Monday, December 5, 2016

I'm not dead yet!

I was doing so well with my blog up until very recently.  I was actually a bit pleased with myself, how I'd managed to keep writing for most of the year. Then...

Well, we don't dwell on sad stories around here, right?  Nor should we!  Luckily, for the first fall/winter season in many a year, I haven't been experiencing a late-year affective downslide.  I will acknowledge that I'm facing some new difficulties with Parkinson's Disease.  Yet, other than some initial confusion (and perhaps a very minor freak-out), I'm surprisingly upbeat right now.  And busy!

Parkinson's gives me a very limited number of hours during any given day where I can operate a keyboard without experience a significant amount of pain.  Being an IT professional, I need to use almost all of this time for work, so blogging has somewhat become a form of "suffering for my art..."  Not that what I do could try be considered art by any legitimate measure!  At the same time, I'm also digging into some new computer skills, mostly just for fun.  Some of the basic neuroscience that I've studied suggests that this kind of learning has its own potential for dopamine rewards.  So, I'm choosing to believe that this nerdy exercise in learning some new programming skills is one of the things that's keeping my spirits elevated even though I haven't been fishing in about six weeks.

However, I recognize that I've got friends here and also that writing here is extremely helpful.  There are ideas in the pipeline and under development.  And on top of that, Howard and I are already planning a reunion in early January at The Fly Fishing Show.  He wants me to help him stalk John Gierach, but I'm not feeling comfortable with that idea.  Howard might be former law enforcement, but I'm afraid his judgement is compromised... and I know my wife won't bail me out if I'm arrested.

9 comments:

  1. I'm really looking forward to our teaming up to stalk the Great One! Don't worry about bail...I've got you covered.

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  2. I hear ya', Chris, when it comes to dealing with the pain factor and working at the keyboard...... Thanks for checking back in with us all.

    Good luck in your pursuit of John Gierach. Maybe he can help you with Howard's judgement.

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    1. Yeah, Mel, I'm seriously starting to consider trying some "speech to text" software. I'm something of a non-linear writer, so there would definitely be and adjustment period. But I guess if Stephen Hawking can write a book using just a clicker to select letters, I've got no room to complain yet!

      You and I know both know that Howard is probably beyond help in this particular area. If nothing else, it could make for a good YouTube video (or evidence in a hearing for a restraining order!)

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    2. Chris, now that is funny! Thanks for the laugh on the Howard part. Best of success on the rest...

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  3. My stalking of John Hierarch is limited to finding used copies of his books at Half Price Books. I picked up a mint condition hard cover of Trout Bum last night for 12.49. I was so happy. I have one more week of Comp 2 left and after that I will start writing for again. It's good to see you posting. Happy Holidays!

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    1. It's a sad fact that I've only just started reading "Standing in a River Waving a Stick." I need to plan some time to finish it. Much truth in there.

      Good to see you around, too. Looking forward to more of the Uncanny Adventures of Eddie Rivard!

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  4. Keep on keeping on. I look forward to future posts.

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  5. John Gierach is one of my favorites. I discovered him even before I moved to Colorado. Love his persepctive...Good luck on the hunt.

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