Catching up

[erastes]

I posted a review yesterday of “Consenting Adults” – a BBC film which was originally shown in 2007 but which i must have missed entirely. It’s about the Wolfenden Report, a report completed in 1957 to assess whether laws needed to be changed regarding prostitution and homosexuality. I highly recommend it. If you can’t watch it on the BBC Iplayer, then DO seek it out on Netflix or libraries or wherever else you can. If you have any interest in the history of homosexuality, it’s utterly fascinating watching. I learned a lot, not only watching it, but then subsequently researching the people involved. I’ve been thinking about doing a 1950’s spy story for ages, and this has made me more determined than ever.

No real change in the eyes, which is pretty hard to take. I just want to be better. Now. I’m not good with a long illness – especially as it doesn’t FEEL like an illness. I’ve never really BEEN ill before, not incapacity type ill – just flu – and a broken femur once which was the worst (six week in traction in hospital, six weeks in waist to toe plaster) It’s hard to post about this without sounding like i’m whining, and I apologise to Chris and Henri for being Ms Grumpy on the phone. I appreciate you both for cheering me up, believe me, it’s just that I don’t do long telephone conversations well, as it’s something i’ve never done.

I think I’ll have to put a notice up on Speak Its Name to explain that I’ll have to put the community on hiatus for the forseeable (no pun intended) future because I don’t have the capacity to read and review. I’ve been contacted by Carina who want to put me on their review list which is great news.

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Comments

[angrboda]

Trust me, had I been in your shoes I would have been MUCH more pityful. I don't think you're whining all that much, and even if you were, I would say you were well within your right.

(And I agree about long telephone conversations. I don't like talking on the phone, and the only persons I can talk to on the phone for more than what it takes to leave a message are my parents. Anybody else, it just gets awkward for me, and I end up wishing it had been MSN...)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I am - only I try not to bleed all over LJ or elsewhere, or that's all people will remember in times to come "oh yes, she's the one who whines..."

:)

Heh - funny about that, isn't it - some peple I know spend hours and hours on the phone, can't bear to be apart from their mobile for a minute. I could happily (apart from dad) be without a phone entirely

[angrboda]

Naaaah, we'd remember other stuff too. :)

Yes, me too. I get fined by my mobile company regularly because I use it too little. I just want it so I can send text messages. That's really all I use it for.

[chris-smith-atr.livejournal.com]

Don't sell yourself short, oh great and majestic Queen Grumpy of Grumbletopia!

(You know I have 0 problem with you being less than sunshine and puppies. Though if you were sunshine and puppies, I could ask for samples of the good drugs you'd be on. Mmm. Puppies. On toast.)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

:)

[taylorbooks.livejournal.com]

You're not whining. It's a big deal. Hope you do start seeing some positive change very soon.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

That's what getting to me, I suppose, it could easily be months, and that worries me a lot.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

As whines go.. you really need to work on the technique. You haven't got anywhere near enough self-pity. I hope they figure out what's wrong and how to fix it -- fast.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I don't think there is any "fix" - from the research I've done, anyway - surgery is very much a last resort in certain circumstances - at the moment it's a case of "most of these cases fix themselves" which isn't very helpful. I should have asked more questions, but I was just so eager to be gone.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

If you've got any sort of diagnosis, you might try googling alternative treatments. I worked with a woman who went through eight specialists trying to find out why she was having vertigo--before some sensible doc who asked what she ate and put her on mega supplements of the B vitamins.

Yes, the 'take your list of questions' sounds like a good idea... except that most of the time, you don't know what questions to ask until the doctor tells you what they do know, and by then anxiety and fatigue make it hard to even figure out what the questions are.

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

I left that film thinking about spy stories, so yay for you wanting to write one! (I don't have the right sort of brain for espionage or mysteries)

(with apologies for focusing on a different part of your post to everyone else ;-)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! And I'm VERY glad you focussed on the most relevant part of the post, to be honest.

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

I shall be waiting to see what chris smith christens it when you do get writing about spies in the '50s

[baritonejeff.livejournal.com]

Honey, what you've been going through is major, and you haven't even come close to being whiny about it.

Here's hoping that this clears up for you, and quickly.

((((hugs))))

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Thanks dear - I am just not doing well with enforced imprisonment!

My sincerest sympathies

[anderyn.livejournal.com]

I keep thinking I should call and then remembering what time it is in England. I hate that five hour difference!

But, yes, not being able to see well is really really exasperating and frustrating, particularly for a writer/reviewer/editor. I am lucky enough my blind spots are to the sides/down so, while I can't drive and walking around can be an interesting challenge, I CAN still read and navigate the computer (especially since I have everything supersized and I sit about five inches away from the screen). I have been this way my whole life, though, so I can only imagine how horrible it must be when you have had good vision and now suddenly you don't!

Is there any news on WHY this is happening?

Re: My sincerest sympathies

[erastes.livejournal.com]

no - i think the idea was to monitor me and make sure I wasn't in immediate danger of having a massive stroke or something and then set up more tests, which they are now doing - NHS - it's "free" and it's fabulous but it ain't FAST.

Thanks dear - it's good to know people care, really it is. And no - best not to ring, I'm not my best on the phone! :D

[josephine-myles.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the programme rec - that sounds fascinating!

You've not been grumbling too much at all - having problems with your vision is one of the most depressing health issues I can imagine. Hope things get better soon - have you ever heard of "Yoga for the eyes"?

[erastes.livejournal.com]

thank you - and no I hadn't! I will go and look it up!

[jl_merrow]

Just back from hols and getting caught up on the flist - so sorry to hear about your health woes. :(

Hope things get better soon!

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear - me too!

[gaedhal.livejournal.com]

I was reading Kenneth Tynan's diaries and he was good
friends with Gielgud and Wildeblood. The diaries take
place in the 1970's, but he discusses the aftermath of
the decriminalization of homosexuality, especially on
the theatrical community.

Tynan wasn't exactly gay, but he also wasn't "straight"
in any conventional way and it seems most of his friends
were gay men. The diaries are very good for a perspective
on English during that period.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

oo! They sound excellent - I shall track them down, thank you!