Hunting for a brain, high or low?
For any ‘snowflakes’ or similarly delicate people reading this, you might want to move on quickly, internal bits issues. All others duly warned, tale of the day.
So yes, I finally was here, the big day when I was going to get a clue about my fate in life. The ‘entertainment’ started early, as I was trying to convince my body to provide the required urine sample. My mixed up plumbing decided it didnt want to play ball, and in trying to push it out, I set off my occasional bowels issue ((blockage), and I just locked up completely for about 50 painful minutes, with nothing coming out either end, though both ends needed to, and I could feel it. Eventually I won on one front, then the sample bottle got filled rapidly an hour or so later, so…
One first today, the use of a blue disabled badge for me, in a parking space. Fine, it was Eric’s, but in truth, but for him having one, I’d probably need one now. Got weighed, 83 kg/ 183 lbs which is a bit higher than it was, but lets face it, I can hardly do much exercise in last 3 months, I’ve hardly got any mobility, but anyway… This does strictly make me slightly overweight by a few pounds, but nothing dramatic (just checked).
Then on to the doctor, and a discussion of things. Thankfully Ella was with me, as I literally remember nothing about any of my seizures, and she at least saw the last one, so was able to give details. The doctor then wanted to test my balance, by walking one foot literally in front of the other, but my balance is wrecked by my damaged knees, so it didnt get far!
The end results. my medication level has been doubled (or will be after transition week), but I was on lowest level up to now, so hopefully not a big thing. I’m also being booked in for an EEG test (to see if they can locate the issue), and then an MRI test (to see if I’ve got a brain. No, seriously, to see if its any more than epilepsy), which should happen over the next 4 weeks or so. Seems it might be related to a fall out of a loft 32 years ago, though not definitely, but it could kick in now, wow! No decision on freedom to fly until after MRI, which makes sense, but will be fine if just epilepsy, which lets hope it is, as crazy as that sounds!
I asked about work, he didnt seem as hot on the ‘never work again’ thing as some, but equally, he was talking about a year or so of recovery, and I am 61, and would then be 62, and would retire at 66, so… Besides which, my voice breaks down under stress, so could hardly do my current job, so I think it almost certainly is it, but again, lets see what the brain scan says. Famous last words… But seriously, given it all, and my lack of mobility, I think retirement on medical grounds is a certainty. In theory, I could do a non phone job, but it takes me a lot longer to do anything, so…nope!
I stated I was Intersex, but didnt ask questions about compatibility between the epilepsy pills, and female hormones. I’ll leave that for my own doctor, lol. But yes, if retired, and allowed, it is a pledge I made, lol.
That, pretty much was it. Collect my new prescription, collected some cash to get my hair done (coloured and cut) on way home. Yes, would love it done this way, but I suspect I will have to settle for modern methods
So no, seemingly I dont get the full robot bodysuit just yet, lol. But yes, I’m looking forward to the EEG, and MRI ‘messing around’ with my mind, all the same. 😉 Yeah, I wish! Mind, if anyone wants to provide me with one, fully interfacing or otherwise…?
Right, video time. What someone might be doing, when it comes to my brain, shortly?
Going high and low
Well, technically one of those is stretching things a bit, but lets just say the high is height, though the low is just geographical. And the high was only just over 500 feet, still waiting on that deep space alien flight at this time lol. Oh, I wish!
Yesterday morning, I woke up to discover a new physical issue, a muscle in my left calf seems to have given up the battle, limiting my ability to walk even more. Seems a bit less of an issue today, but still pretty uncomfortable, all the same. So my original plan for yesterday, to do some walking around the University grounds went out the window. So I went for plan B, a trip up the Space Needle, which is where the high bit comes in. No, 520 feet doesnt get you into space, really, but provides a nice view of Seattle from the observation deck. Its actually a bit of a construction site at present, but you can see most of the way around (more than sufficient), and there is a small price reduction, so…
Oh, and you get your picture taken before you go up in the lift. For those of a nervous disposition, scroll away now!
For others, its probably the only pic you’ll get from the holiday, so make the most of it! And yes, in truth, that was the only real excitement yesterday, took a very light day, due to the walking issues.
Today I headed for what will almost certainly be the geographical low of the holiday, down south to Tacoma. I managed the ‘perfect timing’ this morning, missing a bus by a minute or so, which left me waiting nearly 30 minutes for the next one. Still, at least the weather was hot (70’s), and dry, which helped. I admit it, I do the trip as much as to do something a little different, as anything else, and it gets me out for a while. Also, walking around that town isnt too stressful, so coped, despite my leg. Then back via Federal Way, and the shopping mall there, which seems to have a few empty units at present, but I gather thats a general non online retail malaise at present.
Then back here, via a different route to the one out, which was in fact the case for the whole journey. The express bus back was delayed a lot (made me feel at home), so got a local bus back to Federal Way, as well as another local bus back here. Got to see some different scenery at least!
Tomorrow depends on how strong my leg is in the morning. If its decent, I probably will do that University stroll, if it isnt, not quite sure. Repairing the body would probably be wise, but I really cant afford it at US prices. I suppose they can charge crazy prices as they know its pretty much on medical insurance, but for me… If Bill Gates reads this (lol), and his foundation want to help out, I’ve always fancied acupuncture done on at least some of my damaged parts, but beyond my budget now, sadly.
Right, the video. Not one of the better known A-Ha songs, but that doesnt make it a bad one, and its certainly apt!
