I've noticed a trend. By scrolling through Facebook and twitter I'm seeing a lot of "friends" celebrating the end of 2011 in a different manner this year. Usually it's the same old "looking forward to next year" or "had a great year, looking forward to continuing that this year" kind of stuff.
This time? Not so much.
The trend is that 2011 sucked. Across the board.
It did for us!
T was on the shelf with the stress fracture/chondral injury from May 5 until the end of the year.
We lost family members: T's great uncle, my father. Which brings the total of family members no longer with us to 7 since July 2010. Fun 18 months there.
I spent the last 10+ weeks of the year on the disabled list with the ankle surgery.
Add in the usual work stress, shitty economy, etc and 2011 is by far the worst year of my adult life. Hands down!
So I'm joining the chorus of voices out there in the interwebs - thankfully 2011 is behind us. On to 2012!
In fact, T and I are doing everything we can to make this year as positive as we can. In fact we've taken to calling 2012 the "year of the Parkers". A bit presumptuous of us? Maybe, but I don't really give a shit because it has to be better than the last cycle around the sun.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
8 Weeks Out
Today marks the 8 week point from my surgery.
I'm sure I'll have a much more definitive answer in another 4 weeks or so when I'm back running but right now I don't regret having it done one bit. Yes it was an inconvenience but I have zero pain (even in the places I was having some discomfort in before the surgery), I'm moving freely about the world - not running yet but that is strictly a strength issue at this point, and most importantly I don't feel it shifting on me as I'm moving. MAJOR improvement.
I'm officially building up to that return-to-running point. 30 minutes on the elliptical today at the Y. Kicked my ass - yes, 8 weeks of inactivity will result in some major detraining, but at least I'm to the point that I can start working on my fitness level, so that when I do start running again I won't be that far behind.
I'm sure I'll have a much more definitive answer in another 4 weeks or so when I'm back running but right now I don't regret having it done one bit. Yes it was an inconvenience but I have zero pain (even in the places I was having some discomfort in before the surgery), I'm moving freely about the world - not running yet but that is strictly a strength issue at this point, and most importantly I don't feel it shifting on me as I'm moving. MAJOR improvement.
I'm officially building up to that return-to-running point. 30 minutes on the elliptical today at the Y. Kicked my ass - yes, 8 weeks of inactivity will result in some major detraining, but at least I'm to the point that I can start working on my fitness level, so that when I do start running again I won't be that far behind.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Hitting "Enter"
I've got a plan in place now. I've got the next 10 weeks planned out for my rehab and getting back to running.
That's the easy part. The hard part is going to be getting back into the routine of getting it done.
So here's the plan for the next three weeks (sort of*):
Monday: Rehab/strength
Tuesday: Cardio - at least 45 minutes, I'm hoping on the elliptical.
Wednesday: Rehab/strength
Thursday: Cardio
Friday: Rehab/strength
Saturday: Cardio
Sunday: OFF
*I say sort of because we'll be in Cincy the week of the 19th and I'm not going to have access to anywhere I can do cardio....that week will just be a rehab week.
So, I've gotten it all programmed out, now I just need to hit "enter" and run the damn thing.
That's the easy part. The hard part is going to be getting back into the routine of getting it done.
So here's the plan for the next three weeks (sort of*):
Monday: Rehab/strength
Tuesday: Cardio - at least 45 minutes, I'm hoping on the elliptical.
Wednesday: Rehab/strength
Thursday: Cardio
Friday: Rehab/strength
Saturday: Cardio
Sunday: OFF
*I say sort of because we'll be in Cincy the week of the 19th and I'm not going to have access to anywhere I can do cardio....that week will just be a rehab week.
So, I've gotten it all programmed out, now I just need to hit "enter" and run the damn thing.
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Rome Wasn't Built in a Day
7 weeks post-op! It's hard to believe that I've been out of the cast for a full week already.
I just need to remember that flexibility improves day-to-day, and I must work on it daily, and strength improves week-to-week so I need to be a bit more patient to appreciates gains. I am back to wearing my Free Run 2s so that will help with some foot strength.
Must say I'm pretty pleased with how it feels and where I'm at 7 weeks from surgery. I just need to keep plugging away.
- the incision is still healing a couple of spots but looks really, really good
- my skin is still uber-sensitive
- it feels really, really good to scratch!
