Remember how a few years ago I hurt my right shoulder? As with most shoulder injuries, it took quite a long time to heal -- properly, I mean, to the point where you don't notice, apart from the occasional twinge, that you ever hurt it at all. Well, I don't know how I did it, but I woke up on Christmas Eve and there it was back again, that sharp pain in my shoulder and collar bone. It's been getting worse ever since; it woke me up a couple of times last night (not surprising, since I have this tendency to turn to the right in my sleep) and as from this morning, my arm is pretty much useless as I can't lift it or move it far enough backwards to accomplish the simplest of tasks (like getting dressed). Merry Christmas, looks like I'm going to have to think before using this arm to make any kind of movement again...and that is harder than you might suppose.

Speaking of Christmas, I spent all of it at home, by myself...and quite enjoyed it. I watched a few films, and the Doctor Who-special; read a book, did the laundry and had a glass of wine to mark the occasion. I didn't overeat, and because of the snow and ice, and the fear that I might slip and hurt my other arm, I didn't go to midnight or early morning Mass. There was only one thing I didn't like about the day, and that was that in assuming the lotus position as I usually do when sitting down, I ripped my favourite pair of jeans across the seat.