There's stuff I really enjoy.
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Like having a Sunday coffee with Max and Gael and espousing my limited knowledge of the Greek and Russian alphabets.
A fly on the wall could be forgiven for a silent WTF?
Max and I share a reputation for "facts'' that we've invented or misinterpreted - eg Max Facts or Danielle's Truth.
My Melbourne daughter's partner has regularly caught me out - for instance - Nashi fruit were developed in the Tamar Valley and are a mix of pear and apple - false.
Some are intentional - like validating my daughter's belief that varicose veins were 'asparagus' veins - until she was 30 - when her partner kindly offered the truth.
BTW The (modern) Greek alphabet was used as the basis of the written form of Slavic languages in order to allow the translation of religious text. Who cares? I do.
Here's the thing - simple conversations and experiences with friends bring us close.
For us it's:
- Football - three out of four of our group know what they're talking about - I don't. (Although I did once accurately 'recall' Billy Brownless played for Geelong and owns a pub).
- Politics - majority are interested in politics - my husband isn't. He cares very little about the left or right factions of the Labor party and fails to outwardly care or become passionate or excited about whose queen has been taken. Probably a wise position.
- Ratbags - we share the opinion there are a lot of ratbags "out there'' - but not us.
- Card playing - three out of four cares about winning - I don't
- Cooking - all love to cook and we've started calling curries Delta.
- Music - we are passionate about music. Merle Haggard brought us together. Three out of four of us can remember anything connected with the past 50 years of music history. (Not me.)
- Our fondest pre-COVID shared memory is driving back, late from Hobart, when we almost ran out of fuel - but got to Mood Food just in time for hot chips and a filled tank. (I still have a dried 'vintage' chip as a talisman of better times; my lucky chip).
A coffee and croissant can last three hours and it's here we thank Danny Rossilli (best coffee in Launceston) in front of Soleways Key Bar in Charles Street.
Also, the team at Mojo on The Avenue where Danny's sister Adrianna and the team tolerates our ranting and raving. Note: we do leave if it looks like we're preventing new business.
Thoughtful reader, do you often sit too long in a café?
... experiences with friends bring us close.
The stuff I don't enjoy ...
How embarrassing, dear reader, is it to have white-coat fever?
White-coat fever is when your blood pressure goes to Mars and return, whenever you visit your doctor.
There was a time when I interviewed doctors for a living, as a health journalist. I was fearless.
I am not afraid of surgery - I love an anaesthetic - the pre-med and the whole concept of forcible rest and legal drugs. Bring. It. On.
I trust doctors and have nothing but admiration for the competencies and care of nurses.
I even love the little packs of hospital sandwiches.
But sit me in front of a doctor or nurse BEFORE admission and my blood pressure looks like a stroke waiting to happen.
"Do you have a headache? Are you feeling okay?'' the nurse or doctor will ask with an accompanying look that I interpret as "code red''.
So, this week's trip for a regular colonoscopy will present a challenge.
I plan to see it as an opportunity for a healthy detox and chance to reset my thinking.
What?
Tell me I'm dreaming?