I just need to remember that flexibility improves day-to-day, and I must work on it daily, and strength improves week-to-week so I need to be a bit more patient to appreciates gains. I am back to wearing my Free Run 2s so that will help with some foot strength.
Must say I'm pretty pleased with how it feels and where I'm at 7 weeks from surgery. I just need to keep plugging away.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
FREEDOM!!!!!!
By the time you read this I will have been freed from my fiberglass accouterment. Pictures of the scar will be posted once the freed limb has been thoroughly cleaned, scrubbed, and scratched. Probably multiple times.
It means that rest time is over. Time to get back to fitness. Rehab starts this afternoon, fitness-improving activities start tomorrow morning.
The countdown to running has begun!
It means that rest time is over. Time to get back to fitness. Rehab starts this afternoon, fitness-improving activities start tomorrow morning.
The countdown to running has begun!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
8...
Cast day 20 (8 days to go)
I can almost hear the loud-monotone-disembodied voice of the NASA countdown as I quickly approach the day my foot will be freed from its orange prison.
The nice thing is the next week should go quickly: tomorrow I'm taking the day off work to run some errands around town and get some supplies for our thanksgiving day feast, Thursday is our feast, Friday I do have to work a bit but we're going to a hockey game that night, Saturday I've got to work but it's rivalry day for college football: the Iron Bowl, the Civil War, OSU-Michigan, etc, etc, etc, Sunday is the Bengals game and then we're back to Monday of the week the cast comes off.
Short time indeed.
I can almost hear the loud-monotone-disembodied voice of the NASA countdown as I quickly approach the day my foot will be freed from its orange prison.
The nice thing is the next week should go quickly: tomorrow I'm taking the day off work to run some errands around town and get some supplies for our thanksgiving day feast, Thursday is our feast, Friday I do have to work a bit but we're going to a hockey game that night, Saturday I've got to work but it's rivalry day for college football: the Iron Bowl, the Civil War, OSU-Michigan, etc, etc, etc, Sunday is the Bengals game and then we're back to Monday of the week the cast comes off.
Short time indeed.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Target Set
Cast day 12 (16 remaining)
June 23, 2012 has been selected as the official return to racing for me.
Seattle, WA, for that version of the Rock 'N Roll race series. We were already planning on being out there for a visit and thought why not...the timing works perfectly with the surgery/recovery. Who knows some of the other KR 30s gang might show up as well.
You're probably asking why the hurry to officially register? There was a $20 discount for registering on 11/11/11 so I took advantage. Glad I did - even with the discount it was $91.xx! Probably the max I've paid for a HM by about $7-10.
It's on the calendar all official and everything. It gives me something to work towards.
Just over two weeks left until the infernal cast comes off. I think I can make it. I think I can make it. I think I can make it.
June 23, 2012 has been selected as the official return to racing for me.
Seattle, WA, for that version of the Rock 'N Roll race series. We were already planning on being out there for a visit and thought why not...the timing works perfectly with the surgery/recovery. Who knows some of the other KR 30s gang might show up as well.
You're probably asking why the hurry to officially register? There was a $20 discount for registering on 11/11/11 so I took advantage. Glad I did - even with the discount it was $91.xx! Probably the max I've paid for a HM by about $7-10.
It's on the calendar all official and everything. It gives me something to work towards.
Just over two weeks left until the infernal cast comes off. I think I can make it. I think I can make it. I think I can make it.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Stress? You Are a Mean Son of a Bitch!
Cast Day 9 (19 to go)
We all have those days where the frustrations build slowly and slowly and slowly until they reach that threshold the pushes you into that shitty, crabby, I-could-easily-be-a-royal-jackass-right-now-but-I'm-doing-the-deep-calming-breaths-thing-to-keep-from-throat-punching-you place.
Welcome to the last couple of days for me!!!!! Adhering to my not specific discussions of work things I'll just leave it at that....
My normal healthy coping method (drinking does not equal healthy people!)? Running. As we all now, that strategy has been eliminated. Where is the fist-shaking-smiley?
Part of that stress is cast related - I'm over my paranoia that I'm developing a DVT. I'm not. But I'm having trouble dealing with the amount of time I have to be on my feet at work in order to effectively do my job. By the end of the day I'm ready to cut the cast off because my leg is just worn out from walking in the dastardly thing. Not painful from the surgery, just tired, hot, and sweaty. Imagine if you didn't take your sock off for 9 consecutive days...9 down, 19 to go!
