What feels like long ago, I had a bit of a mishap on a soccer pitch. It resulted in some extensive O.R. time (operation room) and a 3 year recovery and physical rehabilitation process. Needless to say, I feel like somewhat of an expert [at least a well-versed, experienced individual] on the inner hospital procedures, operations, and all the "maintenance" required after being sliced, diced, sewed, stiched, and stuck with needles filled with various drugs [some HEAVENLY, others...not so much], scalpels, and surgical scissors.
* I'm impressed I could actually write all those things, down... generally, I can withstand quite a bit of physical and mental pain, but when it comes to surgery/hospital/doctor related things, I'm a big wanny. Even hearing those words, [Surgical scissors....scalpels] makes me shudder and feel queezy. buuuh.
Well---as much as I would enjoy glorifying the battle scars I still bear, and recounting their epic tales of infliction, this post is for my brother. Being born with a cleft lip and palate his surgery stories, while in quantity and Total $$/"bills paid" probably out-sum my own, are not nearly as "cool" as mine. (My own list is comprised of horrific youth dog bite incidents, massive scrapes & scabs from high speed biking wipe-outs, black eyes and absurd bruises from sports injuries, and a pair of really really broken bones) But his are every bit as real and challenging to me as my own. He got home yesterday, after a 9 hour, consecutive-procedures stint in the O.R. @ Gunderson Lutheran LaCrosse. Will leave out the gory details and simply list: jaw plates, tooth, plastic surgeon, sewing.
Watching him sit on the couch all day in his pj's, wrapped up in bandages and dressings on his nose and lip, and dosing in and out from the precription drugs he's on---it's an excrutiatingly painful reminder of how annoying and how cruddy post surgery is.
Pain aside, there are 2 factors that really compound the frustrations of Post-Op-Life.
1.) Food & Diet (and this obviously is a huge deal to a foodie like myself. Not a big deal, a HUGE deal). You can't eat stuff....you slurp it. or drink it. You have no apetite. When meals come to you in deconstructed, blended form....they're not too appealing. And in Brandon's case, it's painful as well (oral surgeries make this normally enjoyable part of one's day, NOT enjoyable.) Think open mouth wounds ----> avoid salty acidic foods. The worst part, is that while your own diet takes a divebomb to the lowest levels of canned soup, applesauce, pudding, and "mush like concoctions", everyone around you continues to enjoy things like crispy, thin crust pizza, hamburgers (the big fat, hand formed kind that sit about 4" high on the plate), and the holy grail of munchers: Chips & Salsa. *Personally, I don't like giving up cereal....but I can't stand cereal when it's soggy.....and that is how one eats cereal when they've had oral surgery; Soggy. bleh.
2.) Bed rest. Surgery is physically draining. You lose weight. Lots. (Hooray, some people think.....NO.) I predict Brandon will be 10-15 pounds lighter in about 2 months...sad. He's already a skinny little boy. I mean, he's a tough cookie...he's just lean, and shaving 10-15 lbs. makes him look......peaked. *This partially due to the previous item, Food and Diet. The other crappy thing about Bed Rest, is that it takes about 2 or 3 days before it's better termed Bed-RestLESSNESS. Your back hurts in places you didn't know existed from uncomfortable, pillow elevating postures and sleeping positions. ie. Bran. currently has to sleep sitting up. Your eyes hurt (a consequence of too much tv/dvd's, books, and the sensitive effects of anesthesia finally wearing off). and Your social life takes the largest hit. Activity is limited and for guys like B & myself, becoming a spectator sucks.
sympathizing with Brandon, who's 18th Birthday is a week away. Poor kid. I'd make him some good soup, but it'd probably just piss him off...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Lost Now FOUND!
This day, honestly could not have been any better!!!!
I'm reading one of the greatest books I've ever read, my dinner party was absolutely wonderful, and MY GLASSES HAVE BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!! Granted, they're 160 miles away in Minneapolis, but at least their location is known.
And Gracie loves me..........and we're watching movies tonight. Just the two of us.
such a good day. such a good good day....how fortunate.
I'm reading one of the greatest books I've ever read, my dinner party was absolutely wonderful, and MY GLASSES HAVE BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!! Granted, they're 160 miles away in Minneapolis, but at least their location is known.
And Gracie loves me.....
such a good day. such a good good day....how fortunate.
