The day after my non-operation I receive a nice pile of ‘Get Well Soon’ cards (if only) and an appointment for a return trip to see Mr Shoulder Man… except the letter says, Mr Shoulder Man (locum). Does that mean Mr Shoulder Man is a locum or the appointment is with his locum? If that’s the case it’ll be the third consultant to see my shoulder. Will this one be pro or anti op? And as for the urgent referral to a physio? Nothing. Still, liberal coatings of Talisker did for my mouth ulcer which is a blessed relief.
The same day a message pops up in my email to tell me that it’s only eight weeks to the Llanelli half marathon. (Strangely enough, not a million miles away from where I was for my non-op.) And the trouble is I’ve got a bit comfortable. A slight tear in my calf muscle after the Cardiff half meant I had to rest for a while and although I’ve resumed my usual running, I haven’t really done much distance training. To be honest, I haven’t really felt like going arse over tip on icy roads so I’ve played it a bit safe.
Sunday dawns with heavy rain and blustery wind but no ice so I drag myself out to do eight miles. Mindful of calf tears and other horrors I have a cunning plan to make myself run ve-r-y slowly rather than going off like a bat out of hell. For the first six miles, it’s great. I feel strong, mighty. What is this wind and rain to me? Then, suddenly, my legs refuse to run any more and I have to walk home! And it’s p*ssing down and I can hardly stand up in the wind. Pah! Talk about pride before a fall. Clearly there is work to be done.
To encourage myself to send out more writing, I’ve made a list of deadlines, entered my first competition this year and have two short stories ready to go out. Looking at the entry fees though, I wonder if this plan isn’t going to cost me money! Whilst the amounts are pretty small in themselves, with post they add up to a fair outlay. And I’ve got to make a start on the next novel. Or rather, carry on with the next novel since I’ve got a couple of ideas on the go. I had a really horrible thought about FTT the other day; the publishers asked for the full script by email and I had to check my outbox again to make sure it really had gone. Even then I started torturing myself with thoughts of it being lost in cyberspace.
And finally…Can you see my ‘Good Girl’ glow? I bought tickets for us to see a folksy, girlie, ‘sweetness and light’ band that Tom likes and I don’t. It’s always good to hear live music but I much prefer doom, gloom and bad boys. Ah well, tonight it’s my turn to declare the evening ‘sheer purgatory’ then.
Painting is 'Christmas Morning - High Preseli' by Tom Tomos
Comments
Well done on entering some comps. The entry fees and postage certainly adds up. I prefer the ones with email submissions and Paypal but seems they are still in the minority. Are you having a punt at Mslexia?
We don't use that term locum over here. What is a locum? Is it possible for you to call Mr. Shoulderman to find out more?
I confess to never having done any running, and am rather awed that you continue to run in bad wintry weather. Please do take care, though!
Tom's painting is another beauty. I am wondering what its dimensions are.
And please do write us up a review of the girly music night. Please include performances on and off stage.
xo
Hope you get your shoulder sorted soon and good luck with your writing. Oh and as ever, love the painting. xx
http://www.thestick.net/
I often get small calf injuries in the cold weather, but a physio (my ma, actually) told me that they were more likely to be spasmodic contractions owing to running in the cold. So I always wear long tights from October until April.
What was the name of the band, by the way?
You are amazing. I can't imagine even walking the dog in the rain and wind, but maybe that's why I'm in the fat forum and you're talking half marathons. Good luck!
Lane, you would be surprised at how many cows cry at the sight of me puffing past! Yep, I'm trying Mslexia but I doubt very much that I'll be able to come up with something to impress Helen Simpson.
Pip, and I couldn't do anything artisic with a needle and thread if my life depended on it!
Nimblejacks, you too, another clever, crafty blogger - love 'The Bloaters'. Tom has The Fat Boys.
Frances, locums stand in for the professional who can't be there. I think there are several firewalls to stop you talking to anyone! Thanks for admiring the painting - it is 90cm x 90cm.
JJ, you would be less impressed if you could see me!
Bradan, ditto! And thank you for the painting comment which I will pass on.
Edward, glad I was not the only b*gger out there. Sheesh! Joggers Nipple, I think I've got enough to deal with already. You do know some useful site - the chirunning was very helpful. Do you think an ordinary stick would do or does it have to be a special Stick? Hmm, wish there was a volume control on this as I don't want to shout this... the band we are going to see are The Poozies.
Pondside, at this rate every consultant in Wales will have a view of my shoulder. Confused? I will be!
Best of luck with comp, and the ms at the publishers. I would also have been checking the outbox!
Why did your op not happen - sorry seem to have missed this and so sorry too it didn't happen as you should now be recovering and looking forward to a pain free year.
Hope you do well in the comps. I recently sent off a short story, mainly to cure my writer's block!
CJ xx
Good luck with the comp - I've always meant to ask you, incidentally, how did you get hold of your agent??
I've just calculated that a hundredth marathon would be about 450 yards. We could all do that if you organised it for us. But would it mean we could eat as much as we like, I wonder?
Do you know what? I didn't make any resolutions this year - well, none to break, then. But well done you for getting out there to run at all in weather like that. Hope things get sorted out with your shoulder op and jolly good luck with the writing comps - would love to read some of your short stories, I bet they're great.
xxx
WW, don't make me explain again! In a nutshell the whole of Wales has an opinion on my shoulder - though no one's actually doing anything.
CJ, thank you. And good luck to you too.
Milla, glad it's not just me - I have pm'ed you.
Fennie, yes, absolutely, work out knots in the plot as I run, though not knots in the shoulder. I have got a medal from the Cardiff half which I keep on my erm, looks for volume control again, my ego board to spur me on. Yes, yes, whole point of running is to be able to eat anything!
Flowerpot, yes, you walk all over the place - and then you write so beautifully about it.
LBD, will pass painting comment on, thank you. Slight clue as to how we spent Christmas day! You don't need to make resolutions, you have been quietly researching, writing and completing a book. WELL DONE!
Huge congrats on your stonking TMA. Not high hopes for mine as I found more mistakes after I sent it out. I had checked it loads of times too. Can I sit next to you for the next one? You can have my troll pencil if you share.
I love the painting, it is very now, season wise.
Sally, I seem to remember cycling and swimming from your posts - not all lotus-eating!
Fiona, I bet you don't need to worry about your TMA. Troll pencil sounds good. I'll get my Bay City Rollers pencil case!!
Naval, Welcome. Good to hear from you.
The selection of the painting at top is a nice once. I tell so, as I am fond of painting, too. I like to read your passages, so simple, so filled with neat words.
Naval Langa
Naval Langa
SHORT STORIES by NAVAL LANGA
PAINTINGS GALLERIES
Another Interesting Blog
BIG CITIES OF INDIA
Good luck with the competitions and newly acquired enthusiasm for your writing.