I know, I know...buck up camper and deal with it! You went into this with your eyes wide open and aware of what the recovery would be! Yes, I do keep telling myself that...every day.
9 days down, 19 to go.
One day at a time.
One day at a time.
We all have those days where the frustrations build slowly and slowly and slowly until they reach that threshold the pushes you into that shitty, crabby, I-could-easily-be-a-royal-jackass-right-now-but-I'm-doing-the-deep-calming-breaths-thing-to-keep-from-throat-punching-you place.
Welcome to the last couple of days for me!!!!! Adhering to my not specific discussions of work things I'll just leave it at that....
My normal healthy coping method (drinking does not equal healthy people!)? Running. As we all now, that strategy has been eliminated. Where is the fist-shaking-smiley?
Part of that stress is cast related - I'm over my paranoia that I'm developing a DVT. I'm not. But I'm having trouble dealing with the amount of time I have to be on my feet at work in order to effectively do my job. By the end of the day I'm ready to cut the cast off because my leg is just worn out from walking in the dastardly thing. Not painful from the surgery, just tired, hot, and sweaty. Imagine if you didn't take your sock off for 9 consecutive days...9 down, 19 to go!
I know, I know...buck up camper and deal with it! You went into this with your eyes wide open and aware of what the recovery would be! Yes, I do keep telling myself that...every day.
9 days down, 19 to go.
One day at a time.
One day at a time.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Halfway Point
Cast Day 7
Going into this I knew it would be a six week process until things really got back to "normal". Three weeks ago yesterday was the surgery. One week ago I started the time in the cast - some good days, some not so good days but I have a theory about that, later. Three weeks down, three weeks to go. I'm pretty sure that things couldn't be going better.
My cast theory: I'm going to spend exactly 28 days in this thing. The first week was challenging because I was getting used to the limitations imposed on me by it. Now though, I'm settling in to a routine with those limitations for the next few weeks. The last week? That's going to be tough because the light at the end of the tunnel will be big and bright and I think it will be like being 6 years old and waiting for the jolly ol' elf to arrive that special morning in December.
One day at a time.
Going into this I knew it would be a six week process until things really got back to "normal". Three weeks ago yesterday was the surgery. One week ago I started the time in the cast - some good days, some not so good days but I have a theory about that, later. Three weeks down, three weeks to go. I'm pretty sure that things couldn't be going better.
My cast theory: I'm going to spend exactly 28 days in this thing. The first week was challenging because I was getting used to the limitations imposed on me by it. Now though, I'm settling in to a routine with those limitations for the next few weeks. The last week? That's going to be tough because the light at the end of the tunnel will be big and bright and I think it will be like being 6 years old and waiting for the jolly ol' elf to arrive that special morning in December.
One day at a time.
Friday, November 04, 2011
Maybe This Won't Be So Bad
Cast Day 2
66 Days Until Running?
Wednesday was the big day. The splint came off, the staples were removed (all 16 of them), and I got my cast put on.
The brief conversation with the surgeon went well: everything went according to plan with the Brostrum procedure and the only unexpected thing was a bit of fraying in my peroneal brevus tendon that he was able to clean up. He checked the repair - let's just say my ankle isn't going anywhere!!!! Very little inversion, thanks to the modified part of the Modified Brostrum procedure where he shifted my anterior retinaculum (google it) over.
All in all he was pleased.
Now some of you might be wondering why the cast instead of a boot? I asked in the original consultation. I think he's dealt with some non-compliant patients in the past and now chooses a walking cast over the boot because you can't take the boot off and walk around the house before the repair is fully scarred down and healed. Like a dumbass. So all of us that would be compliant pay the price. It's just four weeks. 26 days from now, not that I'm counting.
So here is how I get to spend those next 26 days:
Lovely shade of orange isn't it?
66 Days Until Running?
Wednesday was the big day. The splint came off, the staples were removed (all 16 of them), and I got my cast put on.
The brief conversation with the surgeon went well: everything went according to plan with the Brostrum procedure and the only unexpected thing was a bit of fraying in my peroneal brevus tendon that he was able to clean up. He checked the repair - let's just say my ankle isn't going anywhere!!!! Very little inversion, thanks to the modified part of the Modified Brostrum procedure where he shifted my anterior retinaculum (google it) over.
All in all he was pleased.
