Intentionally deaf

I expect that being genuinely deaf is quite a burden to those with the condition.  I do have some hearing loss and tinnitus, but not enough to warrant a hearing aid, and aside from a few minor difficulties, I get by just fine.

However, there are times when being intentionally deaf is a (private) joy.  Last year I splashed out on Bose noise cancelling earphones.

If you've not experienced the 'noise cancelling' property, do go test some - it's rather amazing. Even when they're not connected to any particular source, the reduction in background noise is wonderful.  They are really useful for eliminating (most) of the background noise on a long haul flight (it was for this reason they were originally purchased).

Aside from time on a large cigar tube at 35,000ft, these earphones are really handy for being intentionally deaf.

I do this most often when sloping off to the pub for a lunchtime pint, alone, works laptop at my side.  Earphones in, power on.... ah, far quieter.... then crank up the music of the moment.
Privacy in a pubic place.  Priceless.

Thursday is the new Monday

Today is the first day back at work.  At least, the first day back after new year as I was working all through the Christmas period.

An early start (5am), long commute (three hours) and then a day in a dull corporate office ploughing through thousands of emails and eight conference calls.  Be still my beating heart.

It's also around this time of year that the new year blues appear meaning I start to question what I do, why I do it and thoughts of "there's more to life than this" resurface from the depths of my mind.
I'm certain that there are millions of others doing exactly the same thing, feeling just as worn out and fed up as I do at this time of year.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel - tomorrow is Friday.  TFFT.