Multi-multi-tasking

[morsla]

Work is busy. It makes such a change from the relentless monotony that crushed the last few months - finally, there is so much work to do that I can pick up some different jobs. I've learned to use new equipment, and finished some client-based labwork. I'd always rather be busy than bored, to keep my mind from wandering... strangely, I'm most creative when I'm being busy. Perhaps my mind just wanders at a higher speed.

I have to write a job application by tomorrow, although I'm not expecting it to go anywhere - the last time I applied for something similar, I didn't even get a rejection email. My contract should be renewed until December, though, so I can search for work without too much desperation. While work here is improving, other jobs offer things that this cannot: a completely different style of work, and some sort of security in the form of 2-3 year contracts. I'm coming to the end of my ninth six-month contract, and the biennial stress caused by wondering if I'll be paying my rent past June is slowly getting me down.

I'm also eying the Graduate Diploma of Media and Communications and Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing (one course with electives from the other) by distance education, from Deakin. Either course would be 1 year full time (I'd probably try for 2 years Part Time while working), and a damn sight more practical than the subjects I have left in Melbourne's Media/Communications degree.

Tonight, I'm training again. My one class last week showed me how much I've lost... I can't even get into the lower stances, let alone swiftly shift from one to another. Tai Chi is great for building "slow" muscle strength in my legs though - I'm looking forward to adding an extra class in the week. I have some inflammation in my left hip though, which is preventing me from stretching properly. Can anyone suggest a natural anti-inflammatory? I can't remember what I used to use.

Tomorrow night, I'll start layout for Insurgent #2. I'm looking forward to using the software again, as it's been a couple of months since I last had it out. I have a few articles to work on, and one to write myself - good practice, as I haven't used those bits of grey matter for a while. I'm also looking forward to writing Silent Streets for RetroCon - my blurb sucked, but it gave away exactly as much information as I wanted to give the players.

The wheel is turning again, and this time I'm determined to be on top of it as it comes around...

Comments

[one-mirror.livejournal.com]

Ginger, pineapple, licorice, echinacea - that's the stuff I can think of off the top of my head that has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as chamomile too, maybe. I don't know how you are with heat and muscle pain - some people run hot, some cold - but hot baths loosen stuff up.

[one-mirror.livejournal.com]

(I think aloe-vera juice is supposed to be good, too, which would maybe be easier to get down in large quantities than herby-plant-based stuff!)

[morsla.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Ginger is what I used to use - I'd forgotten about those properties. It might explain why I've had cravings for the stuff over the last week, too.

I think I always intend to have a hot bath... and then I end up getting home after 11pm, and run out of time to properly do it justice. It's just not a real bath if it doesn't go for hours :) I haven't had too many problems with muscle pain yet (I think I will after tonight though) - last week was a matter of finding out what I've lost, while this week I'll start pushing against those boundaries.

[one-mirror.livejournal.com]

I've got no patience for baths, or water in general - 20 minutes and I'm like "Hell, what do people DO here?!"

[morsla.livejournal.com]

Meditate until you resurface to find that the water has cooled to the point of growing frost on it? ;) If we had a properly insulated bath I might stay in it 'til I dissolved.

I'm not a fan of swimming (beach, river, lake... I'll clamber around on the rocks and stay well clear of the water) but ridiculously long baths are great for repairing damaged muscles.

[virtual-munkee.livejournal.com]

read a book
listen to music REALLY loud
doze

all three of the above :)

*smirk*

[jilavre.livejournal.com]

I can think of a few things. Alcohol generally helps...

[vass]

Frozen peas? Or similar ice-pack?

[morsla.livejournal.com]

I've taken the initial swelling down - it's reached that dull, persistent sort of aggravation now. People may look at me strangely if I walk around the workplace carrying a bag of peas :)

[kikilon.livejournal.com]

Make sure that before you treat it, you're sure whether it's tendons or muscles, since conveniently what helps with one condition would aggravate the other.
As I experienced when I had my series of back issues... >_<

If you're not sure, or suspect it might be both, stay clear from temperature healing (no hot baths or cold compresses), so as to not aggravate things.

Aloe vera, both externally and internally is a great anti-inflammatory, as is the already-mentioned ginger. Another failsafe is honey. If you can stomach it, combine the three for a strong tea, drunk warm, not hot. If the pain is persistent, you could add some feverfew and/or fennel to it, too.

Oh, and that writing pgrad course sounds so goood! Hmmm... maybe I'm not done with uni yet after all... *ponders*