Chuck

 

The Life Of Chuck didn’t move me at all.

I thought it would.

The hallucinations of a dying man, trying to make sense of his past and present , you would think , would be an emotional romp.

It wasn’t 

I met a friend not known for their heat tolerance 

So sitting in cool air con was worth the ten quid ticket price

And we stayed till the end just to confirm what the hell had just happened

Another eye injection tomorrow 

Gawd! Fuck! Bollocks!

Sorry BABY

When I got home a plate of tomatoes sat on the kitchen wall. They are sweet and fresh and must come from animal helper Pat’s vine. 

Eva Victor as Agnes

I’ve been to the cinema today and saw Sorry Baby

It’s a wonderful watch.

Written and acted by Eva Victor, it tells the survival story of Agnes, a possibly neuro-divergent University Professor and her four year recovery from being sexually abused by her tutor whilst a graduating student. 

Told in five episodes ( 2 in flashback) we follow Agnes and her friendship with fellow student Lydia's ( Naomi Ackie) The friendship is intense and unconditional, and is pivotal to Agnes’ recovery and in some bitingly funny scenes we see her negotiate with intelligence and dignity the pain such an event has on a life, lived quietly. 

The audience roots for the lost Agnes. Her small triumphs are our triumphs, and we smile when she provides a home for a lost kitten or when she is comforted by a benign middle aged cafe owner when out of control ( a nice turn by John Carol Lynch) below

The story is a hopeful one and its refreshing that Agnes is never portrayed as a victim , but more a person who holds her cards to her chest and who is what she is.

It’s a lovely film

And its message lingers long in the mind , well after the credits have rolled.

Agnes and Lydia a touching friendship 

 

Other News answering a question…..

 Counselling 

I am on hold with this at the moment only because I’m awaiting to be processed for membership for the

NCPS ( The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society)I could practice without membership but Professionally it is not advisable to do so. I have sessional clients already booked with a mental health charity and will start supporting them as soon as I am able. 

I have booked my capn’gown , and intend to have my official photograph taken with my family!

Shoulder injury

My physio with his tiny blue shorts has done wonders with my arm weakness. He diagnosed a “ wear and tear” injury where my humerus had “ migrated” up into my shoulder joint, and with the smallest of manipulations in sessions funded by the Welsh Government ( !) my weakness has improved considerably

Eyes

My eye pressures have reduced significantly and the injections will continue for a while 👀👀👀👀

My consultant apologised for my unfortunate last session and assured me that a senior doctor will perform the next injection instead of one of the nurses.

Positives

I have planned to meet up with my old friend Tracey from my psychiatric days in York soon, and I am popping over to Sheffield to catch up with Mike, and Bev and Jane and Belami. My next London trip is in October when I will touch base with Nu and see the rave interactive play Every Brilliant Thing with Minnie Driver. This coming week my sister and I will see the Grosvenor Park Outdoor Theatre’s production of Sherlock Holmes ( a hoot) all activities that will lighten the heart but boil the blood of my troll who hates me socialising with the passion Hitler had for English Bulldogs. 

Emotionally and physically I have turned another corner. There is more news afoot, so watch this space for further bulletins, but I feel I’ve come through another storm, pretty unscathed , thanks, in part, to you my followers and commentators who have been kind, and supportive and warm.

That goes a long way, when you are most forlorn,

Just before dawn

Sunny Day

 Bun is in the garden and Weaver is proudly sitting in the living room. It’s warm and sunny and I’m returning to work on nights tonight. 

I met chic Eleanor this morning for breakfast. We had a full English which she described as gloriously decadent. She is a stunningly attractive woman who reminds me of Lee Remick and I love that she has the habit of holding my arm when she is moved or emotional . 

It was nice to catch up

Streaming

 The uncertainty of the past month has drawn me to the diversion of online streaming 

I found a stream that centred its attentions to mature professional gay men and found myself chatting to men from all over the world, most over a McDonald’s Coffee and porridge breakfast.

Of course like any, internet phenomenon, there are idiots and predators there, but robust policing of the site and strict boundaries set by me, tend to eject the unwelcome before they can cause trouble or offence.

This morning I had a hilarious conversation with a Spanish Physiotherapist, a Fijian Emergency Room Doctor, a gentle IT specialist from Denmark and a wisecracking father of two from New Zealand.

With the 5 of us sharing a similar sense of humour, I laughed until I cried

The world isn’t that big after all

Ps this video and story moved me greatly 

The World According To Auntie Glad

 I’ve just been The Crown 

The pub is under new management 

An Older and pragmatic couple

I met a friend from the village who is newly separated

And it felt good lending an ear so to speak .

Before we parted

He shared that he hated coming home to an empty house

And I was reminded of some sanguine advice given to me by auntie Glad when the Prof left

I shared it

“ When you go out in winter John, always leave a light on in the cottage- “ she said, her watery blue eyes gentle and twinkling

“The light will welcome you home” 

And my friend smiled at the simple power of it

Kissing

 Eye Hospital appointment today made bearable by professional care, a great consultant and a meeting with fellow patient Mo who is the leader of the village Friendship Group.

I had several scans which shows the bleed in my eye improving 

But does anyone else feel like this ? When the doctor , or nurse or technician is scanning my eyes so close up and intimate like , I suddenly have the real urge to kiss them.

Am I unique in feeling this way?

Answers on a postcard

Moon River

My favourite song 

Sung wonderfully 

Btw

It’s almost time for a new rescue bulldog !

And finally