Can anyone help, please?

Fri, 7 Nov 2008, 11:35 pm

Tim Prosser23 posts in thread

I want to make some additional comments on my blog 'No more set painting', but the comment posting facility just isn't there any more. Is it removed if no posts are submitted within a certain period of months? Edit: I've probably put this in the wrong place - I've been set painting all day and I'm tired.

Thread (23 posts)

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Tim ProsserFri, 7 Nov 2008, 11:35 pm

jeffhansenSat, 8 Nov 2008, 12:15 am

I think that admin can

I think that admin can close a thread if it is no longer active, or it may happen automatically........I'm just guessing. See you next Saturday Tim? www.meltheco.org.au

Tim ProsserSat, 8 Nov 2008, 01:09 am

Sorry Jeff, no you won't

Sorry Jeff, no you won't see me next Saturday. As usual I'm up to my eyeballs in set painting and rehearsals and have recently discovered that I've been carrying pleurisy around with me for quite some time - which explains why I've been distinctly unwell at various times, particularly over the past year or so. This all came to light just over a week ago when severe chest pains led me to front up at Royal Perth Hospital. I really thought I was in trouble - well, I suppose I am! The course of antibiotics they gave me appear to have had no effect whatsoever, so for the moment I don't know what the next step is going to be until I can see my G.P. - and that looks like being a month or so away, considering how difficult it is to get doctor's appointments nowadays. But I'm committed to a few things at present and as soon as they're over I intend to take a long break from theatre. Six months would be good. I don't think it would be wise to take on anything new, so my apologies and best wishes for 'Doctor in the House' - I really would have liked to be a part of it. I guess that's pretty much what I wanted to say in the blog. Unfortunately, now I really must start saying "no" . . . emphatically!

TaureanSat, 8 Nov 2008, 08:18 am

Take care of number one

Make sure you follow through with your Doctors appointment Tim and take all the steps required to get over this bout of ill health.

If that requires a six (or even 12) month hiatus, then my friend, take it. Don't worry about who will do it while you cant, (as I know you do) your own good health is the paramount issue here.

I am sure I speak for several of Perth's Theatre companies, their Directors and audiences when I say that your contributions to Community theatre both in the set painting and "on stage" categories have been exceptional and you will not be forgotten or cast aside.

From the bottom of all our hearts - "Get Well Soon".

Now then, having gotten the sentiment out of the way, Tim, I need a backdrop of a Spitire versus ME109 squadron dogfight during an electrical storm over the Dover cliffs. Nothing too big mind, only large enough to provide a back wall at The Quarry ............ Just kidding mate. Look after you!

Graeme

"Be nice to your Tech's - or they'll turn out the lights and go home!"

NaSat, 8 Nov 2008, 01:52 pm

I believe threads close

I believe threads close automatically after a certain period of time, probably to ensure that the site isn't constantly flooded with replies to threads that are 10 years old (this site's ten years old remember! That's a lot of text to reply to). I'd just start a new thread, and link to the old one. Round head foam puppet pattern at Puppets in Melbourne

Tim ProsserSat, 8 Nov 2008, 04:34 pm

Dying on stage!

Thanks Na and Graeme. Na, I suspected as much, since my original post was made back in May. I still don't know how to do links though! Oh well, it doesn't matter now. With less than two weeks until Stirling's 'Sing On' opens, I can't possibly pull out of the production now. In fact I wouldn't even consider doing so. It might be interesting, though, to see how I cope with singing two duets while not being able to breathe properly. Ultimately I'm expected to clutch my chest and fall down 'dead', so I sincerely hope I don't do it for real . . . at least until the final night of the run, anyway! Now Graeme, I don't know whether or not this will work, but if it does . . . [IMG]http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii55/tango-india-mike/OilpaintingNo35.jpg[/IMG] . . . not quite what you requested, but I hope you like it anyway. Cheers, Tim.

NaSat, 8 Nov 2008, 05:21 pm

Copy and paste

Click on the url in your browser's address box. Copy. Paste into text editor of new thread.... that easy! And no, those [img] links won't work. This site doesn't use coders like that. If you want to add an image, enable the 'rich text' editor (the link as at the bottom of the text editor and use the image button. (Or else, learn to code manually :P) Round head foam puppet pattern at Puppets in Melbourne

JoeMcSat, 8 Nov 2008, 10:39 pm

Tim heres your "NO SET PAINTING PLEASE!" - BLOG"

Tim try this link it's your Blog;-

No more set painting please!

http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/tim_prosser/no_more_set_painting_sorry#comment

You can acess it from your your bio info page as well!

Tim have a chat to your Quack first & let him/her know what your up too in the show!

I know you won't, but pull the pin & look after number one mate, for once, as Graeme suggests!

Failing that at least record your number & only 'gold fish' the duet, during the show!

I'm sure the theatre can rig you up with a radio lapel Mic if you have any dialogue, that way both the recorded singing & talking are reinforced thru the speakers - the punters won't know the difference. Also it will allow you to fudge over any difficulty in breathing.

