Graham says

Hi Cammy,

I'm sending this message on both e mail and Shelfari to ensure that you get it. Sorry I didn't reply yesterday, but Shelfari did not send me a message that there was a note to read. It was only late, just as I was about to switch off that I saw it.

The picture with your sister is a real winner; the sort that should be on a family portrait. Your Grounds Crew colleagues seemed to have been a great pair, and made the event a pleasure rather rhan a chore. I agree that real friends are those that accept us for who we are, rather than the typical 'fair weather' sort, whose friendship is superficial. I'm sure a reunion between the three of you would be a lot of fun.

The DeviantArt pictures were so delightful! Thanks so much for showing me them. I enjoyed them, as it gave me great insight into the life you lead.

Some might say 'no pain, no gain', but it shouldn't apply to the muscular problems you've been having. The pain is like you have done a lot of exercises when you haven't. The worst thing is that the treatments do not seem to be getting anywhere. If things had started easing, that would be very different.

It must have been so difficult for your sister moving around, not able to settle down in schools. You finally got that stability in senior year. With better grades, it enabled you to get where you are now, Cammy.

Like I said in the short message, I did full view the pic of you and your sister. You manage to take a good pic. I have to be careful. If I smile the wrong way, I look awful. My current passport picture is really grim. I had a cold at the time it was taken as well, and look gruesome!

I can well understand that as a young teenager, you were apphrehensive about growing into an independant young woman. Entering college has helped you, though it's nothing I could ever do. The nerves would set me back and give me seizures. You've accomplished a lot in the time you've been there, Cammy. Give it time and you will be more your own self.

I think you'll find, Cammy, that the characters tend to write the stories themselves; in my blog (Captain Picard's Journal), a story I write might start out with one intention, but divert completely because of what a character would do in the situation, or perhaps a sudden thought might change the direction. I had the story at the Artificial Life Forms Convention, then decided to put in a beauty pageant in the story. I considered what Seven of Nine's reaction might be, then added Six as a constant from Battlestar Galactica! You control your characters, but what they could do in the circumstances can spark your creativity.

Things indeed sound unco-ordinated with Michele etc.

As I said at the top, I'll send this both ways. If you confirm that you received it via e mail, then I think we'll continue to correspond that way, if it's okay with you.

My manager didn't have time to exchange the base unit last night. Hopefully he will do it tonight, although I'm not 100% sure this will restore my company personal mailbox, lost when I changed desks.

Have a good day,

Best Wishes,

Graham

posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

Thanks for those two super pictures you sent via e mail. I can see a slight family resemblance, but Rachel also has a slight resemblance to me at her age, except I had much longer hair and larger glasses!

The picture of the Grounds Crew was a lively one. You take a good picture, Cammy.

A chiropractor who does massage sounds very viable. Getting another opinion will do no harm. Just listening to her opinion might be encouraging.

I think Rachel is seeking to feel wanted by both her parents, and with them separated, it's not easy for her. She would love to see them both every day, but of course, that's not possible.

I can well understand that a 19 year old could have difficulty seeing themselves as an adult when they are technically a teenager. An 'adult teen' is a rare individual. We don't always feel the ages we are. I may well be 49, but I don't see myself as that, and still feel like someone in his twenties. It can be disorienting.

How many Chapters do yoiu have in mind for The One That Got Away? I wondered if you have an outline for the complete story, or will just make each chapter up as you go along? For Rent fans some of the people might be familiar, although I see that you have introduced new characters as well.

Hope everything works out with your friend. It looks like there isn't a lot of room for her around.

Just one querstion, Cammy. Do you want us to keep writing our messages on Shelfari? I ask this because all other users can read what we say to each other, and it hardly seems private, as e mails should be. If you wish to send our future message via e mail, that's fine by me.

Enjoy your Sunday,

Best Wishes,

Graham

posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

The chiropractor didn't seem too helpful. He seemed to just have words of wisdom and a generous supply of ice. It is so frustrating when one thinks it isn't solving the problem you have.

I really empathise with your sister Rachel, as she and I seem so much alike. Yes, I can't use my right hand very well either, and like her, it was oxygen deprivation that caused my CP. The more deprivation, the worse the sufferer will be, althought it is still CP. It looks like you have suffered in a different way to Rachel with your learning disability. You've done really well in getting round it, Cammy. It's a harder struggle to get to college for anyone who has.

What a pity Rachel isn't cared for by her mother. It's been hard for her as it is. One could feel rejected like that. Tell Rachel she is not the only one who has what she she, and you have a friend with CP as well.

