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

I try very hard not to grumble about this. My grandmother is of a stoic generation that lives by the rule not to complain about your ailments but just to hush up and get on with it. I try to follow her example (because she is an amazing woman, but that's a whole 'nother journal... )

Anyway. I experience several health issues that effect my mobility and other motion abilities, including arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis along with some various injuries. The end result is that oftentimes I bumble around like a wounded *and* drunken elephant.

I work in a large industrial facility. My job is mostly desk work, which means when I have to get up to go somewhere it hurts. A lot. So I bumble. Like the wounded (and drunken) elephant.

So, here's my whinge: Every day, and I do literally mean every day, someone will ask me "What did you do?" "Did you hurt yourself?" "Did you hurt your knee?" "Are you okay?" "Why are you limping?" and so on. Mostly they assume I've suffered a workplace injury that I haven't reported.

Instead of rattling off my litany of ailments - which no one wants to hear, including me - I just smile and tell most people I'm getting old. It's simply easier to pan it all of as Arthur, which is practically a rite of ageing, and I've just passed a milestone birthday this year as well.

This is apparently an invitation for others - elders mainly - to belittle my ailments and inform me of all the thrills I have to look forward to when I get to be their age.

I realize that being so obviously in discomfort in such a public way just invites questions and concerns, but really. What the heck am I supposed to say?

Say "Mustn't grumble"* then proceed to list all your ailments, aches and pains at great length and in minute detail, catalogue your treatments and medications and expound upon the gloomiest imaginable prognosis. Before long people will stop asking; in fact they will probably avoid you altogether. It works for most old folks!

*or whatever the US equivalent may be.

The answer to "What's wrong?" is "Have a seat, this will take a while." They'll leave.

And aging does suck. I've come to the conclusion that our bodies are really only made to last 40 years. Not too many centuries ago, most people lived that long. So after 40, things just start to crumble.

Grrrreat.... it's all downhill from here, then...

Oh yeah. Not only is it downhill, but there are all sorts of outcroppings for you to bump into on the way down.

Hi, I too I could read off the riot act of complaints and ailments that effect my day to day life. Pain is not nice and when doctor and applied medication don’t address it and you have no corner to hide in, it is the act of self preservation that keeps you going. Work within your limitations and it’s a big plus if you can find time to relax and hopefully fill a little of what I call my Happiness bucket. From small seeds come great Acorns trees, life is no different, it the little things that matter that give the greatest of rewards.

*feels the pain*

Of course you could see how they would react if you just asked them if you should bring something for them TOO from the liquor store?

Everything in life should be done in moderation; alcohol is a poor excuse as a remedy.

"Hi, how are you?"

"How long have you got?"
Gosho, professional curmudgeon

Gee, Shea, the golden years are starting to sound more like tarnished brass!

Parrfers, I could have sworn you were younger than me.

I wonder if we can get a smiley on the new site. I'm just not ready for yet.

Hi, winternights! and welcome to my journal - and to h2g2 it appears
I can think of no one here who would self-medicate with a night of drunken revelry. Not to say that we're not in favor of the occasional bit of drunken revelry, but certainly for its own sake and not as a means of escape. We're all mostly responsible adults, and the *virtual* flows pretty freely around here, so please don't take offense.

I see the ACEs haven't paid you a visit yet, they're our version of the welcome wagon and like to help new visitors find their way around the site. They may be having a bit of trouble finding new users due to our upcoming transition, so in the meantime, if it takes them awhile to find you, please make yourself at home and we'll be helpful in any way we can

Maybe I just look younger...



I wish!



I'm probably just more immature.

Yes, I'm sure that's it.

Hi, sorry if my intro seemed a bit strong, I came across your post whilst surfing around a very new H2G2. I was around in late 2008 or early 2009; history is not a strong point. I will admit I prefer the old H2G2 site but as time demands we most move on. Your post hit a cord in that, at the age of 49 I was fit and well, I was looking forward to my 50s, and then I discovered Id damaged my back and there after what could go wrong did. Being a person of, sorry to say, a bloody minded attitude, I have just got on with it. Pain and I live side by side but having the mind set that I have it can just b****r off whilst I get on with my life.

Ah, you'll be talking about Barlesque I think - the newest version of h2g2. I think the majority of us prefer the old site, and it's still here, lurking under the covers. Not sure what skin you used to prefer, from '08-'09 I'd guess brunel, but you can try one of these and see if it looks familiar. Once you go to a skin, any other page you navigate to from there will be in that skin. I just keep a link in my favorites to my personal favorite

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/

(unfortunately, in preview I discovered that none of those links actually work . You can manually edit the address in your browser's address bar by adding /dna/ between bbc.co.uk and /h2g2/, and add the skin of preference after h2g2, followed by another /)

I turned 40 earlier this year, and while I can't say there was a big difference between 39 and 40, there is certainly a noticable difference from about 38 on. The last year and a half have been a bit rough.

Strange with those links. These should work (at least if you're already in one of the old skins. Nothing! works in Barlesque.)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/home?skin=brunel
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/home?skin=alabaster
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/home?skin=classic

You know, I *almost* said something about Ottox being along shortly to correct my techie blunders.

Thanks Ottox!

broe, I hate it that you have RA.

Ageing isn't for sissies, that's for sure. I did pretty good until about 5 years ago. Since then I've developed all of these food allergies and the disc injuries that had been under control for years started to surface again. Add in a bum right knee and left hip and I no longer have a good side. The most frustrating thing isn't even the pain, it's not being able to do things I used to do anymore. My stamina is shot and I no longer have the strength in my hands and arms to take care of relatively simple things.

Hi, thanks for the tips but as mentioned I’m back for the time being so the new H2G2 will do, new faces means new opportunities to post and the positive side of me says that can only be a good thing.
I’ve had a odd last few days, 70% of the time feeling poo and the rest I done my damned best to achieve things, its good that the weather during the day has been on the good side but the nights have been trying to say the least especially when all those back ground aches and what ever merge with the heat of the night. I have a saying “onwards and upwards” and little saying helps keep me focused.

>>The most frustrating thing isn't even the pain, it's not being able to do things I used to do anymore.

I agree, Hypatia! I've lost so much strength in my right hand, that I'm not able to do a whole lot. Even when I'm out puttering around in the garden, it hurts to weed. Maybe that's telling me something !