Month: March 2010

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pol′ē-ra-dik′yū-lop′ă-thē

Healthcare is no laughing matter, it’s a joke. Having not been “officially” to a doctor’s office since 1983 ( when I snuck out of my parent’s house late at night to go reek havoc in the WB, and upon returning forgot to put the window back in it’s proper place, so the window fell on my head later that night while I was sleeping causing me to black out, bleed profusely, almost end up a vegetable, and get many stitches in my head) I thought I would document the experience this time around…..

Part 1 : the waiting room ( 15 minutes)
Part 2 : more waiting ( 21 minutes)
( shouldn’t this be occupied?)
     ( apprehension, pain, wonderment, stress,
all outlined in my expression)
Part 3 : Preliminary Diagnosis  – T11-12 Polyradiculopathy is what the Doc tells me as he non-chalently points to the object below…. ( 1.5 minutes)
But what does it all mean, I ask thru fear and pain filled eyes? That is a good question, he responds…….( 30 seconds and I was out the door….)
more to come…..
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shedding winter’s grasp

The wind whirls around my bones as I stroll thru the early morning. Looking around, I see winter’s last attempt to hold onto the past, but in a losing battle.
Even with the snow capped peaks still illuminating the tops of the mountains, the valley is emerging into new life. If you listen closely, you can hear nature silently screaming…..Spring.
I think about you ( as always) as I see the struggles of new life breaking through winter’s grasp.
This past week’s talk of love, faith, family and the simple beauty of the world were reminiscent of your life. How fitting with it being your birthday. I celebrate you, with a simple wish that you know how much I love you.

https://vimeo.com/383261943
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The "Rock Monster" is a troll

So if you watched the Winter Olympics in Feb, or read this blog, you know about Hannah Teter. I mentioned her in a previous post because I found her charitable work commendable, and she is an amazing snowboarder.

So when Mum brought me a local SLC newspaper clipping about Hannah, I was appreciative. Until I read it. ( I wonder if Mum did)…

So Brad Rock ” the rock monster” ( local newspaper sports writer and someone with whom I previously had no qualms with) wrote his little sarcastic, negative quip titled ” Out There….” about Hannah wanting to return to Vermont ( where she lives) and live in a Yurt part-time, while working in her parents garden and using solar and wind power so they can be completely off the grid, I thought, Brad Rock is a jerk and a moron.

But the more I thought about it, the greater my disdain. He even goes as far as to write, and I quote ” Sounds like she’s already a little off her grid, doesn’t it?”

Seriously Brad? You are making fun of someone simply because they want to have a lifestyle different from your own? A lifestyle that may actually help our environment?
I have one word to describe you Mr. Rock, and it rhymes with stick…..
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Snolfing

The ides of March. Caesar falls into history, and here in Utah it is the time when one can snow ski one day, and golf the next.

Which is one reason why I love getting spontaneous texts from my Pa in the morning, asking me to skip out for a couple hours and hit the links.
It’s funny that a simple game can bring together a father and son. Times that I cherish. It was 10 years ago that Pa called me up and told me of a sale on clubs, and basically forced me into buying a set. I still have the same set to this day, complete with vintage vinyl bag, which I know will one day be worth a fortune.

As the two of us walked and talked, I thought, how many more times like this will there be….
but at least I had today.

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maybe i’ll be bestie’s with Wilford Brimley and Don Ameche

or maybe not. I think Don Ameche is dead. Wilford isn’t yet ( unless his animated corpse is trying to sell diabetic supplies) but I’m gettting ahead of myself…..

A few months ago ( those who read this blog may recall) I ended up in the hospital. Long story short, I started working out again to try and improve my health and reduce my stress, since I most certainly can not rely on health insurance to do anything except take my money and deny my claims ( single payer system anyone?)

I started swimming. It has done wonders for my back ( my whole body actually) but I do find myself surrounded by interesting company in the pool. Maybe I am having a hard time accepting my age, but i most definitely feel like I am in the 1985 movie……

swimming with Wilford Brimley and Don Ameche look-a-likes. ( not that there is anything wrong with that)
Just an observation I’ve made. I could really be swimming with sharks, or republicans, or anything that I can’t stand, as long as I feel better.
And of course, stylish swimwear is always a plus
P.S. At what age does your body stay the same, no matter what you do? 30, 33, 35,41……????
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Danny

I was 19 when I first met Danny. He turned his little head to me and smiled, as the rest of his body lay motionless in the hospital bed.

Danny was two years old, playing outside his parent’s house one Sunday evening. As his Grandma was leaving after dinner, she backed the car over Danny’s body, crushing his spine. When I met him he was six.

Four years……
One day I told Danny about a land far, far away, in the deepest recesses of imagination, where wild things lived…
I bought him “Where the Wild Things Are”
and  we wheeled around in his chair, pretending to be in that world, if only for a little while…
I tried to watch the movie last night.
I was glad to remember Danny.