The Lighter Side: Friday's News From the Mansions - and a few Concerns about Tedski... ;-)

[markbenjamin57]

Greetings All

First, PLEASE NOTE: This is an overtly and intentionally SILLY Post. If you want to read Serious and Important Stuff about PMR and GCA, read-on at your Peril. Just don't blame me if you find yourself inadvertently giggling against your wishes - or worse. You have been warned...

Ok, so here goes:

In case you've got nothing better to do on a Friday night and / or were wondering about your favourite Furry Rascal, I attach a picture of him taken at The Mansions today.

He seems to be in good spirits and has been chauffeuring me around WSM as usual in the Limo. You know the type of thing: armed raids on the local Charity shops, making a nuisance of myself at the fag counter at ASDA, and for his weekly appearance to check-in with the Old Bill (part of his Bail Conditions - but better not say more about that right now).

All seems well but I must confess to having noticed some subtle changes in him recently. For example: his driving has become a little erratic and he has taken to wearing my best size 10 Timberland walking shoes - as well as a permanent, vacant Grin. Or is it a Grimace? I just don't know.

Strangely, I've also noticed that my Preds are vanishing at a faster rate than usual and my Bavarian Friend keeps singing "Tventy-One Today, Tventy-One Today, De-Da.. etc" in his usual cheery but now slightly manic-sounding voice. He also seems to have had a haircut, acquired a Fake Tan and lost his big ears (somewhere, somehow?) and increasingly insists on sitting on top of my PC like a Brooding Hen on a Nest.

Oh well, maybe it's all in my imagination - but many of Us Lot know what PMR and the Preds can do to some people. Answers on a Postcard please?

Enjoy your weekend - and try to keep smiling on the PMR / GCA / Pred Journey..

'Uncle' MB

P.s. For those of you who are new here, the Main Character depicted in this story is entirely Fictional - as indeed I might be, also. If by reading this Post you are affected or disturbed in any way, probably best to pour a glass of something, er, 'Nice' and (if in the UK) watch the BBC News and latest developments in the Br*x*t saga to restore your Sanity. On the other hand, maybe not...

[Sandradsn]

Why has he turned into a minion!? What did you do to him? Did you microwave him?(too many questions?)

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Sandradsn]

Minion? More like a pickled onion? It might be something to do with grilling him, trimming-off the singed bits, putting him in the Freezer to cool-down and then re-heating him in the Microwave. Oh well...

[Yellowbluebell in reply to markbenjamin57]

I am seriously worried that at some where in your "life before pmr" you were ever left in charge of children!!

[Daisychain12 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

😱😱😱

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

I know a lot about children. I used to be one. Until about age 40...

[Yellowbluebell in reply to markbenjamin57]

Only 40?? My brain thinks it's still a teenager, shame my body isn't at the same age!!

[allykat]

Phew! It wouldn't be a normal Friday night without a message from WSM. All's well!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to allykat]

Ahh, thanks and Bless kat. I try to do my best for You Lot in the Silly Stakes - and me too...

[coda123]

Dear MB, I love your new pal Predski but am hoping you haven't sent dear Tedski over the edge of sanity. Do be careful.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to coda123]

Thanks coda. But all I can say is, if Tedski's been stealing my Preds, there will be BIG TROUBLE and an almighty FFIIIGGGHHHHTTTT!!!

[Yellowbluebell in reply to markbenjamin57]

We've discussed this before, I doubt any of us have got the energy to fight.!!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Ohhh.. ok then (he says, whimpering, hastily retreating to the Master Bedroom at the Mansions and clutching the Re-Invented Tedski tightly despite his recent Betrayal). Ohh, the Pain. But.. sometimes it's better to walk away from a Fight than to try to win it against the Odds?

[Yellowbluebell in reply to markbenjamin57]

Definitely. The master bedroom with a stuffed toy sounds like my sort of fight. Mind you we still have to climb the stairs!. I have chosen which fights I am likely to win rather than fight everything.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Too true...

[Hidden]

Thank you Mark I needed some lighthearted reading before bed as I have been going mad trying to get this new SIM card working properly. I will (hopefully) sleep on it and get to grips with it tomorrow. Good night D

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Hang-on in there Dot

[Zofitmogelijk in reply to Hidden]

Hi Dot, I had the same yesterday evening, a problem with the new simcard. I asked on the Symio forum and within minutes was responded with a link that installed the card properly. good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Zofitmogelijk]

Thank you. I am just having coffee and then round to sorting it. Will go to the Symio forum as you suggested and here's hoping. D

[Grants148]

I preferred Tedski as he was,what have you done Mark ,or did the little rascal do this to himself ? Happy weekend Mark .

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Grants148]

Me too Patricia. Unfortunately, I think that Tedksi has decided to change his Public Image to Predski here for reasons only known to him. But maybe I can talk him around and we'll get back to Normal again (whatever that means)? I'm on the case..