Tari-XalyrSun, 9 Nov 2008, 10:52 pm

They're Right

They are right Tim. Look after yourself. No-ones going to plot your death if you pull out of a show for your health. It will be difficult but in the end it'd be worse if you pulled out after opening night, wouldn't it. Look after yourself. Listen to your doctor. If you need to the time, take it. ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Tari-XalyrSun, 9 Nov 2008, 10:52 pm

They're Right

Tim ProsserTue, 11 Nov 2008, 11:27 am

Thanks Joe and Tari, but it

Thanks Joe and Tari, but it isn't so bad at the moment and I hope it stays that way - it comes and goes. In any case, the earliest appointment I can get with my doctor is the 10th of December, so there's not much else I can do except try to rest as much as I can WHEN I can. I still have another set to paint (at Old Mill, which I haven't even started yet), and a one-off play tomorrow night (Voices From The Tomb at Harbour), and am very much looking forward to getting those out of the way. Am I the only fool who allows himself to get so badly burned-out, or are there others? Why on Earth do we do it?

Tim ProsserTue, 13 Jan 2009, 05:28 pm

Not only pleurisy

I suppose I'd better say something about my situation as it stands at present, although I'm still pretty much in the dark myself - the wheels of the public health system turn very slowly indeed. I'm afraid the pleurisy is the least of my problems now, although I would very much like to have it got rid of. Would you believe that I'm STILL not getting any treatment for it? Since being diagnosed with it I've been sent for more tests including a CT scan, which was pretty comprehensive. The resulting report from that scan reveals that aside from the pleurisy symptoms, there is an underlying problem of far more seriousness . . . paraseptal emphysema. Now, as you might imagine, I'm somewhat alarmed by this news. I'm told there is no cure for emphysema, which is hardly comforting, and I have no idea which symptoms are those of the pleurisy or which ones are the emphysema. My doctor expressed dismay at the report from RPH, which apparently did not specify which type of antibiotics they gave me for the pleurisy, and consequently has refrained from administering any treatment of his own. Why he couldn't pick up the telephone and call RPH is a mystery to me, but it makes little difference really because the antibiotics didn't do anything much anyway. Since RPH recommended further tests, my doctor has just hand-balled the whole process over to them, and now I must wait until April 2nd to undergo 'lung function' tests. In the meantime, my discomfort continues, with some days better than others. Pretty fed up by this stage, I've tried to get in again to see my own doctor, but cannot do so until the end of this month. Reasoning that if pleurisy CAN be treated, then I damned well WANT it treated, I've opted to see another doctor instead. Even so, that won't be until this coming Friday. Fabulous isn't it? If you're sick and need to see a doctor, then be prepared to wait a very long time! The upshot of all this is that I really don't know if I'm going to be able to be involved in community theatre any more. Whether I can get rid of the pleurisy and then just learn to live with the emphysema, is something that remains to be seen. I've learned to live with my spinal problem, so perhaps I can adapt to this new problem as well. I certainly bl**dy well hope so! But for now, or at least the next few months anyway, I won't be doing any acting, singing or scenery painting. I might actually get around to SEEING a few shows for a change! Anyway, I'll see you all at the Finleys this Saturday night - only, please don't anyone offer me a cigarette!

NaTue, 13 Jan 2009, 05:52 pm

Wow, Tim that's such bad

Wow, Tim that's such bad news. I really hope you get treatment sorted out asap, and that you are able to find something to help you get better. My best wishes to you - take care of yourself! :flowers: Jellyfish shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

Tim ProsserTue, 13 Jan 2009, 06:49 pm

Thanks Na. God, how I wish

Thanks Na. God, how I wish I could be your age again and know what I know now!

NaTue, 13 Jan 2009, 06:55 pm

Well, I'm not a good

Well, I'm not a good example of that.... I don't smoke, drink or do drugs. :P But yeah, being young is probably good ;) No really, hope you can get some treatment and get better Jellyfish shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

marcieTue, 13 Jan 2009, 07:07 pm

pleurisy

When I had this the only thing that cured it was absolute and complete rest. I hope you get better soon.

jeffhansenTue, 13 Jan 2009, 11:31 pm

You get that Tim? Absolute

You get that Tim? Absolute and complete rest! Learn to say NO. www.meltheco.org.au

Tim ProsserWed, 14 Jan 2009, 01:55 am

Thanks Marcie, and Jeff . .

