Quote of the day

"Never moon a werewolf."

two sources:
Mike Binder quotes
and
title of a short story by Barbara Paul.
No clue who was first or if either of these were the originator.

Bike

I used to walk for exercise. Three times a week, I'd get out there and walk about 2 & 1/2 miles and count myself as doing the good thing.
Unfortunately, it hurt my legs to do that. Hurt them a LOT.
So I went to the doctor and it turns out I've got a relatively rare (for people in my demographic: i.e. middle-aged fat guys) condition called Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome. In a nutshell, it seems that our lower legs are made up of four compartments housing our muscles. When I walk for exercise, the muscles swell and build up fluid. Since the compartments are not elastic, they have no where to expand and they just get tighter and tighter. This ultimately hurts so bad I can scarcely stand it and eventually, if unrecognized and treated, it can cause nerve and tissue damage. Sometimes it is NOT good to 'work through the pain.'
I'm really very glad I went to my doctor.


The only treatment options are either surgery or a change of activity.

Guess which one I chose.

SO.

I went to get my old bicycle out and found, to my dismay, that it needed some major (read 'very expensive') work done to make it serviceable again. I was disheartened. I've had this bike since I was 14 (that's 32 years). Despite the deep emotional attachment I had for my old bike, it was time for a new one.

I got myself a 2007 Trek Navigator 2.0 and let me tell you people, it is a whole new world. Totally different ride from my old Azuki racing style bike. The feel and handling is completely different and it takes a little getting used to. The new one is also far more comfortable to ride.

This thing ROCKS!

This morning was my second ride on the bike trail. I rode over 6 miles today with no pain other than the normal exertion pain. I can't tell you how good it is to exercise without constant pain. I am certain I can go at least that far every time I ride which will be three times a week. Or maybe more!

Love my new bike. Don't know what to do with the old one yet: maybe I'll give it to Good Will with a note explaining that it will need some work. I am not sure, maybe I should just junk it.

Thoughts?

Pax,
Nelson

Mood control

OK. I was in a really crappy mood this morning and then I saw this.

I felt a little better and I laughed.

I'm still in a crappy mood, but sometimes that's just the way it's going to be. Unfortunately, it's the way I'm wired. It helps me to know this. While knowing that this is just the way it's going to be sometimes does not make it all better by any means, it does help me cope and it allows me to function a little better.

Knowledge is neither a good nor bad thing: the use determines the morality.

Watch the video, if you want. I enjoyed it.

Thoughts?

Pax,
Nelson

Again?

We arrived home from a mini vacation two weeks ago on a Sunday evening. The weather was nice and cool for a change and it had been a good weekend spent with some of L's family (her cousin H. and her family). We had a great time with them and everybody had enjoyed it. Even the children had gotten along once they became accustomed to each other. H. has two girls, eight and five. Our son W. is three.

Really good time had by all.

During the drive home, L. had mentioned to me that she hadn't been feeling quite 'right' for the whole weekend; not bad necessarily but just not right. We'd been down south in the mountains of North Carolina (stunningly beautiful country, by the way) and I figured it might have something to do with the difference in altitudes. As it turns out, L. had other ideas about the cause, but chose to keep them to herself.

We get home and I'm helping get my son settled and I'm unloading the car and I'm generally futzing about with no great purpose (but fair intent) and I don't immediately notice L. has been gone for a while. Like many people, she often has to use the 'necessary' upon returning home from a trip and I figured that she had gone upstairs to do just that. I was partially right.

About the time I was beginning to wonder if all was well, L. comes back downstairs. She has with her a little white plastic thingie about four or five inches long and she also has a funny look in her eyes, kinda glazed and shining.

The little white plastic thingie has a little blue '+' sign on it. I'm not too bright after long periods of driving (or any other time for that matter) and it takes me a minute to figure things out. L. is the very picture of patience and waits for me to get it.

OK.

I get it.

WOW! We are going to have another baby!

This is truly wonderful news and I am happy. I'm also nearly scared witless. Both sentiments are quite true for my lovely wife as well. Maybe in different proportions, but true nonetheless.

That was how our weekend ended almost two weeks ago.

Now, not much has changed. We're both still thrilled and scared. It's kind of like riding on a roller coaster, the safety of which, you are none too sure. I am elated and nearly giddy at times and at other times I want to hide in a closet. We're beginning to get W. used to the idea that he will have a little sibling and so far, he's pretty cool about it.

I'd like to say something deep and profound and meaningful here, but I can't really think of anything. The biological miracle of conception and the life to which it leads is going to have to be deep and profound enough this time. I'm just blown away.

Thank-you God.

Thoughts?