Health Is Wealth

For a few weeks, I've experienced more aches than usual from little things that come out of nowhere. I did hobble about after falling a while back, but recently what started as small muscle ache during a morning run turned into a persistent pain in my calf. I was able to explore Forest Hill but I had to move around with care in my daily activities.

Last Friday, I finally felt well enough to try a slower jog. But on Saturday morning, an innocuous climb up the porch steps suddenly bloomed into a sharp jolt in my knee. This time, using the stairs and even walking became quite arduous. I abandoned any plans to go outside for the Blue Moon Halloween that night and have stayed in my apartment ever since.

My chronic joint troubles will affect my future plans. One, living up several flights of stairs is difficult and daydreams of relocating to a walk-up or above a store seem foolish. Two, vigorous physical exertion is likely a no-go. I haven't felt comfortable with skiing, tennis and other sports for years; smooth or repetitive motions like yoga or jogging are doable, but activities with rapid and sudden movement feel questionable. So although City Dance Corps and Second Sky Circus had recently moved into the glass building (Hamilton Gear Building) at Dupont and Dovercourt, it's wishful thinking to imagine taking classes there.

Finally, my leisure goals may need to change. Clearly from my posts I have exclusively spent time between Toronto and Ottawa over the last decade. Having total aphantasia, I envy the average person who has good, and perhaps even full, sensory (sight, sound, etc.) memories. My recall is limited to a dry recitation, not unlike (ha!) blog posts. I think this condition has also affected my desire to travel. I have no strong feelings about what few vacations I've taken; the "collect moments not things" mantra don't apply. Furthermore, I do not get excited thinking about going to some exotic locale because I literally cannot imagine the place.

Nevertheless, I think I should do more travel, if only before full climate change makes life hellish. But perhaps river cruises and bus tours are more my speed instead trekking the Machu Picchu trails or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.