Of course you didn't offend me, Cammy! It was only a light-hearted remark about feeling ancient. You say I'm a close adult friend; remember that YOU'RE an adult as well.

I've just read 'The One That Got Away'. It turned out to be the one that I glimpsed at before. It was great. I submitted a revieww as well. I think you changed your profile as well.

I'm concerned whether the mailbox works on Monday at the office. It'll be fingers crossed.

Have a good weekend,

Best Wishes,

Graham

posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

A pinched nerve is a fair estimation as to what might be troubling you, although I would have hoped a chiropractor or doctor would have given a better diagnosis than waiting for the patient to come up with one.

As you see, I've suffered all my life with what I have, which is now called cerebal palsy. It sounds far worse than it is, as most sufferers seem to want 24 hour care or have a wheelchair. Fortunately I was a 'very mild' sufferer.

I'm a year younger than your father. It makes me seem ancient when chatting to you. Still, it's good to know a 19 year old who is so articulate and entertaining to talk to.

Your English professor does give you warning about how often your essays are due to come. You never have any idea of what the subjects might be?

I could only have a brief glimpse at your FanFiction last night, Cammy. Hopefully I will read one through during the weekend. I have little time during the week. I concentrated more on your profile, and to what you said about yourself. The one I glimpsed through was at the top of the page, a Rent romance. Your writing style was excellent.

We moved today this Friday afternoon, fortunately to a desk I liked. What went wrong is that The Outlook Mailbox could not be transferred as it is supposed to be. It was a disaster. Hopefully it will be fixed by Monday as I left one of my colleagues to work on it when I left the office at 4:30pm

Good luck with your chiropractor, Cammy. Hope it works out.

Enjoy the weekend,

Best Wishes,

Graham

posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

By the time I am typing this, it won't be long until your chiropractor appointment. I hope he can help you as a joing does seem to be strained or not quite right. Is there a particular point in the back that is agony? That's what he needs to concentrate on. A massage therapist is an excellent idea.

As I mentioned, if you know exactly what you need to do in your essay, Cammy. you will feel more relaxed, knowing which parameters are allowed in the composition.

I thought I'd mentioned my right hand to you, but obviously it must have been another e mail friend. As we are good friends, I don't mind telling you. It happened because the doctors mistimed the date of delivery, thinking it many days later than it actually was. When they realised therir mistake, my mother had an emergency cesarain. Had they operated a little earlier, I would have been fine, a little later and I would have been dead. My right side isn't perfect, though I walk fine. I just cant grip with the right hand or write. Everything is done with the left. It's a reason I have epilepsy. Incidentally, had this occured now, we might have sued the incompetant doctors for thousands, but back in 1959, no one would do that.

Seeing caged exotic animals is a shame. The zoos here like Chester & Paignton Zoo are more conservation zoos, who seek to breed endangered animals and design natural looking habitats.

Booking online is very useful. I got a big discount doing so with the last hotel. It cuts overheads, so they are willing to drop prices.

What a pity you didn't see the live version of Mamma Mia! Though you might see the movie, it's not a patch on seeing it live. If you ever get another chance, don't miss it.

So you have no idea when essays are sprung on you? Be prepared at all times!

I've gone into your fanfiction site. I'm so flattered to be included in your summation. Thank you, Cammy! I took a brief look at the first story. You write so well. It was highly literate.

Hopefully Monday will be our desk movearound day, unless the phone people stop us again!

Have a delightful day,

Best Wishes,

Graham

posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

I think careful redistrribution of weight is important. Book carrying can result on strain in the back, shoulders or wrists. I guess you know that, though.

Your Engliush professor is responsible for the poor grade in not explaining things in a clearer manner. By assuming the students were on the same wavelength as her. It would be a good idea to discuss the matter with her, saying the only reason your essay is like it is was because you misunderstood the format.

As my right hand isn't capable of typing or writing due to the birth accident I had, I do type with my left index finger. I've done it long enough, so I'm used to it. The big problem is like now, when I have a band aid in. I'm typing double letters everywhere, and am having to do corrections!

The Foundation sound like a large body in control of tourisim in Medora (maybe even the state). From it's name, it does seem rather autonomous. The range of creatures on the loop is quite extensive, like a safari park. Whenever I visit the zoo, all the animals tend to be sleeping, or hide very carefully!

A month is a while to have that back strain. I agree that there should have at least been some degree of improvement. If the chiropractor is unable to solve it, nor the general practictioner, what can you do? Visit the hospital for x-rays? Not carrying things is impossible in your position.

