Michæl McFarland Campbell

Leuchtturm1917 dotted notebooks have become a go-to for anyone who loves organizing, journaling, or just needs a trusty notebook by their side—and honestly, it’s easy to see why! Here are a few reasons they’re so popular:

1. Dotted grids = total freedom

The dotted pages give you just the right amount of structure without being restrictive. Want to draw a table? Easy! Prefer a free-flowing list? Perfect! It’s ideal for bullet journaling, sketching, or any kind of flexible note-taking. You can do practically anything on those dotted pages!

2. Paper quality that is hard to beat

With smooth, 80gsm paper, you can write with anything from pens to markers without major bleed-through issues. Even fountain pens look amazing! Plus, the acid-free paper means your notes will look sharp for years.

3. Built-in organization tools

Leuchtturm notebooks come with numbered pages and a built-in index, which is amazing for keeping things organized. Instead of flipping through looking for that one random note, you can easily find what you need!

4. Durable and stylish

These notebooks have sturdy covers and an elastic closure to keep everything snug. Plus, they come in loads of colours—so you can grab one that fits your style, whether you’re going for a fun pop of colour or something more professional.

5. Thoughtful extras

Little details like two ribbon bookmarks, a back pocket for loose papers, and a few perforated pages at the back make these notebooks super practical. They’ve really thought of everything to make your life easier!

6. Little extras

The dotted grid layout gives you so much freedom to customize—whether you’re making habit trackers, mood logs, or just jotting down daily thoughts. It’s like having a blank canvas that’s just begging for your personal touch.

If you’re looking for a notebook that does it all and looks good doing it, a Leuchtturm1917 dotted notebook might just be the perfect match!

I use them for my daily dialysis record, master dialysis record, medication record, as well as my daily planner. I am sure other uses could be found. The lined versions are used for normal notetaking as well.

Back in August, I set a goal to stay consistent with my medication routine. It’s a vital part of my health journey, but, as with many routines, it’s easier planned than done! I began recording each day in a planner, tracking when I had taken each medication. Initially, I thought planning ahead would help, so I mapped out three weeks over a two-page spread. But before long, it became overwhelming. I found myself missing days, then entire weeks, and then the notebook itself eventually got misplaced.

Restarting with a simpler system

Now, as November approaches, I’m ready for a fresh start with a more streamlined setup. This time, I’m committing to tracking one week per page. The idea is to keep it simple. I will only prep the next week’s grid. I will keep it blank until the time comes. That way, I can adjust for any medication changes (which happen pretty regularly) without feeling bogged down by too much planning.

Staying accountable with support

I’ll also be sharing my progress on Instagram and Threads for accountability. Each post serves as a reminder to myself and a source of motivation, especially with any encouragement from others. Positive comments really make a difference, so feel free to cheer me on!

Tips to keep medication tracking manageable

If you’re setting up your own tracking system, here are a few ideas that can help:

1. One week at a time: Start with just a week per page. It keeps things focused and lets you adjust as needed.
2. Prep the next week’s grid: Have a blank grid ready, but leave it empty until you need it. This gives flexibility to accommodate any medication changes.
3. Set reminders: Use phone alarms for key times in case your routine changes daily.
4. Share and celebrate: Post about your progress! Updates let others cheer you on, and positive comments really boost motivation.

Have you used any strategies to stay on track with a challenging routine? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you too!

Originally posted at hivblogger.com

We were lucky last year and this year to see an orchid growing in our front garden. This occurred because neither Andrew nor I is an intrepid gardener. We quite enjoy letting the grass grow long and then getting it cut back later in the summer, which gives the orchid the chance to grow and be seen.

Many people across Ireland are helping to record the island’s wildlife. We can do this by recording what we see with the National Biodiversity Data Centre. There is an iPhone app, an Android app, and Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal to record entries. I encourage everyone to get involved.

Last year, 163,502 records were submitted through Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal.

Records were received from 8033 individual recorders across all 32 counties. An interesting trend with data submitted through the Citizen Science Portal is that more than half of recorders only submit one record during a calendar year. In contrast to this we had 38 recorders who submitted over 1000 records, nine of which submitted over 2000 records.

https://biodiversityireland.ie/irelands-citizen-science-portal-recording-activity-2023/

Will you join me in recording the wildlife you see?

I look forward to using the app as I walk around the country. I am sure I will be able to get my entries up from the four current ones in the coming days and weeks. Will you join with me in recording the wildlife of Ireland?

