Honoring Aaron Anderson (d 9-22-2011) ETC

I have only recently learned of Aaron Anderson's passing. According to his obituary, Aaron died six years ago on this day of September the 22nd in the year 2011, at the age of thirty. Aaron Anderson is the brother of actress, Gillian Anderson, who wrote me the handwritten note (long before her brother passed away) which is posted atop this entry.

Throwback Thursday: "LIFE CAN'T WAIT" (Today's my video's one year anniversary.)

VIEW ON VIMEO
VIEW ON YOU TUBE

As of this blog entry, we only have ten more days left in the month of May, which happens to be known as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month. I was born with this horrific condition and have attempted to raise awareness about it through postings here on Blogger as well as in my presentations (speaking engagements) including one I gave in December of 2018 at NYSEC (The New York Society for Ethical Culture).

Moreover, I've written a book, Imperfect Strangers, about living with Neurofibromatosis (NF) and today marks my one year anniversary of posting my video (the cover for it is posted atop this entry) about the book.

NF* is "N.F." (NO FUN): Tuesday's Truths WK 83 *Neurofibromatosis

The cartoon posted atop this blog entry was included within one of my Facebook postings this past Friday. In that entry I stated: "This morning, I had an appointment with the eye surgeon who removed a cataract from my right eye in 2014, which was a very dangerous procedure since I can only see out of that eye. In my left eye, I have what is known as "counting fingers only" vision and even that is very blurry. The surgeon removed the cataract from that eye in 2015, but a secondary cataract has developed, which she will remove next month, on June 8th. And, UNFORTUNATELY, I now have a lump growing on the eyelid of the left eye, which needs to be attended to ASAP. Through a referral from my eye surgeon, I've set up an appointment for next week to see what can be done about this. Very disconcerting news for me, especially given my precarious living situation! Obviously, I need to buy more than a VOWEL!"

The lump which I am referring to in that FB entry, may or may not be due to my medical condition of Neurofibromatosis, a condition which I discussed in yesterday's posting here on Blogger.

At my appointment with an eye specialist that is scheduled for the later this morning I will find out if the growth is related to NF.

An Unpleasant (but typical) Encounter

As many people know, I have been heeding the governor's plea for people to shelter in place in an effort to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) ever since the eve of March 21st and did not go out (with the exception of walking a few blocks to the postoffice, walking a few blocks to a bank and walking a few blocks to check the status of a local laundromat, which is two blocks away).

However, I had to go out on May 11, 2020, to my orthopedist as I was past my need to follow up on the injury I sustained to my Greater tuberosity this past January and two days after seeing this doctor, I began physical therapy at a facility in my hood.

Other than the aforementioned occasions, I've not been outdoors, except to water my rooftop garden and to stand in it when participating in nightly #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions (tributes that honor first responders, healthcare professionals and essential workers who keep people safe during the this COVID-19 pandemic).

In any event, this past Sunday I took a very short walk carrying my DSLR, which is something I've NOT done in the few times I've ventured outside.

I was wearing a hat and my sunglasses plus a face-mask (a standard one, I don't have the ones I created yet), which meant my facial features were nearly covered, but I had opened my jacket a bit as it was getting hot and it wasn't opened very far, only my neck and the pendant I never take off (except for medical procedures) were exposed to the elements as a result.

Be that as it may, during my short journey, I passed a man (who can be seen in the image atop this entry) selling fruit on the street and was taken by the fact that he was on Instagram (which was indicated in a large print sign attached to his stand).

Sunday's Scenario: To be the Teflon OR to not be the Teflon? That is the question!

IMAGE CREDIT

Snoopy's got this, PARTIALLY.... and it is definitely how I felt this past Sunday when I was verbally attacked for my having Neurofibromatosis AKA NF.

BUT I do realize I don't have to "suffer these indignities," I most likely will have to be subjected to them over and over again...

And I will remind Snoopy, we don't have to "suffer these indignities," THAT part (suffering them) is in our control; as a friend of mine said to me upon hearing about my unpleasant encounter this past Sunday, "BE THE TEFLON."

With today being the last day of this month of May (which is the month set aside for NF awareness month) perhaps the wisdom of being the Teflon is truly noteworthy (at least for me).

Monday Musings: ON BEING AN ODD DUCK ETC

Yesterday morning I got the notification via a tweet from from Manhattan Bird Alert  which stated
"The MANDARIN DUCK and his reflection, continuing this Sunday at the Central Park Pond (60th and Fifth)" and upon reading it I made my way over to that area of CP.

However, when I arrived the Mandarin duck was no where to be seen, but The Pond, was being used by a number of other ducks, including male Wood ducks, such as the one seen in my photograph atop this entry.