Well I suppose it had to happen. Here I was tempting fate. In effect, raising a finger to the world. And I couldn’t expect the world to ignore me. There was no way I was going to get away unscathed. I had to suffer the consequences.

I know. I’m probably making even less sense than I usually make (and that’s saying a lot). But bear with me. Things will start to fall into place.

A couple of weeks ago, I put out my regular half-yearly update and progress report. How had I travelled through the first half of 2021? What progress had I made on the relatively spurious, not-really-goals that I set myself? In general, how was I surviving?

There really shouldn’t have been anything difficult or complicated or controversial here. Like I said at the time, in general I’m not doing too badly.

There was just one little thing. One tiny error that I made.

I mentioned, barely in passing, that I’d managed to stay out of hospital so far, which was a definite improvement on previous years.

And that was it. I’d sent out my little provocation to the universe. As with many before me, I’d committed the cardinal sin of hubris. I couldn’t expect the universe to stand by and let me get away with it.

To use a wonderful piece of Australian slang, I put the moz on myself.

Because barely had that post come out when off I was being carted back to the far too familiar surrounds of the emergency room.

I’m back home now and feeling better. In the end, it turned out to be nothing too serious and merely an overnight stay. But still, it can’t help leaving me a little thoughtful.

Was it my fault? Did I bring it upon myself with my prideful boast about good health? Was I taking too much of a risk even raising the hope that I would have a hospital-free year this year? Should I consider leaving it off my list of goals (or whatever it is I choose to call them) for next year?

The answer to all these questions is of course – I haven’t got a bloody clue. I’m not generally superstitious and I try not to live my life as a hostage to silly fears. Still, there’s always that little part of me that can’t help wondering.

So I’ll sign off for now. Hope that’s the end of me and hospitals for a long time. But I guess I won’t hope too hard.