Happy weekend to you too

[Hidden]

Tedski looks like he's had a Drs appointment!!! Bloody ell! Poor sod!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Apparently he turned-up for his GP appointment carrying an old, battered suitcase and asking whether his choice in travel luggage was relevant to his Dx. The GP replied: " That's the worst case I've ever seen".

[Hidden in reply to markbenjamin57]

Boom Boom.... What a Craacker!

I think " THE EYES HAVE IT"!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Ha! As they say, the old ones (gags) are the best..

[HeronNS in reply to markbenjamin57]

🤣

[SheffieldJane]

That is an imposter!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to SheffieldJane]

How can you tell..?

[SheffieldJane]

I met Tedski in person remember?

[markbenjamin57 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Oh, of course...!

[Grants148]

I prefer the fluffy Tedski,perhaps you could have a word in his er, ear,l can’t see one on Predski !

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Grants148]

Ok, I'll dig him out of a suitcase in the loft and try to win him round...

[Rokerman]

You haven’t taken him on a trip to Salisbury by any chance, have you.....?🤣

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Rokerman]

Ohhhh... No, but he did borrow the Limo for a long time the other day...

[Jackoh]

Reckon with a few more characters you could start a muppet show! 😜

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jackoh]

How many does he need? He has the lead star...

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

Are you calling ME a muppet?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

Did I say that?

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

Whaaddeverrr....

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

You are on fire today , 😂😂😂

[Constance13 in reply to markbenjamin57]

Why not?😂

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

Gawd knows what they think at the charity shop when I buy these silly objects. A well-dressed 60-ish year-old man buying silly teddy bears? If only they knew...

[Jackoh in reply to markbenjamin57]

“A well dressed 60 ish year old man buying silly teddy bears” -

See I thought we were heading for this “teddy bears” - how many have you got?

And as for some of us applying for muppet show - well I suppose it takes one to recognise others? From the well known saying” takes one to know one!” 😜

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

Only these 2 - honest Guv...

[Constance13 in reply to markbenjamin57]

They probably think you have a great many grandchildren!!!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Constance13]

Careful now, surely I don't look THAT old..?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

HOW old?????

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

PMRpro, STOP BEING SILLY!!! (that's my job..)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

Me? Silly? Perish the thought - I just asked a question. Bear in mind grandparenthood may start any time after mid-30s if you weren't careful ...

[markbenjamin57 in reply to PMRpro]

It happened to a mate of mine at age 16 when he, er, 'dated' a local girl who we both fancied - but I was too shy to ask her out. Grandad at 33. There but for... etc

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

I rest my case...

[Constance13 in reply to markbenjamin57]

Have you noticed this one fellow forum members? Mark was/perhaps “is” SHY!!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Constance13]

Ohh, Constance. I was in fact pathologically shy as a teenager. But Life's experiences have toughened me-up and now I am SUPER CONFIDENT!!!! (Sorry, I didn't mean that, please forgive me for speaking out of turn....)

[Blearyeyed in reply to markbenjamin57]

Ooh ! The air is seeped with irony 😋😂😂😂

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

Maybe a few of You Lot could apply.. ? (sorry..)

[Hidden]

Oh! God where did all go wrong!!" Just a personal comment!!!!!!!! Me Perfec! Ha Ha!

[GCA1947]

Thank God for Mark Benjamin.

Blue printed note on my screen says "How did this post make you feel"

I always get a decent laugh from Mark and the escapades of his bear.

I have not been very well since November as I developed Cellutitis and then an abscess on the end of my big toe, suggested by my G.P. as caused by G.C.A., C.R.P at 49 confirmed by Vascular Clinic at local hospital and am now going through the plethora of tests, had X-Ray on 24/01/19 to find out how deep it goes, and will have a Doppler vein map on 11/02/19.

I have varicose veins courtesy of Klinefelters and I know that I have a blocked vein in my lower left calf.

I saw consultant on 17/01/19, and he didn't think he'd need to amputate the toe even before the diagnostic tests were carried out. This toe as been a real nuisance for all its life Top joint removed surgically in 1964 caused by bunion; Grand Nail removed in 1999 caused by nail ingrowing. If they don't remove the toe I am going to have a real problem cutting said toe nail because the flesh from the toe top has flopped forward hiding the nail bed.

As I said thank goodness for Mark. I'll keep you informed as I progress

Best wishes

Colin

[HeronNS in reply to GCA1947]

Get well soon. 🌷

[markbenjamin57 in reply to GCA1947]

Greetings Colin, and Happy New Year :-). It seems a long time ago now. It's funny, I was wondering about you recently as it's been a while..

Thanks for your kind comments. Dunno about 'Thank God for MB.." etc though. Some others here might say 'Thank God he's gone QUIET recently!' :-D. That's a good point about entering a score on the 'How did this Post make You Feel' button: I'm sure it helps the HU Site Administrators to regulate the content. And, of course, people can remain anonymous whilst registering their opinions about any particular Post.