We have been very busy in the last few weeks. Yesterday was no different. We got up very early (for us) and caught the seven minutes past seven train from Monasterevin to Kildare, waited there and then got the train to Waterford. We didn’t go as far as Waterford on this occasion, disembarking in the cathedral city of Kilkenny. The purpose of yesterday’s outing was to visit the Rothe House and have a day wandering in the city as a day out to celebrate Andrew’s birthday which was during the week.

On arrival in MacDonagh Station, we walked down St John’s Street and across the bridge over the River Nore. We then walked down the walkway out of Canal Square below Kilkenny Castle for a little while. Along the way, we heard the weir but didn’t see it as the river flowed over it away from the bank we were on. On arrival back in Canal Square, we decided it was time for some refreshment before heading to the merchant’s house. So we enjoyed the sun as we drank our drinks and ate a pain-au-chocolate (in my case) on the first floor of Wild Tails Cafe, just above the hurling statue in Canal Square. The upstairs of the cafe allowed us to sit in the sun and watch the world go by. Should I find myself travelling to spend the day in Kilkenny again, I am sure that it will become a firm favourite place to sit. Were I on my own, I suspect that I would find myself writing in a book. That is something for which I should look forward.

We came up with a new phrase whilst in the cafe, it is sort of an answer to anyone suggesting that we were loitering with intent:

No, we’re not loitering with intent. We’re meandering with purpose.

That was really how we visited; we were there to have a day out, and we meandered the city’s mediaeval street layout and enjoyed ourselves.

Having finished our refreshments, it was time to walk into the city and visit the Rothe House, which we had wanted to visit for many years but just needed to manage.

Visit Ireland’s best-preserved medieval Merchant House

Located in the heart of Kilkenny on Ireland’s Medieval Mile, Rothe House & Garden was built between 1594 and 1610. This was once the home and place of business of John Rothe and Rose Archer, one of Kilkenny’s wealthiest, most influential merchant families. The three-storied houses are connected by cobbled courtyards, expansive enough for a family that grew to have eleven children, as well as the house & garden staff that would have been necessary to run such an important household.

rothehouse.com

As the top of the first house was the most glorious attic room that I have seen for a long time. On the wall was a catholic banner that brought to mind the seventeenth century banner that is now in the care of the National Museum of Ireland on loan from the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. This banner was believed to to date from the Confederacy hidden in the walls of Rothe House. It depicts the Coronation of Mary by the Holy Trinity. It is understood to have been displayed in a procession that welcomed the Papal Nuncio, the Most Reverend John Baptist Rinuccini to Kilkenny city in 1645. The banner on the wall depicts the Blessed Sacrament in a Tabernacle.

The second house is full of artefacts, and the third house has an event space in the ground floor where the kitchen was formerly. Behind the third house is the restored seventeenth-century garden which extends to the end of the burgage at the mediaeval city wall.

As I said before, the reason for visiting Kilkenny was to visit the Rothe House, or at least that was what I thought it was. It turns out that the real reason was lemon meringue pie (at least according to my now diabetic husband, Andrew).

After I helped Andrew finish his lemon meringue pie, which, as he says, was delicious, we went on to visit Kilkenny Castle. The castle has been a mediaeval castle, a restoration château, and a Victorian stately home. I got thoroughly confused about what was going on and how it was in such good state now because we went straight from the ticket office in the imposing gate house to the door of the castle without watching the audiovisual show which we saw at the end of the walk round the castle. It would have been very much more understandable if I had seen this first. I may yet suggest that this is highlighted to visitors by the OPW staff. Although, to be fair to them, Kilkenny Castle is a huge tourist attraction and there were hordes of visitors yesterday.

Andrew has some photos of the inside of the castle on his post about yesterday’s trip on typo2.ie. I only took one looking towards the city — where you can make out the mediaeval cathedral of St Canice and the round tower to the right of the photo.

More to follow…

Yesterday, while I was on dialysis, a secretary from the Vascular Clinic at Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore called to schedule an arm scan. I’ve been waiting for this scan for several months to determine if there’s enough space in my arm for another arteriovenous (AV) fistula, which would aid in dialysis access. Given the opportunity to attend today’s appointment, I eagerly took it and travelled to Tullamore by train.

Upon arrival, I was asked to remove my t-shirt, which seemed excessive for an arm scan, but I complied. The nurse then informed me she was ready to scan my right arm. This surprised me because I thought the scan was for my left arm. The nurse went to consult another professional, but they were unavailable. She returned, and we had a discussion about the situation.

