The Lighter Side: Going Off-Topic. What Is this Community Forum coming to..?! ;-)

[markbenjamin57]

Greetings All: and on a more serious note...

Ohhh, what to say - and How to Say it..?

First, thank you all for your mainly insightful responses to my recent Post about the possible Causal link between PMR / GCA and related Auto Immune diseases, Inflammation in the Brain, and Depressive Illness. Yep, I know: this is a real and enduring issue for some of Us Lot.

That said: once again, I notice that my admittedly occasional (and potentially confusing) more Serious Posts have quickly degenerated into a Bun Fight of frivolous exchanges between some of You Lot around such trivialities as the History of and Societal / Maternalistically(?) driven reasons for a tradition of Sock Ironing, what constitutes 'Underwear', and whether any items of clothing need to be ironed in the first place.

Similarly, and as in my previous Serious Posts here: I notice that my initially serious contributions here quickly deteriorate into Daft and Bonkers Discussions around inconsequential things such as the escalating price of Broccoli in LIDL, whether Childrens' 'Lollipop' Road-crossing Ladies should be armed with Machine Guns for their own safety, how best to re-heat 36 month-old frozen Lasagne without getting food poisoning, and much more besides. And, not forgetting the dreaded subject of BREXIT. (Before you say it: Better not go there or we'll all get into in Almighty Punch-up.

All I can say is: PLEASE take this Social / Health Community Forum seriously, and all of those that contribute to it. (Grumpy Voice).

On the other hand..?

Carry on as Usual with your Fun and Banter, however irrelevant to the main topic. This is a Social Community as much as a Health Community: and some Lightness and Fun can bring it to Life for those of Us Lot who need some light / comic relief in between the discussions around more serious stuff of our illnesses.

Best Wishes All, and try to keep Smiling on the often un-predictable PMR /GCA Journey. Some Smiles and Laughter won't cure our illnesses. But it can help in the process of coping with them from day to day. And, in sharing our experiences with others, we might help them too?

'Uncle' MB

[SheffieldJane]

Everybody else sends pretty uplifting pictures. Do make an effort!

[Daisychain12 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Haha you tell him Jane!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to SheffieldJane]

You should see him on a BAD day...

[Daisychain12]

Oh dear I read it too quickly as I thought we were being scolded 🤣🤡👺👿. I THOUGHT you wrote “ how to reheat a 36 month old baby “ 😱😱😱👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻

But I see what you mean. Seriously-get serious about lightening up. Lighten up as you knuckle down into the sombre state of things. Be jovial with a sternness. Is that about the top and bottom of it Uncle? And Ted looks rather smug sitting there’

[Constance13]

Give Tedsky a hug, he looks a bit miserable to me.😀

[Daisychain12 in reply to Constance13]

He looks shifty to me lol

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Constance13]

I'm not surprised Constance - I'd just told him I was selling him on ebay

[SheffieldJane]

Better! 😜

[CT-5012]

What’s ironing? 😂

[Daisychain12 in reply to CT-5012]

Don’t ask me. Is it a foreign word? 🤣

[CT-5012 in reply to Daisychain12]

🤬🤬🤬😂

[Chrob in reply to Daisychain12]

It is now sweetheart.

[Hollyseden in reply to CT-5012]

Ironing is a thing I used to do in the olden days, before the weight of the iron multiplied beyond belief 😨 Some days I have to settle for tipping the kettle up to pour instead of lifting. I'll always find a way to make tea ☕

[Zofitmogelijk]

Hi uncle MB, but what exactly did you say?

[scats in reply to Zofitmogelijk]

That's the trouble with Mark's posts, lots of clever words and then you're never sure quite what he's on about. He must get his act together, Pepperdoggie can confuse me in just 2 words!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to scats]

YOU'RE never quite sure... etc? I'm not either - even when I'm writing the blooming stuff. I blame the Preds...

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Zofitmogelijk]

Sorry Aletta - another of my 'spoof' (joke) posts about being TOO silly here and not concentrating. A bit like the Headmaster telling-off the children... ?

[Zofitmogelijk in reply to markbenjamin57]

Ha ha, and I am not that kind of pupil to be honest.

[Jackoh]

Thank you Mark that you continually want and achieve to make us look at the brighter side/ lighter side of PMRGCA! Some of us have needed it lately!! 😘👍

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

Thanks J. I'm smiling, and wrote another spoof Headmaster-ish Post because, so often, Posts here DO meander-off onto other completely unrelated topics - and you end up forgetting what the original theme / question was!

I know that some of Us Lot find the above frustrating (or even annoying?): but, for me at least, it's a reminder that the forum can be a source of Fun and Social Banter as much as being here for serious help and advice.

I agree - quite a few of my friends (well, both of them to be exact) privately tell me that they're relieved to get Christmas and New Year (and all that goes with it) out of the way and are looking forward to Spring, and a better year ahead. Me too...

[Asbeck in reply to markbenjamin57]

Amen to the end of Christmas and New Year. I need a relative of Tedsky!!!!!!!!! I think I am going to adopt one.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Asbeck]

Greetings Asbeck, from across the Pond. Like Minds and all that...?

I 'picked-up' Tedski (no naughty jokes please Aunties) for £3 in my local Charity / 'Op' shop here in the UK. Unfortunately they don't give refunds for damaged goods so I'm stuck with him now. But at least he has some entertainment value with You Silly Lot

[Asbeck in reply to markbenjamin57]

(-:

[Jackoh in reply to markbenjamin57]

So glad you’ve got 2 friends Mark! 😜

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

Well Jackie, that was at the last count - a bit like my six-and-a-half (alleged) Followers here?

[Jackoh in reply to markbenjamin57]

I’d like to see the “half” That might be me as I’m only 5ft 1inches tall😜

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

Ahh, that solves the mis-leading stats then!

(p.s although I look tall, it's an illusion. I just have a long face...)

Ohh, better stop now....

[tgca]

I see Tedski brought back your car

[markbenjamin57 in reply to tgca]

Yep tgca: but with another 500 miles on the clock in just 24 hours - like before. Oh well, at least he valeted it before he handed it back to me. He's not all bad..

[tgca in reply to markbenjamin57]

Vell, Viv dat mileage ant in dat short timeski, he cant haff bin fisiting his cussins in 🇷🇺!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to tgca]

Ohhh, but who knows?! Vell, all I can say is: Vaahht doo Zee miles on Zee Leemo matter eef eet's come back Home?I

[Grants148]

I so agree MB, there is some very serious and helpful information posted on this site,and it has certainly helped us understand our PMR /GCA journey,lt is also so good for us to lighten up sometimes and have a laugh . I am pleased to see Tedski looking so well ,in fact in peak condition ,something we are all aiming for.Take care and have a nice weekend Mark.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Grants148]

Thanks Grants, and the same to you too..

[Grants148]

PS,l am watching Newsnight and guess what, Brexit ! Sorry to mention it but it’s enough to give me nightmares...........🙀

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Grants148]

I know. Where will it (i.e. Brexit) all end? You couldn't make it up. On the other hand, someone did (no previous PM names mentioned!)