Schrodinger's Appointment

Recently we all celebrated the birthday of the celebrated Austrian physical theorist (Well Google did, so that must mean everyone, as everyone uses Google, bar Apple fanatics and some obscure tribes of the Brazilian rainforest). Schrodinger became renowned  for his theory regarding the possible demise of  a hypothetical cat in a tense nuclear standoff reminiscent of the cold war. The moggie's very existence hung on a random (and therefore unguessable) fatal event that may or may not occur, resulting in the concluding logic that the cat could be both dead or alive at the same time.
It could be argued that any cat stuck in a box would make such noise and caffufflement, that it’s continued existence would be in no doubt. Or perhaps it would expire from suffocation anyway?

The same can be said of my previous hospital appointment. It has been cancelled and rescheduled twice, as if placed in the diary by some mad scientist. 

The continued existence of my impending surgery could have been organised by Herr Schrodinger himself. It has been moved twice now, and a further appointment has been postponed until a later date.
It may or may not take place. In physical terms the appointment exists, both in paper and in the "system", but it is as likely to be cancelled as it is likely to proceed. The probability suggests that it will be cancelled, like the previous two. Or the procedure will proceed.

I shall await both the probable and improbable outcomes. The logical conclusion to this query is that I bring along my own cat to the appointment, and see if it gets cancelled. The certain survival of a real cat at the appointment will influence the probability somewhat. Or perhaps some other random unforeseeable event will occur and disrupt both the medical staff, the cat and myself.

Arrival

Most people have a pretty positive opinion about the art of arriving. Think of glamourous international travel, cosmopolitan adventurers decanting from luxury trains, Suave Alan Whicker posing in some far flung Arab souk  The eager expectation of a birthday, anniversary or seasonal holiday, or the coming of a new film release, book.or favourite TV episode all bring the promise of feeling happy. 

Of course arrival can also turn to departure or disappointment, leaving a dark void and sadness.

Whereas sadness can both arrive and depart, departures can bring gladness, sadness can bring departure, arrivals can be accompanied by sadness and Sadeness arrived with Enigma.

It was therefore with a sense of sadness that on the day before my "chalky vein procedure", that sickness arrived, arresting my departure. A mild rumbling in the lower abdomen shortly after midnight was a sign that unpleasantness was about to arrive. 

That unexpected arrival resulted in my being somewhat flustered, and anxious. (Anxiety of course also being a precursor to departure and arrival). Anxious that I should get better soon or else miss the minor surgery at the hospital the next day. Alas short term improvement failed to turn up., and it was under a cloud of sadness that I called the hospital and cancelled the booking. This was met by understanding, sympathy and a small dose of irritation, no doubt from a dread of the additional paperwork.

The operation departed without me, and a slight melancholy descended, but this was soon dispersed with the arrival of a fresh new sparking appointment for next week.

That arrival did much to lift up my spirits

General De Gaulle?

Bon jour, Bon nuit, Bon Appetit...as they probably don't say in France.
We pay a fleeting phonetic reference to De Gaulle, President of the Fifth French Republic, co founder of the EEC, and delightfully French.

Famous oddities include objecting to the UK joining the Common Market (boo hiss), having a specially made Citroen enlarged for his enormous frame, and having a penchant for cheese and food in general....a sort of fromage homage.

De Gaulle, also rhymes with Da Goal, which is appropriate this week as I come staggering out from a renal checkup this morning with a clear set of them going forward. Goals, not French Presidents.

My bloods are good, my kidney function excellent, blood sugar levels  perfect, and my weight is......

Oops, it has risen since the onset of winter. Like a particularly desirable cuddly squirrel, I have been storing winter treats around my abode, carefully hidden from the prying eyes of others. The secret squirrel in me then forages around to make his habitat as warm and inviting as possible during this cold period, which in New Zealand stretches from June to August. Exercise has also notably slowed down to a mere heartbeat, no doubt to conserve fat and reserves, not to mention dignity for the months ahead. How galling..

Which of course is rather dim of me, as I should be taking regular exercise and eating a well balanced diet, in fact my previous diabetic diet was actually a very good diet. Maintaining an optimum intake of differing food groups, nutrients and a limitation of too much fat and sugar, is actually the best way to go!

Therefore my first three goals are to replace sugar in my drinks, cut out bread and replace with rice cakes, and start to exercise again.

Au revoir les croissants et les baguette! Rien de sucre s'il vous plait.