Maddi

Well, since everybody seems to be complaining of the cold now, a pair of home-knit woollen underpants would be just the thing, eh?

Okay, maybe not.

Happy Birthday, Ben!

Tell us some more about it, we want to know how you spent your simple yet excellent birthday...!

Hmm, there's quite a few things that spook me...

- visits to the dentist

- Arachnida in general, and Daddy Long-legs/harvestmen especially, for the creepy noise they make when they zoom around the ceiling

- wasps (oh, the times I've run around trying to shake off one of those horrid creatures...)

- deep water (this also fascinates me - I love watching documentaries about the Deep Sea)

- the look and texture of raw liver and fish skin

- cow eyes on a tray, ready for dissection

The funny thing is, I'm not afraid of family members or friends dying. Ever an optimist, I still intend to become 100 years old in spite of my current medical problem... and fully expect everybody else to have the same wish (and good health). The possible death of a loved one is something I never ever think about, and therefore am not afraid of. Ignorance is bliss, I guess. :rolleyes:

Aw. Thank you, Inca... :happy:

How funny... I never thought I'd see another Keanu-appreciation thread here again, but there you are...!

Hahaha, I think I had my first 'Keanu moment' back in 1988, when I watched Dangerous Liaisons and was simply baffled at how the Glenn Close character could prefer John Malkovich' ugly count Valmont over this exquisitely beautiful creature that so adoringly waited for her in her boudoir. I watched eagerly when the credits rolled, and ever since his name has been stuck in my brain.

I agree that he's quite brilliant in certain types of roles. I'm thinking of Matrix part I, The Gift, The Devil's Advocate... He's also capable of a deadpan delivery style that works great in comic parts. That said, I've had moments when I watched him in a film and winced. There were some horrid, toe-curling moments here and there - certain period/costume dramas... eek!

But even when he's not at his best, he's still worth watching as he smoothly moves over that big screen... there's such beauty in watching him move. Call it screen presence, call it what you like... it's there.

*sigh*

Ah, the delights of Grave's Disease. Eyes like ping pong balls, and a horrible achey pain.

So far I've been lucky to have only very mild eye symptoms, and only when I overdosed on the thyroxin and became a little hyper. My last blood test came up okay, and the eye trouble is over now.

Any little thing would set me off crying or screaming, yuri is really special to cope with it, because it does turn you into a hysterical mess, I'm afraid.

Actually, my problems came from being hypothyroid (= not enough thyroid hormone for your body's needs). In the Netherlands they give you a high daily dose of Strumazol (30 mg), to slow your thyroid down till it does practically nothing. When your lab values are normal they add thyroxin for balance. I'm very sensitive to the thyroxin though, and went hyper on the prescribed dose. So I had to quit again, and try again after a few weeks. Same result. In the meantime I became pretty hypo, which makes you dull and slow, and depressed. I've had anxiety attacks too, and my hair started falling out...

Anyway, my third attempt with the thyroxin worked when I built it up very very slowly, and now it seems I've found more or less the right dose.

I assume you'll be prescribed thyroxin, which the specialist said has no long term bad effects, but you'll need it if your thyroid's removed.

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They won't totally remove my thyroid, thank heaven, just enough to prevent it from becoming hyperactive again. Usually they keep on the safe side, so you're more likely to end up a little hypo after the operation. Most patients end up being hypo post-op after a number of years, and have to take a small dose of thyroxin for the rest of their lives.

A male colleague of mine had a thyroid operation some years ago, and he's doing fine without meds. That's a comfort to know, as well as the fact that the surgeon who will do the operation has a very good track record.

Happy Birthday, John! Have a good one.

I'll drink to your birthday tonight, if that's okay with you, I just got out of bed... *raises coffee mug*

I spent most of last night sitting on a coach watching LotR part I on video. And when I got home I went straight to bed cos I was tired.

That doesn't sound very exciting, does it? Okay, then I'll tell you what came before the 'sitting on the bus'-part...

