La versión español está después de la versión ingles.
OUR FRIEND PEDRO turned 40 this year. He’s got a catastrophic imagination similar to San Geraldo’s. About two years ago, he was having lower back pain (OK, OK, it turned out to be a herniated disk so exCUSE me). However, while we were all at a restaurant, he announced that the pain was worse than the pain of childbirth. Kathleen and their 1-1/2-year-old son were sitting right there! I’ll bet Kathleen was thinking, “You want to feel the pain of childbirth!”
Pedro is currently suffering with neck pain that turned out to be more herniated disks. No more headstands when he wins at cards — not that that happens very often anyway. He explained to us — to San Geraldo and me — to the ancients — to the two friends old enough to be his parents — that now that he’s 40, his risk factors have seriously increased. “Risk factors?” I said in my best New York street accent, “I’ll show you risk factors!”
I’m fine. So relieved that my recent health concern has come to nothing. But, instead of being happy and doing a jig (THAT would be a picture), I’ve been having mentally challenging moments throughout the day and I wake up in the morning (my worst time) not necessarily thrilled to be alive. If I could play the piano, it would be a dirge. I think it’s just the crash after the weeks of stress. Maybe it’s hormones. Do men possibly go through womenopause? Maybe it’s that time of the month? Even if those were possible, I’m a bit old for either.
I continue to have wonderful moments with San Geraldo and some incredible friends. The Kid Brother continues to drive me crazy but I will always love him and will see him again in a few months. But sometimes, as we all know, it’s just not easy. (And I rarely was.)
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NUESTRO AMIGO PEDRO cumplió 40 años este año. Tiene una imaginación catastrófica similar a la de San Geraldo. Hace unos dos años, tenía dolor en la parte baja de la espalda (OK, OK, resultó ser una hernia de disco, por lo tanto, ¡Perdóneme!). Sin embargo, mientras estábamos todos en un restaurante, anunció que el dolor era peor que el dolor del parto. ¡Kathleen y su hijo de 1-1 / 2 años estaban sentados allí! Apuesto a que Kathleen estaba pensando: “¿¡¿Quieres sentir el dolor del parto!”
Pedro está sufriendo actualmente con dolor de cuello que resultó ser más discos herniados. No más paros de cabeza cuando gana en las cartas — no es que eso suceda muy a menudo de todos modos. Nos explicó — a San Geraldo y a mí — a los antiguos — los dos amigos que tenían edad suficiente para ser sus padres — que ahora que tiene 40 años, sus factores de riesgo han aumentado considerablemente.
“¿Factores de riesgo?”, dije con mi mejor acento callejero de Nueva York, “¡Te mostraré los factores de riesgo!”
Estoy bien. Tan aliviado de que mi reciente preocupación por la salud no haya llegado a nada. Pero, en lugar de ser feliz, he estado teniendo momentos mentalmente difíciles a lo largo del día y me despierto por la mañana (siempre mi peor tiempo) no necesariamente emocionado de estar vivo. Si pudiera tocar el piano, sería un asco. Creo que es sólo el choque después de semanas de estrés. Tal vez sean hormonas. ¿Es posible que los hombres pasen por la menopausia? Tal vez sea esa época del mes? Incluso si eso fuera posible, soy un poco viejo para cualquiera.
Sigo teniendo momentos maravillosos con San Geraldo y algunos amigos increíbles. El Hermanito sigue volviéndome loco, pero siempre lo amaré y lo veré de nuevo en unos pocos meses. Pero a veces, como todos entendemos, no es fácil. (Y rara vez lo era yo.)
¿Qué suponías que tendría que decir un psiquiatra? (No creo que quiera saber).
Did you draw that? A psychiatrist might say you’re talented.
By the way, I went to a psychiatrist–excuse me, a psychologist–about a year ago. I suggested he might understand me better if he read my blog. He didn’t take the bait.
Kirk:
The top drawing was done in Tuscany in the ’70s… during another one of my bad days. The other was done here in 2014 for a book an art gallery manager carried around. And thanks! I would have changed psychologists, too!
Love it and after a few session with a psychiatrist, the doctor would say that’s a perfectly normal picture for your brain🤗🤣😘
Mary:
Yep, that would sum it up perfectly… and I’d like THAT psychiatrist.
