As-Iffing

I’m currently in my best “as-if” mode. That’s the one where I pretend I’m just fine and go merrily around doing everything I would be doing As If I Was. Meanwhile, I’m really still dizzy – though not as bad a I was on Saturday, thank goodness. This is becoming a recurring pain in the…what? Ears? Eyes? Head? Last time was in August-September. Though it was very mild then, it lasted for weeks, right into my vacation. It’s so annoying for it to be back again. Doc isn’t too concerned about finding out what’s causing it. It’s not too debilitating and it goes away by itself so no big deal. We originally thought it was labyrinthitis but that is caused by an inflammation and usually doesn’t recur the way my Dizzies have. I did more research and found that it’s likely that I have Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo which is actually more common and my symptoms match more precisely. Too many “ear rocks” collecting in the wrong place! There are some exercises to put them in a less sensitive area that I might try. Though I probably should get help from a professional. Apparently moving around normally helps get over BPPV faster! So I guess my as-iffing is a good thing.

Speaking of professionals, I’m going to see the dermatologist for the first time on Wednesday. I’m hoping to get some relief for the eczema that has been driving me nuts since last May. It started on my feet and now is affecting my shins and the palms of my hands. I’m dead sure it’s a food allergy of some sort but I haven’t been able to totally pin down all the combinations that might contribute. It keeps shifting. Sigh. I sound like such an old crock, don’t I? Not fair really. I’m truly stronger and more healthy than I’ve been in years. Apart from a couple of minor details.

Yesterday was the one non-rainy day in quite awhile so T-Man and I decided that (dizzy or no) we were going for a walk. We had a few errands to run, not least of which was getting fruits and veggies from our favourite market. I held his arm and did ok except when we were in a too-warm store. I was dressed for outdoors – winter, not summer.

OK, ‘nuff said. As if I’m just fine. I am.

Moving right along. I’ve been working on my upcoming lecture and I’ve discovered that information on some of the fibres I’ve been researching is…conflicting. Occasionally vague. Sometimes misleading. Perhaps outright incorrect. This particularly refers to the “manmade” natural fibres like soybean and milk proteins, corn, tencel, bamboo etc. I’m certain there’s some hiding of the complete facts because there are Trade Secrets involved with the “manufactured” part of these fibres – somebody wants to make a profit on their exclusive techniques. I don’t blame them really but I would like at least a general idea of how they are made so that I can form an opinion on the rampant claims of “sustainable”, “green” (an over-used term if ever there was one!), “eco-friendly” (just as over-used), etc. Man, it’s like trying to untangle a skein of fine silk yarn after the cat’s gotten hold of it!

Naturally (heh!) I had to do more research. Still came up with some stuff that promotes or disparages different fibres and processes. Seems everyone has an opinion or something to sell you! Even natural fibres are not free of this “eco-politics”. This is really becoming an interesting hunt for information. And I still have to distil it all down into some kind of coherent talk. Yikes.