The smart person buys a Chevrolet. That is what we used to say about the old Ford commercial. I suppose since Chev has let me down I'm down to only caring for Chrysler vehicles as far as domestics go. So far the Toyota has been great.
But, that is not the reason for the title of this post. In the last week and a half or so I have experienced some extremely tight muscles in the left side of my neck which had been accompanied by sporadic numbness and periodic weakness in my left arm and shoulder. Some spasms, some tingling as though waking up from being asleep in places where I do not have any sensation and other symptoms that seem a little bit like a downed power line sparking and jumping around the ground from place to place. It is my hope that it is nothing serious or if it is something that requires attention that it can be diagnosed easily and treated promptly. Thankfully, after being told that my family doctor's first appointment was not until December 7, I was able to explain the situation and getting in just over a week. Though, because of the numbness and weakness it was recommended that I go to emergency or the walk-in clinic. I'm pretty sure the message that was left for him did not include the duration of the symptoms and that his concern over me having a stroke or heart attack were very likely unfounded.
I'm pretty certain that had I gone to one of those locations I would have been told that I would need a referral to a specialist from my GP anyway. Why spend eight hours in an ER waiting room just to be told to go home, have a nap and talk to my GP. I don't mean to be cynical but I have had some less than encouraging experiences in those places and cannot give them my full trust.
But, that is not the reason for the title of this post. In the last week and a half or so I have experienced some extremely tight muscles in the left side of my neck which had been accompanied by sporadic numbness and periodic weakness in my left arm and shoulder. Some spasms, some tingling as though waking up from being asleep in places where I do not have any sensation and other symptoms that seem a little bit like a downed power line sparking and jumping around the ground from place to place. It is my hope that it is nothing serious or if it is something that requires attention that it can be diagnosed easily and treated promptly. Thankfully, after being told that my family doctor's first appointment was not until December 7, I was able to explain the situation and getting in just over a week. Though, because of the numbness and weakness it was recommended that I go to emergency or the walk-in clinic. I'm pretty sure the message that was left for him did not include the duration of the symptoms and that his concern over me having a stroke or heart attack were very likely unfounded.
I'm pretty certain that had I gone to one of those locations I would have been told that I would need a referral to a specialist from my GP anyway. Why spend eight hours in an ER waiting room just to be told to go home, have a nap and talk to my GP. I don't mean to be cynical but I have had some less than encouraging experiences in those places and cannot give them my full trust.
As with the first big opportunity I ever had to make some photos for a young hockey team, I got sick, really sick, just before it was about to take place. There I was a week before one of biggest shoots we've ever done and I'm not feeling 100%. Thankfully Angela's capable massage therapist hands have kept me functioning and I'm sure that we will make photos that will please our client tomorrow but I certainly am praying for enough function to do a top-notch job. Then, comes the game of patience waiting for appointments and hopefully solutions.
I'm hoping that the timing of these very likely appointments coincide nicely with a number of other events that I really hoping to be able to participate in. Congregation photos, additional work for the client we will be working with tomorrow, another round of congregation photos, website work for our church, and largest of all, Help-Portrait on December 10. That was by far the most fulfilling thing I've ever done with my camera and I really hope to feel confident enough to commit to a full day of making portraits for those less fortunate or who would otherwise never be able to afford a professionally made photograph of themselves.
This year the plan is to provide food, educational booths, possibly a health practitioner on site, financial advice to keep people busy after they have had their portrait made while we process and print for them before they leave on the very same day. This should be an excellent way to make sure everybody gets their photo quickly and not have to come back the following week as they did last year.
You can see why I want to be a part of this.
I'm hoping that the timing of these very likely appointments coincide nicely with a number of other events that I really hoping to be able to participate in. Congregation photos, additional work for the client we will be working with tomorrow, another round of congregation photos, website work for our church, and largest of all, Help-Portrait on December 10. That was by far the most fulfilling thing I've ever done with my camera and I really hope to feel confident enough to commit to a full day of making portraits for those less fortunate or who would otherwise never be able to afford a professionally made photograph of themselves.
This year the plan is to provide food, educational booths, possibly a health practitioner on site, financial advice to keep people busy after they have had their portrait made while we process and print for them before they leave on the very same day. This should be an excellent way to make sure everybody gets their photo quickly and not have to come back the following week as they did last year.
You can see why I want to be a part of this.
More experienced photographers will be pairing up with less experienced photographers so everybody is learning together. Rotating between shooting, processing and any other duties will make sure everybody gets a nice proportion of opportunity to help in all areas. All I can say is that this year is not going to be a mild improvement from last year, it is going to be a substantial leap forward in what it is going to do for people, and not just those receiving a portrait.
I will try to keep this space bit more active in the next little while. It's good to be busy but I also want to make sure to keep those interested informed on things that are going on.
I leave you with a photo that seemed to be pretty popular on Facebook and may just give you a feeling of warmth in these increasingly chilly days.
I will try to keep this space bit more active in the next little while. It's good to be busy but I also want to make sure to keep those interested informed on things that are going on.
I leave you with a photo that seemed to be pretty popular on Facebook and may just give you a feeling of warmth in these increasingly chilly days.
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