So, it's been six weeks since I last wrote, on this level anyway.
I've liked a few things here and there - but I have not really spoken my mind, as it were...
You may recall that I did step away from podcasting for the summer, and it was for a few reasons.
Decompression, resting, writing, and now I am in the next stage of that...recuperating.
Ten days ago, I went in for some surgery to correct an issue I've had for a while with breathing.
The primary thing I had done was a "septoplasty" - correcting a deviated septum. But while there, the doc was able to correct something else, and clean things up a bit. I've never been accused of being a mouth-breather...either in the colloquial sense, or in the actual action of not breathing through my nose, but over the last few years, it had become a problem for me. Ironically, I believe it had been exacerbated by my having to use a CPAP - because of the cartilage that comprises part of my nasal cavity was not "where it should be" and would be pushed to more places where it shouldn't be...
The previous paragraph was the "personal stuff" section of the tour. Things that I hadn't really told many people outside of my family circle. In fact, there was really only one friend who knew exactly where and when things happened, and she has been incredibly supportive.
So, the day of surgery began with me getting up at 4:30, getting to the hospital by 6, surgery at 8, and leaving just after noon...the whirlwind tour! Apparently, I got home loopy as an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus and Benny Hill mixed up in a blender. Fortunately, no video of that exists. There is one extant photograph, but that is under lock and key.
I had hoped to have written...or done ANYTHING more than just sit at home, take pain-killers and clean dressings...but things don't happen as quickly as you would hope...especially as you get older.
Saw the surgeon for a follow-up on Monday, and he says that things are looking good. Everything went well - it's just a matter of time now. Will check in with him again in a few weeks.
The other thing that I didn't figure on was that this would affect my voice.
I realized that I would not be able to record podcasts, but I thought it would be a comfort thing - not the actual fact that I would not be able to speak. I can communicate in whispers, but only for a short time. There is none of that tangent-laden story-telling that y'all are so fond of, and crave. Anything past a few sentences, and I am coughing, and then the sneezes start (and that was something I was not looking forward to). So, I am uncharacteristically quiet these days.
You wouldn't know by looking at me...someone last night asked where my black eyes were. I have to hand it to the surgeon...aesthetically, he did a great job. I did ask if he could give me a "Bruce Willis" nose...but alas, I came out looking much the same as I had before...sorry ladies...
Aesthetics aside, it still hurts like a son-of-a-bitch...I can't touch my nose without feeling a return in pain. There is still a lot of healing to go. There is a raw-ness inside, that sort of lingers. I have constant (what I would call minor) headaches...and MY TEETH HURT. All part of the process, I'm told - and all within the healing realm - it just takes time.
I started back at work this week. Fortunately, I live only 10 minutes from the office - so I've come in, mostly because I was going a little stir-crazy at home, and it's a relatively quick trip home, if needed.
I always have projects going on at home.
You may know that I have a side-hustle of transferring old video and audio tapes to files. I don't have any projects on the go at the moment, so I have been able to work on my OWN tapes for a while. Don't let me stop you from contacting me about getting your tapes transferred. James needs to save up to take that celebratory cruise, once I'm feeling better, and those trips don't pay for themselves!! You can contact me at firesidechat@whorpole.ca and we can arrange to get your tapes transferred!
The podcast is still a thing. People are still downloading episodes (albeit at a reduced rate) - but I have just started back at writing new material to record for the fall. If you have any suggestions about what I can talk about on the podcast, email me at AsISeeIt@whorpole.ca
If you want to see what else I have going on in my life, wander on over to my website:
whorpole.ca There, you can see all of the links from previous podcasts, check out the entire shows, or see what Caroline has been up to with her greeting cards - amongst MANY other things.
There you will also see an opportunity to contribute to the cause.
My podcasts aren't monetized yet (I need to reach a certain threshold of listeners - as I said, they've dropped off a little, but this threshold is around 1000 downloads a month. At my highest level, I hit about 18% of that) - so I have added a link to "Buy Me A Coffee" on that page. That gives you the chance to drop a few coins in my pencil cup, to help me produce more podcasts and other things for you. It's the yellow button at the top right of the first page on my site.
OR, you can click HERE.
I got a surprise about a week ago, as one of my listeners must have just hit the first podcast where I mentioned that, and he did make a contribution. This was a couple of days after my surgery, and just as I was returning to "un-drugged consciousness". Made my day!
Please make that consideration - it could quite literally be the cost of a coffee for you. Not much, but if they add up, that could greatly help me maintain my trusty, but aging equipment, so that I may provide you with more podcasts, and be able to continue transferring your home movies!
Well, there you go - it looks like the writing ability is still there.
Now to work on the voice!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
Happy Canada Day!