In Father's Footsteps
My glasses are still lost, but I've found something much more important. Something of higher value than some chic designer frames...
The other day I finally started a new book. It is a book that I was skeptical of...and just couldn't seem to lift the cover on for a few months now. "Why" this has been, I'm not completely certain...a variety of personal reasons I guess.
At any rate, it's my Father's first published book called "Life at the Crossroads: Reflections from a Country Store." I'd leave a synopsis and brief summary of the content, but to do so I think would cheapen a reader's first time experience...and I think it'd cheapen the words my father has chosen within. In short though, it's his memories and stories from his childhood, and the lessons he's learned from the humble farm and country store he grew up on. I feel so proud of him. And I'm impressed. Not only with the result but with the path he's walked to get where he is now. And I've had the vantage point to see him, hear him, observe him....under go some challenging life changes from the time he started to the time it hit the press back in October. I'm halfway through it, and I feel like I'm learning things about my Father that I've always known, but have never known. And that's a rewarding and incredible feeling that I wish I could more accurately describe.
The ways he presents his ideas...his vocabulary and word choices...even his punctuation, reminds me of HIM. My dad. It's him---and the stories are him...some of them I've heard so many times, even I could recite them ---> and I've enjoyed predicting "what he'll include" and "what chapter[of his life] comes next."
I'm laughing at myself, because I've never been so eager to blog as I am right now!
The book is the essence of my father: sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, contemplative, humble......and full of love.
Someday, if I ever have a family, I hope I'm like my dad and his first book.
The other day I finally started a new book. It is a book that I was skeptical of...and just couldn't seem to lift the cover on for a few months now. "Why" this has been, I'm not completely certain...a variety of personal reasons I guess.
At any rate, it's my Father's first published book called "Life at the Crossroads: Reflections from a Country Store." I'd leave a synopsis and brief summary of the content, but to do so I think would cheapen a reader's first time experience...and I think it'd cheapen the words my father has chosen within. In short though, it's his memories and stories from his childhood, and the lessons he's learned from the humble farm and country store he grew up on. I feel so proud of him. And I'm impressed. Not only with the result but with the path he's walked to get where he is now. And I've had the vantage point to see him, hear him, observe him....under go some challenging life changes from the time he started to the time it hit the press back in October. I'm halfway through it, and I feel like I'm learning things about my Father that I've always known, but have never known. And that's a rewarding and incredible feeling that I wish I could more accurately describe.
The ways he presents his ideas...his vocabulary and word choices...even his punctuation, reminds me of HIM. My dad. It's him---and the stories are him...some of them I've heard so many times, even I could recite them ---> and I've enjoyed predicting "what he'll include" and "what chapter[of his life] comes next."
I'm laughing at myself, because I've never been so eager to blog as I am right now!
The book is the essence of my father: sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, contemplative, humble......and full of love.
Someday, if I ever have a family, I hope I'm like my dad and his first book.
Monday, January 19, 2009
LOST and LONG GONE
I am annoyed. Arguably angry, and antagonized. That's right, antagonized. By my own stupid carelessness....
I lost my glasses. And this wasn't just any pair of glasses..... I went ahead and spent a ridiculous $230 on them. All on the simple notion that a) "I wanted new, darker, thicker frames" and b) I was "due" for a new pair of glasses.
In truth, they can only be so many places, and I probably haven't looked nearly hard enough or thought nearly long enough on "where else" they may be. But my frustration is presently too great for me to overcome and reach a point of mental clarity and rationale.
I've got a dinner menu to plan. Letters to write. And books to be read....and a checklist to check off. So dumb. So dumb. So long gone....shit.
I lost my glasses. And this wasn't just any pair of glasses..... I went ahead and spent a ridiculous $230 on them. All on the simple notion that a) "I wanted new, darker, thicker frames" and b) I was "due" for a new pair of glasses.
In truth, they can only be so many places, and I probably haven't looked nearly hard enough or thought nearly long enough on "where else" they may be. But my frustration is presently too great for me to overcome and reach a point of mental clarity and rationale.
I've got a dinner menu to plan. Letters to write. And books to be read....and a checklist to check off. So dumb. So dumb. So long gone....shit.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Free Friday
I was given a Friday night off. It was glorious.
I spent it reading books, recipes, browsing magazines and reconnecting with some old scores I'd written long ago....which made me think about my time conducting and marching in highschool. Watching Corps and competitions...studying field shows and transitional material.
