Tuesday 30 April 2002

Pic of the day: Tenacity in spring.

Month's end

Having an online journal is nifty in this: I can spot patterns. And during the three Aprils that I have had this journal, it is a clear pattern that my hand and wrist grows worse over the course of the month. This pretty clearly links the condition to work, where I have a special task at this time of the year. Also it seems to grow gradually worse for each year.

Next year, if I am still around, I will take sick leave from the middle of the month or so and out April. I should have done it this year, but I didn't want my doctor to find out where I work.

***

But now the month is over, thank the Light. By sheer providence, the high holy day of Socialism is celebrated as a day off from work here in Norway, on May 1. So I get to rest my arm at least somewhat. For some reason, typing at work is worse than at home. (Not that it is too good here either.) I read recently that stress combined with static work is bad, while static work without stress is mostly harmless. Something about how the blood flow is restricted, and certain chemicals (prostaglandins perhaps?) are not washed out of the body parts in question. Instead they create local inflammations.

There are few things less stressful to me than a day off from work. I acknowledge that for some, it may be the other way around. Humans are social creatures, and work is one of the watering holes where we tend to gather. But for me, IRC is more my brand of socializing. Or better yet, an evening of armor making in an online game.

Anyway, life is good despite my hurting hand. May is coming, and a day off. That is good.

I wanted to write about Christian sexual ethics again, in the light of the creepy going-ons among Catholic priests in the USA. (And probably elsewhere too.) This must be really hard on those paters who don't lean that way. How are they going to prove that? People will still suspect them of cruising for kids. It is high time for the church to stop the madness. Too much marriage is not a problem of the 21st century, I dare say. They should be so happy if they get the clergy at least to live in some semblance of order, rather than hopping at it like bunnies.

But a deeper analysis, if ever, will have to wait until my hand recovers. Perhaps next month.