Phil version 2.0

“ I've been mad  for f**king years ...” Pink Floyd 1973   But  I am  sad  -  not  mad !     You might have noticed that this post is published rather later, than usual ...   ... There’s a good reason for this - I’d written a long and rambling piece and then decided (with guidance) at the last moment, to rip it up and start again!   Its replacement is pretty short - you will no doubt, be pleased to hear!   What I’m thinking about now, is how I see myself and how others see me. In particular, the manner in which I would rather not be described (nor see myself in such a way) and my preference in this respect:   Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, might have thought of himself, as “mad”, and that view, may well have been shared, but I don’t like it, myself. To adopt more formal and polite terminology, I am also uncomfortable with the description, “mentally ill”.   Of course, such expressions might be used as euphemisms, for precise and individualised psychological states, but I worry a little, a

“It'll work itself out fine, All we need is just a little patience”   (Guns N’ Roses 1989) The inspiration for this post is really twofold (although I could have mentioned quite a few other things!):   ·        First, I propose to commence a new hobby. Namely, the cultivation of Bonsai trees. Once the seeds are planted though, an end product is at least, two years away.   ·        Further, I work out with weights and undertake abdominal exercises on a daily basis. I do know that plenty of people will say that weight training is nothing more than a route to strength and fitness. I am however, a little more honest - to me, it is all about building vanity muscles. I am after a “ripped, beach body”! Sadly, there are no signs of this yet and probably never will be, unless I keep at it for a  very  long time. I might be after a “six pack”, but the only one that I’m likely to get, can be purchased in an off-licence!   What these things have in common, is that they all require patience - a

  “Forward thinking ...     ... or thinking about the foreword?   ... or maybe, a bit of both?”    (Phil v2.0 2021) I know that I have said on more than one occasion, that it makes sense to spend a little less time thinking about the  uncertain  future (and indeed, the  unalterable  past). That doesn’t mean though, that it is always, a good idea to cast it completely, from one’s mind - and in many situations, some  thinking ahead  doesn’t go amiss.   I will now, share a little of something, which is  on my own horizon  and to which I am giving some prospective consideration - IE I am doing a bit of  forward thinking.   The clue is in the second part of the heading - namely, a foreword.   As I’ve mentioned before , my activities are of vital importance to my emotional wellbeing.  Accordingly, I am to a great extent reliant on the input of occupational therapists. Through this, I have developed a particular interest in some of the background to their work and have commenced a sharing of

  “Routine keeps me in line Helps me pass the time ..."   (Steven Wilson 2015)   With advance apologies - some (much?) of this has been said before. It is though, sufficiently important to me (and indeed, topical) to devote a whole post to the subject.    What I am talking about here, is  the importance to Phil v2.0, of day-to-day routine.   The reason for its recent relevance and motivation to write this, is the extent to which Christmas and New Year are disruptive of our normal routines.   It does of course, disrupt everyone’s normal activities. Mine are perhaps though, a little more shook up than those of many others - for example, my day-to-day care arrangements have been forced temporarily, to change.   More importantly though, is (as I’ve said) the great extent, to which a consistent routine is important to me (in many more circumstances than at Christmas).   So why is such a lifestyle so important to me?   A big reason is that I now suffer from executive dysfunction, by vir