I went back to the doctor today to get my blood pressure checked (as it was a little high the last two times and they keep making me go back). I finally got a different doctor, which was good, because the thought of Dr Coping Skills tut-tutting over the results was stressing me out, and probably making my blood pressure higher. This other doctor took my blood pressure, which was 155/81, and said, "Well, that's not so bad - it's a little high, but the bottom number is normal, and we don't usually worry too much about the top number." We sat there for a few minutes, and he told me that he had just been reading in a journal that tea and chocolate were good for your blood pressure, as they encouraged some sort of chemical in the kidney, and I agreed that this was good news. He took my blood pressure again, which was now 144/89. "See, that's a fair bit lower. Oh, but the bottom number's gone up. Oh well. You must just have fairly changeable blood pressure. Never mind, just have it checked again next time you get your pill prescription."
Ha! Take that Dr Coping Skills! I'm coping just fine.
I'm now wondering whether Dr Coping Skills is just super-sensitive to blood pressure issues. I donate blood every three months, and they've never said anything about my blood pressure, but I don't know what the cut-off is. This American site says that they accept anything under 180 systolic (the top number) and under 100 diastolic (bottom number), but I'm not sure if our Red Cross would have the same guidelines. I'll check next time I donate.
I am missing Smoking Lawyer's energy in the workplace. Even though sometimes her "ohmygod, it's a complete disaster!" attitude towards the smallest of problems annoyed the crap out of me, it was a vicarious adrenalin boost, I suppose watching her metaphorically dodgem-car through her days. And I had someone to roll my eyes at and to chat to. I've been a little bored this week, partly because my workload is a bit lighter than usual. Smoking Lawyer's replacement is quiet, and is also very busy trying to catch up with all of the work she's been dumped with. I've been a little lonely, sitting in my corner, with no audience for my occasionally funny comments.
We bought another secondhand bicycle, and have been going for rides after work together, equipped with headlights and all. The air is a very pleasant temperature in these early stages of winter, refreshingly cool on sweaty skin. I was talking with our celebrant yesterday about her hiking hobby, and thinking that perhaps hiking would be more my thing in a temperate climate. I associate hiking with Daintree weather and being unbearably hot and sweaty and I never particularly enjoyed it. But I can imagine liking it better in cool weather. Then she began talking about her karate class (we were waiting for Prince Valiant to arrive), and I began to get mentally enthused about doing that.
Sometimes I think I try to like things/hobbies because I think I should like them - they fit into my romanticised idea of my personality - and not so much because I actually enjoy doing them. Like writing - I've had this thing for years about wanting to be a Writer and write a Novel and so on, and had various attempts at bashing away at stories. But I just don't really like writing. I love reading, and I love stories, and I love the idea of myself as an author. But actual fiction writing? Nah. Just doesn't interest me enough. Blogging feeds my storytelling bug, and not spending time trying to be a Writer leaves me more time to luxuriate in being a Reader, which is much more fun.
Ha! Take that Dr Coping Skills! I'm coping just fine.
I'm now wondering whether Dr Coping Skills is just super-sensitive to blood pressure issues. I donate blood every three months, and they've never said anything about my blood pressure, but I don't know what the cut-off is. This American site says that they accept anything under 180 systolic (the top number) and under 100 diastolic (bottom number), but I'm not sure if our Red Cross would have the same guidelines. I'll check next time I donate.
***
I am missing Smoking Lawyer's energy in the workplace. Even though sometimes her "ohmygod, it's a complete disaster!" attitude towards the smallest of problems annoyed the crap out of me, it was a vicarious adrenalin boost, I suppose watching her metaphorically dodgem-car through her days. And I had someone to roll my eyes at and to chat to. I've been a little bored this week, partly because my workload is a bit lighter than usual. Smoking Lawyer's replacement is quiet, and is also very busy trying to catch up with all of the work she's been dumped with. I've been a little lonely, sitting in my corner, with no audience for my occasionally funny comments.
***
We bought another secondhand bicycle, and have been going for rides after work together, equipped with headlights and all. The air is a very pleasant temperature in these early stages of winter, refreshingly cool on sweaty skin. I was talking with our celebrant yesterday about her hiking hobby, and thinking that perhaps hiking would be more my thing in a temperate climate. I associate hiking with Daintree weather and being unbearably hot and sweaty and I never particularly enjoyed it. But I can imagine liking it better in cool weather. Then she began talking about her karate class (we were waiting for Prince Valiant to arrive), and I began to get mentally enthused about doing that.
Sometimes I think I try to like things/hobbies because I think I should like them - they fit into my romanticised idea of my personality - and not so much because I actually enjoy doing them. Like writing - I've had this thing for years about wanting to be a Writer and write a Novel and so on, and had various attempts at bashing away at stories. But I just don't really like writing. I love reading, and I love stories, and I love the idea of myself as an author. But actual fiction writing? Nah. Just doesn't interest me enough. Blogging feeds my storytelling bug, and not spending time trying to be a Writer leaves me more time to luxuriate in being a Reader, which is much more fun.
4 comments:
Isn't is crazy how you can have the same condition, but switching doctors can give you a whole new outlook? That happened to me when we were dealing with infertility and I was left wondering why I didn't switch sooner.
I just finished reading Temeraire. Please tell me there is a sequel to it, because I want to read more, more, more!
I love all this good news about chocolate. I've been developing a taste for 85% chocolate and since my blood pressure was 100/70 the other day (the dr. said this was 'perfect'), then there's obviously some merit in the claim.
Personally, I like to imagine myself as someone who enjoys exercise.
It is strange TB - although it made me wonder whether I was just waiting to have my own opinion confirmed (ie this is nothing to worry about).
There are two sequels so far A-R - and many more to come, according to the author.
Wow, that's so low Kirsty - I have just been reading The Lollipop Shoes, Joanne Harris' sequel to Chocolat, and it's made me crave proper hot chocolate made with some very high percentage dark chocolate :-)
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