The main reason I don’t want a fistula in my right arm is due to the loss of dexterity I’ve experienced in my left arm since having an AV fistula there. As an organist, maintaining dexterity in my right arm is crucial. Additionally, I was frustrated that I had travelled to Tullamore for a scan of the wrong arm. Had I known it was for my right arm, I would have cancelled the appointment to avoid wasting both the nurse’s and my time.

On a positive note, we learned that placing another AV fistula in my left arm is impossible. The team usually starts with the forearm and moves up if necessary. Since my current fistula is in my upper arm, there’s no more space for another one in my left arm. This means we need to explore other alternatives. I have requested to speak with another renal consultant with whom I have a good rapport, partly due to our shared Scouting connection. I hope we can find a suitable solution from now on.

Originally posted on Hivblogger.com

I am always being reminded by my renal medical team that I need to be physically healthy for a kidney transplant were one to come up; therefore, I’m looking at renewing my active lifestyle to help with that. Follow the Positive Exercise blog for future updates there.

I have just been sent (and have now completed) the EMIS study (European Men’s Internet Sex Survey) 2024. It is completely anonymous and provides vital information about gay men’s health in Ireland and Europe. 

EMIS, a collaborative effort involving the academic, community, and governmental entities throughout Europe, was initiated in 2010 and reiterated in 2017, generously supported by the European Union Health Programme. Its primary objective is to inform interventions concerning sexual health among men who have sex with men (MSM).

The overarching goal of EMIS is to delineate the divergent sexual health requirements among various demographics of men, alongside estimating the prevalence of distinct risk and precautionary behaviours.

As a result of EMIS, an extensive array of technical and community reports have been generated, accompanied by numerous scientific publications. Moreover, the project has established 26 indicators spanning 60 countries across four continents, integrated within the UNAIDS Key Population Atlas.

The profound impact of EMIS is evident in the transformation it has instigated within the landscape of gay health across numerous European nations.

If you live in Europe (including the United Kingdom), it would be great if you could participate. The survey is at http://www.emis-project.eu/.

There is a lot of information about the survey, please click on the number 2024 to bring you to the survey. 

Please encourage your friends or family who are gay or bisexual to complete it, too. 

Wednesday saw the routine of ‘monthly bloods’ taken and sent off from the dialysis unit. In recent months, the most worrisome result has been the Hb or Haemoglobin level that has been recorded. Back in May and June, it hit a bottom point of 6.2. This week, however, it came back as over 10. This level means that I am back much more towards the normal level, and I am definitely feeling a lot better. 

I also received both an appointment letter and a reminder letter (printed the same day) from the Haematology clinic at the Midlands Regional Hospital at Tullamore for the last day of October. Whilst part of me wants to say, ‘Look, I’m well again — do I need to come?’ I will attend because it will be interesting to see what they have to say. For my part, I have a feeling that the Hb was low because of the failing fistula, and now that it has been settled down, it isn’t taking Hb away any more. We shall see. 

Originally published on HIVBlogger.com

Historically, registering to vote in Ireland involved a trip to the local Garda station to get a paper form stamped. Fortunately, those days are gone, and it is much simpler now. You can register to vote, online, at any time.

Simply go to www.checktheregister.ie and complete your details to be added to the electoral register. You can check the registration and update your details if you are already registered. If you are a first-time registrant, then you complete that form instead.

The details you’ll need to provide are:

• your PPS number
• your date of birth
• your Eircode

These details are needed for your local authority to confirm your details. And that is it! You’ll be ready to vote, should an election or a referendum be called!

Three reasons why your vote is important

1. It gives you a say on important issues that affect you — from roads and recycling, to education and climate change, to housing and employment.
2. It gives you the choice to vote for your local and national representatives, if you don’t vote, other people get to choose who represents you.
3. Elections can be called at short notice — if you don’t register 15 days or more before an election or referendum, you may not be able to vote. It is as simple past that.

Are you a multipotentialite? It certainly seems to me that I am. What is a multipotentialite? Well, it is someone with many interests and creative pursuits, rather than focusing only on a particular subject or hobby. I learned this new word while completing the The Open University‘s 5-hour short course on the value and benefits of Multidisciplinary Learning. As a student on the Open Degree pathway, I found this really helpful as a way to describe the degree course that I am following.

Multidisciplinary students bring many transferable skills to the workplace because of their study, including critical thinking, self-management, adaptability, analysis and problem solving, application of information technology, flexibility, and synthesis of ideas.

Anyone interested in studying this course, can find out more at https://www.open.edu/openlearn/education-development/multidisciplinary-study-the-value-and-benefits/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab