Dead Calm





The secret of health for both mind and body
is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future,
or anticipate troubles, but to
live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

Buddha

tedium(ti’-) n. tiresomely long, tediousness, wearisome, irksome.




I have no right to be bored and tired of my daily grind. Only this morning I woke and, despite the gloom of the early hour, I managed to express my thanks for yet another day. But not everyday can be filled with wonder and awe with me bouncing around like a spring lamb. Don’t worry, I’m not clinically depressed… just a little kitchen ‘stressed’.

The weeks now seem to fly through with very little to excite, amuse or downright frighten me! For the first time in my life I have experienced the feeling of personal detachment caused by you lot all going out working during the daylight hours! No extra breakfasts at a greasy spoon down the seafront, no one to play snooker or golf with because you all have demanding and stressful jobs…so thoughtless! Don’t get me wrong, I love my freedom to potter around at my discretion and to be honest I wouldn’t change 95% of it, but I can get really bored with my own company. Now, don’t all ring up and send thousands of emails to keep me busy!

The radio in the kitchen harks to the ever-cheerful Chris Evans trying to keep the Nation in good spirits and providing in my case that all important outside connection during the day. I’m not bored, I have loads of things I could be doing from painting and decorating to playing with my toys and I know that no one will complain about my slovenliness, the house is clean and the washing done, but occasionally I miss the hassle and pain of a trying day, as most were when working with the airlines. The flying itself was of course a huge adrenaline boost to the day, the ever present mechanical and administrative problems to manage and of course the responsibility of passengers and crew safety. Now my skills are re-balanced and honed to more domestic tasks such as deciding whether the washing goes on a 40 degrees long cycle or short wash? Most days I don’t mind it, and there is a curious satisfaction in completing tasks no matter how mundane. I’m sorry to admit that I have a notebook in which I list all the days’ duties, and tasks. I like to believe it is because I am so organised but, in truth I am just forgetful. In fact I have been so sad as to add an unscheduled task I had just completed to the list, just to have the satisfaction of drawing a line through it to prove completion! How sad is that? Job Done!

…and how curious life is. I had no sooner finished the rant above than a friend turns up and we go for lunch! (Just lost the sympathy vote I think).

“GET A JOB” I hear you all cry together but, I cannot commit to serious work due to the concoction of side effects which at the very least would render me unconscious by mid afternoon. I can fight the need to close my eyes, but sleep invariably wins and I pass out soundly for an indeterminate length of time if I am not too careful. Even now at 1355 I am deep yawning, perhaps that was the surprise lunch. Does eating make you tired? Good job no alcohol was involved… I wouldn’t be here at all!

I’m a little early on the medical reporting. I have my three month scan next week and the report the week after, but as far as I know there is nothing to be concerned about.

Richard

N.B. For the airline peoples that get this blog, I was going to offer my services direct to the only airline that will fly a scheduled service into Southend, as their Company dispatcher/agent. Personal attention for one flight a day…part-time. I’m sure it would work. If I could sell it…if I want to sell it.