Saturday, April 29, 2017

THE FIRST MYSTERY NOVELLA IS UP FOR 2.99 -- BLACK & BLUE

ALL RIGHTY THEN --

The first murder mystery is up on Kindle only as an ebook.  BLACK & BLUE is the first Ivie Black mystery and the first release of a mystery novella under the new A.S. James name.

It's at $2.99 because that's what Kindle recommended, and because I couldn't really figure out the pricing scheme in the limited time available to me.  But I'm in a program that will let me discount it after 30 days.  But I'm HOPING ya'll will be too anxious to wait.

BUY THE NOVELLA GUYS.  SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AUTHOR.


Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Pain Meds, Brain Function and Odd Memories

I have arthritis.

Occasionally, particularly when the weather is damp, I hurt.  A lot.  On rare occasions I hurt enough to actually take something for the pain.  I try not to do that.  For a lot of reasons.  Getting too used to pain medication is bad; taking any medication isn't great for my one remaining kidney; it affects my ability to think properly which is kind of counterproductive for living; it loosens up my self control (which is not a good idea people.  Really.), etc.

But today it was very, very bad.  So I took something.  I now hurt considerably less.  And I am very, VERY mellow.

A post on Facebook about a woman getting an MRI of her brain and doing meditation to stay calm during the process reminded me of something that happened to me many years ago now.

I was having a MRI done of my head because of a pituitary tumor.  I needed to lay VERY VERY still so they could get a good picture.  So I did my relaxation and meditation exercises.

SUDDENLY I AM WHEELED OUT, THERE ARE FLASHING LIGHTS, THERE IS A NURSE WITH PADDLES IN HER HANDS LEANING OVER ME!

ME:  "What the hell?"

NURSE:   "OH!  You're . . . you're not. . . . You're okay?"

ME:  "I WAS fine.  Not so sure now.  Wazzup?"

NURSE:  "Your blood pressure and pulse went so low, we thought we were losing you.  Yesterday we had a guy react to the dye and crash."

ME:  "Oh.  No.  Just doing my relaxation and meditation."

NURSE:  "Um.  Good?  But maybe you don't need to be quite THAT relaxed."

ME:  "At this point, I don't think it's going to be a problem."