Now some of you might be wondering why the cast instead of a boot? I asked in the original consultation. I think he's dealt with some non-compliant patients in the past and now chooses a walking cast over the boot because you can't take the boot off and walk around the house before the repair is fully scarred down and healed. Like a dumbass. So all of us that would be compliant pay the price. It's just four weeks. 26 days from now, not that I'm counting.
So here is how I get to spend those next 26 days:
Friday, October 28, 2011
Left Side Tires Only!
Splint Day: 10 Recovery Day: 10
Days recovery remaining: 80
I mentioned my tumble into the front yard? Well it seems that I cracked the bottom part of my splint when that happened. So after a couple of days of dealing with a distinct "this doesn't feel right" type of feeling and my toes being numb 98%+ of the time I called the doc's office to see what I should do about it. The asked me to come in so they could change it out for me.
So in we went. The giant, hard plaster/ace wrap combo they put on immediately after surgery came off to reveal what the incision looked like:
My first reaction? HOLY SHIT THAT'S A LOT OF STAPLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My second reaction? The incision looks like it's healing pretty well!
My third reaction? HOLY SHIT THAT'S A HUGE INCISION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you so desire you can click on the pic, zoom in a bit and count at least 15 staples. So that scars gonna be nice! And as we all know, chicks dig scars!
Only about 5 days left until the cast. Speaking of which, while I was there for the new splint I was able to peruse cast color swatches and I'm pretty sure I picked out the color. Now to just start looking for a cast cover I can wear in shower.
Days recovery remaining: 80
I mentioned my tumble into the front yard? Well it seems that I cracked the bottom part of my splint when that happened. So after a couple of days of dealing with a distinct "this doesn't feel right" type of feeling and my toes being numb 98%+ of the time I called the doc's office to see what I should do about it. The asked me to come in so they could change it out for me.
So in we went. The giant, hard plaster/ace wrap combo they put on immediately after surgery came off to reveal what the incision looked like:
My first reaction? HOLY SHIT THAT'S A LOT OF STAPLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My second reaction? The incision looks like it's healing pretty well!
My third reaction? HOLY SHIT THAT'S A HUGE INCISION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you so desire you can click on the pic, zoom in a bit and count at least 15 staples. So that scars gonna be nice! And as we all know, chicks dig scars!
Only about 5 days left until the cast. Speaking of which, while I was there for the new splint I was able to peruse cast color swatches and I'm pretty sure I picked out the color. Now to just start looking for a cast cover I can wear in shower.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
That Went Well
Splint Day: 7, Recovery Day: 7
Days recovery remaining: 83
Sunday I had a minor mishap. From the time I arrived home from the surgery center on Tuesday I'd been in the house. It was determined that the first time I tried to leave the house and make it to the car shouldn't be Monday morning when I'd be pressed for time, etc. So, we made a trial run. That didn't go so well. I'll save the details but trying to navigate the self-closing front door, a couple of steps, and the knee walker all combined to equal a tumble in the front yard. Over the front handle bars of the knee walker. I was okay (only damaged the front edge of my splint) but I scared the living hell out of both myself and T. Then we laughed about it and tried it again. Crutches much easier.
It was back to work yesterday. Not a great day back, but not a horrible day either. I need to tweak a few things in my office so I can prop my foot up better during the day but all in all I seem to be able to function decently. We'll see how covering events go Friday and Saturday though - that could be interesting.
Days recovery remaining: 83
Sunday I had a minor mishap. From the time I arrived home from the surgery center on Tuesday I'd been in the house. It was determined that the first time I tried to leave the house and make it to the car shouldn't be Monday morning when I'd be pressed for time, etc. So, we made a trial run. That didn't go so well. I'll save the details but trying to navigate the self-closing front door, a couple of steps, and the knee walker all combined to equal a tumble in the front yard. Over the front handle bars of the knee walker. I was okay (only damaged the front edge of my splint) but I scared the living hell out of both myself and T. Then we laughed about it and tried it again. Crutches much easier.
It was back to work yesterday. Not a great day back, but not a horrible day either. I need to tweak a few things in my office so I can prop my foot up better during the day but all in all I seem to be able to function decently. We'll see how covering events go Friday and Saturday though - that could be interesting.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Q & A
Splint Day: 4 Recovery Day: 4
This might be bordering on TMI, but I managed to make it upstairs for a bath today. Major boost to the mood.
