Vasilios Theodorakis – An Online Author

Fiona died today – almost 10 months after her sister Lilly. As you might be aware, from a previous post, Fiona was the last of an elderly set of triplets my wife and I befriended some years ago.

At the time of Lilly’s death, we didn’t know Fiona all that well, but close contact over the next 9 months ensured we became quite good friends. This closeness came about because of her fragility – she became dependent on us physically, and we in turn, became dependent on her company. Fiona was an amazing and grand lady who kept a meticulous house, and tried to do her own cleaning, in spite of her age. What she lacked in physical strength, she made up for in practical jokes and a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

Fiona loved to keep busy, and even though she suffered greatly because of her sisters’ deaths, she continued to be as optinistic and active as her body would allow.

She was a stay-at-home person who enjoyed making her own meals, but occasionally splurged on a restaurant/gourmet dinner. Fiona savoured all aspects of life and fought hard to stay alive, but in the end, her body just gave way. Her shell became too weak to contain such a powerful spirit.

I suspect, she will always be one of the oldest, wisest and most resilient beings I’ll ever know. The last 9 months we shared with her was an absolute honour and a privilage – her outlook and way of life should be taught in schools and emulated by others. It saddens me that more people didn’t pay her attention.

Fiona, until we meet up again, save us some of your home made peanut butter delicacies and go easy on that jogging. ;)

Eternal Be Your Memory…
Both Helen and I will miss you dearly…

Regards – Vasilios Theodorakis – February 2012

One begins endeavours like theodorakis.org with such high hopes, and maybe that’s what leads to their undoing. Lowering one’s expectations and factoring in physical limitations may not be such a bad thing for someone like me.

Looking at the date of my last post, its obvious that something went wrong, but let’s not dwell on the past and notions of morbidity. Let’s just accept, that 2011 was not one of my better years, and that I need to aim for a more realistic posting regime.

One creative process that has worked against me is my preference for pencil and paper (notebook) over word-processor. All my ideas and first drafts come to me in this analogue format. In fact I have a notebook full of social commentaries that were written after the last blog entry but never typed up and uploaded.

So here’s hoping that I find a way to convert my hand written material into digital text in a more systematic way. Let’s just say – “Good Day and Good Riddance”! to 2011 and “Hello and Let’s Begin”! to 2012. ;)

Cheers – Vasilios Theodorakis – November 2011

There’s a 1987 New Twilight Zone episode called “Private Channel” that revolves around a teenager who uses an annoying “headphones based radio” (like a Walkman) in a public setting. In this story the teenager’s behaviour is presented as being abnormal. How things change!

The other night, while catching the train home, I decided to carry out an ad hoc survey and count who wasn’t using a device that had them attached via auditory umbilical cords to a little metal box. Of the 12 people I could see, 10 were plugged in! Now don’t get me wrong – I’m no luddite – I need technology and the internet to earn an income, but what’s happened to down time / quite time / reflection time or God forbid, prayer time! It’s as if the general public – and its not just the young – find it impossible to cope with the absence of noise, let alone listening to their own thoughts!

These sorts of observations, often get me wishing for a crystal ball that can look into the future and supply me with non-fictional information which I can use for fictional story lines. Our technological developments are now becoming stranger than fiction. The fact that so many people in public spaces, present as zombies being feed their daily programming, is a reality staight out of the twilight zone. I doubt Rod Serling could have come up with a weirder idea.

Cheers – Vasilios Theodorakis – June 2011

Dear Apple and Microsoft,

Please bring back GUIs – Graphical User Interfaces that make sense. Mac OS 7.1 or Mac OS 7.6 did just fine, even Windows 3.1 made some sense in regards to applications, files and folders. Our current (operating systems) OSs make no sense at all in relation to real world analogies. Its no wonder people get lost in the latest Mac OS X and Windows 7 menus. So many friends and relatives over the age of 75 have just given up in regards to digital technology, and those who haven’t, are constantly on the phone in need of OS support. ;)

Cheers – Vasilios Theodorakis – May 2011

After the last few posts, I’ve had a number of complaints about how much I pay out on the medical profession. In response to these complaints, I’ve decided to keep my “bagging” to a minimum from now on. After all, the good medical practitioners, have managed to keep me alive in spite of the bad practitioners incompetence – something that should be emphasised a little more. ;)

Cheers – Vasilios Theodorakis – May 2011

In Star Trek – The Original Series (TOS), McCoy (the doctor) would often ask James T Kirk (Jim – the captain) how he was feeling. What a bizarre notion this is for Australia’s public hospital patients – real concern from a bureaucratic medical professional – now that’s an oxymoron!