One indeed has to be careful whom they buy off from the internet. Certain firms have cast-iron reliability, like Amazon. EBay, though a good company, relies on it's sellers, and as they are the public, it is not always a guarantee. I buy lots of calendars from Calendars.Com as well. With the massive discounts I get, I like booking online, as I have for hotels.

Mamma Mia! is a fabulous show. The film tries valiantly to emulate this, but it is the live show that's the best. The plot is set on a Greek island, where a young girl is getting married. She does not know who her father is, but by looking in her mother's diary finds it is one of three men. She invites all three men to the wedding. The mother (played in the film by Meryl Streep) has invited her two friends who she used to sing with in a group. The whole film is punctuated with lots of Abba songs, sung by the characters. In the show, the three leading women come on the stage after the story ends in highly coloured spandex and reprise 'Mamma Mia!', 'Dancing Queen' and also sing 'Waterloo'. For the last song, the three men also come on in spandex. This happens in the film as well. As the credits roll, 'Dancing Queen' and 'Waterloo' are performed.

Yes, gas (petrol) is expensive. The big reason is tax. For years, the government have added money on to petrol by way of an income to the treasury. Now it's a major part of the large cost we pay. Anyone travelling around in this country will find it costly!

Oh, you use a machine to split wood. I assumed you did it with an axe!

You were really hard done by in the essay, Cammy. I think it's so unfair, especially when it's the professor who is partly to blame, though she would never admit this. I can only say let's hope this is a one-off. Be 100% sure on what the professor wants next time, even if you have to ask. It won't harm if it helps you get a good grade.

You do fan fiction, Camnmy? What area does it cover?

It's been a busy day today at the office!

Enjoy the day,

Best Wishes,

Graham

posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

It's true that the stairs would be good exercise for anyone, though I might find it daunting carrying the equivilant of a pile of bricks in the books that you have.

It sounds like the marching bands have a winter break. Finishing at 2pm will give you a great chan ce to catch up on other things, rest, or do whatever you want. Do you have a shoulder bag to carry your books in, Cammy? Putting them in there might be useful, rather than having to keep them in your hands.

Your professor's instruction would confuse anyone. I';m a luittle confused about the 'everything about you' section. Does that mean you have to write about yourself everytime this sort of instruction comes up.

Sorry if there are any typos in this message. I type with one finger and it has a plaster (band aid) on it. This has caused several errors. I've managed to correct most of it, but one may slip through the net.

The Foundation sounds interesting; what is that? A 36 mile national park loop must be the best way to see everything there, one that a person needs to be armed with their camera for. Reptile Gardens seems good as well. I always like visiting the Reptile House in zoos. Snakes, spiders, creepy crawlies, crocs...all fascinating.

As for your bracelet, don't feel bad about it as you couldn't wear it. The fact that she bought it for you is what counts, Cammy. Keep it with you. You may not be able to wear it now, but who knows in the future? When you see it, you will know where it came from.

It depends on your father's viewpoint; he may see you as an independant young woman being in college who mightr want to fix appointments herself, or want to fix double appointments with you and Rachel when the time is ready.

One does have to know when to shop at the right time to get a lot of good things. I do a lot of shopping on trhe internet for DVDs and books. Last night, my father and I ordered a number of films from Amazon: Same Time, Next Year, The Four Seasons (two Alan Alda movies), The Bone Collector, Fallen (two Denzil Washington movies), Memento, Mamma Mia, and finally the tv series Lost In Austen. They were all at really good prices. With your parents, it might be a good idea to buy the a smalkl token present, althiough they asked you not to get them anything. It is the thought trhat countrs.

Petrol (gas) is probabkly the highest in the world here in Britain, or very nearly so. Here, it is ariound £5 a gallon, which is between $9 and $10 for you. Scary, isn't it?

How tiring, splitting wood for five straight hours. Few women could do that. I can see where you get a lot of your fitness from.

Hope your exam and essay results were good.

Enjoy your day,

Best Wishes,

Graham

posted 4 weeks ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

I agree; some people are so immature. One would think that people would have more sense than purposely tripping over your trolley. Most college students probably wouldn't do that, but I had not forseen the difficulties you would have with stairs. What about wheelchair users? How do they get on? It doesn't sound too friendly towards them.

It must be a coincidence that your fitness class comes right after the classes in which you have to carry your heaviest books around! A fitness book seems a little pointless, especially as it is not being looked at yet. Fortunately Tuesday & Thursday don't require books. How so? I thought all classes would require them.

