I’ve actually been back now for 3 weeks, and things are getting easier to deal with, but I still get the ache’s and such. Specially after having therapy 2 mornings a week.

My therapist is a bit concerned by my progress and that is making me a bit frightened, as she writes the reports to the doctor. So i’m dreading him suggesting surgery.

All I can do is wait and see.

Last weekend I went to the memorial for the friend I mentioned in the previous post. Very casual gathering of friends and his wife who spoke of him and spread his ashes.  Afterwards many of us went and hung out and talked for awhile before going our seperate ways.

Today I was informed by a friend that someone I and many others know and have worked closely with, passed on Sept 9. This phone call came while I was napping and it really woke me up. All I could do is sit there trying to figure out how, why?

After going through the various stages that are typical, i’ve reached the depressed part. I met up with 9 others for a small informal wake. We spoke of him, our memories, and grieved together. Even though we moved on to talking about other things, I could tell it was still on everyone’s mind, just as it was me. But playing on XBox won’t be the same either, not seeing his name pop up when he logs on. The promises of playing RB or just the occassional msg.

Not many details from the wife, and out of respect for her and his family, I will not mention his name until such time I know how or what she would/wouldn’t want said. There are people that do read my blog who may know of whom I speak of.

God rest friend. You will be missed.

I know its been a few weeks…

ok, more then a few.

But things are going well. Physical therapy is helping alot and I am hoping to get back to work in some form this month. We’ll see after the follow-up with the doc this month. Sitting at home is taking its toll on me.

Only time i’ve really gone out these past few months is for PAX. We had a few friends come in town for a week. Because of my back, didn’t do much at all other then sit. But I did get to talk with Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day. Pics coming soon. You should know who Wil is… if not, you suck. Felicia Day on the other hand is really great. A geek and a gamer, besides being an actress. Check out Dr. Horribles Sing-Along Blog and The Guild if you haven’t yet.

Besides going to PAX, we did some sight seeing. Here are pics of that: http://www.crystaloasis.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=3

Very interesting video of an Australian sub sinking a U.S. Warship during co-op training off the coast of Hawaii in June-July 2008.

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A single stadium concert releases 500 to 1000 tons of carbon dioxide, which is between 25 and 50 times more than the average American produces in a year. Perhaps it is time for bands to just stop touring already?

The article also goes on to say this in the same paragraph:

That number does not even take into account fans’ transport, the immense amount of garbage produced or any fire-spewing Kiss-style pyrotechnic displays.

Maybe we should all just stop breathing instead.

Haven’t done much of anything actually lately.

Reason being, the back issue’s I posted about. The MRI results were basically what I expected. My back is torn up. Two bulding discs and a tear. So I was sent in for an epidural steroid shot. And boy was that fun.

The doc told me the possible side effects, and I got a few of them. Muscle cramping, water retention headache (for one week straight, not even the vicodin was knocking it out), hot flashes, and sleepless nights. Of course Meg had to throw the ‘You going through menopause?’ joke in. ha… ha…

Just got my 2nd one yesterday in the series of three. So far not doing as bad as the first one though, but its only been 24 hours, and that’s about when all the stuff kicked in.

Back to the couch for me.

Its true.

While i’m still considered relatively young, being only 35, my body has been showing the signs of not being so young anymore. Sore joints, sore back, more sleep, grey hair, receding hairline and weight gain.

Weight gain.. ok.. this one sucks. For around 20 years, i’ve always hovered in the 150-160 range, thin, yes, but not anorexic like. But over the last year, jeans have become tighter and a gut has emerged. All this is easily remedied with some excercise at least.

Grey hair. Meh. There’s fixes for that. Receding hairline, again, meh. I’ve been bald before and it won’t bug me a bit.

But now.. the joints and back. I’ve had a pretty active life I would think. And I know my body has taken a beating, not as much as others, but still. Marine Corp, tackle football with friends, rock climbing, poll climbing (for work), and constantly carrying around a 32′ ladder for work. There are other things as well, such as a cat tripping me up, but i’ll talk about that later.

Anywho. I went to the docs about two months ago due to some pretty bad pain in my knee. It’d come and go, but when it came, it hurt like hell. I couldn’t squat or keep it straight for long. And occasionally, my right leg would give out as well. After an MRI showed some minor arthritis, he sent me to an ortho. The ortho there couldn’t see much either. So gave me a shot of cortisone to help rule out some things before having to do a scope of the knee.

Now, this was my right knee, and right after that, Meg’s cat Yoda, decided to climb up the ladder to the loft just as I was coming down. If I hadn’t shifted my foot, I would of stepped squarely on him, but since I shifted, I lost my footing and landed sideways on my ankle. And Ding! Hairline fracture and severely sprained ankle.

To add insult to injury, the little bastage jumps back down while i’m writhing on the floor in pain and comes up to my face and meows. But it was one of those questioning meows. You can’t help to love the retarded little shit though.

But back to the doctor. During this time, I had started getting pains in my other ankle as well. And not to mention my lower back which has bugged me for years. So after a follow up with the Doc, he has started to wonder if the issue’s my be stemming from my lower back. Sooo. Back into the MRI I go.

First time wasn’t that bad, as it was just my leg that went in. Now I totally went in. I’m not claustrophobic, but it was a bit eery. And now I wait for those results on June 12.

Whee!!!

The day before we went to the Mariners game (they lost of course) with her dad and stepmom to celebrate with them.

We spent some alone time together and opened her gifts. She got Wii Fit, Volume 2 of 007, Indiana Jones Lego Game, Wii Ski, and something else from me. Her pops bought her alot of scrap booking stuff. Her mom got her clothes.

Anyways, the cake I wanted to get her for her party this sat fell through. Maybe next year.

Google Map Bewbs

Go Figure.

Saw Iron Man, Indiana Jones, etc. And getting ready to celebrate Meg’s B-Day. I’m hoping she doesn’t know what her present is and what kind of cake she’s getting, but she’s good at guessing shit.

Maybe i’m just that obvious?

Weather here has been pretty good too. And i’m starting to get ramped up and excited for PAX!