The Blog from Bressay

The beginning of the week was mainly spent in my room printing more months for calendar.  Finished one month and almost finished another before handing it over to one of the other members.  Then only the front cover to be printed and the printing part is done.  After this we will collate it into the actual calendar and then do the punching and binding.  I probably won’t be doing the latter stuff as I was on the printing group.

Also been getting things ready for leaving on Sunday to go down to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a two day stay in Ward 40 for Video EEG monitoring.  The Big Brother of hospital tests I’d say lol.  I’ve got new wardrobe for the occasion as I can’t put anything over my head so front fastening things ahoy!

Wednesday had the CAB meeting that was postponed from a a fortnight ago.  We’re getting everything ready but still no word on when the actual Tribunal will be.  The thought at CAB seems to be July now if it is then it was be shy of a month to the year that I actually put the application form in.  I’m hoping that becuase I’ve had to wait this long that there will be good news at the end of it.  Because Dad was preaching at Edward Thomason House on Wednesday evening they left me at CAB and headed back to Bressay.  On Parental instruction I was then “looked after” by my Uncle and my Brother, although sometimes it’s me looking after them.  We had a lengthy discussion about who should take over at Aberdeen and then heard the breaking news on Sky Sports that Celtic were looking to speak to Owen Coyle which completely bemused us!

Before my Parents dropped me off we all went to the library.  Dad is still reading his book so had a perusal of other ones.  Mam went to look for a book on beetles to try and identify the one that we had in our house.  I got three books: Sputnik Caledonia by Andrew Crumey, Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger & the Unadultared Cat by Terry Pratchett.  I’m a huge Pratchett fan and had said I wasn’t going to get a Pratchett book this time but saw the cat one and had to get it.

Yesterday was getting clothes washed and dried so I had underwear, trousers etc for going to Aberdeen.  Last night MLS and myself went to the Scottish Water “Consultation” in the Bressay Hall.  Scottish Water are proposing to pump water from the mainland of Shetland over to Bressay and do away with the supply on the island.  Not really impressed with the “consultation” yesterday but as per usual in order to get real answers we had to press them to get them.  I still don’t see the need to pump water from the mainland to Bressay.  Because of where we are the pipe is certain to break as we found out when they laid the electic pipe to Bressay at the North Mouth of Bressay Sound, where they are proposing to lay the water pipe.  They do have a contingency but have not really answered about how long it will take to repair.  Water Quality does remain one of the big issues but the other is that it’s an amenity that is being taken away from the island.  Although I do understand the cost issue I still think we’re not getting the full financial picture as regards the financing of both schemes.  We were given a carefully worded leaflet yesterday and have gone through and a lot of questions have been raised by doing this.

We’re really opposed to this so we’re going to do something about it and get the community joined in.  A lot of people are against this but the majority don’t know where to start (and some are just lazy).  It only takes a couple of people to get the ball rolling and hopefully we’ll get to keep our lovely water.

BTW if you know anyone that is served on their island by a mainland water connection I’d love to hear their views on how it is going for them.

Thanks in advance.

Now being on a few forums lots of people want to build on the success of this year. 

This years winner could sing, plays a musical instrument and knows how to crack a joke.  I was pondering on the equation for this when it hit who SHOULD be representing the UK next year - Donnie from Dotaman!!

He’d be perfect!  So what do you think?  Ok when watching Dotaman as a child had no idea what he was saying but me and my brother were still entranced and managed to learn that cayher meant four (OK can’t spell, hopefully someone might be able to help me out there) from the parrot and clock bit.

I’m thinking if that doesn’t go down well how about a duet with Alf Poier from Austria who was in the Eurovision Contest in 2003?

I’ve been ill, yes again my immune system ain’t what it should be lol. 

It’s kind of been all go here in one way or another.  Friday had CAB appointment, or rather I had CAB appointment up until 12pm when CAB called to postpone.  I was very grateful for that as I was in no way able to function that day.  Another ‘phone call came in the form of my Uncle who had called to tell us that he had had to get 9 stiches in his hand as they’d been moving the boat and there was an accident.  He’s a very, very lucky person to only have to have 9 stitches and nothing more.  3rd ‘phone call Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.  They’d sent the wrong forms I’m only going to be monitored for 48 hours now woohoo less cabin fever.

