An update regarding those two resolutions for 2023:
I had those done back in January, and the pics were taken two days later. The text isn't as wonky now that the healing has finished.
Archive for the 'New tricks for an old dog' Category
Resolute
Happy New Year, folks!
Only two resolutions for 2023:
1: Tick off that final Wainwright - The Nab. Three times I've had the opportunity, and three times I've not taken it. This nonsense has to stop, so to that end we've booked a week away, based in Hartsop.
2: Get a tattoo. I was all set to get one, then AML foiled the plan, the haemos saying that it was too risky. When that risk subsided, Covid took its place. Right now I don't care too much for any current risk, so I figure that I'd rather have the local tattoo-artist stick needles in me rather than let the NHS have all of the fun.
January 2013 - The Nab - too far away for us to get there, back and down before nightfall.
Fatness Tricker
The Aldi online emporium was flogging off twin-packs of these Medion Fitness Trackers, so we took a punt and nabbed a pack to see how they fared, with a view to upgrading to something more techie later if we decide that they are beneficial.
We're not in any way fitness-fanatics, but we thought that these gizmos would give us some idea how many steps we do at home each day. Being cooped-up either shielding or working-from-home, it's easy to slip into a false sense of having done enough exercise.
The Aldi blurb proclaims most of the info that anyone would need when contemplating a purchase, but here's a quick run-down of what I've found after a few weeks of use:
The thing is easy to set up and is comfortable to wear, but care is needed getting the wrist-tightness correct - if it's too loose the pulse-sensor bit loses contact with the skin, if it's too tight then circulation to the hand can be affected. Operating the unit is simple - no swiping screens, it's a click-through system with just one screen touch-sensor, so it's fairly idiot-proof. There are no buttons or whatever on the sides, so it's ambidextrous.
Charging is simple - there are no separate chargers, cables or wires, there's an integrated USB connector which is revealed by pulling off the strap. It's a neat idea but when I plug it into my laptop the device screen faces downward, not ideal for checking whether the thing is fully charged. Looks like I'll have to find a short USB extension cable after all, or use one of my USB power-banks (more on that subject in a later post).
The tracker unit is flush with "activities", I've not used any of them yet as I'm not allowed to venture into the wild, but I'm looking forward to using the walking setting next time I escape these surly bonds. The pedometer seems to catch most steps but also counts some arm motions. At my most-recent haemo clinic when having my obs done I compared the pulse readout with their hi-tech machine and the data were a close match. Sadly there's no Yoga Mode which would have been of interest to Chris, but I'm sure that if she wants to upgrade to a different device with that included she'll do so.
Setting targets is a doddle, and the tracker emits a satisfying yet discreet signal whenever a target is reached. Chris has set a motion-prompt and tells me that it works as expected but I can't vouch for it as I need no prompt to move about, most of the time I need to be restrained.
The recommended free Android app installed first time on the phone and on the tablet, and is basic and simple to operate. Chris tells me that the app DOES have a Yoga Mode but she's yet to try it, so we're interested to see how that works out. We've not yet set up Cloud access so I can't comment on that. As far as I can tell, there's no way to export data to any other app or software when in phone/tablet-only mode. Sync-period is adjustable, I found that the default setting was draining my phone so I set it to max and it's been fine since, and manual syncs are simple enough. The sleep-tracker is odd though - "Time Asleep" = Deep + Light... + Awake!?!?
All told it's good for the money - it's not flash, it's fairly-well specced, and so far it's been reliable.
Oh, and it tells the time.
Learning something new every day.
I've always claimed, for comic effect, that my verbal outbursts of obscenities whenever I'm screwed over by the NHS (or by anyone else, for that matter) are signs of me having Tourette's.
Well, I stand corrected. It is Tourette's-related but there's a specific term for it... Coprolalia.
It's from the Greek and, in layman's terms, it means... "talking shit".
Previous posts and comments have been updated accordingly.
Tea for two?
They didn't have this level of service when I was in here before. Every Friday, Ward 41 gets cakes on plates and tea in china.
So, if you're considering a visit, you know which day's best.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the Sundering Seas…
You've spent many a year wading through many of the works of the Tolkiens.
You've paddled around in the children's books.
You've dipped your toe into The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, vowing to go in knee-deep next time.
You've dived into the mysteries of Arda and have navigated the ways of Middle-earth many times.
The end of the voyage is in sight, the Quest is almost completed, each reading now extends understanding's depth rather than its scope.
But Lo!
There's more!
The Fall of Arthur.
Scheduled publication date: 23 May 2013
You can pre-order it from Amazon - see here.
I suppose I'll have to get me a copy. My bookshelves will look bare without one.