There are so many places my mind can pinball to, here. Should I give it a shot? Womenopause? HA! With men I believe it’s called mid-life crisis. Balder Half has it, even though 63 is a little old. As I’ve said before, who lives to be 126? But there he is riding his new mistress. Her name is Violet. She’s a purple BMW motorcycle. I will NOT ride on the back of it and I refuse to get in a sidecar. Back in the day, I did joke about him getting PMS every month. He got moody every month like clockwork.
As for pain, whenever I whine about my back or hands or frozen shoulder or numb toes etc., he (trying to be encouraging) inevitably says “You can do it! I’ve seen you give birth to a ten pound baby, naturally with no drugs! Back pain and arthritic decrepitude is a piece of cake!” Well, having given birth twice, I can tell you that, for me, labor and delivery was a lot less painful than back problems and arthritis and diabetic stuff. At least something came out of (so to speak) the process of having a baby 🙂
I promised myself to try to be brief. Even I don’t listen to me!
Deedles:
Truth is for me it’s just the story of my life. Either that or I’ve been suffering a mid-life crisis since I was about 15 and thankfully that’s not the case because I’d be dead now! I’m glad you don’t listen to you!
I like your drawings — so very richly detailed! And men do go through andropause, you know, so maybe it IS hormones!
Debra:
I’ve been going through andropause for about 50 years! And, thanks, TODAY… I like my drawings, too. Maybe I’ll just head down to the beach and sketch in the sun.
Oh, my lordy me, did you do both of those drawings!?!? Mitchell! They are wonderful! (And, yes, that’s what a psychiatrist would say.)
Sorry to hear about your struggles, though. Damn.
Judy:
Top drawing from around 1977 (I was depressed then, too). Bottom drawing, 2014. This, too, shall pass. Today is significantly better. An indicator that things are improving is when I write about it and tell Jerry! Both happened yesterday!
Great drawings! I had no idea you had such talent for drawing! Sorry to hear you’re having a rough time. I’d give you a great big hug if I could. Hang in there. xx
Jennifer:
I can feel the hug. Thanks! I studied art and wanted to be “an artist.” But “being an artist” wasn’t a “career” so… I love doodling!
Our Naturopath said recently that this past couple of months has been difficult for a lot of her patients…..something out of whack in the universe.
Ron went through what he called ‘manopause’ in his fifties. It wasn’t pleasant but he survived.
I think you are correct…..your body/mind is taking a break from the stress you had. Let it do it’s thing and you know things will improve. Take care.
Jim:
Oh, there is SO MUCH out of whack in the Universe! As for manopause (did you know it’s really a thing and is called andropause), I think I’ve been going through it for 50 years!
Take care of yourself, you know what works for you (the zoo!) Stress does strange things to us.
David:
Already improving. It seems once I’m ready to share my misery with you it means I’m coming out of the worst. Jerry was a huge help yesterday.
my spouse has been going thru “manopause” since I met him. 28 years now…
anne marie:
Yep, that sounds about right. I think I started going through it when I first “became a man.”
Tiz a puzzlement, this getting older shiz. But I believe in male menopause and mood swings and all that. But as men we’re taught not to talk about such things. i say “Talk away!”
Bob:
Talking sure helps (as long as I don’t whine… I hate myself when I whine). And, an indication that I’m finally turning the corner is when i share it here. Better days ahead!
I say treat it with chocolate! And go the zoo with Luke.
Susan:
Well, Luke is throwing me a birthday party this weekend and that will definitely help! And I DO happen to have a bar of chocolate available. Today is the day!
Not sure what is going on but so many friends are having problems. Me too. The world is wonky and setting everyone just a little off.
Glad to know you have friends to help you through this.
parsnip x
Parsnip,
Yep, the world is definitely wonky and I’m so grateful for fronds … here and in blogland.
Outstanding pictures! The top one looks like you drew it whilst looking in a mirror and i love how busy the second one is. You have a complicated mind which is great for your friends but probably at times not so great for you…
Tynan,
That mirror self-portrait was done in my bedroom in Tuscany in ‘77 or ‘78. I was having a bad day. Imagine that. (It was a really elegant bedroom.)
I’m a psychiatrist and unless you pay me I ain’t saying nothing.
Urspo,
Are your rates the same as for your “other” services?