Bariatric support group---3 plus years on.

Just over three years ago, I had a procedure to give me a 'tool' to control my burgeoning weight issue. My doctor told me at around that time, that I would possibly not reach the age of retirement. I was working through (That's a nice way of say 'self-inflicted) a range of health issues, including: Sleep Apnea, High blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 Diabetes. I did not realize this at the time, but I also had Atrial Fibrillation, something that has reared its now controlled head, more recently. So, in a sense I had the Full House, re health issues and I was just 63 years of age. Why didn't I do something about it,' you say. Well-----I did. You name the diet, the gym and the 'help' I paid out copious amounts of money, almost as much as the weight I continued to pile on after each 'effort' to relive me of the globular fat tissue! I helped to balance the bank accoutns of mnay businesses, as I followed what for me was an impossible dream. To those again who say, I was weak, or 'what goes in muct be balanced by what goes out,' I say---pull your head in! There is plenty of evidence that I am sure some of my lovely readers can point us to, that suggests that mnay people are on this treadmill of 'yoyo dieting' and that they are doomed to failure. I know---that flys in the face of those of you you who attend many hours a week at the gym, following strict regimes, that most of us, either do not have the time, money or the 'make-up to follow. Good on you---if it works for you----go for it. I admire your resolve, but for the rest of us---- we need----well, let's speak for 'me,'-----I needed an 'intervention,' and that eventually came in the form of Bariatric Surgery.I agonized about this procedure---for just a few days. You see---I had done all the thinking for several years and the 'suggestion;' a very strong one, from my doctor was just the culmination of bringing to the fore of what I had struggled with for all those years. I could not tap into the excellent Public health system in New Zealand, that funds this operation for those under 50, but I was able to partially use the health insurance I had at the time. (I cancelled it, once they put up my premiums, post operation) I 'extended my mortgage, by around the cost of a new car---a really cheap one, (the operation cost about $NZ18,000) and 'invested' in the life-changing procedure. After the operation, I decided to start a Bariatric Surgery Support Group on Facebook. It stared slowly, mainly with NZ members. Then the USA kicked and and numbers grew. Now that we have almost reached 200 members (I suspect that by the time this is posted---we will cross the line and head for our first 1000!) it seems that the sky is the limit. I am floored by the wonderful support you all provide each other. I love the way you reach out, encourage, answer questions and 'be there' for one another. Long may that ethos continue. This is the place for verbal hugs, and where possible--to meet. Those of you who are about to undergo the operation, need support as there is a risk involved, albeit it a fairly small one, and there are complications at times. Above all---it is NOT a cure---it is a tool, whereby we can achieve some 'control' back in our lives. Let's keep this special group going. Love to you all. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Another Thames Coastal yarn!

It's not a particularly cold day on the 'coast,' today, but it is grey and sticky. My excuse to have the fire going on it's lowest setting was to 'bring bout a good cheer, built upon a nice dry and warm home.' I have succeeded, but the wood pile is diminishing in size and nearing a point that requires attention.Being the multi-skilled, person that I am, meant that going on the car, accompanied by Perdy, to yonder town and beyond, would bring about a solution to several issues; the wood pile, baking needs and a bit of business at the AA---that's the Automobile Assignation. I pulled into the establishment that sell---wood. I had noticed a little trailer at the entrance with 'much processed pieces,' that would go up in smoke, wit hon minutes. NO----not for me---I wanted the unprocessed chunky stuff, that God ordained specifically for Kent fires! 'Yes, of course we have that, ,' the cheery young lady replied when asked about the former God-blessed wood. I inquired about delivery. 'Just bring our truck in,' she said. 'Ah---I don't have one,' I replied, somewhat 'Aucklandy' in nature.' She looked at my little Hyundai in the yard and said, 'You got a tow bar?' I answered in a manner that inferred my car was quite capable of towing a smallish load but no---I didnt have a tow bar, like ai guess most people in Thames---do. Hey---she was speaking to the guy who way back in the early seventies used to employ a Morris 1000 to tow a trailer with a heavy piano. It did of course require several clutch replacements. We just don't do that sort of thing these days, eh! I suggested that I would ring back, after I had sought the assistance of my neighbour, who 'knows' people and things movers.' I guess today was another 'welcome to life on the Coast.' kinda day.

Solving NZ's 'problems.' Do it Thames-style,' whilst walking the dog!

