Phil version 2.0

  “Dear darkness, dear darkness         Now it’s your time to look after us”   (PJ Harvey 2007) As you will have gathered, I have provided a home for “darkness”, rather frequently over the last few years. Accordingly, I guess that it is time for it to give me something in return. I am however unconvinced that (with the exception of providing concealment) it is much good at looking after people. It therefore seems appropriate to look elsewhere …    Right – I’ll cut to the chase (and  it is hard to admit! )   - one of the outcomes of my injury, is that:   I need care   There – I said it! …   So – why was it difficult to do so?   As you will have gathered, the main impact of my brain injury has been negative psychological change. This has resulted in some new needs – namely the maintenance of my emotional wellbeing.    BUT   In the earlier days of Phil v2.0, I was rather in denial about these needs.  I was trying my upmost to hang on to Phil v1.0 and found it very difficult to accept my m

  I’m pink, therefore I’m Spam   Now   think  about that … Strangely enough, Rene Descartes wasn’t talking about tinned pork! What he actually said was “cogito ergo sum”, which translates into  “I think therefore I am”.   Don’t worry – this isn’t going to be any kind of philosophical discourse (because doing so would be an insurmountable challenge!) In this context, I am just thinking about the expression as a convenient articulation of the  importance to us, of thinking.    I wouldn’t go so far as to treat it as the absolute “essence of our existence”, but consider it to be pretty high on the list …   Accordingly, I can see any diminution of my cognitive abilities as somehow, making me a lesser person  – and that doesn’t exactly help my newfound and negative mental state, to say the least!   Of course, the biggest psychological outcome of my injury is emotional damage. Nevertheless, to an extent, thinking has also been adversely affected.   My long and short-term memory is very poor i

  “Never let girl cook in ya kitchen”   (Mary J. Blige 2009)   I guess artistic licence will permit the absence of a definite or an indefinite article!   I was tempted to balance out the last couple of positive posts, with some more miserable musings. That said, I’m feeling ok today, so that will have to wait until another time …    As you will have gathered , a full and meaningful lifestyle seems to be an essential tool in the maintenance of my mental health . Though I say it myself (and with outside assistance), I think I’ve made a pretty good start on its creation.   I will therefore now give you an insight into another of its  ingredients . If it isn’t obvious from the foregoing – read on and you will see why I used that word …   Last week I told you about culinary exploits, as part of my voluntary work. Well it doesn’t stop there – and many a contented hour is spent in my own kitchen.   As I just said -  “many”  hours are spent in my kitchen. This time could be reduced by the adop

    “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to  others will be the beginning of a  happier life for ourselves.”   (Helen Keller)   Not a boastful pat on my own back - just that, given who said it and the following contents, I couldn’t resist …   As I’ve already said, I can no longer work as a lawyer (nor can I undertake any other paid employment).    One thing that I can do, though, is   engage in voluntary work   – and indeed, I now do so.     In short, I help out for a few hours a week, in a local charitable institution called Walthew House. This organisation exists for the benefit of the visually and hearing impaired. Given that I am now visually impaired, myself, the line below the above picture, is a pretty accurate description!    In its own words, the charity  “works with people and organisations in the community, to provide practical and emotional support for people with a sight or hearing loss” . Given that it has just re-opened, now seems as good a time as any, to mention my own