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The first time

Briar

I was going through my old Tumblr to find my go-to chocolate cake recipe, and stumbled upon this… my first ever IBD-related blog post, I suspect. 25 May 2011. I thought I’d post it here for posterity. Those were the days… incredible pain on the daily, uncontrollable urgency, no painkillers, incapable of properly attending lectures. But also, relatively simple meds with less impact on my total system. No surgery, no steroids, no biologics. Not even my full-blown diagnosis yet. Anyway, without further ado, here’s 20-year-old Briar’s words about IBD:   Last December, after various fun filled tests, I was diagnosed … Continue reading The first time

mind & insidesLeave a comment

magic juice – adalimumab adventures

Briar

I remembered that I am very nearly due for my next jab, and realised that I’m all out of meds. I’m not very good at maintaining a healthy array of fridgular options, but I can usually be depended upon to have a syringe or two of expensive medication tucked in between a Lush face mask and a block of Gouda on the edge of turning. *** Last time I picked up my Humira, I had the sudden thought that it’s the most expensive thing I ever put in my backpack these days. Two syringes technically cost more than my MacBook Air. … Continue reading magic juice – adalimumab adventures

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marking time / health misadventures

Briar

It’s two years and a day since I had surgery. Unexpected, life-saving, emergency surgery. I was in incredible pain before it, and different kinds of incredible pain after it. Before the operation, I was doubled over. Stabbing sensations, rolling walls of abdominal agony that would come and crest and fall just because I moved a fraction of an inch too far. I didn’t know what was wrong. I mean, on a grand scale, I did, because when you’ve got Crohn’s, it’s a fair bet that what’s ailing you somewhere in the digestive tract is Crohn’s related. But it was a different kind … Continue reading marking time / health misadventures

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A year(ish) of music

Briar

Been a while since I’ve linked to pieces that I’ve written. I mean, admittedly, I’ve not done a huge amount of extra stuff this past year, but my usual glorious New Zealand Musician articles have kept on keeping on. So here’s a wee round-up. (Excludes CD reviews.) Anna Coddington. My favourite interviews are the rare occasions when I go to the subject’s house. Anna and I chatted while her little bub napped and giggled and had an occasional squawk. He’s delightful – so is she. Prizegiving. Wellington gang who make good tunes! We had a good natter over Skype. Huia. Another glorious … Continue reading A year(ish) of music

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movement

Briar

This time a year ago, I was in Wellington. But I knew I’d be leaving it behind soon. Now, I’m in Wellington again, but only for  few days. I’ve only been here a couple of hours and the weather is broody and windy and typical, but it really feels so good. I hold tight to the knowledge that my new job has a Wellington office too, in case the opportunity to return comes up. Wellington is where I fit in. It’s where the city’s pulse is as close to mine as any city could get. Auckland is ‘home’ – in … Continue reading movement

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honiara essays

Briar

I have a million things to still write about Honiara. Here is what will eventually (touch wood) eventuate: My first foray into sports writing, by way of describing two separate volleyball matches between various teams made up of local folks working in the legal sector. The High Court has two dusty volleyball courts right next door. This is one of my favourite things about Honiara. Writing something about Seif Ples and the amazing work that the women who work there do to help domestic violence victims in times of absolute crisis. The food. Coconuts. Cold pineapple straight from the fridge. Banana … Continue reading honiara essays

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coriander, basil, corn

Briar

The first plant I have ever successfully grown is a small pot of coriander. I can’t even claim to have grown it, really, just not let it die. It’s in a giant teacup that I inherited when a flatmate four flats ago left to go overseas. I kept fruit in it, but my kitchen is tiny and the teacup was relocated to a bookshelf when a rice cooker took countertop precedence. There were still oranges and kiwifruit in it, and they sat there forgotten, gently moulding. When I remembered, I put the bowl outside and it’s lived there ever since. The pot of … Continue reading coriander, basil, corn