We don't need politicians, we don't need big business, we don't even need the UN, all there to resolve the issues facing New Zealand---and the world. The above can go take a great leap---into the Firth of Thames, where they can converse with the 'sea-creatures!' Maybe they will get a better hearing and sound way less 'fishy' than they do 'on-land!' I propose a more creative solution---call in the 'Thames Dog walkers!' It seems that every morning, I meet up with this group of illustrious locals and sure, I forget their names, but remember the canine 'attendees,' which was something I noticed down at the Bay in Auckland. There is a particular spot, where two pathways intersect, near a retirement village in Thames, along the coastal walkway, where all the action occurs. (Some say--cycle way---but that's another issue!) Most of the 'discussees,' are ageing ---or----ancient! I feel the presence of many stories and I can almost certainly predict that some of their stories will feature on this blog in the near future. The collective wisdom and that special mix of cynicism and up-front honesty, combined with a tolerance that I did not expect to feature re my new place, leads me to believe that I shall soon have an accurate handle on how things work down here, in Thames. Extrapolate that out to the bigger picture of New Zealand and the issues we face, and hey----these people have the answers. Yeah, I know, such 'meetings of great minds,' exist in all places--hell---even in Auckland, once the ' natives' battle their way through permanent gridlock, just to go to the dairy!I remain hopeful that when people take the time, to meet, to talk, to share ideas in a non hurried open way, then anything is possible. I am still serving my 'apprenticeship,' re my new place, and without a doubt, I shall be informed when my opinions are 'part of the whole!' I don't mind waiting, as my new friends share their stories. Damn---where has the morning gone?!

There's a few 'bugs' re living on the Coast!

Beautiful----idyllic----transforming---just a few words to describe living on the Thames Coast. Life is such that one puts on the fire, even if it's not particularly cold, because it seems to enhance the experience of---taking time. I find myself sitting in front of the fire, with Perdy snuggling up to me while we watch it grow, forming shapes and weird apparitions. I tell her fantastical stories and she obviously listens, because I see her twitching as she dreams later in the evening. I suspect those dreams are rather different from mine. The fire sometimes inspires blogs; failing that---it sends me to sleep. This morning, the fire place (it's a Kent) was bare, as we had swept it out and thrown the ashes onto the compost pile---it's OK---we only use 'untreated wood, , so no need for any of you to 'go off!' So, there I was, writing a few responses to messages online, when I noticed something in the periphery of my vision; something 'small and scuttly!' OH no---a bloody cockroach! That's all we need---a damned infestation of those little critters. Where the hell did that come form? Then 'rationale thoughts gently entered my inquiring mind.Just look out the front window--- there's a huge great expanse covering hundreds of square kilometres, just full of 'life,' as it has always existed. Why would the creatures feel constrained by human sensitivities to their presence? Then I remembered that dude form Holland--the 'Insect Man,' Rude (no he's not obnoxious---just clever---Rude is his name, even if I have not spelled it correctly---I like it that way) and I have often heard him explaining that these little cockroaches are harmless, they are not dirty and do not represent any issues for humans, so just eave the critters alone, they will find a way out. OK--that's fine. I know how they got into the lounge---they hitched a ride, along with the odd spider or two---on the wood we bring in from the garage. All we need now is a Weta or two. to complete our 'Critters' 'welcome to the Coast.' Perdy is still waiting, of course to meet her first RAT! I think she is feeling 'neglected.'

Lazy afternoon in Thames.

Yeah, I could have given in to that mid-winter feeling and just stayed inside by the fire, reading or playing on my computer---or---just snoozing. But--the great outdoors and a bored Jack Russell demanded action of a different sort. So---it was in the car and up the coast to the beautiful bays and valleys, just north of Thames. We stopped at several beaches, where Rio took photos and Perdy accompanied me onto the sands and shells, sniffing and digging and doing her utmost to get me to let her off her lead. Sorry girl---you are still in 'off-leash Purgatory, after your last attempt at 'freedom running,' something akin to the ban on Freedom Camping in this area. We headed up a narrow road and came upon a meandering---not it was a gushing stream, with crystal clear, yet somewhat temperature challenged waters--great for a dog and clean enough to---drink? One never knows anymore re the streams and rivers of NZ! I imagined myself casting for trout, while Perdy did what she does best---she jumped in and buggered be the coolness---hey she's a dog! I made my wish to re-visit this magic place, complete with swimming shorts and a delectable packed lunch. Thee is so ,much to explore on this Jewell in the wilderness

. I shall----take my time---Thames style.

