Eyes - look after 'em
I am currently one very frustrated writer. Like most unpublished writers (and some published ones) I have to work to pay the bills (or, in my case, to keep my husband in the manner to which he has become accustomed - that is, a caravan at the back of a well-known supermarket - mock not - it's very handy for obtaining gratis groceries - supermarkets really do throw away an awful lot of jolly good food you know - plus, we get free air for our bikes).
So, as I was saying - apart from the writing, I have to go out to work. That work involves using a computer - every minute of every day five days a week (I'm a legal secretary). I usually fit in my writing at about 6 am before going to work and sometimes in the evenings too. I've been doing this for the past three years - and, for the past three years, I've also managed to get a cyst in my eye. The first year the cyst grew to the size of a golf ball and actually burst in my eye before I realised I needed to go to the doctor. Indeed, by the time I saw the specialist, it was too large for him to remove by the usual method (clamping my eyelids and removing the cyst from the inside) and he had to cut into my eyelid and remove it that way. Fortunately, the last two, I've acted upon more quickly and have managed to avoid the knife.
Now, those of you who know me know I enjoy injecting a bit of humour into my writing, but, right now, I am not laughing. I am also not writing. Because of the latest cyst. Undoubtedly the combination of this extraordinary heat (still hitting the high twenties/low thirties every day), dust and use of fans 24/7 (thus drying out the atmosphere even further) is not helpful to one with naturally dry eyes. But neither is fixing those eyes on a computer screen for 10 hours a day (and yes I can type with my eyes closed, but still need to read through what's been written). And, much as I love writing, I also love being able to see - so I'm taking a break and resting my eyes, hence this was going to be a short blog but I see, unusually, I've managed to ramble long enough for a first chapter.
Anyway, the point of this ramble is simply to say to the rest of you writers out there, don't take your eyes, or any other parts of your anatomy, for granted - and don't abuse them. Health is the most important gift of all - cherish it and nurture it.
So, as I was saying - apart from the writing, I have to go out to work. That work involves using a computer - every minute of every day five days a week (I'm a legal secretary). I usually fit in my writing at about 6 am before going to work and sometimes in the evenings too. I've been doing this for the past three years - and, for the past three years, I've also managed to get a cyst in my eye. The first year the cyst grew to the size of a golf ball and actually burst in my eye before I realised I needed to go to the doctor. Indeed, by the time I saw the specialist, it was too large for him to remove by the usual method (clamping my eyelids and removing the cyst from the inside) and he had to cut into my eyelid and remove it that way. Fortunately, the last two, I've acted upon more quickly and have managed to avoid the knife.
Now, those of you who know me know I enjoy injecting a bit of humour into my writing, but, right now, I am not laughing. I am also not writing. Because of the latest cyst. Undoubtedly the combination of this extraordinary heat (still hitting the high twenties/low thirties every day), dust and use of fans 24/7 (thus drying out the atmosphere even further) is not helpful to one with naturally dry eyes. But neither is fixing those eyes on a computer screen for 10 hours a day (and yes I can type with my eyes closed, but still need to read through what's been written). And, much as I love writing, I also love being able to see - so I'm taking a break and resting my eyes, hence this was going to be a short blog but I see, unusually, I've managed to ramble long enough for a first chapter.
Anyway, the point of this ramble is simply to say to the rest of you writers out there, don't take your eyes, or any other parts of your anatomy, for granted - and don't abuse them. Health is the most important gift of all - cherish it and nurture it.
Labels: Annie
posted by Annie at 7:28 am
4 Comments:
(((Annie))) I hope your eyes get better soon.
I ditto what you say about not taking anything for granted. My health problems began with my eyes, and at unpredictable times I can lose the use of any part of my anatomy. It certainly teaches you to cherish what you've got while you've got it - but why do we have to learn the hard way?
Take things easy Annie - and that includes with the 9-5 job (I know how stressful being a legal secretary can be too...).
Hugs,
Sue :-)
Oh, Annie, I am so sorry. I imagine you are very restless these days, forced to rest your eyes. As a technical writer (and sometimes, not of late however, fiction writer), I, too, spend an awful lot of time gazing at a computer screen. It's bad for the eyes and for the back! How are we writers ever to survive, struggling to make a living and hold on to a dream as well?!
Hang in there. Rest those baby blues (or whatever colour they may be). :)
Blimey Annie-- have been absent from Blogland whilst attempting to do a good impression of a happy family on holiday in a tent, and have returned to discover that the new computer (which cost roughly the same as two weeks somewhere luxurious and relaxing) is slightly more ineffective at connecting us to the internet than the old one was.
But, having winced my way through your post, I'll stop complaining about it. Am thinking of you. Take care sweetie.
Your lovely kind and caring messages made me cry - and the salt from my tears made my eye start to heal; and Imogen called me 'sweetie' (though given the heat, 'sweatie' would be more appropriate); and Sue understands how hard legal secretaries have to work - just how many miracles can a girl have in one day?
Thank you one and all.
Oh and by the way, Eva, one's hazel, the other's kind of scarlet trimmed with crimson.
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