that is not essential, and enjoy yourself for the rest of the time. It's your BIRTHDAY for sake woman!

If all else fails a and lots of is on order for you so go to it.

Night, night or good morning depending when you get this, and have a good one.

Websailor

Traveller in Time on his head
"Happy birthday, by the time you have done your things it will be your birthday when you read this.

Very sad things with 'evegner lisnot' indeed. Wish I could give some usefull advice.

< A3008008 > Ruminations on loneliness after 15 years of marriage,
< A3007973 > An adventure is something that you didn't know you were having.
< A3007658 > Some people like to make a grown man cry.
< A3007540 > Love me just the way I am, but let me make you over a bit, hon.

He makes some marbles from his tears. "

Thank you Websailor!

You're quite right. My overwhelming need at the moment is for sleep, and that's where I'm going. Right now!

I'm having the day off tomorrow and an appointment first thing with the hairdresser!

Thank you TiT for the links for tonsil. I'll look at them in the morning, when I'll catch up with him and find out how he's doing. He hasn't been able to sleep since it happened.

Night night!

, you need a holiday from responsibility!

As your birthday present, I'm giving you permission to let your hair down, indulge in utter silliness and forget (temporarily ok?) your 'shoulds' and your 'oughts'.

So go out tomorrow in your poshest frock bejewelled with your best sparklies .... and precious little else.




It's sad about tonsil, I just read the thread that you linked to.
I don't know him, but I still find it painful.
Don't feel bad for "having missed seeing the last line in tonsil's last message to me about his wife leaving". I've read your replies and they are full of practical advice and concern - there's nothing more to be said in these situations, only to listen to.

Simulpost there Websailor!
Great minds obviously think alike...

Yep, looks that way Leopardskin,

Nice to be on the same wavelength as others occasionally . Just wish I could take my own advice

Websailor

Taking one's own advice is always sooooo *boring* though!

Ah Websailor and Leopardskin

You both said exactly the right things to ZSF I hope she takes both your advice

Yup...we're all good at giving others good advice, aren't we? Why is it so hard to take our own?

ZSF - listen to them. They're right


Fb

I hope all the good wishes here chase away your doldrums, ZSF.

Life is magical. Enjoy the good and ignore the nonsense.

Thank you, LSF! Having read the 'peanuts' thread again, I didn't miss the message - I just didn't look at my computer for a while and it came during that period - I was busy preparing for my Thursday class - a form of qigong I haven't actively practiced for a while and I was *very* rusty. Good for me, though to have to revive it - it's a nice form and in the end it was well received. I agree with you that there isn't much to be said apart from looking after the practicalities and lending a listening ear.

Websailor - yes, sometimes I wish I could take my own advice too.

Fb - yes I am going to listen to LSF and Websailor. I was able to talk to Roy last night and he just listened - all I needed him to do - no advice.

This morning, I'm still a little washed out feeling, but much better than last night. I've just taken little to school with Roy, who came over last night and I'm having my hair done this morning. I'm looking forward to a relaxing day.

Hypatia, thank you - I shall indeed concentrate on the good and ignore the nonsense.

for all and too a bit later - too early in the day for it at the moment!

Happy birthday ZSF!

Thank you, Fb !

I've just had my hair cut and coloured and it looks lovely. I've had quite a bit taken off the length and it's now just above shoulder length and flicked out. The colour's nearly the original, just a bit more coppery.

Just about to pack now for this evening.

Time to share and

Traveller in Time on top
"

, hmm, swallowing hurts a bit.

Oh yes, "

Happy Birthday !!



Your hair sounds lovely!
Go get 'em tiger!

Thanks for the and ! To hell with my detox diet!

I had a lovely birthday. I drove to Gillingham - the instructions were good and Roy was a good navigator.

Had a very busy birthday. Meal on the Friday. Breakfast, Japanese fair, noodle bar, service on the ship (back to her pre TS Mercury name of HMS Gannet and wonderfully well restored). Formal meal - posh frock do followed by a very humourous speech about life at the school and a dance. In bed at 1.30am - *very* late for me. Sunday, breakfast, computer fair, back to the Chatham Maritime Museum for trips round the other ships and the submarine and then back home. watchec a video - Jaws - and almost fell asleep - not because of the video, but because the lack of general sleep during the weekend was catching up with me.

Good I'm glad you had a good day ZSF You needed it.

Now what about the rest of life? Is there enough time for it all?


Fb