The Sun Always Shines, With TV
So yes, its official now, I’m on an extended break, that just happens to include 10 days in an apartment in Hollywood. So yes, planning, and plotting is very much under way. I now at least have 1 definite booking, a walking tour of Hollywood, on my last full day in town. Yes, I know, not the best timing, but its only happening once a month, and yes, its got to be done, as I know the lady acting as the guide, not only through Twitter, which is where I first met her, but also in real life, given we toured the Hollywood Museum together, on my first trip across, just over 2 years ago. Since then she’s got married, become a mother, and yes, I’m proud of her for that.
The Brooks movies mentioned earlier in the week are almost settled, but technically not definite, due to my regular issue with US websites, of that unless you, and more importantly, your credit card have a zip code, they’re impossible to use on their site. So now I cant do anything until after I’ve got there, so just having to hope its not a sell out, as I will be annoyed if it is. Fingers crossed, it is the Egyptian Theater, it is quite large, but… Of course I have no idea if UK websites are equally bad for users outside of the UK, so forgive my grumbles if they are.
I’ve also been trying to work out when Clayton Kershaw will be pitching for the Dodgers while there, based on the 5 pitcher rota teams use. Having pitched last night (a win), and counting forward, it looks like I’m going on the 23rd. But yes, I’ll wait nearer the time, and will probably be an ‘on the day’ purchase at the stadium, though at what I can afford to pay, I’ll be so far from Kershaw that I would see him better on TV lol! Oh, and if anyone could arrange a meet with Vin Scully, I would be thrilled, schoolgirl like!
Talking of which… On my 2 previous trips to LA, I’ve tried both times to get tickets to see Jimmy Kimmel recording his show, with no success. It might be that the people controlling the tickets see a UK address, and dont let me have them accordingly, or I might just have been unlucky? Well, this time, I’ve changed my profile to fit the zip code of my apartment, and applied several times over for both him, and James Corden, so fingers crossed I get to see one of them at least.
Of course, in an ideal world, I’d be the one being interviewed about transgender diversity issues, and trying to get an acting break, but fine, I’ll settle for being part of the audience, I guess? Yes, you never know, but I suspect pigs flying are more likely!
Oh, and finally, I’ve got a lot of the packing done. Probably more dresses than I will possibly need unless something amazing happens, but better safe than sorry. Still got room in the case for more, but mustnt go too mad, as I really shouldnt need more, for 10 days, and I’m sure I will bring more stuff back with me anyway. Green Card, or working visa would be handy lol, but cant see it!
Right, video. This time of year, its pretty fair to say the sun shines most days in LA. Thankfully, the winter was very wet, solved a lot of drought issues, if not all of them. Oh, and I might shine in a TV audience at least. Oh, and how does this guy still look so good?
Looking on two fronts
Yes, I know, I’ve been quiet for a week, apologies. Two reasons for that, firstly, not a lot really has happened that would make for a decent blog posting, then the last few days have suddenly got a bit crazy. But feeling I owe something at least, lets bring you into the loop.
Firstly, the flight back, all very smooth, well but for one interesting event that I first got annoyed about, but then when I realised why it had happened, and I’d calmed down, turned to amusement. I arrived at Boston Airport, with boarding passes in hand, so I just joined the baggage drop queue, to get rid of my case, and start the trek through to the gate. I have no idea why, but some ‘jobsworth’ woman at Boston decided that my boarding passes werent good enough, and that she had to print them off again at the airport. But, instead of letting me put my details into the machine, she decided to do it for herself. What happens, it asks for all your passport details, and presumably checks everything is OK. Well, one of the questions I noticed, was gender. Of course, if I do that currently, I put male, to match my current passport. What I realised after the event, was that of course she put me through as female. Due to that, my ESTA didnt match up, it asked for my visa details, and of course I didnt have any.
So, for the next half hour or so, I’m stood in a queue at Customer Services, so they can sort out the issue. He just took my passport, put it in the machine, smiled at a raging old lady, and tagged my bag, and that was it. I glared at the lady accordingly as I passed, but only about an hour later did I realise what had happened, so American Airlines were saved from a blistering email lol.
Normal regime since then, not a lot of excitement. Well, apart from initiating job hunts, both sides of the Atlantic. Just before I came back, I started hunting for jobs with a November start date. One of those led me to an interview yesterday in Bradford, which I’m still waiting to hear back on. The other is a job in Huddersfield, due to start on November 2nd, the Monday after I get back. Online typing tests, piece of cake. Led to a phone interview today, which ended with a couple of competency based questions, which as you know, I love…not! From somewhere came 2 brilliant answers, and I’ve progressed to an office assessment next Tuesday. I have also got a couple of prospects I need to ring people about when I get back, so all in all…
Other side of the Atlantic, no, nothing very dramatic. Just signed up with a few agencies who might help me to fulfil my Hollywood dream, but I doubt it. One guy seems to be keen on me, I spent an hour or so talking to him on Skype this afternoon, which consisted of me trying to get him to set me up for work, and him trying to get into my knickers, for want of a better term! I suspect he hasnt read the stuff about me being a pre op Trans, but anyway… its amusing all the same, but under the circumstances, I’m not expecting much to happen through him. Memories of the old casting couch days there, lol. Hopefully one of the others will at least lead to something! Not holding my breath, mind.
Fine, the video. Not quite in the title, but it sort of sums up my current job hunting situation
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