Take the next 2:38 of your life and watch this.
Best Adjectives:
Focused.
Zoned-IN
Siiiiiiick (in a spectacular kind of way)
and my personal favorite---the one which I resort to in my most-utter-moments-of-dire-disbelief: cha?!?!shit..me..
Blue Coats Knock OUT
Okay you know you want some more:
Blue Coats Closer Night
Blue Coast Closer Afternoon
I spent it reading books, recipes, browsing magazines and reconnecting with some old scores I'd written long ago....which made me think about my time conducting and marching in highschool. Watching Corps and competitions...studying field shows and transitional material.
Take the next 2:38 of your life and watch this.
Best Adjectives:
Focused.
Zoned-IN
Siiiiiiick (in a spectacular kind of way)
and my personal favorite---the one which I resort to in my most-utter-moments-of-dire-disbelief: cha?!
Okay you know you want some more:
Blue Coats Closer Night
Blue Coast Closer Afternoon
Friday, January 16, 2009
Oldies Radio Rant
KVIK 104.7- FM K-Viking-Gold is a local radio station here in Decorah. I do not like their station. Nor their DJ's. Nor their radio shows. Nor their advertisements. Nor much of their music. It's just BAD FREAKIN' RADIO.
Their genre of music is Classic Hits...."oldies." I'm a Generation X child of the late '80s, and while my parents both grew up during the '60s and '70s (and '80s) raising me on everything from the Beach Boys, Elton John, Pat Benetar (yes I said it) Dire Straits, Kansas, Led Zepplin, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, etc.... I don't really connect with this music.
Frustratingly, this is the radio station that plays at the store when I'm working---like right now. Having to listen to this station nearly 3-4 days a week, week after week, probably has much to do with my disdain for their station. No, I take that back. Their station sucks, and their lack of diversity is the reason why I dislike their station SO VERY MUCH. And their DJ's sound STUPID....that and they play HORRIBLE renditions of the Star Spangled Banner EVERYDAY precisely at NOON. ***I really don't care how un-Patriotic that may make me sound....really don't. I don't need to hear the Star Spangled Banner sung by a half dozen local 9 year olds in their breathy-pitchy-tone-deaf-key-modulating-voices... In fact: (and Maybe I'm going to burn in the bowels of Dante's Inferno for saying this) I've been known to turn OFF the radio when the National Anthem comes on...
It's the same playlist OVER and OVER and OVER....AND OVER! "Classic Hits." The genre doesn't seem like that constricting, that rigid....there HAVE to be MORE songs out there than what they play...
anyways. I've resorted to iTunes Radio, XM Satellite radio, and youtube playlists I've created to maintain sanity while at the store. Yes I'll listen to Journey, and toe tap to Earth Wind and Fire and Fleetwood Mac...but Small Doses.
If ever I am driven to unhealthy drinking habbits, it won't be due to the fact that I work @ a Wine and Liquor store & bartend....rather the fact that this music makes me want to open a double magnum of Cabernet and finish it as quickly as possible.
Their genre of music is Classic Hits...."oldies." I'm a Generation X child of the late '80s, and while my parents both grew up during the '60s and '70s (and '80s) raising me on everything from the Beach Boys, Elton John, Pat Benetar (yes I said it) Dire Straits, Kansas, Led Zepplin, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, etc.... I don't really connect with this music.
Frustratingly, this is the radio station that plays at the store when I'm working---like right now. Having to listen to this station nearly 3-4 days a week, week after week, probably has much to do with my disdain for their station. No, I take that back. Their station sucks, and their lack of diversity is the reason why I dislike their station SO VERY MUCH. And their DJ's sound STUPID....that and they play HORRIBLE renditions of the Star Spangled Banner EVERYDAY precisely at NOON. ***I really don't care how un-Patriotic that may make me sound....really don't. I don't need to hear the Star Spangled Banner sung by a half dozen local 9 year olds in their breathy-pitchy-tone-deaf-key-modulating-voices... In fact: (and Maybe I'm going to burn in the bowels of Dante's Inferno for saying this) I've been known to turn OFF the radio when the National Anthem comes on...