We had folk come over on Saturday afternoon.  Was supposed to go up to the croft with them but I was just not well enough to go and did not want to be out of sight of a toilet.  They came back here and had a few drinks, a natter and tea.  Saturday night - the big one!  Eurovision!!! OK I know I’m a weird individual but it’s always been a family thing in our house and we do love it.  I was so pleased that Norway won, I couldn’t believe the points margin.  It made up for Aberdeen losing against Rangers (OK it didn’t but I’m trying to persuade myself it did).  I’m hoping that I may be able to get tickets for next years Eurovision and actually be there.  That would be brilliant but don’t make me choose between Aberdeen being in the final of something or going to Eurovision.  I may explode with indecision (I’ve pretty much been exploding most of the week)

Sunday thought I would try the AGM of the Camera Club as it’s only a 2 min wheel down the road and toilet on hand.  I am now Secretary of said Club.  I asked if anyone else wanted to do it and got the response well you’re taking the minutes due absence of other secretary.  Dammit remind me not to fill in for Secretary at any other AGMs lol.  It was all going well until I left when I got out of chair to get a lift back home as it was pouring down and unceramoniously ended up on the deck having fainted.   Needless to say I was a tad wet when I came round.  I got home and went to bed.

Monday was spent in bed downing varying pills and wondering what the side effects of taking so many varied would be. 

Yesterday off to Drs in Lerwick to discuss going to Aberdeen and see if he been informed correctly or not and to see if he had any clue to what I had.  They had given him the correct forms and I remembered to ask for the Travel for me.  I got a diagnosis of possible Gastroenteritis and virus or just virus.  Just keep taking what I was taking (co-codamol for fever & sore throat, Ibuprofen to try and get glands down and Immodium Instants for the other bits)  I got out of Drs in time to make 3:30pm ferry back to Bressay congratulated myself on a job well done and then it struck me and and audible “shit” was heard by my parents in the car who wondered what had happened.  I forgot to get my repeat prescriptions while I was in there.  Doh!! as Mr Simpson would say. 

We didn’t get to see Gran yesterday as her Arthitis wasn’t too good, she’d had a bad night so wanted a lie in.  There are now quite a few more using Moose in the Hoose’s services in her home.  There is now another link to Australia, one to Canada and I think the other one is to Peterhead so it’s all busy on the computers there.

Today I’ve felt a bit better so it was time for “the feeling a bit better bit”.  This involved putting clothes in washing machine, clean sheets on bed and shower for clean me.  It does make you feel a whole heap better psychologically I find when you do these things.  Might not help as much physically but I find I feel less yucky after doing that.  I’m now going indulge myself in drinking some more water.

I posted this elsewhere and had a quite a few emails & IM’s about it so I’m posting it in other places in order to hopefully help a few people and open peoples eyes up:

Since it’s ME/CFS Month and specifcally week this week it’s made me have a think about my situation and including the whole fainting thing. The below is based on my knowledge of things and how I’ve been treated.

I’ve told quite a lot people about my condition and the people most ignorant of it seems to be the Drs (although I’ve got a really good one at the moment). Like many things in order to get a diagnosis most people have to fight to get it and when I say fight I meant FIGHT. There are very few people that manage to get a diagnosis without fighting. It took me quite a few years to get mine.

What hapens after diagnosis? Mostly nothing. You can get referred to various places, there are a few ME/CFS clinics but I and a lot of others have not been able to access them. As well as the ME/CFS I had the fainting as well so first place I went was to evaluated by a Psychiatrist who told me that I obviously couldn’t be that ill as I’d made it to the clinic, doesn’t matter that I fainted afterwards or had to spend the rest of the day in bed, I’d made it there so obviously OK.

I’ve lost quite a few folk that I thought of as friends mainly because I didn’t go out and party with them as often as I used to. I became a drag because I fainted the whole time so I “ruined” thier night or I cancelled at the last minute because I just didn’t have any energy to go. It became easier just to make up an excuse not to go and isolate myself. Conversely there are people that were just aquintances that have become very good friends and there are also true friends that have stuck by me and helped me out innumerable times.

What’s the point in this rant? Well think about folk that you know that aren’t well or you haven’t seen for a while. As an aside just because someone looks ok doesn’t mean that they are. Do you know how often people with “invisible” illness get “Oh but you don’t look ill”? I do have to stop myself from saying “well yeah, but you don’t look like an ignorant bastard/bitch”

For many people having to explain their illness and how they live from day to day can be hard but for a lot of people The Spoon Theory cetainly does help. With illness like this how you feel can vary from day to day and even minute to minute. I know I can be haring about like a blue arsed fly for a day or I’m just too ill and need a week in bed. If you do know someone that has an “invisible” illness just a quick phone call can cheer up their day, just five minutes maybe arrange to meet them. Yes there is a chance they may cancel but it’s not like they are doing it on purpose just to piss you off.

I’m not wanting to start a chain letter thingy but if you want to pass this on to others please feel free especially if you recognise any of the above in relation to your life.

It’s been lovely this week lots and lots of sunshine (although still had a bit of a wind with it some days).

At the weekend I got a letter from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary informing me I’d be staying a business week with them (Mon - we think Fri).  I really want to get things sorted out but can’t until I see my Doc next week and see when I’m going to get discharged.  Mam and Dad will be going with me but won’t be staying as they are both Polling Booth Clerks for the European Elections.  Martin is coming back up with me whenever I get discharged. 

