- Joined
- Apr 21, 2018
- Messages
- 773
- Points
- 353
Please allow me to indulge with my new update...
I've received two fabulous, heavy books:-
The Ship Models at Glasgow Museum
The Oseberg Ship, by Vibeke Bischoff
The first is a pictorial catalogue of the museums vast collection of original builders models.
I'm rarely impressed and surprised at the same time, but this book is a tour de force, illustrating some of the worlds most impressive models from the iron and steel era.
Oh, how I wish I could spend a week there, to drink it all in.
The second is Ms Bischoffs Thesis/study of the 8th century ship, excavated from its burial mound in almost perfect condition and now displayed in its purpose built museum in Oslo.
This provided the template to build an accurate full scale replica.
Well, two to be honest.
Built to investigate what experimental archaeology can do.
Sadly, due to initial misunderstanding of provision of freeboard, was overwhelmed by a storm, with one fatality.
After revisions, the second example was and is a success.
And now my 'news'.
I've found determination has limits.
Last week I deliberately increased my efforts using the prosthetic in an attempt to speed up the process.
Friday involved a demanding physio appointment, which included going outside to tackle 'real world' surfaces, including grassed areas.
Of course this meant new challenges and effort, which I tackled 'creditably'.
Afterwards we had a frank discussion, laying bare crushing aspects of my capabilities.
One major aspect is my long standing disc degeneration.
This unfortunately presents my spine as a limiting factor.
Use of the prosthetic involves posture adaptation, highlighting the weekest link.
This means I have to digest uncomfortable facts.
My enthusiasm and determination will never overcome these difficulties.
The result of all last weeks efforts has been me encountering extreme pain, restricting what I can do at home. Including nights in bed awake.
It's now Wednesday and only now is the pain subsiding.
Living entirely alone I can't afford to push to the point where I can't complete the everyday tasks we all take for granted; it's an unwelcome tightrope to tread.
So my immediate prospects are; limited use of the prosthetic, with crutches; continued wheelchair dependence; probably an electric 'buggy' to give some semblance of local autonomy.
I was dreaming of more, so these factors combined, result in the first disappointment in a long time.
Quite a blow, but I have no alternative but make the most of where I am in this process.
I've ordered some hand rail grabs to be fitted outside my door and I'm confident I will be able to get out of the house, finally and be able to transit to the passenger seat of my one friends van.
To me that will be a game changer.
As is my habit, I'm not prepared to give up.
But my difficulties will continue indefinitely and it's up to me to adapt where I can.
My next domestic challenge is to set up my new laptop; a process fraught with issues of its own.
My old laptop is is well past its sell by date, having become erratic, slow and unreliable after 15 years of sterling service.
A bit like the inevitable decisions one has to face with an old pet.
Like losing a devoted friend.
EDIT:
On attempting to boot up the new device for the first time I discovered it can't find its own hard drive/operating system!
Then spent the whole morning chatting with a helpful young lady in INDIA!
None of her persuasive attempts to bring life into the damn thing worked, so I'm told to expect a courier tomorrow, to return it to HP A&E!
So this adventure continues.
I've received two fabulous, heavy books:-
The Ship Models at Glasgow Museum
The Oseberg Ship, by Vibeke Bischoff
The first is a pictorial catalogue of the museums vast collection of original builders models.
I'm rarely impressed and surprised at the same time, but this book is a tour de force, illustrating some of the worlds most impressive models from the iron and steel era.
Oh, how I wish I could spend a week there, to drink it all in.
The second is Ms Bischoffs Thesis/study of the 8th century ship, excavated from its burial mound in almost perfect condition and now displayed in its purpose built museum in Oslo.
This provided the template to build an accurate full scale replica.
Well, two to be honest.
Built to investigate what experimental archaeology can do.
Sadly, due to initial misunderstanding of provision of freeboard, was overwhelmed by a storm, with one fatality.
After revisions, the second example was and is a success.
And now my 'news'.
I've found determination has limits.
Last week I deliberately increased my efforts using the prosthetic in an attempt to speed up the process.
Friday involved a demanding physio appointment, which included going outside to tackle 'real world' surfaces, including grassed areas.
Of course this meant new challenges and effort, which I tackled 'creditably'.
Afterwards we had a frank discussion, laying bare crushing aspects of my capabilities.
One major aspect is my long standing disc degeneration.
This unfortunately presents my spine as a limiting factor.
Use of the prosthetic involves posture adaptation, highlighting the weekest link.
This means I have to digest uncomfortable facts.
My enthusiasm and determination will never overcome these difficulties.
The result of all last weeks efforts has been me encountering extreme pain, restricting what I can do at home. Including nights in bed awake.
It's now Wednesday and only now is the pain subsiding.
Living entirely alone I can't afford to push to the point where I can't complete the everyday tasks we all take for granted; it's an unwelcome tightrope to tread.
So my immediate prospects are; limited use of the prosthetic, with crutches; continued wheelchair dependence; probably an electric 'buggy' to give some semblance of local autonomy.
I was dreaming of more, so these factors combined, result in the first disappointment in a long time.
Quite a blow, but I have no alternative but make the most of where I am in this process.
I've ordered some hand rail grabs to be fitted outside my door and I'm confident I will be able to get out of the house, finally and be able to transit to the passenger seat of my one friends van.
To me that will be a game changer.
As is my habit, I'm not prepared to give up.
But my difficulties will continue indefinitely and it's up to me to adapt where I can.
My next domestic challenge is to set up my new laptop; a process fraught with issues of its own.
My old laptop is is well past its sell by date, having become erratic, slow and unreliable after 15 years of sterling service.
A bit like the inevitable decisions one has to face with an old pet.
Like losing a devoted friend.
EDIT:
On attempting to boot up the new device for the first time I discovered it can't find its own hard drive/operating system!
Then spent the whole morning chatting with a helpful young lady in INDIA!
None of her persuasive attempts to bring life into the damn thing worked, so I'm told to expect a courier tomorrow, to return it to HP A&E!
So this adventure continues.
)
