Award ceremony

 Jonathan did really well in his high school exams overall. He was invited to an awards ceremony at the Melbourne Convention Centre to receive a special achievement award. He was also invited last year, to receive a different award, but last year the ceremony was cancelled due to Covid lockdowns. So it was really really nice to be able to go this year. 

... Except that the ceremony lasted three hours, and we had to get there early, and my hands kind of hurt from applauding.

But it wasn't about me. It was about Jonathan, who is great, and a great way to say goodbye to high school (six months ago) and celebrate his success. 

After the ceremony, while we were standing in line for a photo-op, I was staring around the room and started wondering, why can't I read that sign against the wall? And then I shifted a bit and looked at it again, and realised that it wasn't the sign -- it was my brain. There was a sharp zigzag splitting up the back  of my eyeball. 

Migraine aura. 

I have only had three of these before in my life -- this was the fourth. The last time I had one, within a half hour I was flat in bed with a massive headache, that turned into a night vomiting on the bathroom floor.

I grabbed Jonathan and told him I had to leave. "You stay here with Tim. Get the photos. I have a migraine aura, and need to go home."

Of course, Jonathan was very concerned. And Tim was very concerned. But I wasn't yet in pain. I had time to get home and prepare. So I did. 

Out the door, on the tram, back home. I took the last of my migraine-suppressor prescription pills, cancelled my evening meeting with Europe, and went to bed, where I could focus on breathing and not vomiting. 

Tim and Jonathan stayed in the photo-op line, and took some really nice photos. 

Congratulations, Jonathan. 

And perhaps in passing, note that even though the event was not about me, and had nothing to do with me, and was extra special for Jonathan, somehow the post ended up being about me anyway. 

Stupid migraine.