Yesterday I went on a company outing to a small village in Germany called Lathen. This little spot on the map happens to be the home of... the Transrapid International Test Center. We went flying without wings! It was an amazing experience. At full speed the Transrapid can do about 80 km in 20 minutes, isnt that great? The Maglev line could easily go to a top speed of 500 kmph if the German test track would be long enough. As it is, the top speed on the test track is *only* 412 kmph.

The inside of the train looks very much like a luxury plane cabin, except there are no seat belts anywhere. Three comfy seats on either side of the aisle, which is also much wider than the aisle of a regular train. There's hardly any noise or movement, so it doesn't feel like speeding, even at top velocity. I took pictures of the wall display, just to prove that we actually went over 400 kmph, but it felt like going but 90 km or so. When the Transrapid slows down to 160 km or so, it feels like you're practially standing still.

Afterwards we went to the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg, where they build luxury cruise ships. Think "Love Boat" and Queen Mary. Also a very interesting visit, especially the stuff about how they move these huge ships from the ship yard over the tiny river Ems to the sea.

When I was lying in bed, I thought about what it would be like to make a cruise on one of those ships. I mean the sheer luxury of it... Nah, I guess it would be kind of boring if it lasted for more than a week, wouldn't it? Hmmm... 'Ladies and gentlemen, we are approaching Puerto Vallarta, where you may spend a lovely day on shore...' Zzzzz...

I've been kind of semi-absent and very quiet around here for a while. It's not because I don't care anymore about you all - I still think this is the best forum on the Internet, with the best bunch of people you'll find anywhere! And reading the funny stuff going on here has been such a comfort when I wasn't feeling well lately...

But for the past couple of months I've been struggling with my malfunctioning thyroid. The treatment wasn't working properly, leaving me slow, dull, and dead tired after a day's work... and not at all my usual cheery self. I tend to withdraw when I'm like that, and that's why I hardly ever posted here anymore.

Well, the good news is that I'm finally getting a grip on my condition and feeling much better now.

The not-so-good news is that the internist I'm seeing has - finally - diagnosed me with Graves' Disease (at first I didn't think so, Pooka, but I was wrong... ). The prognosis of being cured by medication alone is practically nil in my case. Of the two permanent solutions, a thyroid operation currently looks like the best option. (It's scary though... they cut your throat open from side to side :unsure: ). I've given myself a few weeks to weigh the options, and then I'll have to decide and go for it.

You know, I've always been pretty healthy (or at least I believed I was, which is perhaps even more important) and it hasn't been easy to accept that this is no longer the case. Meanwhile, I haven't been the nicest person to be around. Poor Yuri has had to cope with my dullness, mood swings and fretting for months. Seriously, when I think of it, I'm ashamed of myself. I know it was a result of the thyroid condition/medication, and I couldn't help it at the time, but it's still rather upsetting to find out how much our mental processes are controlled by our hormones.

Anyway, things are looking up... and I expect I'll be back here much more often from now on. :D

My mum and dad are celebrating their 41st wedding anniverary tomorrow. My sister and I booked them a weekend at the Chateau Holtmuehle Hotel for the occasion. Looks like it's a big success, my dad just texted me: "We're in the most fantaaaaaaaastic hotel, you've arranged something wonderful. Thanks very much. Mum and dad."

Over the years, they've had their difficulties, like most married couples, but I'm truly glad that they're still together and happy.

Count me in please. Last year's Secret Santa was a lot of fun, and I might even come up with something better this year, now that my brain has cleared up a bit... :wink:

Ah well Mark, it's plain that you and Yuri are true metro men... nothing wrong with that.

I would like someone to be gayer than me, please. I feel misrepresented.

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Bwahahaha, Yuri got 63% gay!!

*pats Mark on the back* Feeling better now, Mark?

Hmm... weird questions. :rolleyes:

Maddi is 43 percent gay! Congratulations! You've scored right in hte middle and are a happy and well adjusted hetero babe!

Well... if I could erase His Divine Chubbiness (aka Yuri) from my mind and heart, there might perhaps be room for a crush on forum members. But as it is, there's just one 'special someone'...

