keefer

As a 21 year old coming out in Houston (roughly 100 years ago) I was introduced to, and learned the joys of, video arcades and glory holes... One early encounter was with an older gentleman who removed his dentures before introducing me to a life-changing blow job... Years later I'm still aware he set a very high bar that was difficult for others to match... As someone who experienced what you have to offer - I can only strongly encourage you not to be self-conscious but to go for it. Those of us (now newly retired), thinking back on early experiences, will remember you.

Don't miss the Raphael Cartoons, the Cast Rooms (fakes 😇), and the Glass Galleries (especially the Roman glass)... if you have an hour to spare - walking to the Natural History Museum and visiting the wildlife photographer of the year exhibition is well worth your time, and if you have a few minutes more go up to the vault on the first floor for the coloured diamond exhibition.

Dredging up this ancient post - thanks again for all the advice (both from physicians, and others who have gone through a similar journy). As per earlier posters recommendations - the focus was on using Hilo as additional (not the primary) data points, ensuring numbers it provided matched that of my physician, the pharmacy, and manual cuffs. Interestingly my physician (and the pharmacy) regularly asked for Hilo printouts as we were gently tweaking drug dosage. Proactive regular visits with my primary care physician, their NHS-associated primary care pharmacist, regular blood testing - resulted in quickly finding the right combination of drugs to bring my blood pressure mostly back to the normal/optimal range, at worst moving into slightly elevated (high 130's, rarely very low 140's). Once all the (European, thus real) Easter chocolate disappears I'm going to focus on weight... but first a weekend of bliss.

From Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing...

I thought the baby's face said, "please tell me I'm not related..."

I've played Hearts since summer camp, and various card games and mah-jong, triple-play while caring for parents in Arizona... I've just retired and would love to join some retired/gay card group in London - but have yet to find... one of my early retirement goals is to learn bridge...

Subtle… very subtle 🙂…. Vegans are exceptionally cute… but but not sure I can eat a whole one… 🤪🤣

And, to add to what @Just966 posted; a single data point taken once a month in the Doctors office (situated at top of a hill, and her office is upstairs in an old Victorian) doesn't tell me anything. I've never smoked, alcohol has dropped to (almost) nothing since start of year, since retiring at the end of September I no longer drink coffee, my exercise has increased an order of magnitude, most days 15-17k steps, some days over 25k steps. Besides my better judgement some days I've managed vegan lunches 🙂 I remember my attitude changed when I read "Acceptable Risks" by Jonathan Kwitny (1992?); especially as I had many close friends who were dying, and at the time was an AIDs buddy. Being a second set of ears in meetings with doctors was critical, even more so if we came to the appointment with real questions, real data. I view this as an opportunity to have more data in my once a month 10 minute appointment. I guess what I'm trying to say is: at this point I'd rather have too much information than a single data point in stressful surroundings. And, in the past week I've learnt a lot : my pressure is consistently much lower at certain times of the day as well as overnight... watching porn had virtually no impact... and vegan lunches didn't harm me 😁

I've actually purchased two - one for myself, one for my husband. Purchased both from the Hilo UK site (as we live in London). Both arrived a few days after purchase. As @b2bf mentioned, they also provide a standard cuff (for synchronisation), thus we left both bands and cuffs powered in overnight - and the next morning downloaded the app which provided really good step-by-step prompts to get everything sync'd, get initial measurements, and start using the device -- all in about 20 minutes. As @b2bf mentioned, the app suggests using the cuff once a month, but I was also planning to do it more frequently and will probably follow his suggestion of weekly.

A minor issue earlier this year resulted in discovering I have quite high blood pressure... I've taken obvious steps to fix this (ramipril, more exercise, much more walking) and have just retired (after almost 50 years working). After a lot of googling was surprised there are very few continuous monitor solutions (I would have thought apple watch would do this) - but spotted one option which appealed. I took the plunge last week and bought a Hilo: it looks like a watch band, but takes blood pressure readings every 30-40 minutes, sending diagnostics to an app on my iphone... and the past week I've become quite obsessed with the readings. Anyone else bought one of these (or anything similar) - and have opinions, and also suggestions of what's worked for you to reduce blood pressure ? if interested... Hilo | Easy 24/7 blood pressure monitoring HILO.COM Get stress-free readings round the clock with Hilo's clinically validated blood pressure monitor. Learn more

two recommendations (both British) CJ Sansom - Shardlake series - historical mystery series set during the reign of Henry 8th. Sometimes difficult to figure out the order of the books, but I think it starts with Dissolution. Patrick O'Brian - Master and Commander series - set in the 1800s following lives and career of a captain in the royal Navy and his friend (Physician, novelist, spy). Supposedly the majority of the framework of each book comes directly from hand-written accounts contemporary with the time, thus when and where ships met, political intrigue, placement of ships during battle are (claimed to be) technically accurate.

Queen Mary is claimed to have said: “During public engagements one should sit down whenever possible and avail oneself of toilet facilities whenever the opportunity arises.”

One of the variations is in London. TFL (Transport for London) will issue travel card providing free transport (trains, bus, etc) in London once you're 60. It provides free transport from 9am-midnight weekdays, and all day Saturday/Sunday. Saves me roughly £3,000 pounds (roughly $3,800 USD) yearly. Fairly certain I can find some way to spend those savings...