Summer's End
Late August update on my life… What’s been going on with my health, at work and with the cottage this season. Overall, everything is pretty awesome but that awesomeness does not come easy.
Fresh off of updating my Moto Camping blog post, I thought I’d write a little something else. A general update for those who follow me.
Had a positive appointment with my quasi-new (to me) rheumatologist. She is wonderful. My disease is still under control thanks to the drugs (almost 22 years on them, totaling approx. 2.2k injections and counting) and my x-rays indicate that my total hip replacement should take away my pain. She encouraged me to call both of my surgeons (foot one at Civic campus, hip one at General) to ask where I am in the surgical cue and to also ask about getting steroid injections to help keep the pain manageable until corrective surgery happens.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get through to the foot surgeon. That’s okay, my hip is the bigger issue. I was able to reach his office. That’s when I was informed that I am not in the surgical cue after-all. Some paperwork was needed and never issued due to the hospital’s on-again-off-again lockdown orders. The surgeon had issued me a standing order which exists in my online chart. They have ordered updated x-rays in prep for the surgery back in January. I strongly believed that I was in the cue and was hoping for a replacement this winter… Alas, Module O at the Ottawa Hospital did not push the papers needed to actually book me the procedure. I will be speaking with my surgeon in early September. I’m very hopeful that we can get this sorted. The time has come and though I am scared, I know that my quality life will drastically improve post-op.
These last two weeks have been particularly hard. I generally keep a positive attitude as I have been disabled my whole life. I am very used to pain, fatigue and the sometimes isolating thoughts that come with being chronically ill. To combat the mental lows, I’ve been forcing myself to do fun stuff with friends. That has been keeping me in a positive headspace, for sure. I’ve been super social and having a great time there, no problem. A side effect of that, however, is that it’s left me pretty drained physically so I am laying low this week.
Work is going well. I do find the stairs difficult to use but as long as I take my time, they remain manageable. I love my job and appreciate the ability to work from home when I need to. Haven’t faced too much negative feedback or ‘trolling’ lately but maybe I’m just getting better at ignoring it? There are difficult days where I like to just keep it basic: play music & talk briefly about light stuff in between said music. I am noticing a lot of nasty stuff on social media directed at other public figures/those working in media (radio, tv, digital) and I struggle with trying to find a purpose for that hate filled vitriol.
Is it to be edgy? Is it for likes? Is it for online clout? Does shaming someone for doing their job make others feel better about their life? Do they know they don’t have to listen/read/consume what the object of their hate is saying/writing/producing?
I just don’t get it. I guess the point is to maybe create division so we have a big ‘us against them’ moment but what’s the goal there? It’s tiresome going down that rabbit hole and those are just some of the thoughts I’ve had based on the more coherent things I’ve seen. Then there are the messages that make zero sense which act more as a flare, drawing attention to a severe mental health situation. Overall in my world, I’d say the vibe has been fairly positive.
My cottage rental season is winding down as we inch toward winter. Typically, we shut the cabin down mid-to-late October but with the new water system we had installed this year we may get more time in before the freeze. At the mercy of Mother Nature with that one, but some of my favourite moments there happen during the ‘off season’. Another great year hosting friends and family. Looking forward to doing it again in 2023. Due to some pretty big expenses (exterminator, well/pump replacement, new chimney, new BBQ, may need a new fridge) I am hoping to get more pop-up guests later into this season/early in the next if the weather permits. Cottage ownership is as expensive as it is wonderful.
I never find enough time to write. I mean, I should be exercising right now but after only 13 minutes I had to stop. This week it’s about listening to my body. Who knows what next week will bring?
Going Private on Social Media
A week or so ago I decided I’d hit the Social Media Wall. Y’know - where the quality of interactions is on the wane and you spend more time figuring out how to make your accounts so that A: people can’t find you, or B: only a select few can actually message or interact with your profile?
Yeah.
That’s where I was at.
The news is heavy - the year has been grading (at best) - and I was just finding it hard to see the forest through the trees. Especially in terms of online content consumption and investment.
In my line of work, you have to be Open and Willing to Connect with everyone, all the time. That hasn’t changed. Everyone can connect with me, or attempt to, via this Website and on Twitter.
Facebook was the first to go. Yes, I still have a Page which I use from time to time. Generally to spread awareness about something I’m passionate about. I try to keep my Page fairly empty because, in my experience, Facebook is a magnet for negative interactions which I’m no longer interested in tolerating.
Instagram is private for the time being. Maybe I’ll open it up again but maybe not. I think there’s a real crunch to Have the Most Likes and Be the Most Followed and it starts to spiral into obligations and/or heightened expectations from strangers to spread positivity or ‘influence’ others into thinking some type of way. I like to tell the truth and a lot of the time, Social Media expectations don’t really reflect that.
The observations I’ve made in ‘going private’ have been this:
more meaningful conversations or interactions with real people and friends
less spam, bots and targeted ads
seeing more things on my timeline that make me happy or feel engaged
That’s what I want at this time. Take control of your social media profiles and use it in a way that works for you.
The AV Social Hour: 'Ghost Stories'
Been feeling haunted lately? You’re not alone. Ask and you shall receive… The Thursday, May 7th edition of our weekly Social Hour (live chat) had a theme and that theme was ‘ghost stories and spiritual encounters’. I didn’t even get to all of your stories, though some are available here and here.
One of the stories submitted by Mandy on Facebook includes pictures, so with her permission I am including that story here:
MANDY’S ENCOUNTER
“My fiancé and I went to Fort Henry in October for their haunted walk. A few things happened but the best one was coming into the bakery and all of a sudden i started getting dizzy and kept burping like crazy like I was ready to puke. Well, come to find out the spirit that died in that kitchen was not a happy one and seeing as I am an empath, I guess I was the only one she could get too. After leaving that kitchen, we went back outside. I felt this feeling come over of me and my fiancé had the camera. This is the picture he captured just as I walked out the door
The Amy Volume Social Hour
Born of boredom, I decided to talk aimlessly for an hour every Thursday night until physical, IRL social restrictions are eased. I answer questions submitted by YOU via social media or by direct message and we have some fun!
“Where did the ‘Volume’ name come from?”, “Top 3 local breweries?”, “Best memory from Capital Music Hall?” and the question that stumped me most, “What’s your guilty pleasure song that others would find shocking?”
Thursday nights at 8PM EST, I answer all your questions and we shoot the breeze, live.
Here’s our chat from Thursday, April 30th. The 3rd installment.
Click here to send me a question or comment below!