Archive for thumb

thumbleweed [local] news

Posted in Kids, University life with tags , , , , , , , on June 28, 2013 by xi'an

A few more weeks have gone since the last thumbleweed post. The wound on the thumb is now completely healed. I am having physiotherapy to untighten the hand muscles and I have seen a prosthesist  a few days ago, towards getting back some of the thumb abilities.  Once again, most sincere thanks to all of you who still keep sending me greetings and good  wishes. Thanks too to the complete unknowns, from the supermarket cashier helping with filling my bag to another cashier giving me a box of chocolates as a sign of support, despite my protests, and to other acts of kindness.

In the meanwhile, weird accounts on how I lost my thumb came back to me, the most glorifying one taking place in the Himalayas… So following the suggestion of friends in Dauphine, I am now launching a short story competition on the theme of losing a thumb. Send me your story and I will post it (provided it can be posted!), towards the selection of the best short story by the ‘Og readers. Deadline is mid-September  and the maximum length is 5000 words. There is no prize, by the way!

thumbleweed [local] news

Posted in Books, Kids, Mountains, pictures, Running, Travel, University life, Wines with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 26, 2013 by xi'an

As a few more weeks have gone since I left the hospital, here are some news for the aficionadi (apulgaradi?). The wound on the thumb is  healing at a good pace, although the dressings are still on for one or two weeks. While I am still recovering from those weeks in the hospital, lacking energy at times (and getting quickly tired by metro rides), the only major after-effect is an intolerance to beer. Hopefully temporary! I managed to get back to an almost daily run in the nearby park (and to lose my camera,  again!, in the process). Once again, most sincere thanks to all of you who sent and keep sending me greetings and good  wishes, incl. special thanks to my friends in the Statistics department at QUT for their collective postcard [and yes they can laugh about ït]! And to friends from New York who called me several times. Although my scientific production is very limited at the moment, since the i-like workshop was both enjoyable and cathartic, I plan to attend the French statistical meeting next week in Toulouse [hopefully getting some kg back from the great South-West cuisine!], followed by ABC in Roma [another opportunity for great food]. On the following weekend, I should leave for Vietnam to give a course on Bayesian analysis and attend a conference as well.

thumbleweed [local] news

Posted in Books, Kids, Mountains, Running with tags , , , , , , , , on May 12, 2013 by xi'an

It has been about a week since I left the hospital and went back home, trying to get back in shape by resting, eating (to gain back some of the lost kg’s), sharing with my family and exercising… I foolishly tried to get back to the university once and ended the day as a wreck (esp. as I had to walk the two k’s of avenue Foch, the Line 2 métro being out of order!). Anyway, I read a lot, went back to my favourite bakery in Sceaux, had chats with neighbours, got reunited with the stray cat, and enjoyed the May sunshine while it lasted. I want to take this opportunity to give my warmest thanks to all of you who sent me greetings and good wishes, who visited me at the hospital or sent me goodies—read all the books, ate most of the macaroons and chocolates! A very special thanks to my friends in the Statistics department at BYU, for their unbelievable support! And to my mom, who came every single day… As reported in the earlier post, the thumb is gone and the wound is slowly healing, although it will require several weeks before the dressings are off for good. (Which gives me a good reason to skip washing dishes!) I dearly hope I will get the green light from the surgeon (tomorrow) for attending the i-like workshop next Wednesday!