Tuesday was a cold and rainy day, so I opted to stay in and try to get work done on my seminary class. Didn’t get as much done as I should have, but should be able to get finished up for the week today.
To answer a question on security, here’s a glimpse of why I’m not too worried having the windows open while home. The anti-pigeon defenses are also pretty good anti-critter and anti-personnel defenses too. The long sharp needles are actually part of the concrete, and the smaller spikes are not likely to easily go anywhere. Can someone get by them? Yes. However, they are probably going to be fairly noticeable and I am prepared to welcome them.
Sorry, couldn’t resist the Billa as Borg joke. My sense of humor is questionable at the best of times, and that hit me just after 0400 local time. Pre-coffee even. As I noted the other day, I have hit either the local equivalent of redneck status, or have been thoroughly assimilated as I have not one but two Billa bags I keep with me.
Billa had it’s moment of fame (or infamy) in the U.S. back during the first Trump administration when the Bulgarian defense minister (I believe) deplaned in DC carrying his things down the steps in a Billa bag. The European/Bulgarian press had a field day as it was considered a bit low class, and became a local meme. They still laugh about it.
I did get one productive thing done yesterday. As longtime readers are aware, there are all sorts of interesting things that happen when you get hit by lightning. One of the things that happened was that the fascia in my legs hardened, effectively locking the muscles in my leg into a fairly contracted state — for four years. Between some physical therapy and a lot of massage therapy from a wonderful and gifted therapist, I’m now walking almost normally again.
I, rather we (massage therapist and I) knew that the trans-Atlantic flight was not going to be fun or particularly good for me. A good deep tissue massage was highly recommended, preferably the day of arrival or the day after. I procrastinated a bit as trying to find a good, legitimate massage provider is not as easy as one might like; and, because finding someone of the caliber of my regular therapist is even harder.
Things hit a point yesterday where I finally took a chance and booked a session at a place not too far from me. It was a spa in a hotel, and the spa is huge. As in olympic size pool, mani-pedi, hair stylists, all sorts of special treatments for adults and children huge. They had a special where I could get deep tissue and more from three different therapists using three different techniques. Good price, just a little over my planned budget, so I decided to try it after being assured they could and would give my legs extra attention.
I hadn’t fully appreciated that all three would hit me at once, and once they got going I would be tag-teamed. Various limbs were grabbed, I was twisted into a pretzel, imitated a bowl of cereal (snap, crackle, pop) and with each pop I felt better. At the end, I was tossed into a jacuzzi, had the oil cleaned off me, given a cup of ginger tea, and left to simmer for a bit. By that point I was hoping I had read the price right, and on leaving found out the price was indeed the price and there was no way (or demand as it would be in the U.S.) to leave a tip. I’m moving a lot better, feel better, and at need will make use of them again. I will also listen to my regular massage therapist and do as she says, as while she is not Ivanova, she is right.
Another rainy cold day, but it’s good. Will work on the class, hope I didn’t mess up the midterm too badly (triple and quadruple guessing my answers/approach by this point), and do some more laundry. Think doing a smaller load twice a week will work better for drying than one big one.
More soon.
If you would like to help me with this trip, seminary courses, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. I’ve added Cash App ($CliffPow7) and Venmo (@Clifford-Powers-5). There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.