Thanks Marcie, and Jeff . . . I've said NO to a few people in the last month or two, some with no hesitation and others with regret. For goodness' sake, I've just had to say no to Johnny Grim, and that was a hard thing to do, I can tell you! I already had a pretty good handle on 'Jock' and he would have been a real hoot (mon) to play. Even now I harbour a faint hope that a sustained course of the appropriate antibiotics might get me into a fit enough state to take the part on after all. And yes, I know what I said about taking a long break, but some things are worth making sacrifices for. A strange thing has happened to me this evening, and I'm not sure what it means. I had a really, REALLY bad spell of just not being able to catch my breath at all. Fortunately I wasn't alone, but over at my good friends John and Pauline's place across the street. It frightened the daylights out of the pair of them and they thought they'd have to call for an ambulance. I can tell you it was upsetting me a bit too. Anyway, this problem with inhaling enough air has been going on for a good week and a half now, and I've been coping with it by continually working at getting up a decent yawn and letting reflex action force air into my lungs. Not only has this continuous exercise been physically draining, but interaction with others has been embarrassing at times. I probably should take a couple of months off from my radio work, too . . . but for the moment I'm doggedly hanging onto that. So anyway, tonight's little turn was looking a bit nasty, but just when it seemed that I was either going to croak it, or at the very least lapse into unconsciousness, it all just changed in an instant. It was like some sort of miracle. One second I was desperately trying to fill my lungs while sliding into a rapidly accelerating vortex of dizziness, and the next second I was breathing deeply and so amazingly satisfyingly, with my brain and thoughts crystal clear. That was about three hours ago and I'm still breathing deeply. In fact, apart from a bit of pain on the right side of my chest I'm feeling pretty damned good - the best I've felt in weeks. I do know from experience though, that these symptoms flare up for two or three weeks and then subside for a while before manifesting themselves in some other form. This seemingly miraculous, instant improvement is a new one! Still, I hope it lasts because I don't want to go through anything like that again in a hurry. Marcie, I take it that you've had a dose of pleurisy yourself. Does any of that sound familiar? Thanks again for your concern, folks. I'm still going to the Finleys, you bet I am . . . and Jeff, I'm coming to see 'Doctor in the House' too. Did you get your skeleton?

Greg RossWed, 14 Jan 2009, 07:40 am

Keep On Keeping On

Tim, me old son

Ten years ago ... well, December 1997, I was given three months to live ... "You'll be dead by March if you don't blah, blah, blah." Here I am, a decade later, with a far better understanding of and appreciation of life than I ever had prior to that fateful day and driving the Wallies mad.

Sure, news such as you've had rocks you, then the will to live kicks in. First thing you've got to do is fire the quack, the attitude is nonsense. Unfortunately you're discovering that without Private Health Care, there is no efficient health care system, just totally overworked and underpaid medical staff struggling to cope.

If you can cope with the rigours of "going-public" then taking your case to The West, or The Sunday Times will probably see a sudden reversal in attitude towards your situation by the relevant authorities.

We took that approach with a very dear friend of mine, who's life was saved by Herceptin, as we wanted to help get the drug on the public health system. She's a very private person, but bravely went public to help other women. It worked. Call me if you want / need to go this way. Or, as Donald would say, "What ta f@%^ is ya thinkin? Put da Calymore inna the bastards!"

Cheers

Greg Ross

Minister for Good Times

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LogosWed, 14 Jan 2009, 10:09 am

Tim:

The total of our acquaintance is what has to be the politest argument I've ever had with someone over the use of swear words. (There's an irony for you) The discussion left me with enormous respect for you and I would like to wish you all the best just remember "nil carborundum bastardi" (Don't let the bastards grind you down.) Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

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TaureanWed, 14 Jan 2009, 01:31 pm

Fan-bleeping-tastic.....

Hey! Hang on... isn't this the work of renowned scenic artist Tim Prosser???

I could swear it was done by "Photo-Realism" ;)

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii55/tango-india-mike/OilpaintingNo35.jpg

Well done Tim... that's put paid to me being a smart alec...

See you soon,

"Be nice to your Tech's - or they'll turn out the lights and go home!"

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Tim ProsserThu, 15 Jan 2009, 04:22 am

Thank you everyone for the

Thank you everyone for the supportive comments. The pleurisy is one thing, but the emphysema is something else again. Yes, it's caused by 38 years of tobacco addiction - as much as I'd like to blame it on the noxious substances I've shot through spray guns in the years when I was working in scenery workshops. So I'm perfectly well aware that I have nobody to blame but myself for the predicament I'm now in. Thank you all for not being judgemental. Tony, that's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me. I remember that 'argument' - it was fun wasn't it? I hope I haven't blown my cover by using 'bl**dy'. See, I still can't bring myself to type it out in full on a public forum! But rest assured, it's one of my favourite 'traditional' swear words! And Greg, thanks for the advice. I don't really want to sack my G.P. though, as I've been seeing him for well over fifteen years now and he's as much a friend as anything else. It's not his fault that Perth's population is expanding exponentially and there just aren't enough doctors to cope with the demand. I've really got no choice though, but to see this other bloke on Friday and I'm sure we'll be able to get something happening at last. I'll fill you in on what transpires when I see you on Saturday . . . you ARE coming to the Finleys, aren't you? Good God, look at the time . . . 4.15 am! Can't sleep. Cheers all.

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Greg RossThu, 15 Jan 2009, 07:17 am

Saturday at LWs

Salutations Tim

Yep, coming to the Finleys - it was either three days luxury boating down to the south west, or Karrinyup. You guessed it, gotta support local theatre. See ya there - need a lift? Actually, I've thrown my hat into the ring (alright, Taurean pushed / cornered me) to help out on another level, but that's another story ... for Saturday night. bloody hell, I hope they've got good wine!!

Cheers

Greg

Greg Ross

Minister for Good Times

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