And onward into March, my birthday month!
This month I got to celebrate another birthday...
Well, I used to say it was "steady" when I was overflowing with work, but that term has a whole different context now, so lets just say that work and life both are best described as full on, or hectic.
Camel riding.
My partners daughter and I have had a long running bit of banter relating to camel rides. Many years ago when I first got to know my partner and her two small kids, we trotted off to the local school fete and amongst the activities was camel rides. It was duly decided that Glenda would go with Matthew and I would follow behind on the next camel with Kaitlyn - about four at the time. So off Glenda and Matthew went on camel one, but Kaitlyn flat out refused to get on the next camel, and consequently I also missed out on the camel ride. No matter, I would go the next year. However - the camels have never attended another local fete since and hence the long running dig at Kaitlyn about me never being on a camel ride.
Until now.
Bless her - for my birthday she found, sourced tickets and arranged for us BOTH to go on a camel ride at a farm 45 mins from home. It was very thoughtful and I enjoyed the fact that she had arranged all this and kept it secret before hand. It was a lovely morning out :)
Help with Parkinson's awareness and advocacy.
Parkinson's and related research, meetings and groups are becoming more a part of my existence these days, and am making an effort to spread awareness. There are some upcoming events including the AGM of Parkinson's Fighters United at the end of the month, and it is likely I may pick up a role of some type.
Parkinson's Queensland are planning a variation on the "Walk in the Park" fundraiser with a very long meandering walk from Greenslopes to Coolum concluding on World Parkinson's Day. I am definitely going to be involved by walking a part of the way - maybe 5km at the start and 5km at the end - will see what the plans are and rope in some of my Wild West Endians from the 4101 group if I can to help fundraise.I am participating in the MS moonlight Walk - 5km this month so will get a chance to encourage my contacts in that group to join / support me.
2021-03-24
Started my fundraising page for the RWB (really big walk) and set 100 km goal for walking before 11 April which is World Parkinson's awareness day. Also a fundraising target of $500. Ordered my RWB shirt and am good to go. Decided to walk a section of the RBW from Mapleton to Cooloolabin of about 16.5km on the 10th
2021-03-26
Clocked up a few kms on the MS moonlight walk with the 4101ers and naturally enough ended at the Ballistic for a quick beer.
2021-03-28
Went to the official launch of the RWB and met Joe Kelly. As it turns out they have reconfigured the walk stage and is now 26 km that day so that they have a 20km day on the final day and more time to spend celebrating. I guess i will walk until I cant walk any more, and see how far I can push my little legs.
2021-03-29
Brisbane goes into a snap 3 day lockdown and so will see how that modifies my walk schedule. Plans for pre Easter travel to Calliope to see Glenda's parents for a couple of days now in doubt.
2021-03-30
As of this morning I am currently second in the distance at 65.3 km and third in fundraising at $1171!! So grateful for all the very generous donations and way more than my original target. And the general support from everyone is amazing.
And a new hash tag #ThisIsParkinsons is being promoted.
A second meeting of the Consumer and Community Involvement Group (CCIG) for Dementia and Parkinson's Disease Research was held and I was able to provide some useful feedback to the group this time. Getting to know the personalities and format now so will be better able to make useful comments.
Changes on the home front.
Matthew, the son of my fantastic partner Glenda, has just turned 18 and has been accepted into the navy. He started 12 weeks basic training mid February down in Victoria. Its a major life event for him and he is quietly excited. Congratulations on getting his ducks in a row and heading off on this well regarded career pathway. He will end up in Wagga Wagga to learn helicopter maintenance which is awesome. Its going to mean some adjustments to "chores" allocations for bins, scraps and recycling and will also mean changes to meal production with one less in the house. At least the aircon wont be running 24hrs.
Video.
Havent really had too much time to get progress on this. I may even do some recording at that PFU AGM .
Old video tape conversion.
Limited progress - still looking for a suitable working vid camera.
Walking.
Now over 300 days in a row without missing a morning walk. Only 65 more and it will be a full year.
Medication.
No Change to the schedule or positive impact.
Visited Peter Silburn and he was happy with state of affairs. See him again end of August. He was not at all concerned with my post garden day shakes.
Research.
Still working to make the research links page a bit more useful, it was a simple list to start with but expanding to make better use of the info in it.
Pilates.
Pilates on Wednesday... amazing how I can form a positive habit so quickly. Still going and still enjoying. Some new tricks and exercises to do every week
Social Outings.
Some upcoming events in the pipeline, and some great events past.
Always look forward to "Early Friday" / "Thirsty Thursday" beers with Neil, Don and Greg plus a few other random friends.
Brewing.
My latest batch of Alcoholic Ginger beer is dwindling quickly. Cider a close second as a refreshing not sweet dinner time drink.
Garden.
Many plants didn't survive due to the heat. Have a couple of Aubergine plants with fruit and heaps of Basil. Took some rose cuttings - will wait to see if any take and grow into some replicas of the parent.
Work.
Head down and focus on delivery. Catch up is the order of the day.
Land Sailing.
Waiting for each Sunday to see what's happening at the track. Have some parts toa more stable platform for the 360 Camera ( first videos : fisheye side by side click here and the same clip rendered 360 click here )
Otherwise for me its still so far so good.
Same Same.
And that is all for just now - keep a lookout for the next post and thanks for tagging along!