David's blog

A long time ago, I had a mental health episode and began reading self-help books. I came across a writer named Dorothy Rowe, who discussed mental illness in relation to introverts and extraverts, drawing on Jungian theory later expanded by Eysenck. According to her, people are divided into two types: extraverts and introverts. This book had a real impact on me, and after reading it, I discovered that I am an extravert. This I calculated from a test that was in the book. From what I gathered from the book it was about different realities that people experience, one sees the outside world as real and the other as the inside world, your mind as real, I guess one fact I omitted from my understanding was that this was theory and not actual fact I think I took it too literal   I asked an AI chatbot about this, and they said the theory is correct, but there’s a tendency to box yourself and others in, which can limit growth. I guess, according to the criticisms, it’s a bit too black a...

 I I went for a walk yesterday with a few people around a village not too far from here. When I first heard about it, I had a feeling I’d been on this walk before—well, at least started it—about three years ago, just after I’d been in the hospital for treatment that left me temporarily incontinent. At the time, I hoped it really was temporary, but no one at the hospital bothered to reassure me. It turned out it was, but back then I was still dealing with anxiety over the incontinence. The whole thing had been a horrendous experience, and the hospital staff hadn’t prepared me for it at all. The words “temporarily faecally incontinent” didn’t even begin to cover what I went through, and it messed with my head.   Yesterday, as I started the walk, the route began to feel familiar, and I reached the point where I’d panicked and turned back before. I told one of the guides about it, felt a bit of panic again, but managed to keep going and finish the walk. I’m so glad I did beca...

I played a gig at a venue on Thursday with a few friends, but we were stuck in a corner and had to move furniture ourselves. The person who booked us wasn’t even there, which wasn’t a great start—especially since the place clearly had a lot of money put into it. We played, but hardly anyone paid attention, and we didn’t get so much as a thank-you drink for playing for free—or even a simple thanks—which doesn’t exactly inspire us to speak well of the place.   Lately, I’ve been feeling tired of playing the same old songs, and when no one’s enjoying it, it feels even worse. Maybe that shows in my performance, I’m not sure. I don’t know how to get the group to try different material, but after years of the same routine, it’s starting to feel stale. I wish I could find a new group to play with and mix things up, but there aren’t many music setups around here. Moving is an option, but it’s a big step.   The most disappointing thing about last week’s gig was the lack of gra...

I went out on Tuesday and saw a chap I know who had a stroke a while ago. He was in his chair and doesn’t speak too well, and since my hearing isn’t great, I didn’t stop to chat. I’ve been thinking about how he could manage not being able to speak and came up with the idea of using the Google keyboard, where you drag your finger along the words. Today at Tesco, I saw someone who was his friend and told them my idea. They said his motivation isn’t great, and honestly, if I were stuck in a chair, I don’t think I’d be that motivated either—especially at his age. I might even be wishing I hadn’t been found. I hope the finger thing works and it helps the chap get some control of his life back its very sad to see him like that

Here we go again. Yesterday, someone asked me about an incident in the village. I had no idea what was going on, so I looked into it and discovered it was yet another neighbor-versus-neighbor feud—though this time, they live across the road from each other instead of next door. I’ve had my share of issues with neighbors on both sides, and honestly, it’s no wonder there are wars in the world. Maybe it’s a miracle we get along at all, considering how different we are.   This latest dispute seems more serious than usual, involving assault by someone old enough to know better. It’s tied to another major feud from a few years back, but one neighbor in that issue has since passed away. I guess, as they say, all relationships end in death and acrimony.   I know the person accused of assault well—I know them all. She comes across as a sweet elderly lady, but I guess you never really know. Regarding my own issue with the neighbor next door, I spent a morning cutting down weed...

Earlier today, I saw a van on fire in the street. It’s since been removed after the fire brigade put it out, though they seemed to take ages to arrive, apparently coming from the next town. I’d just crossed the road after getting off the bus and noticed parcels scattered on the pavement, with a man I assumed to be the driver on the phone saying, “my van is on fire.” It didn’t really sink in until I walked past the front of the van, felt the heat, and saw flames. I asked someone nearby if they’d called the fire brigade—they had—and someone shouted at me to get water, but I didn’t want to get too close in case it exploded. Eventually, the fire brigade arrived and put it out. The van’s now gone, and I suppose they’ll be investigating the cause, though I’m no expert. I’d posted a video on social media to warn people and stop them using the road—it spread quickly online—but I’ve since taken it down, thinking that was for the best. The people wh wer expecting parcels have still not got them