Didn’t see Gran on Tuesday again.  Dad did for a few mins.  She’d had a lie in and by the time they had finished with other webcamers it was time for Grans dinner.  Went out to enjoy sunshine on Tuesday at The Peerie Shop Cafe and had a lovely couple of cups of Peppermint and Liquorice Tea.  If your into your herbal tea I’d highly recommend it.  It was lovely sitting outside in the sun and chatting to folk.

Wednesday I had a day off as I’d been out Monday and Tuesday and have a busy couple of days coming up so I needed the rest and had a mainly bed day.  I was supposed to be going to Community Council but I knew if I did there would be trouble after.  The Clerk is next door neighbour so I’m going to see if I can get the minutes from him to peruse.

Today I’ve been practising tune for Sisters wedding coming along nicely and thinking of seeing if she wants to me to play Ode to Joy as her and her man walk back down the beach together.  Also been doing a bit of chucking out and cleaning.  I had to rescue escapee sock from hoover but all ok in end.  I’ve been trying to clean our white, plastic furniture and have found out the reason it’s not cleaning up.  It’s been outside for far too many winters so the newer ones are coming up good but other not good I’m afraid will try and persuade Mam and Dad to put it all in the Shed this winter (PS if anyone wants any boxes we have loads looking for a good home).  Woody has not had the best of days between strimming, fiddling and hoovering.  He’s hoping for a far quieter night.

The Chinese is coming across tomorrow night again.  Trying to persuade Mam & Dad that it would be a nice idea and have a night off cooking.  Still working on it though.  I’m also off to the CAB in the afternoon to sort the stuff for my submission to Tribunal out, still not heard when the date will be.  If I had to put a bet on it will come up when I’m in Aberdeen!

Saturday we’ve got folk coming over and hopefully the phone that my brother ordered from eBay will have turned up.  Sunday it’s the Camera Club AGM.

I’m hoping to get more washing out very soon as I’ve managed to get one load on but I’ve been thwarted by folk getting to machine first and other folk strimming the grass.  Tomorrow I shall get to machine first and there will be no strimming.

At long last after requests, nay demands! For Teacosy pics here they are.  Unfortunately not had the best of weather for Teacosy so had to stay indoors but Teacosy has been busy making friends and looking around:

Meeting the locals

Looking out to back

 Making friends with Woody.

Now you are probably wondering about Woody’s water well it seems like Woody (not sure about the rest of feline kingdom maybe someone could confirm) prefers drinking out of most things apart from his own bowl.  He does drink out of it but if there is another recepticle that has water in it then bowl gets ignored.  After the gales of last weeks Mams double flowered Tulips were battered so she took then in and put them in water and in the tray she picked they did look lovely:

We were sorting out old papers and things looked round and saw this:

It seems to be his favourite hobby but probably not for much longer as they are starting to get past their best.  Wonder if it will be back to down the loo after this?

Just when you think that Spring has arrived and your planning everything in the garden, up comes the weather forecast to inform you that it Storm Force 10 tonight and 7-9 tomorrow.  When it’s windy there is nothing better than being tucked up in bed listening to it howl outside after being battered by Woody running and jumping all over you as he’s taken a maddy because of the wind.  It makes me appreciate being at home more.  I love all sorts of weather (maybe not too sunny and hot though) and missed it when I was South as I didn’t feel that there was the range that there is at home.

Not spoken to Gran this week.  Technical problems down in Edinburgh.  The PC wasn’t working so they just had the laptop and too many people to get around.  We heard that she was up and about so happy about that.  It’s fingers crossed here that all will be ok for next week.

Martin is thinking to come up in June so I’m looking forward to that.  Not sure when but if he comes up at end of June he’ll be here for Dad’s birthday and if he comes up at begining of June he’ll be here for MLS’s birthday.  Mind you we were discussing get out nails done again.  Not sure if he’s be up for getting his done as well.

I’m resting good style this week not helped by slight tummy bug the house came down with at beginning of week.  Very glad we had two toilets that’s all I’m saying!  MLS came to collect Teacosy and it was a quick switch as she’s got the cold.  I didn’t want to give her my germs and she didn’t want to give me her germs.  It was quite funny to see us as she said it’s the least we’ve ever spoken to each other.

Speaking of bugs, germs etc.  We got the Swine HypeFlu leaflet  through today.  Looking at the symptoms I think that I have had Swine Flu for quite a bit of my life lol.  I do worry about the male half of the population though.  How many of them carry tissues about?  Thinking about it, it’s usually the women that do in their handbags and the man usually nicks them when the need arises or they resort to sleeves lol.

We had a shock on Bressay last week the Headmaster of the Primary School died.  There is a Memorial Service on Friday and the bairns have been getting the church ready with photos and other things.  I can imagine that it will look beautiful when finished.