I remember an old Jack Handy joke that went something like, ‘Wouldn't it be funny if the cure for cancer was something like put a croissant on a tractor?’
Yes, Mr Handy, yes it would.
I tried something similar this morning when I realised I was getting a migraine. The pixels came on as I was driving home from the city, having dropped Jane to work. No warning. It was just my turn.
I necked a couple of painkillers when I got home. Just Nurofen. I saved the strong ones in case the headache decided to get really gnarly. And I gave up on the idea of the full day’s work I had planned. I knew there wasn't much point sitting in front of the screen.
Instead, I cleaned my office and changed my working setup to a standing desk. I've been having some issues with lower back pain in the last couple of months, and it doesn't help that I’m a terrible slumper when I sit down to write at my desk. I have a standing desk set up, of course.
I've had one for years.
But I do love a good slump and I just find myself mindlessly defaulting to melting clock mode as soon as my arse hits my office chair.
It me.
I haven't done a complete office cleanup since Covid. There was still a bunch of stuff left over from when I was sharing the space with Jane, including her terrible office chair, which I’ve always hated because it wrecked my entry hallway as I was trying to get it in.
Of course, once you start these things, it's hard to stop. So I dismantled the chair, as well. It took about 2 1/2 hours all up, with a slightly grinding headache, always hanging around, threatening to get worse. When it was done, I decided I’d have some barbecue leftovers for lunch and break my workweek drinking rule by washing it down with a beer. I’ve found that a single beer often takes the serrated edge off a migraine. Don't know why, and it's not as powerful as putting a croissant on a tractor, but it worked for me today. Just about to see if I can get any actual work done this afternoon.
Fwiw, my current job involves hours of sitting in a vehicle, which caused me back pain. Then I was told that if I lie in bed on my back, bring my knees up, and lift my torso at least 20 times, it would help. I now do that daily and no more back pain
I went through a torrid time last year of migraines - after a 20 year haitus, they returned with a vengance, ending up with a couple a week.
Spent a bunch of folding stuff on a specialist physio, who spent three months working on releasing various muscles that - it turns out - were causing these fucking things. Add in some stretches and stuff and.. it's now been over 9 months (touch wood) since my last migraine.
(And, as a lovely side-effect, my neck hasn't felt this good in years)
I used to get migraines for years. Found out I was born with cataracts so light is amplified for me (always had crazy good night vision) and staring at a computer screen was fuckin me up. Got some blue light filters added to my glasses and it cleared that shit right up! Also sunnies help a lot when outside.
Update. Managed some screenwriting. It's easier than novel writing when you're a bit fucked.
Fwiw, my current job involves hours of sitting in a vehicle, which caused me back pain. Then I was told that if I lie in bed on my back, bring my knees up, and lift my torso at least 20 times, it would help. I now do that daily and no more back pain
I’ve noticed that a cold brew helps with several ailments. It’s truly a miracle medicine.
This strikes me as a win for an otherwise bad day.
I went through a torrid time last year of migraines - after a 20 year haitus, they returned with a vengance, ending up with a couple a week.
Spent a bunch of folding stuff on a specialist physio, who spent three months working on releasing various muscles that - it turns out - were causing these fucking things. Add in some stretches and stuff and.. it's now been over 9 months (touch wood) since my last migraine.
(And, as a lovely side-effect, my neck hasn't felt this good in years)
Forgive the easy kill:
To alcohol! The cause of, and answer to, all of life's problems.'
I used to get migraines for years. Found out I was born with cataracts so light is amplified for me (always had crazy good night vision) and staring at a computer screen was fuckin me up. Got some blue light filters added to my glasses and it cleared that shit right up! Also sunnies help a lot when outside.