3. I'm having a retinal scan tomorrow to see if a 'floater' in my eye is simply age-related or something more sinister. I'm feeling worried about what it might reveal.

Right before the start of the pandemic I was working training as an optician, and I was having flashes at the edge of my vision and a few more floaters. My doctor tells me it is age related and they will just monitor it. I know you have spoken with your doctor about this posibility, so hopefully, that will be the case for you as well. Sending vibes.

Hey Senyar... you know, my mom had developed cataract the year before and she was just as worried as you are when she had to go and see the doctor so that he could diagnose what she had. When he told her that she could get it treated by going in for an operation, and that it's quite common for people to develop it as they grow older, she took comfort, I think, in the fact that there was a remedy, and that she wasn't alone in facing the issue.

Upon doing a little bit of research on floaters, which I had never even heard of, it says that they happen to be very common too, and like cataract, develop as you grow older.

I'm sure that's all it is, and your meeting with the ophthalmologist goes well. Be sure to keep us informed about the results. And unlike the UK, it's getting pretty hot over here. (Hope you do get to meet up with your friends again, and as soon as possible; looks like you've made quite a few, and I'm sure your friends miss you too, and can't wait to see you again.)

All went well with the retinal scan. As I'd thought, it is age-related degeneration and is nothing to worry about. Whilst I hate the idea of developing age-related conditions, if I have to age, at least it will be as a degenerate.

Great news, Senyar! Very happy to hear that. (:

Ps. don't worry so much about the age related conditions; we're all going to be joining you pretty soon.

Well, this didn't happen on thursday, it was Friday morning here, so technically it'd still be Thursday State-side...

1. Was feeling pretty good after having taken a terrific fall and hurt my knee the other day--the knee which was already shattered in the accident I suffered over decade back, so was worried if I'd royally fucked up this time. Thank god, after about two weeks of recuperation the knee was feeling as good as ever.

2. Decided to go for my morning walk as I used to and finished the 5 km run as quickly as I would, but after coming back home discovered the pain had too. Looks like no more walking for another fortnight at least.

3. Went to get my vaccination, they've opened it up for anybody over the age of 18, so thought I'd go a little early and stand in line, but upon reaching the hospital discovered that due to the shortage of the vaccine it might be delayed by a couple of days (i'm hoping not by more).

The situation is pretty grim here guys, with people dying left and right, and all our corrupt government can do is deny the facts and act as if nothing's wrong, when just about everything is. Not a night goes by without the wailing sirens of an ambulance breaking the midnight silence every hour or so.

Hugs, hadjiboy, that's so scary. We hear small bits about what's happening there and it just is so awful.

The news coming from India is heartbreaking. Neighbours of mine are Indian and after they had a baby, the wife's mother came over from India to help, and then Covid hit and she was here for a year and a half, her visa extended several times because she wasn't able to fly back. She flew back home on 31 March, and it couldn't have been at a worse time. My neighbour tried to keep her here longer, but the Home Office wouldn't allow any more extensions.

Stay safe, Hadjiboy and family.

Thanks for the good wishes, mightshould, Senyar... couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. The hospital where I've been registered to get my vaccination won't be getting their new stock for another week at least.

So it's probably going to be after eid.

The government's even considering going under a total lock-down again, after the debacle that they had put the country through last year, which lead to the death of hundreds of thousands--walking back home, 1000's of kms, since they had no other way to reach their loved ones, food, and shelter--saying that if they had to die, they would rather it be with their families.

Shameful.