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| Dr. Hugh Tildesley |
We are less than 1 month from Christmas…
Unbelievable!
Status Update: Blood work ok, my 12th
course of poisons is in a few days. My oncologists are pleased with my progress,
however as we go longer with this treatment,they become visibly concerned about
me developing the neuropathy associated with Oxaliplatin. It usually shows up
after 8 cycles, it looks like I may be playing with fire here, however, the
incidence is around 10%, is reversible with time, and can be effectively
treated with a number of agents. I will press on.
Tesla Titillations: Each week there
are subtle changes to the car. Autopilot continues to improve. It operates best
when the sensors are seeing 2 lane lines. It will operate following 1 lane
line, unfortunately it is usually the lane separating you from oncoming
traffic, and the car hugs that line and it can be quite unnerving and lead to
knuckle whitening of any passengers who notice. My advice is only use autopilot
with dual line input, the car stays perfectly centered and collective anxieties
abate.
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| With 2 lane lines the car remains perfectly centered |
One of my patients recently ordered
a Model S 90,a top of the line model. I am going add this as one of the options
on my prescription pad.
The Arts report: The Secret of Golf:
The story of Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. Most golf fans know most of these
stories but there were some nuances I had not appreciated. Firstly it appears
Watson practiced more than Woods. Secondly he was an alcoholic and has
fortunately stayed off the booze. Watson was instrumental in helping David Feherty get and
stay sober.
As a coach for Donovan I always
worried about the line between coaching and sabotaging a father son relationship.
Watson’s
father was a prick, rarely giving positive feedback, commenting that every good
shot was “lucky”. On the other hand Nicklaus’ father was as equally a good
golfer as Watson senior and played frequently with Jack. The bets between
them were always good-natured, such as a car or a house (this was when Jack was
a teen!). They both knew the bets would never be paid but it taught competiveness.
They usually walked off the course laughing.
Quite a contrast, but they both
sought and achieved excellence.
Who can forget the Open in 2009, the
59-year-old Watson was 1 putt away from victory. Somehow the broadcast patched
Nicklaus in by phone, his emotion and genuine cheering for Tom was palpable.
The book tells us that Jack watched the complete broadcast, absolutely fixated. Generally, he never watches golf!
More touching was his support of
Watson’s decision to putt from the fringe rather than chip on the 18 th hole that led to a bogey, his playoff with Stewart Cink which he lost. Watson finally
accepted that it was the right play and his disappointment dissipated.
After reading this book I shot my best round in weeks , I focused on inner calm and focus.
15 Dogs: This year’s deserving
winner of the Giller Prize. A great read and will leave you talking to your dog
and expecting a conversation!
Celtic Lightning: compared to his
previous book, “ How the Scots Invented Canada”, a huge disappointment. It
became obvious that he had won a grant for the book and it is just not up to snuff. Read his previous book for a more comprehensive and organized look at
our history and heritage.
Adele 25: a great album worth it.
The bucket list: get music
throughout the house and be able to have different tunes play in different
rooms.
Done: I purchased a sonos connect
and 2 wireless speakers. I have hard wired speakers in Deborah’s study, the
kitchen, the living room, and the patio. The wireless speakers can be moved but
are now in the bedroom and my study. I can control the system with my iPhone. I
have spotify integrated, thus music choices are endless, of course all my
digitalized music is also on the iphone thus options are expanded.
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| A simplified diagram of the components |
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| The E connect, this accepts input from your home network and some direct hardwire connections eg your CD player |
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| The back view showing wired access |
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| Great quality speakers that only need to be plugged in and get be moved where you want them. |
Sorry to be so crass and materialistic …. But as Kurt Vonnegut wrote in Slaughterhouse-Five….
“ and so it goes”
Social: We approach the holiday season and the exchange of good wishes and good cheer. There is also the reality of crowded rooms and the pesky winter viruses. I must therefore pick and choose venues with caution and as many of you know I no longer shake hands but rather rub elbows. Also, my white count recovers about a week after the poisons ,thus I time my attendance at gatherings accordingly.
We recently had
our staff Christmas lunch at C Prime, at the Century Plaza hotel, I have of course
seen this hotel change over the last 30 years, I highly recommend the restaurant,
comfortable ambience and very reasonably priced.
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| The Team: from L to R, Helen,Augustine,Patricia,Christina,Dr.P,HT,Adam,Dan,Jessica,Betty |
On December 8, I have my last
official task as a member of the Point Grey Board as I open the AGM, this will
end 8 years on the board, a highly satisfying activity. I will miss it.
We host our sometimes annual Open
House on December 22, Hamish and Catherine return on the 21st, they
are invaluable in helping Deborah bring it all together.
Christmas will bring Uncle Ted and
Teresa as visitors; the Christmas dinner will be extra raucous.
Until next time…
