Thursday 29 January 2009

Time-Saving Devices!

A wonderfully thoughtful friend bought me a Dictaphone so I can hold a sleek shiny device in my hand, lay back and look like (maybe not look like exactly) Barbara Cartland, while I proliferate my writing en-mass into the world without the need for the usual taxing manner of pen and paper.  It's good for up to 17 hours playback time apparently (Beloved by Toni Morrison, only took me 8 hrs to read aloud!), but sadly the product guarantee "does not cover the product [for what, exactly?!] where the fault is due to misuse, abuse, use in contravention of the instructions, [etc...]." 

But said Dictaphone may be in danger of being too complicated for it's own good.... I'm already having urges of killing it after what feels like 3 hours but is probably only 5 mins,  so have just roped poor S into trying to figure it out. (T, now you know what your next task for me is, ha ha!).  S has left and now we're still non-the-wiser, so kids have got it now lol.  Let's see how far they get...

Health wise, I'm still losing weight, so the agenda has changed from trying to get my body all alkaline, to just trying to get it to take on weight and build muscle again.   My dad is running round like a lunatic trying to get a palatable menu together for me, while mum is tapping her EFT silently in her arm chair - I can see it all now, where would I be without them?!  God I love my parents soo much!  I hope they know that - really really know that.  Any way I've had to tell dad that there'll be no Lisa to alkalinise soon, but given that I'm ravenous, eating isn't an issue at all, and am pleased to report that normal pees and poohs, burps and farts are at last returning!  You may well laugh, but I was getting worried!!!  I have blurred vision still, but no pain at all, no nausea, and no sweats - whatever happened to those I wonder?!! - sleeping well, despite a bit of a late-night panic attack caused by a thick phlegm  ( loverly, sorry) that threatened to drown me :(  Enough moans for one day I guess.  Take it easy and writers.... write!

24 comments:

Chris Stovell said...

Gawd, it's me again! Believe or not I am doing other things rather than ONLY waiting round to hang on your every word and, actually, it's because of what you said about writing and getting on with it that I'm trying to do just that but, hey, a girl needs a break from time to time. The Dictaphone sounds a great idea... if you don't abuse it! I'm glad you've found away of getting your novel out (not tempted by the Barabara Cartland look then?). Glad things are hunkydory in the poo department now (I'm sure Babs never farted). Of course you had a phlegmmy night - that's what MaccyD milkshakes do to you, that's normal, it's just been so long since you've had one you've forgotten. Sheesh! Must shut up now before you are fed up with me. Now, carry on dictating.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

What a clever friend thinking of buying a dictaphone. I'll bet the children succeed in working it out where the adults have failed to. Dont they always when it comes to technology.

Glad the wees & poos are returning. x

Anonymous said...

T and me will visit tomorrow evening if that's ok with you...to look at said Dictaphone(we can always exchange it for something simpler if needed!)and to see you!
Have had a stinking cold all week (hence staying away for fear of giving it you) so can appreciate the thick phlegm....yucky !!!

Lane Mathias said...

Yay to normal functions and even more yays to no pain/nausea/sweats. And sleeping!

Hope someone can get the dictaphone to behave for you. It's a brilliant idea:-)

Fiona Mackenzie. Writer said...

I've got a dictaphone too but I can't read the instructions and even when I can, I don't trust it. Keep playing it back to check it hasn't forgotten my last recording.

You need someone good at shorthand to dictate too. So do I.

Glad about the poos, burps and other bodily functions. Keep them coming:)

hesitant scribe said...

chrish - that's all very well chris but you need to write! I ended up writing half a page of a chapter of the novel by long hand today and the blog so feeling quite smug - will try not to rub it in though as I am only sitting here with little else to do, apart from gain weight and eat, but you're right about the dairy. Good job I'd only eaten a tiny fraction of it, eh!

Debs - Biggun did sort some of it out but I've already forgotten what she said I should do now, argh!

Chilli - oh yes please, on all fronts xxx

Lane - Yes, brill when we can sort it all out, ha ha

Fiona- I have a typist so half way there, aw* big sigh *

Jenny Beattie said...

What a brilliant idea - the dictaphone. I have a digital tape thing (is that the same?) It's only got a few buttons, but that was the problem. It's supposed to be 'menu driven.' I must be daft! And I get very nervous about whether it's actually recording...

Well done on the writing you've done - and another blog post.

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

Yay for no pain, no nausea, no sweats, good sleep, progress on the novel and a dictaphone. Fab news!

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

Just popped back to say - I only just noticed, sorry, I've had a really busy week - one of your posts from last week was voted joint winner of Post Of The Week, go here http://www.postoftheweek.com/ if you want to see (but hurry - they'll put the next shortlist up tonight). Congratulations!!

Annieye said...

Keep dictating and glad you are feeling better.

Congratulations on the post of the week.

Unknown said...

You mean you don't own a pink boa??? That's what makes the thing work :-) Pleased to hear things are working.
lx

Tamsyn Murray said...

Good news on the bodily functions front and sleep with no pain can only be good, right?

I've had a phlegmy panic attack in the night too - proper scary it was. Hope you've seen the back of them.

My Christmas dictaphone is still in it's box. You've inspired me to get it out this weekend...

HelenMWalters said...

Hope you manage to get the dictaphone sorted. If that doesn't work for you I'm sure I read somewhere about some sort of software that lets you dictate straight on to the computer. Either way - a young person is the best to explain how it works.

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

Just to let you know I have given you some awards :) Help yourself xx

clairesgarden said...

my boss tried to get us to type his letters from a dictaphone, 1st thing was he wanted us to share the ear thingy...yuck not happening!! cos its meant to be personal information and people in the reception room aren't meant to hear it. 2nd is that he actually says things like 'oh, er, em' nah just forget that bit, say this instead....' after you've just typed out the whole paragraph.. 3rd is that it did not have an auto stop so you had to rewind it and get to where you'ld been when you got lost, i.e at that bit where he just says scrub half a page of typing deary


drive you demented!!

milkshake? strawberry for me!

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

Thinking of you, Lisa, and sending hugs x

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Me too. x

sheepish said...

Hope you are still feeling better and too busy with Dictaphone to blog. Thinking of you and your family.

sheepish said...

I am so sorry I have just read the awful news. I just hope she was peaceful, please accept my most sincere condolences I know what you are all going through.

Chris Stovell said...

To Lisa's family; I am so sorry for your loss.

Rachel Green said...

Lisa will be sorely missed. She was a wonderful writer. I am the better for knowing her.

Lorna F said...

To Lisa's family: I am so sorry for your loss. Lisa was witty, articulate, inspirational and unbelievably positive. I never met her but loved reading her blog. She had an amazing power to celebrate life and she will be very much missed.

Unknown said...

To Lisa's family. My heart is with all. She was wonderful and her love of all you of you shown through all her blog posts.
lx

learn spanish in madrid said...

It's a bit complected to use it but very helpful if you will understand the features once. Don't you think that it indicates a lazy person who wants help from an instrument in writing. :P