Sage was wondering what my return-to-running program looked like, so here it is:
We've used this protocol the last year or so with some of our student athletes with great success so this is what I'm planning on utilizing for myself. If everything goes well I should start the walk/jog portion on January 9, 2012. No, I don't have any grand goals for that first half marathon back. I'm still researching what exactly my training program will look like - I'll consider it "training" once I'm back to running 30 consecutive minutes - and that will be a post on here much later. Plenty of time to figure that out.
The other goal for the day? To increase the time between percocets.
This might be bordering on TMI, but I managed to make it upstairs for a bath today. Major boost to the mood.
Sage was wondering what my return-to-running program looked like, so here it is:
We've used this protocol the last year or so with some of our student athletes with great success so this is what I'm planning on utilizing for myself. If everything goes well I should start the walk/jog portion on January 9, 2012. No, I don't have any grand goals for that first half marathon back. I'm still researching what exactly my training program will look like - I'll consider it "training" once I'm back to running 30 consecutive minutes - and that will be a post on here much later. Plenty of time to figure that out.
The other goal for the day? To increase the time between percocets.
Friday, October 21, 2011
How Much Down Time?
Splint Day: 3, Recovery Day: 3
Monday, October 24 is when my time table starts. Why Monday? The goal for this recovery/rehab process is to be ready to return to training for a spring/summer race in 12 weeks. 84 days on the injured reserve list or until Monday, January 9, 2012 to be more exact. Not that I have it planned out or anything.
Why that day? Well that gives me the perfect amount of time to train for this race in June 2012. 6 weeks for a return-to-running program and then 18 weeks to actually train for the race. Ambitious? I don't think so but then the approach, for now, is to just be able to get back out there.
The first 6 weeks of this process will be easy. Not much to do but wear the splint right now and wait until the cast. I probably need to start thinking about what color cast I want!
Monday, October 24 is when my time table starts. Why Monday? The goal for this recovery/rehab process is to be ready to return to training for a spring/summer race in 12 weeks. 84 days on the injured reserve list or until Monday, January 9, 2012 to be more exact. Not that I have it planned out or anything.
Why that day? Well that gives me the perfect amount of time to train for this race in June 2012. 6 weeks for a return-to-running program and then 18 weeks to actually train for the race. Ambitious? I don't think so but then the approach, for now, is to just be able to get back out there.
The first 6 weeks of this process will be easy. Not much to do but wear the splint right now and wait until the cast. I probably need to start thinking about what color cast I want!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
On a Scale of 1-10
Splint Day: 2, Recovery Day: 2
The nerve block is about 90% gone - just a small numb area behind my knee - and I'm able to wiggle my toes now. So that's a good thing, the bad thing? The discomfort has started to kick in. Discomfort. Not pain. Maybe that's due to the percocet? Probably. But it's not nearly as bad as I was anticipating.
Still trying to get used to navigating around the house with the splint. The knee walker is much, much easier than crutches so that helps but it's still a challenge.
I'm taking my aspirin like I'm supposed to be, icing (not really sure just how effective icing my popliteal space is but still following instructions), and I'm a fixture on the couch. Twelve more days until the cast.
On the fun side, the Star Wars Blu-ray marathon has begun!
The nerve block is about 90% gone - just a small numb area behind my knee - and I'm able to wiggle my toes now. So that's a good thing, the bad thing? The discomfort has started to kick in. Discomfort. Not pain. Maybe that's due to the percocet? Probably. But it's not nearly as bad as I was anticipating.
Still trying to get used to navigating around the house with the splint. The knee walker is much, much easier than crutches so that helps but it's still a challenge.
I'm taking my aspirin like I'm supposed to be, icing (not really sure just how effective icing my popliteal space is but still following instructions), and I'm a fixture on the couch. Twelve more days until the cast.
On the fun side, the Star Wars Blu-ray marathon has begun!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Recovery Starts Now
Splint Day: 1, Recovery Day: 1
The last month has been a whirlwind...from my Dad passing away and all the family drama/stress that comes with that type of major life events, running a half marathon (Grand Rapids of course) after less than ideal training (see the first item in this list), to yesterday and the Modified Brostrum Procedure on my left ankle.
So the title of this post really encompasses more than just the healing process going on in my foot/ankle right now. Healing my ankle, getting past the loss of a generation of the family, getting things back on track.
The nice thing? I've got plenty of down time coming my way. At least the next 4 days on the couch. Plenty of time to put the plans in place for a full recovery.
