Not in gainful employment

Vajraloka, May 2022

Time rushes past as though it's got somewhere to go, and it's already May. No momentous announcements, but a succession of interesting activities:

• My 50th blood donation. I got a special thank-you email, and apparently will also get a certificate and a gold donor card through the post. It's probably more than 50, actually, because I've got a few of the blue cardboard wallets with a certificate or two that they used in the Olden Days and maybe didn't make it into the System. Donation has changed quite a lot since then - we are expected to drink a whole lot more water or squash before and after donating, we are encouraged to use our lower body muscles during the process (moving legs and feet, tensing and releasing buttocks), the chairs are reclined for donation and then raised again afterwards, timers are used for everything (how long to disinfect the elbow, how long to wait afterwards before raising the seat), the consent form is much more sensible, we don't get any hot drinks at the end any more, but there are much better snack options.
• Teeth report: the dental hygienist says the state of my gums continues to deteriorate slowly, but at least it's from a much improved level after the horrific surgery. I'm on the 15th set of aligners out of 37 with noticeably straighter teeth, more even interdental space and a much improved bite. So that's good; let's hope it results in no further loss of teeth.
• Music group continues; as usual I'm missing a couple of rehearsals but have forgone a weekend retreat in order to be available for the concert.
• A Buddhist Consultant came to talk to the team supporting our local group, in order to suggest ways to move forward based on what everyone's stated position is. He stayed with me for two days and nights and although he did all the consultancy work I was exhausted by the end of it. Apart from all the visitors we had a big supper, and it was all very nice and now we have to wait for the report. He gave me a couple of ideas of what might be in it and it sounds very promising.
• Lots more contact with Buddhists, including going for a walk, Monday evening study group, Tuesday evening meeting, and a special this week - I got to attend an ordination. These usually take place during a three-month retreat, often in Spain, but this one was in the Birmingham Centre. If I'm honest, it was a bit long and I didn't find it as moving as I'd expected to, but it was at the end of a long day and I was tired. Tomorrow I'm going to the celebration of Buddha Day at the Centre.
• I went to a classical music concert at the local big church with a symphony orchestra playing Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov and a saxophone concerto, so all very dramatic with lots of sweeping strings. It's been a long time since I listened to live classic music and it was great.
• During all the Buddhist consultancy and long Mayday weekend UJ was absent, firstly on a trip to her workplace in London and then on a trip to Scotland to visit Edinburgh. She also went on a coach tour to see Loch Ness and a few other sites and had a pretty good time, although she hadn't realised how big Scotland is and how much driving there would be.
• Dad had his 90th birthday, and Sister D, Lola II and I were there to celebrate along with him and mum. I cooked a milk-free sugar-free allium-free meat-and-fish-free chilli; Sister D and Lola II brought more personal presents for him. When we told him we had come for his birthday he asked us what year it was, and confirmed that yes, he was going to be 90.

Them's the highlights, and have you noticed that there's very little going on with Mr MXF? When I see there's a gap in my diary I plan to do something for him but then I end up filling the gap with something else. I think I may have to admit to myself and to him that I should be sacked.