Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Mental flu -

-- that's the way I'm thinking about it. From time to time, I go through a period in which I simply cannot post, and that's what has just happened. I didn't even check my e-mail for a few days. Every time I looked at my computer, I tensed up, and my stomach fluttered. Obviously, I needed to back away, so I did. When I was at home, I read or listened to music or watched television, just as if my computer weren't calling out to me, alternately beckoning and scolding. Every relationship has its rocky times, even the one between me and my laptop, or so it seems. So I waited. Then I started gradually working my way back to The Turtle, inch by inch, step by step, until today, when I appear to have recovered sufficiently to allow for this Post About Nothing. Well, not really about Nothing. I haven't just been sitting here. There have been things -- work, mostly, a new job that isn't difficult but requires a mental adjustment. At the moment, I'm working pretty well full time. I'm also taking Tai Chi classes again (finally!) After the Hawaiian holiday, I got into a class as quickly as I could, and I found that I had remembered the first four moves pretty well. Now, I'm trying to learn the mini-set (which is something like the first 16 moves) taking classes with several different teachers, each of whom has something unique to offer. I went to a class this afternoon with a teacher I didn't know. He showed me something I was doing wrong. I haven't figured out how to stop it yet, but at least I'm aware of the problem. Tonight I'll go to Rick's class. I've started enjoying his classes, which is a lesson in itself. Once, years ago, I attended a class with Rick and hated it. It made me think of Boot Camp. It turns out that that was as much a function of the class membership as it was of Rick's teaching style. That particular class was full of young men who were confusing Tai Chi (as practised by us old folks, at least) with Kung Fu or karate or something much more rambunctious. The testosterone in the room was palpable. Anyway, I've learned that Rick, too, has much to teach me, and I look forward to tonight's class.  My Tai Chi dream is that by the time I go to England in May, I'll be able to do the set on my own. Maybe I can do it on the airplane.  ;>)

Oh, yes. That happened, too. We set our dates for the England trip. Robin will spend most of April in England on his own. I will join him on May 6 (well, I'll leave here on May 6) and we will come home together on May 31.

And....I ordered John Hayes's book, The Days of Wine & Roses. I probably won't see it for a couple of weeks, but I shall enjoy the anticipation, right?

And...the pipes under our kitchen sink hit their expiry date yesterday, so I spent part of today watching the plumber save us from drowning.

So you see, this hasn't been a nothing week after all. What have you folks been up to? I'll visit you as soon as I can, and I'll be back here, I promise. It's time to put a new flower and poem in the sidebar. Somebody has been neglecting her duties.

7 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

England sound wonderful. So does John Hayes' book!

Karen said...

I have a love-hate relationship with my laptop, too, Sandra. I could be tied to it all the time if I allowed myself to be. Instead, I have limited myself like one addicted to drink to one hour in the morning before I start my day and one hour in the evening. Sometimes, it's hard to stop, and I feel as if my life has been stolen.

Good luck with the new job!

Barry said...

I love the concept of a "mental flu"; I'm sure I've had it more than once.

And I'm sure its contagious.

I've just started taking Tai Chi as well. I hope you're better coordinated than I am!

Unknown said...

Great to see the Turtle back! Eberle & I have dabbled in Tai Chi, & your writing about it does make me think we should get back to it. One problem is there are no classes anywhere within reasonable driving distance (even "reasonable" by standards of the western US) so we work from a videotape.

& thanks again for buying the book & for linking to it--very much appreciated!

Kathryn Magendie said...

I was like that for a while - the mere site of my laptop sent my stomach to roiling....while in Oregon for 3 weeks, I used my son's laptop maybe 3 times, and briefly - it did me a world of good... I need to remember that feeling and take more breaks as I promised myself I would when I returned.....

England! I've never been outside the US....

RLM Cooper said...

I also have mental flu, Sandra. Sick, sick I am. Wrestling with computers, a retiring husband (last week in April) who needs closet space, an actual cold, an unfinished quilt, tax returns waiting to be done, and a mild depression overriding it all. As for writing, I'm a typewriter with no keys - a dictionary with no words - a vessel with no content. In short, I'm hopeless.

The Unbreakable Child said...

Been sorta neglecting too! Lol on 'mental flu'. The classes sound great! And England sounds lovely!