Pardon me while I whine. Gotta say, this new way of commuting since I gave up driving last month is really wearing me out. By the time I get to my office, I’m exhausted — and generally in need of a shower, given the recent spate of warm, muggy weather. But as my Parkinson's progresses, I don’t trust myself behind the wheel and just don’t want to risk it.
Of course, it would be extremely helpful if folks on the MARC train and Metro subway could READ the freakin’ SIGNS! Like these two jolly fellows featured in the photo.
I got on at Union Station and stood there, staring at them — cane in hand, as they both looked for other things to look at. Just when I was about to say something, a gent behind me (in a seat NOT reserved for the elderly or disabled) stood up and offered me the seat. But I thought I’d just go ahead and immortalize these two assholes for you.
Anyway, like I said, it’s a wearying experience.
Yesterday afternoon, after walking 15 minutes to get to the shuttle that would take me to the Metro, then a half hour on the subway, then a long walk (up a broken escalator) at Union Station to the MARC train, I finally had a minute to relax. With my iPhone cranking tunes through the headphones, my mind started to wander. I thought about my nephew, Matthew, who is in the Navy in the middle east and how he invited me to take part in a "Tiger Cruise" when his ship comes back to the states. And I wondered to myself "how many other folks can say they’ve been in the Navy three separate times?"
I pondered that thought for a moment — and then snapped out of my reverie. I wasn’t IN the Navy three separate times. It was TWICE. Once from 1973 to 1977, then again from 1981 to 1985. See, this is significant because one of my frequent, recurring dreams at night is that I have re-enlisted for a third time. So, for a few brief moments, my dream world and real world had melded.
This is a clear warning sign that I need to try to stay focused — and ask Gail to let me know if I ever babble on about anything that she knows did NOT happen. With my "acting out" at night and vivid dreaming, this is one of the symptoms of incipient Parkinson’s psychosis. So far, it’s just the one episode. But for the last few nights, I’ve woken up and have not been clear as to where I was or if I was awake or asleep... eventually, I realize I’m awake and look at the clock to see if it’s time to get up yet. It generally is around 1 am or so when this sort of thing happens.
I think this will bear watching.
OK. Done whining. Thanks! ;)