Thanks for defining the subject-by-subject and the point-by-point essays. They are not easy to describe. Clearly, the lecturer should have made it clearer in saying which format was required. You may not have been the only student who wrote incorrectly. You should not be penalised for her error. Getting 100% I would say is impossible, as it has to be 'perfect'. Were I a professor, I think 99% is the highest I would ever award.

It sounds to me that there is an undiscovered beautiful area in North Dakota Badlands. Not too many people probably know of the jewels there, and tend to bypass them in favour of the 'obvious' places, especially foreign tourists, who would know little of it. They will only see Mount Rushmore in South Dakota as the place to go and to go, and ignore the beauty around them. Thanks for highlighting them. Any pictures are always welcome, Cammy.

Well done on learning to play the marimba; I was unaware that you have such a trained ear. I guess one has to have something like that in order to excel in the music field. Don't hold off too long on getting glasses, Cammy, otherwise you may suffer from eyestrain. You may just need a pair of reading glasses right now.

I'm one of those who likes to get thinks well prepared. With Christmas shopping, there seems a narrow window between too early, right on time or rushing too late. I can't handle late shopping!

People prefer to go over 100 miles away to Bismarks Mall? It must be something special, as I can't imagine anyone choosing to do that. It's a shame about your local mall. People should be more loyal to local retailers, otherwise there may be nothing left.

I'm hoping the desk move works out. It's still seen as a state secret.

Have a good day,

Good Wishes,

Graham

posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

It sounds like you need a shopping trolley to carry all those heavy books around! It's interesting that after all these years, students still have to lug them around like bricks or a set of weights.

You'll have to explain the essay format system to me, Cammy, relating to point -by-point rather than subject-by-subject. I think I can guess, but it's a pity if you were penalised through this. However dis someone get 100%?

Thankas for the geography lesson. I thought it was SD that had Mount Rushmore. I have heard of the Badlands, but not much. What do they look like?

Ah, you use mallets for the marimba. I think I've seen an instrument where this occurs, so this must have been that instrument. With the keys all brown, it must be hard to know which notes to strike. It looks like your team has lucky socks. If they use them again, you'll probably know from the odour!

Even though it's not yet the Christmas season, my father and I both found it exhausting shopping in Birmingham. There were lots of people, the shops were hot and little children were screaming. Yuk!

In true company fasion, our desk move has been delayed another week. I hope it can get done at the end of this week/beginning of the next as I'm off for a week commencing 3rd Nov, and I don't want them to move while I'm away.

Have a good week,

Best Wishes,

Graham

posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

Your back must be taking a lot if you have to ice it then heat it. I suppose you'll have a lot more time to yourself when you don't have to do this sort of thing.

I think you got to see a lot of things because US television was a major player in scheduling when the 'important' events would take place, as they were the prime tv presenters. Yes, it is globalised, but some nations will be in a better position!

I hope your English mid-term has turned out well. With the amount of work you've put into it, I'm sure you were fine. Even when your basck is healed, kickboxing is a challenge. I recommend you consult your doctor first.

I get free postage with the books and DVDs I order from Amazon and Play.Com. The cost is vastly cheaper than in the shops as well, as they are based in Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, and this circumvents the tax system. The new remastered 'Godfather trilogy' came today, and the 4th season of 'Lost'is due on Monday.

So many places to see; there are always more. Is North Dakota the one with Mount Rushmore, or is it South Dakota?

Thanks for educating me on the marimba, Cammy. I had no idea it was a keyboard.

I'm a little tired, as I've just returned from shopping around Birmingham. I bought a few Christmas cards, but many shops were not ready yet. I think after October, it will all change.

Have a good day,

Best Wishes,

Graham

posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )

Graham says

Hi Cammy,

That's awkward in that it will take two to three weeks for the muscles to heal. As the bells were probably the cause, you';; have to avoid using them in the future, even when you are well again. It's tough to fit time to visit a doctor when studying. Colleges make little time for being ill! It's hard to catch up afterwards, I imagine.

The Olympics this year were well out our time zone, so we got few live events. The trouble is, tv companies always concentrate on home competitors. They will show a British gold medal winner a dozen times a day, but don't concentrate very much on sports that have little or no British interest. I've heard that Australians and US broadcasters do the same thing with their own competitors.

I think all tvs sold now are high-definition-ready. When we had ours, it was about six months before anyone started hearing about them. As the tv costs have come down, I think we may well have an HD tv and Blu-Ray within the next two years.

Like you said, Cammy, spending time on your homework is enabling to get you that 16 credit per semester target that you were aiming for. In turn, it can give you the blues if you can't socialise as much as your friends. It must be difficult to compromi