I’ve got to say, I have always loved TOS because of this belief in the good of all individuals (and professions). Belief in a good that offers up hope for humanity’s future, not pessimism. Gene Roddenberry (TOS producer/writer) had quite an optimistic vision for our species. If only real doctors would take a page out of his fictional doctor’s book, and ask their patients – “how do you feel”? What a difference that would make to the doctor’s often invasive and unnecessary procedures. Just talking to the patient and asking them such a simple question, could make all the difference to the patient’s medical history and in turn, to their life!

In the meantime, as we wait for medicine to grow out of it’s Spanish Inquisition phase, thank goodness for Bones’ timeless dialog and banter with his patients – especially Kirk. This fictional interaction, still brings a smile to my face in regards to what may come to pass in the far distant future – a future, where hospital doctors boldly go where no one has gone before. ;)

Cheers – Vasilios Theodorakis – May 2011

Today I lost a very dear and elderly friend who went by the name of Lilly. She died in the company of her sister Fiona, who together with another sister Ruby were triplets from a by gone era. None of the three had partners or children.

What makes the death even more tragic, is that Ruby also died this year. Unfortunately, I didn’t know Ruby all that well. Lilly who I did get to know, had a body that was badly worn and withered but she remained active even in her old age. Lilly lived and died the way I wish I could live and die – active until the moment one lays down their head and passes away.

The remaining triplet Fiona, who I also don’t know too well, is of course lost without her other two siblings. I can’t imagine the loneliness she must feel. Helen and I will continue to support her as best we can until her time comes. Until the deaths of her sisters, Fiona had not spent a day apart from them.

In regards to the triplets’ leader, Ruby – Eternal be her memory.

In regards to my withered and energetic friend, Lilly – Eternal be her memory.

In regards to the trio’s survivor, Fiona – please keep her in your thoughts and/or prayers. May her time come as peacefully as Lilly’s and may she not be crushed by the loneliness she now carries since the other triplets’ departures.

The story of their life should really be told – it’s an inspiration to all “students of life”.

Regards – Vasilios Theodorakis – May 2011

Yet again I’ve lost another three months due to medical dramas. Thanks to what my doctors jokingly call “constitution” however, I seem to be a “hard dying kind of guy”, so lets resume where we left off in February.

I’m pleased to say, the blog’s stats show its readership continues to (patiently) revisit the site, even though nothing has gone up in all this time. I thank each and everyone of you for your support and hope to make it worth your while for having stuck with this blog.

Cheers – Vasilios Theodorakis – May 2011

I’m back and I appear to have survived – at least for the time being. ;) My operation, according to my neuroradiologist, was a technical success. The problem blood vessel in my brain has been blocked (I have images to prove it), the “24 hour a day” deafening noise is finally gone and the risk of a stroke is diminishing. I’m not sure ending up with a “truck load” of metal and synthetic coils in your brain is necessarily a good thing, but it’s currently the best technique available for such problems.

The post operative care I received however – now that’s another story! Had I not discharged myself from the hospital when I did, I would now be in real trouble with my immuno-suppression . All hale the ongoing incompetence of Queensland Health – the clinical and hygiene risk patients are put through is something to behold! If you ever have to deal with this bureaucracy, keep your wits about you. Always check the hygiene practices of staff, what medications they’re administering and what procedures they intend to carry out – and never, ever be afraid to advocate or say no to their “carefree approach” to your well being.

In light of my recent experience, I now have grave concerns for patients who cannot, or will not advocate for themselves in a context where “duty of care” is less important than whether a doctor or the department might be sued. Over the years, I’ve witnessed a lot of questionable behaviour in hospitals, but even I was surprised by the number of junior doctors whose standard response to questions (about one’s own medical status) began with the following – “Legally, I can’t answer that question for you!” It seems its now easier to leave medical incompetence in place and “lawyer oneself up” rather than improve patient safety and care.

On a more positive note and in spite of what I experienced after the operation, I am genuinely grateful for the brilliant work carried out by the neuroradiology team. Their compassion, communication and skill cannot be faltered, even if the system in which they work leaves a lot to be desired.

All things going well, I look forward to resuming this blog as of next week. Thank you for all your well wishes during my convalesces – they were much appreciated.

Cheers – Vasilios Theodorakis – February 2011

The hour of my neurological operation has arrived, and I approach it with much apprehension. There are far too many things being left undone and I worry about the burden I might leave behind for others – especially my wife.

So much still to be said, but I know if something does go wrong, another will eventually step forward and say what I had hoped to say.

All things going well though, this blog will resume in February 2011. If there are complications – my wife will add a closure post to this site.

You have all my hopes for the future,

Cheers – Vasilios Theodorakis – January 2011