apolz

[adelaidesean]

A quick note to apologise to anyone waiting for an e-mail from me, or for something of substace to appear in this particular forum.  For once it's not a case of deadlines, although they have contributed to the problem.  I'm suffering RSI and undergoing treatment for the same, and therefore exploring a variety of options like fancy keyboards and voice recognition software (not "oyster commission software" as the programme originally understood it to be)  to see things right.

But it's not all bad, not by a long chalk.  When not editing or coming up with ideas or future series, I've been watching Doctor Who DVDs, catching up on Carnivale, and seeing the odd circus act at the Adelaide Fringe.  Loving the cooler weather.  Reading some great books.  Eating chocolate.  And so on.

Oh, it's wonderful not to have to write 3 1/2 thousand words a day any more.  (Never again ...)

Comments

[keris45.livejournal.com]

The first thing I did was buy a huge study table that was completely adjustable with an ergomonic adjustable chair. For the first time in my life I was actually seated at furniture the correct height for someone originally just scraping 5'2" - and now shrinking. At the same I got a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard and a larger monitor screen. (Ok, with all that, there went one book advance...)

Those changes made a wonderful difference. I still have the problem, I still have ulnar palsy as well as wrist problems, but they are all under control and not getting any worse. Only very rarely do I have to take NSAIDs in order to work.

About the only medical advice I could get was: don't do whatever it was you were doing to get yourself in this state.

Right.

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

That's like my doctor telling me not to stress. Fine. How do I get rid of my boss? I draw the line at murder.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Yup, I'm getting that too. I've had the ergonomic chair and ergonomic keyboard for ages now, so all I can do is try voice recognition and physio and hope for the best. Oh, and slowing down, like that's ever to happen. :-)

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

And no mammoth book signing sessions. BTW are you going to Worldcon?

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

yeah, the signing thing is a bit nerve wracking. Will definitely be at WorldCon, and at comic con in july too plus a con in New Zealand in August. Might be time to start thinking about training a robotic arm, maybe even a whole robot body. :-)

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

Hopefully, ww'll see you there and say hi. Con fees paid, flights and accomodation booked. Our original plans of driving down have been changed because of my work (major, and I mean major, audit of hospital on the week BEFORE the con. Bugger them), so we are flying down and staying on after the con for some fun and shopping.

Me, I want an exoskeleton, with rocket launchers.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

with a jetpack!

it'll be great to see in Melbourne. Seems like years away but I'm sure it will come upon us very quickly ...

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

I'm really going to be relaxing when we get there. The next six months is going to be frantic at work, and the last month before the Audit will be hell. I will have deserved my break by then.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

I'll say!

Cons are weird, because they can be so exhausting but at the same time so energising. I think it took me a month to recover from the last WorldCon in Melbourne. :-)

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

Cons are very different experiences for you than for me. Let's put it this way, if I get bored, or annoyed, or need a break, I'm heading for the Art Gallery. I get on very well with paintings.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

:-) Sounds great. I tend to spend half my cons hiding in my hotel room doing work, or pretending to, in order to give me a break from people. I mean, I love people but I'm not so fond of crowds. Comic Con fills me with dread!

the Melbourne con will be full of friends that I haven't seen for a long time. I'm looking forward to it.