A visual migraine aura can be an intense experience. Last night I was using my laptop and watching channel 4 news when my vision began to change on the left side. Things started to blur and then an irregular oval shape appeared in the left side of my vision. The rim of this shape was made up of small flashing triangles that were silver and multi-coloured. This was clearly a migraine aura but much more intense than normal.
It had been a hot day and a thunder storm was forecast. I tend to get headaches when atmospheric pressure changes and this was a big change. I realised that half my vision was blurred behind the scintillating scotoma as I looked at myself in the mirror. I tried to check my physiological blind spot but I couldn't find it. I took some aspirin and some paracetamol and I put on my sunglasses which helped.
The aura peaked for about 10 to 15 minutes then gradually faded. I only developed a mild headache, probably because of my early use of aspirin. I was tired and I went to my bed early. In my bed, the lightening storm intermittently illuminated the room. With the overlay of the residual migraine everything felt a bit otherworldly, a bit like an episode of Twin Peaks. Eventually I fell asleep and I felt a lot better when I woke up this morning.
Most migraines are boring, painful and annoying but this one was fascinating. I can see how someone experiencing that, not knowing what it was, would be freaked out. I enjoyed it although I did feel a bit 'disconnected'. I'm glad I was in my own house and not travelling or working.
Recently, geneticists have suggested that the tendency to migraine may be associated with an ability to sense when the weather is becoming stronger. That certainly could explain the trigger of some of my headaches.
Lying in bed afterwards I felt like my hearing was heightened and that I could hear all of the individual drops of rain falling.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Paul Simon - Live at the Glasgow Hydro
On Radio 4 on Saturday morning they have a section called 'Inheritance tracks' where people talk about music they have been given by their parents. When I was a kid I didn't think my parents listened to much music but they had Johnny Cash albums, Bob Dylan stuff, the Beatles and Paul Simon. When Graceland came out, my dad had the cassette and I essentially stole it. I just listened to it constantly and I loved the words. I would have been 9. It's still a favourite.
Later on I went for the Simon & Garfunkel stuff. As a teenager I got into them as I was listening to Dylan. I liked the melodies and the words. I taught myself how to play the Sound of Silence.
Every now and then I reach for some Paul Simon but I'd never seen him. When I saw that he was playing a farewell tour I bought tickets with some trepidation. However it's better to regret something you have done than something you haven't done.
We had good seats near the front and we got in about 15 minutes before he came on. He does look like he has had some botox at some point. He opened with America and played about 26 songs over two and a half hours. He had rearranged a few songs and he did a fairly unique version of Bridge Over Troubled Water, in a key more suited to his voice. Even though it was a big venue he managed to make it seem intimate. He did a great version of Rene and Georgette Magritte with their dog after the war. I think he may have played a couple of new songs and some of the arrangements sounded a bit like Lazarus era Bowie.
All of the Graceland era hits were aired as well as some stuff from Rhythm of the Saints.He spoke about E.O. Wilson, his favourite scientist and his book Half Earth. He spoke a bit about retiring to do other stuff.
We played The Sounds of Silence at my dads funeral so I was happy that Simon closed the night with this song, by himself, with his acoustic guitar. My dad wasn't a man for concerts but he may have enjoyed the music tonight. I'm glad I went.
Later on I went for the Simon & Garfunkel stuff. As a teenager I got into them as I was listening to Dylan. I liked the melodies and the words. I taught myself how to play the Sound of Silence.
Every now and then I reach for some Paul Simon but I'd never seen him. When I saw that he was playing a farewell tour I bought tickets with some trepidation. However it's better to regret something you have done than something you haven't done.
We had good seats near the front and we got in about 15 minutes before he came on. He does look like he has had some botox at some point. He opened with America and played about 26 songs over two and a half hours. He had rearranged a few songs and he did a fairly unique version of Bridge Over Troubled Water, in a key more suited to his voice. Even though it was a big venue he managed to make it seem intimate. He did a great version of Rene and Georgette Magritte with their dog after the war. I think he may have played a couple of new songs and some of the arrangements sounded a bit like Lazarus era Bowie.
All of the Graceland era hits were aired as well as some stuff from Rhythm of the Saints.He spoke about E.O. Wilson, his favourite scientist and his book Half Earth. He spoke a bit about retiring to do other stuff.
We played The Sounds of Silence at my dads funeral so I was happy that Simon closed the night with this song, by himself, with his acoustic guitar. My dad wasn't a man for concerts but he may have enjoyed the music tonight. I'm glad I went.
Saturday, July 07, 2018
RIP Steve Ditko
Spiderman always existed in my life. The cartoons were on the TV when I was a kid. The dodgy live action TV series from the seventies was still on rotation. The comic books were about. It's hard to believe that anyone actually designed and created Spiderman. But Steve Ditko did create Spiderman.
I think I first read some the early Ditko comics reprinted in UK hardcover Spiderman annuals and the piles of old paper Marvel UK comics that they had in the cupboards at my primary school. The drawings were primitive and nervy. The character did not look too heroic or cool. He looked like a misfit teenager, a proper target for bullies.
Ditko also created the weird psychedelic visuals of Dr Strange. This was a bit at odds with what I understand about his personality. Ditko was the anti-hippy, a devotee of Ayn Rand. Eventually he fell out with Stan Lee and moved onto new work.
He did work for DC but he also created the remarkable Mr A, a judge, jury and executioner type who took a hard line on crime. Alan Moore borrowed heavily from Mr A for Rorschach and even wrote a song about the character with the Emperors of Ice Cream.
I've picked up a few Mr A books over the years and I'd love to see a proper collection. Ditko kept himself to himself and avoided fame and publicity. He was probably ripped off by Marvel and never got the money he deserved.
He was an interesting man and we will probably never know much about him.
I think I first read some the early Ditko comics reprinted in UK hardcover Spiderman annuals and the piles of old paper Marvel UK comics that they had in the cupboards at my primary school. The drawings were primitive and nervy. The character did not look too heroic or cool. He looked like a misfit teenager, a proper target for bullies.
Ditko also created the weird psychedelic visuals of Dr Strange. This was a bit at odds with what I understand about his personality. Ditko was the anti-hippy, a devotee of Ayn Rand. Eventually he fell out with Stan Lee and moved onto new work.
He did work for DC but he also created the remarkable Mr A, a judge, jury and executioner type who took a hard line on crime. Alan Moore borrowed heavily from Mr A for Rorschach and even wrote a song about the character with the Emperors of Ice Cream.
I've picked up a few Mr A books over the years and I'd love to see a proper collection. Ditko kept himself to himself and avoided fame and publicity. He was probably ripped off by Marvel and never got the money he deserved.
He was an interesting man and we will probably never know much about him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
