Categories: uncategorized
Date: 09 January 2008 08:55:54
There were two meetings called for my first day back at work; and at the second meeting the chairman dropped a bombshell, asking me to do a presentation (or, more likely, a series of presentations) on the service we're rolling out. I accept that it would be good for the project if I do these presentations, but the prospect scares me.
But a strange coincidence has arisen. My wife works for the same university as I do (this hasn't always been the case, but the university and her institution merged some years ago), but on a different campus. Our paths rarely, if ever, cross. But it so happens that of the few units piloting this service, she works for one of them. I have to attend one of the presentations being given to her school, to get a rough idea of what I shall be saying. I could have been going to the presentation that she will attend, but, as it happens, I shall be going to an earlier one. Still, I should be able to offer her additional support. And I am hoping that my colleague who is responsible for her college will be able to make a point of saying hello to her.
But to-day I am seeing a psychiatrist. I am (to put it mildly) anxious. My experience of psychiatrists has not been great. This consultation has been arranged by my general practitioner, whom I saw in the autumn to suggest that I might have Asperger's Syndrome. I am hoping that we can achieve some kind of clarity. The diagnosis, of course, is not up to me. I shall try to give the doctor as much relevant information as I can. If it does turn out that my condition can be given a name, then it should be much easier for me to find the support that I need. In fact, ironically, recent developments at work are exactly the kind of thing that I would have been hoping to be able to question. Of course, it is equally possible that the doctor will say to me that in his opinion I am 'normal' (or neurologically typical, as I believe is current phraseology). It could be that my fears and difficulties are no different from most people's. But I do wonder, looking back down the years, whether I could have particular problems, which may explain some things which have happened (and continue to happen).
It's a stormy day here, following a stormy night. I'm feeling guilty, because yesterday evening I evicted the cat who comes to visit. Until now we have operated a rule that the cat doesn't stay the night. I'm beginning to think that we shall have to make some arrangements so that if the weather is especially inclement we have the option of letting him stay. Specifically, I'm considering the purchase of a tray and some cat litter. I really don't know the right thing to do. Previously, there was a visiting cat, and we met the owners, and they weren't happy about us providing food and shelter for their cat. We simply don't know who owns this one.