It's the same playlist OVER and OVER and OVER....AND OVER! "Classic Hits." The genre doesn't seem like that constricting, that rigid....there HAVE to be MORE songs out there than what they play...
anyways. I've resorted to iTunes Radio, XM Satellite radio, and youtube playlists I've created to maintain sanity while at the store. Yes I'll listen to Journey, and toe tap to Earth Wind and Fire and Fleetwood Mac...but Small Doses.
If ever I am driven to unhealthy drinking habbits, it won't be due to the fact that I work @ a Wine and Liquor store & bartend....rather the fact that this music makes me want to open a double magnum of Cabernet and finish it as quickly as possible.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A Tuesday Unlike Others
"Continual Pleasant Surprises" would be the best way to summarize this day, January 13, 2009.
I haphazardly hit my alarm this morning, subconsciously knowing I should have gotten up but, none the less, tugged the comforter up over my head scrunched into a ball and slept on to try and finish a dream I'd been in the middle of.
Pleasant Surprise #1: (9:18 A.M.) I woke up just about an hour and a half later without a 2nd alarm, plopped back into reality as the credits and "The End" began to roll across the completion of my dream. Blinked my eyes, double checked my phone, thought, "Wow--that dream was so good, if there were a sequel I would have been late to work," and got up, made toast and jam, showered and even made it to the bank and ran a few errands before 10. Yes!
Fast Forward 3 hours.
Pleasant Surprise #2: (12:22 P.M.) I receive a call from my other boss confirming me to bar tend for a Chamber [of Commerce] Member event hosted at the restaurant this evening. Excellent. These are typically downtown business owners and they all don't mind pumping some more money into one another's respective businesses. And I was the fortunate beneficiary from this. $75 in tips + Wage. It's no lottery, but it's $75 in tips + Wage that I wouldn't have had otherwise...and for that I am pleasantly surprised. Besides. Even that amount of money can Stretch a Very Long ways in a given circumstance. 4 words---> Third World Exchange Rate.
Fast Forward 7 and a half hours.
Pleasant Surprise #3: (7:45 P.M.) I'm invited out for dinner at a different restaurant with my bosses (spreading business within the community) and we end up meeting my OTHER employers there. And we all have a great time. And then my boss picks up the bill. And I'm just wowed.
So nice. So kind. So entertained.
Also. I got new shoes in the mail today...I ordered them. And while I was a little upset they came from California instead of from a Mall/warehouse located somewhere out of the Midwest perhaps---I'm happy they're here! And Now my feet won't be cold!!!! But I'll still wear my Adidas....I've had them since 10th grade, and I really can't part with them....
I haphazardly hit my alarm this morning, subconsciously knowing I should have gotten up but, none the less, tugged the comforter up over my head scrunched into a ball and slept on to try and finish a dream I'd been in the middle of.
Pleasant Surprise #1: (9:18 A.M.) I woke up just about an hour and a half later without a 2nd alarm, plopped back into reality as the credits and "The End" began to roll across the completion of my dream. Blinked my eyes, double checked my phone, thought, "Wow--that dream was so good, if there were a sequel I would have been late to work," and got up, made toast and jam, showered and even made it to the bank and ran a few errands before 10. Yes!
Fast Forward 3 hours.
Pleasant Surprise #2: (12:22 P.M.) I receive a call from my other boss confirming me to bar tend for a Chamber [of Commerce] Member event hosted at the restaurant this evening. Excellent. These are typically downtown business owners and they all don't mind pumping some more money into one another's respective businesses. And I was the fortunate beneficiary from this. $75 in tips + Wage. It's no lottery, but it's $75 in tips + Wage that I wouldn't have had otherwise...and for that I am pleasantly surprised. Besides. Even that amount of money can Stretch a Very Long ways in a given circumstance. 4 words---> Third World Exchange Rate.
Fast Forward 7 and a half hours.
Pleasant Surprise #3: (7:45 P.M.) I'm invited out for dinner at a different restaurant with my bosses (spreading business within the community) and we end up meeting my OTHER employers there. And we all have a great time. And then my boss picks up the bill. And I'm just wowed.
So nice. So kind. So entertained.
Also. I got new shoes in the mail today...I ordered them. And while I was a little upset they came from California instead of from a Mall/warehouse located somewhere out of the Midwest perhaps---I'm happy they're here! And Now my feet won't be cold!!!! But I'll still wear my Adidas....I've had them since 10th grade, and I really can't part with them....
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