Should've Gone to Work

I'm not sure this day could have gone more contrary to my hopes and plans. I'm also not sure that blogging while cranky is a very good idea. But then, if I waited for my crankiness to go away before I did stuff, I'd spend most of my life sitting around waiting.

My early morning trip to PT was the first part of the fun. My therapist is incredibly good-natured in spite of my terminal crankiness, and she is always trying to perk me up when I get frustrated by my lack of ability to do things. After several minutes of rather intense (pardon the descriptor) grinding away at my IT band (the band of tendonous fibers that runs from the knee to the hip on the outside of the leg), we moved into the gym to try a few things that will help my balance and strength. Ever try to walk sideways on a treadmill? Without looking like an idiot? Apparently it's harder than it sounds. At least I hope it's harder than it sounds, 'cause it was pretty hard. Then we moved back inside to try some controlled stepping--where I stand on a step with one leg and lower the other leg to the floor. The only problem is that regular stair steps are far too tall for me to perform this miraculous feat without pain, so I need to use something shorter. We tried a couple of heights to find the right one. The final result? 1.5". That's one-and-a-half inches of height. That's barely enough clearance to step on one of those bugs in Ellen's apartment. As I measured the height (so I could properly replicate it at home), I could do nothing but laugh. On our way out, my therapist said she thought it would be easy for me to handle how long this is all going to take, since I just had surgery and all. Apparently most people get the concept that surgery slows them down. Oh. Did I mention she does SARCASM really, really well? I must be rubbing off on her after all these months...

So then it was off to the big city once again to see Dr. Clarke, the patron saint of hips. After a few questions, pokes, prods, and stretches, he said he would need to see me again in about 4.5-5 months for another follow-up so we could see how things are going 6 months after surgery. "Until then, you'll need to keep kind of a low profile," he said ominously. "So, what exactly does that mean?" I asked suspiciously. After that, everything gets a little fuzzy. But in spite of my best efforts to misunderstand him, I'm pretty sure he said that I can't run (no worries there) or do any serious karate (uh, slight problem there) for 5 more months. So by my calculations, when all is said and done, that will amount to 12 kick-free months in total. (My pondering of this fact is usually followed by a sort of naturally-occurring stunned silence, which I will attempt to recreate for you now...........................................................................................................................................................

I got nothin'.

Back to BOCES

So I'm pretty sure I've survived my return to work. Of course, now I'm taking another day off before I return for two whole days of work in a row. After all, I really need to ease into this whole working-like-a-grownup-again thing. Actually, it's all above-board. Really. PT first thing in the morning tomorrow, and then a follow-up visit to the doctor in Syracuse to see how things are going. Hopefully it will be a day filled with progress and good news.

Arriving in the 21st Century

After what seems like an eternity, perhaps I have finally evolved. I've got this blog thing going, I'm making my own podcast videos, and I even use AIM a lot. Heck, I even have an avatar on Second Life, though I don't visit there often. And now, perhaps the last bastion of middle agedness has fallen--I actually have a Facebook page. I might be too cool for myself now. It's amazing how instantly I was connected with people all over the world--friends, family, and karate people, some of whom are literally halfway across the world. But of course, social networking couldn't possibly be useful in education. So I'm really looking forward to going back to work where pretty much all of those things are blocked by the filter. After all, we shouldn't really have people, well, you know, talking to each other. What would be next--working together? Collaborating on projects? Nah.

Better Late Than Never

Close Call

Almost had to re-name the blog yesterday. I was considering Cranky Orange Cat, Fussy Orange Cat, or perhaps Psychotic Orange Cat. But today it seems that the title can remain the same. Neko had quite a trip to the vet yesterday. While her appointment was just fine, the getting to and from left a bit to be desired. She really got herself worked up, and created quite a scene. Her brothers were kind of scared of her when she finally got home. It took her a while to return to normal, and we were all most thankful when she finally did. Today, she's just fine. But you might notice that her upcoming podcast is a bit crankier than usual this week...

As you all know, I'm greatly fond of watching the squirrel outside my office window. And when there are two squirrels running along the edge of the roof, why, I'm almost beside myself with happiness. This morning, we had the Newfield version of the squirrel experience--two woodchucks chasing each other along the Great Wall of Newfield. Their home is about 30 feet from our deck, so we're used to seeing and hearing some woodchuck activity now and then. But this morning, they darted out of the woods and ran along our wall before heading back for the woods. The Fuzzy Orange Cat was beside herself with curiosity, and demanded to be let out at once. Of course, she then just stood there on the deck and looked around. Gone are the days when she would join in the fun (she actually used to be friends with a woodchuck years ago--they would literally play together in the front yard). But it was quite a festive moment for one and all. See? You just can't get this kind of excitement at work.

Back to Karate

Well technically that should probably say "Back to Dressing Up Like I Practice Karate, but Pretty Much Standing Around A Lot," since that's really what happened tonight. Starting a new session is always exciting, though, and it was nice to be able to be there. It will be a long time before I can actually do anything, though. (heavy sigh)

On a happier note, I did start driving again yesterday. Good news for one and all--I don't appear to have forgotten how :) I'll miss being chauffeured everywhere, but it's nice to be able to get myself out and about. It's even nicer to be able to sit in the car without wanting to jump out. Trust me--it doesn't sound exciting, but it really, really was.

Big day tomorrow for the Fuzzy Orange Cat--her turn at the vet. She's quite excited, as you can see.

Episode Two

Tick Tock

Geez. It's already Wednesday. My red text time is soon to expire. Oh well. I think I'll live.

A big couple of days for me. Lots of activity. Well, relatively speaking, anyway. Sunday's big field trip was topped off by a visit from Matt, Sherry, and the girls, as well as our friend Jeff. Quite the crowded house for a while (pssst. Lisa. they were a band in the 80's). Wii fever struck everyone as records fell one after the other. And now we have quite the collection of Miis on our machine. Kind of fun to have a gang playing along.

Tuesday was a REALLY big day--my trip to Syracuse for a follow-up appointment. All is going well, but I was disappointed to be told I have to continue to do close to nothing for another two weeks. That wasn't part of my plan, you know. But I really am trying to follow directions. Really. I am. Anyway, after the appointment we went to the Carousel Mall to meet our oldest niece for lunch. She's a student at SUNY Oswego and is living in Baldwinsville now, taking classes this summer. Hard to believe she's going to be 21 in October--she was only 5 when Robin and I got together. Time certainly flies. We had a great time catching up with her. We stopped in Ithaca on our way home to complete my longest field trip so far. Completely worth how tired I was last night. And this morning.

Today, I'm packing in as much red reading as I can, fearful of what will happen when I wake up tomorrow. So if you have any red comments to make, post them quickly so they don't evaporate...