A guy with his Jack Russell--just sliding into Coastal time!

When I arrived at this idyllic place on the coast, it took me a while to change time zones; not the ones that you all recognize---no something more--from another time, but one that is not totally divorced from---now. Initially, I was a tad concerned that I would not fill my days and the there were the 'financial concerns--that I would not quite meet the demands re all the usual bills. Of course, I sorted them out by 'reducing' my perceived needs; taking away some of the old 'dependencies' and stripping spending back to basics, with the premise that I could always add 'needs' as and when they made their presence felt--within the budget. The one day a week returning to Auckland was the 'icing on the cake of additions!' Now---I feel like I have slipped into this new time zone; one that fits like an old slipper; that allows me to---take time. Ten minutes stretches into an hour, while Perdy patiently (yes that's a real move on her part!) waits while I chat to all the other dog walkers. Yes, in many ways, Perdy is instrumental in my settling in, being accepted. She 'breaks the ice, connects me with people; some even asking for my card! I never expected that to happen. I have already alluded to the change that has occurred, re the manner in which I approach my day---the actual day seems to matter less---it's more about letting the 'day take me wherever it wants.' Can a 'day do that?' I'm not sure, but I am ---OK. Yes, I came here to try to find a more gentle way of living. The health issues are still there, but I am 'riding with them,' not letting them control me. I get the feeling that Thames is going to be a journey that lets me participate in life in a way I never imagined. The Jack Russell seems to be making her way too.

Hairy tale from the Coast (as 'reported by Perdy Jack Russell)

"It's not often I get the chance to put paw to keyboard, so expect a few barking glitches in my blog!' You all know I've shifted from Mt Roskill and now run with the birds on the coast just north of Thames. Oh my pooch in the sky---things are very different. Even 'he who thinks he's boss,' is more relaxed, taking more walks and even allowing me to escape from time to time. BUT---you should see him when I disappear out a gap he didn't know about. I ain't telling him about the others. 'He' takes me on lots of trips---damn---some of them are 'long gaps between weewees' away. There's gonna be puddles if he keeps that up. Take yesterday, for example---he wanted to go to a place called Morrinsville---I think it's named after a famous Jack Russell called Morris---well anyway---off we go and---I have never seen so mnay moocows---hell---some looked like Jack Russells, but even I don't eat that much grass. Buggered if i know why he won't let me loose---I'd chase the buggers till the dogs come home!They would love it. Well---we eventually arrived at that town---he left me in the car---what a mean sod! He only went to 'bank a bit of paper'---cause he said that Thames didn't have the right bank. THEN--he turned the little blue Hyundai around---oops---they even had colourful moocows in the main street---what's with this lot donw here---are moocows important or something. maybe they worship them, like I saw something about on TV. Didn't he know that I wanted another pee. Hey---he read my thoughts--hopefully not ALL OF THEM! That would present---issues. He took me to a park. Cute little place, with lots of leaves to roll in. I think he even took moving pictures of them and let you all know. I quite like acting for those events. Wouldn't ya know it---he travelled back to Thames on the same road---he could have gone another way---to show me the sights, but no.Then to rub it in, he stopped at a cafe in a tiny little place that must have got lost when the big guy in the sky made towns, and brought a pie----a pork and watercress one. Man---that smelled so good. Did I get any? NUUUUUP! Great trip---DAD!!! He must have felt a bit guilty because after he had finished mowing the lawn with his flash new self-propelled mower (I reckon he pretends he's pushing it and puts this look on that says---'hey---I'm so tired after all that pushing'---but the lazy sod just follows behind it--what a laugh! I heard him using the 'F' word heaps when the roses attacked him----lol. He tells me off when I use it!He did take me out for another walk, after he had recovered from his'work.' It was just going to be a ten minute one, he said. Yeah right---that's not possible in this town. He runs into someone and---yeah, you guessed it---he gasses away with all these people. I sniff the bits and pieces of the other dogs but hey---one can only sniff so much and then--let us off the lead to do our thing. But no---he doesn't trust me now to go off leash---all because he had to wait while i conducted a census as to where all the cats are in the vicinity of the park. Such fun, such fun!He was really pissed though, because he had one of those 'turns' he has from time to time. Now-----light the fire dude---you know I love that! Life on the Coast is just dandy---just make sure you remind the 'boss' who really IS!!!! Hey---I used spellcheck so I didn't do bad, eh. PERDY!!!!