Laptopping For Lefthanders

(A Cautionary Tale for Bloggers)

If you are anything like me, you have seen your hobbies and work/life activities move one-by-one to the realm of the PC (or laptop, or now iPad or Smartphone). Hand written letters turned into emails (except those to Grandma). Book and record store browsing relocated to Amazon. You got your first digital camera and slowly gave up developing prints and pasting them in photo albums. If you do anything at all with your pictures, it is probably a photobook created on the computer or a slideshow set to music (which by the way, you now download). You cancelled your morning newspaper subscription and now read the news online. You watch the news and other programs there too – meaning sometimes days and days go by when the TV never gets turned on. You slowly moved into various social networks and maybe went through or short phase of obsessive checking for updates and little red flags. A feeling of panic arose that first time you couldn’t find your cell and maybe you said to yourself “My whole life is in there!!” You realized you don’t know anyone’s telephone number by heart anymore – maybe not even your own. And then there’s work. For research and information, your go-to library is now called Google. Materials for coworkers and students are now uploaded rather than copied and distributed . . .

(And, somehow, despite that over-long paragraph, I don’t think I have even scratched the surface.)

If you are anything like me, you haven’t really compensated for all this increased computer time with any sensible physical exercise beyond dog walking – some things still can’t be done digitally, although I am sure there is some GPS Remote Dog Walk app in our futures. (You heard it here first! I call dibs on the patent and the millions!) You also haven’t gotten around to making your workplace ergonomic or improving your slouching posture. You’ve noticed more back aches and stiff necks. Each time you treat them with some Chin Min balm and a resolution to take better care of yourself from now on.

If you are anything like me, you just learned your lesson the hard way. A painful eight-hour last-minute translating session combined with a cold virus and pre-existing repetitive stress irritations inflamed my right shoulder. It then REALLY flared up the next day while I was still at work, making the drive home (with a stick shift) excruciating painful as well as adventurous. As I could barely move my right arm, I had to reach over and shift with my left hand, each new gear change making me a bit more nauseous. Once home, I made an emergency call to my husband and an hour later we were in the doctor’s office where I had my very first experience with an IV drip. I came home with a baggie full of goodies. Once the inflammation and pain are conquered and I regain the full use of my right arm, I will have my first date with a physical therapist – another new experience.

 

So that is the state of things now. I am officially on sick leave for as long as my doctor decides to keep me here (basically until I can drive again). I’m pumped full up with painkillers and learning how to type and use the mouse with my left hand. My posture is excellent.