Glad to hear you're holding relatively steady - although you always remind me that my own PMR niggles are a walk-in-the-park in comparison. Yep, please do keep Us Lot all posted about your health journey - even if you have peripheral issues to deal with aside from GCA. No doubt, many of us will relate in one way or another.

Talking of Bunions, I can relate. I've had one (right big Toe) for donkey's years. Crossing-over wildly, and not helped by the fact that I have very wide, size 10+ feet 'to boot' (excuse the accidental orthopaedic pun!). But, fortunately, never any discomfort or other issues, so I just make sure to wear wide-fitting, soft, comfortable shoes to accommodate it (my late mother had exactly the same thing, and it didn't bother her either). So, best left alone methinks - unless I start walking around in circles :-D.

Good to hear from you Colin - please stay in touch

MB

[Blearyeyed in reply to markbenjamin57]

Yes , you are away with the fairies and thank goodness say us all!

Perhaps I should get your picture added to the list of flying wildlife on the, 'Big Garden Bird Watch ', me and Pepperdoggie have been posting about.

Have a feeling one of us could spot a low flying Uncle through our binoculars from the comfort of a living rooms this weekend!😂😂😂😋

Hugs Bleary-eyed xxx

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Watch out, and look in the skies tonight. The Man from U.N.C.L.E MB is about, in his Space Age* Hyper-Velocopter. (*or should that be Spaced-Out?) x

[Blearyeyed in reply to markbenjamin57]

You see you superhero identity and gadget pack is growing more interesting by the day.

I'll warn RAF Valley , don't want them shooting you down from the sky if you were being so kind to fly by and say hello, xx

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Oscar Kilo..

[Grants148]

Oh Colin,this all sounds awful ! I hope they manage to sort this out for you,as for Mark and his teddy or maybe teddies ,the mind boggles ! It makes you wonder just what could be lurking inside his loft,it can be quite addictive,collecting teddy bears,so difficult to resist those appealing eyes and cute little faces,well in Tedski’s case a rather large face ,and what about Olga,is she still around ? I have quite a few bears myself ,l would post a photo but have yet to master that .l think that most of us look forward to Marks lighthearted ramblings,we need something to take our minds off our journey through PMR/PMR ,but he does sometimes share his knowledge of those in a more serious blog,which is a great help .lt is still hard though not to think of that bear whatever he writes,they both seem to go together now. I had better say no more or he really will be thinking of ways to dispose of Tedski !!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Grants148]

The Mind boggles - the Boggles boggle..?

As for the likes of Tedski, Predski, the seductive but mysterious Olga, secrets in the Loft at the Mansions, the Limo, Charity Shop adventures and all things on The Lighter Side? All I can say is: if any of You Lot are daft enough to follow (or even giggle?) at this type of Nonsense you are probably quite Normal in the Marbles Department.

[Blearyeyed in reply to markbenjamin57]

Love the subtle inclusion of the word , 'Quite' there 😋😁

[Grants148]

I notice l have posted PMR/ PMR on the previous post, l meant to say PMR/GCA, blame it on brain fog or pred head !

[Blearyeyed]

Sweetie,

If you have begun to believe you are a fictional character , I don't think Tedski is to blame for the suspicious disappearance of your steroid meds. Perhaps you should put them under lock and key in case you are "sleep steroiding" in the night!

Of course , Tedski has nothing to worry about, in comparison to Queen Venom of Bonkerainia over here , who in a blurry eyed haze squinted at your photo and wondered why you had purchased a cuddly toy of Donald Trump to sit on your keyboard.

I flipped back up to the top just to check , even after reading the post , as my first thought was that Donald Trump had caused some form of Government Shutdown over there at The Mansions because he wanted to make a hostile takeover of Tedski Towers!!

( all references to current political issues are for comedic purposes only , don't want to get you in trouble Uncle😋😁)

Even the big eyes didn't convince me , must see what my daughter has been adding to my teapot as well as Tea , although a waft in the face from a cold breeze was always enough to distract me and the mind was never that normal even before the medication.

Perhaps , like you , I am just a lost cause.

Tedski for President , free hugs for all ,

Queen Venom of Bonkerainia aka Bee xx

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Bee: maybe even I am a product of my imagination? It reminds me of my favourite movie of all time: the enchanting 1970s 'Being There' - from the original novel by Jerzey Kosinski, starring Peter Sellars as the enigmatic 'Chauncey' Gardner. The end-piece goes: 'Life is a State of Mind' as Chauncey seems to walk across the surface of the lake outside the White House and then dips his umbrella in - up to the hilt...

[Grants148]

Well said Bee xx.

[tgca]

I suspect that Tedski is somewhat overwhelmed by this new interloper and took the limo to esacape. As for Predski... reckon he's on something... sounds dead suspicious to me.....

[markbenjamin57 in reply to tgca]

Who knows, tgca? There have been some strange things going on at the Mansions recently...