I'll always have a soft spot for Rogan though. :wink:

Inca. Inca. Whatevr happend to Gina Davis? She used to be in movies but shes not im movies anymore. Shes attractive enoujgh, but there's too much gum whne she smiles. Its not a good tooth to gum ratio.

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Sorry for barging in dead sober...

I used to like Geena a lot too. After the unfortunate Renny Harlin episode, she married a doctor I think, and had babies. And hung out with mice a lot (Stuart Little 1 & 2 :rolleyes:). But there's good news, she's back! Starring in a tv series called Commander in Chief. Plot outline on IMDB: MacKenzie Allen (Geena Davies) becomes the first woman American president after she ascends to the job following the death of president Teddy Bridges." Sounds interesting. Um, not enough to buy a tv though...

Wow, this was indeed the month of the concerts for me.

First Jamiroquai (Oct 7) in Rotterdam, where I went with my best friend Denise. Danced myself into near-exhaustion (not feeling too well lately, but never mind that... dance, dance, dance!) and had lots of fun. Jay Kay managed to find a head-dress that was even uglier than the one he wore on the last tour, but the light show was great.

Then three more live gigs last week. That's what happens when you've got a nerdy boyfriend who loves new bands and eighties music. Saw Art Brut in Utrecht last Saturday (which was the most fun, the singer can't sing but he's a natural entertainer and a bit of a stand-up comedian), The Editors on Wednesday in Amsterdam (hmmm, very Joy Division), and The Veils on Friday at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.

I don't know anything about new bands and all, but I was impressed by The Veils. The gig was kind of a new songs try-out (Yuri recognised only 3 or 4 songs of the debut album, the rest of the songs were brand new), which left some of the audience in confusion. They would cheer very loud when a familiar song was played, and otherwise stand around not knowing what to expect. The vocals were very intense, a kind of crossover of Richard Ashcroft and Jeff Buckley. Also some hints of Sixteen Horsepower. I loved the second encore - Guiding Light - which was performed hauntingly beautiful by just the singer with his guitar.

It's getting crowded in that left corner, isn't it?

I'm Economic left/right: - 5.00, and Social Libertarian/Authoritarian - 4.56.

I'll see if I can get Yuri to do the test, he's bound to be more on the 'right' side... or so he thinks. :wink:

You have no idea how funny all this stuff sounds to a total outsider like me. :lol:

Mmm... this is a fine trailer. There's a lot happening in the book, I'm curious how they're going to cram all that into, say, 2.5 hours of film... Indeed, the Veela girl who is supposed to make our knees go weak isn't all that hot, but the boy who plays Victor Krum is quite studly, which kind of eliminates the mystery as to why Hermione likes him... strange.

Wow, Red... it's been a very successful week for you, first the elections and now a fun first date with a lovely woman. Congrats, and keep us posted, haha!

I'm enjoying my week off. Just got back from a two-day visit to my parents. Yuri and I had planned a barbecue on Tuesday night, at their place, so we brought food and wine with us. We had lamb chops, chicken shish kebab, marinated tuna, and spicy sausages on the grill. We all had a great time, and if Yuri didn't have another job interview today, we might have stayed longer. Preparing dinner with Yuri is such fun, I love that he loves to cook. I'm already looking forward to X-mas, and cooking the family X-mas dinner together. :happy:

PS: the scarf hasn't grown since the last update, but my mum liked it very much.

Yuri wants to know if there are any Smiths and Joy Division fans on the forums. And if they know the series "Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors".

Don't you guys agree that he should join first before he deserves to get an answer to those questions...?

Knitting update... shawl now has a length of 49 cm. Frills/tassles/pompons still unresolved.

The boys were no. 8 in last night's pop quiz. Yuri is pissed off, cos he says The Pogues are a London-Irish band, but the organisers said that answer was wrong. If the answer had been counted as a right answer, the boys would have been at no. 4. That would have meant they would co-organise the next pop quiz in December, and think up the questions. So now they're all going to be grumpy for the next couple of days. :wink:

Avaunt, I'm so sorry for you and your friend and his family. That's truly heartbreaking.

I'm so sorry to hear this, Christian. Especially after all you've been through. Hang in there buddy, things will get better. *Hug*