The last month has been a whirlwind...from my Dad passing away and all the family drama/stress that comes with that type of major life events, running a half marathon (Grand Rapids of course) after less than ideal training (see the first item in this list), to yesterday and the Modified Brostrum Procedure on my left ankle.
So the title of this post really encompasses more than just the healing process going on in my foot/ankle right now. Healing my ankle, getting past the loss of a generation of the family, getting things back on track.
The nice thing? I've got plenty of down time coming my way. At least the next 4 days on the couch. Plenty of time to put the plans in place for a full recovery.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
6700 Mile Service Appointment
Ugh...what a fortnight.
I'll go into some of the gory details later but let's just say that the last 14 days have not been to kind.
First, I rolled my ankle, then I had an urgent trip to Cincinnati (that part will be later), then an early departure back to Grand Rapids so I could keep an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.
That's right, surgeon. Not for an athlete, or T, but me.
It took him about 2 minutes of doing a physical exam, stressing my ankle before he agreed with me that I need a Brostrum procedure because my ankle is trashed. The stress x-rays only made the diagnosis easier - let's put it this way: I'm one awkward step off a curb from a fracture-dislocation.
Surgery is scheduled for Oct 18. 22 days from now. Two days after the Grand Rapids Half Marathon, which I'm still running but thanks to all of the recent upheaval I doubt will be the kind of effort I was hoping for back at the first of June. Oh well...more important things on my plate now.
I'll go into some of the gory details later but let's just say that the last 14 days have not been to kind.
First, I rolled my ankle, then I had an urgent trip to Cincinnati (that part will be later), then an early departure back to Grand Rapids so I could keep an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.
That's right, surgeon. Not for an athlete, or T, but me.
It took him about 2 minutes of doing a physical exam, stressing my ankle before he agreed with me that I need a Brostrum procedure because my ankle is trashed. The stress x-rays only made the diagnosis easier - let's put it this way: I'm one awkward step off a curb from a fracture-dislocation.
Surgery is scheduled for Oct 18. 22 days from now. Two days after the Grand Rapids Half Marathon, which I'm still running but thanks to all of the recent upheaval I doubt will be the kind of effort I was hoping for back at the first of June. Oh well...more important things on my plate now.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
20
It hit me a couple of weeks ago as I was sitting at soccer practice watching the new freshman descend upon campus in droves as they moved into the dorms.
20 years ago I moved to 219 E. Church St, Oxford, OH 45056 to start my freshman year of college.
No idea why it resonates with me that way. Maybe because those four years in Oxford living in the Evans Scholar house were some of the defining moments in who I am? Probably. I just know that seeing those kids unload their cars hit me like a 2x4 and caused me to think back on those times in ways that being at my 20th high school reunion didn't.
Just seems like yesterday though.
20 years ago I moved to 219 E. Church St, Oxford, OH 45056 to start my freshman year of college.
No idea why it resonates with me that way. Maybe because those four years in Oxford living in the Evans Scholar house were some of the defining moments in who I am? Probably. I just know that seeing those kids unload their cars hit me like a 2x4 and caused me to think back on those times in ways that being at my 20th high school reunion didn't.
Just seems like yesterday though.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
A Sign of the Apocalypse?
One of the few positives of being a professional vagabond over the last 16 years is that I have friends/colleagues all over the country working in various settings of athletic training.
One of those friends sent me an email with the subject of "WTF?" yesterday and after I stopped laughing I just have to share it (names/details have been changed to protect the stupid):
Subject: book list
Hello, my name is XXXXXX XXXX and I believe you are my adviser. I am interested in majoring in athletic training and am looking forward to starting college this fall. As I have registered for classes already, I assumed that I would be sent a book list by now or would have been able to find it easily online. I do not want to order books though the school and would appreciate it if you could send me one or tell me where to find what books I need. It would also be appreciated if you could get back to me by Friday morning because I am leaving this weekend and will be out of town until right before coming to school.
Thank you for you help,
XXXXXX XXXX
What's wrong with this email you may be asking? Let me list the reasons:
We as a society are doomed I'm afraid.
One of those friends sent me an email with the subject of "WTF?" yesterday and after I stopped laughing I just have to share it (names/details have been changed to protect the stupid):
Subject: book list
Hello, my name is XXXXXX XXXX and I believe you are my adviser. I am interested in majoring in athletic training and am looking forward to starting college this fall. As I have registered for classes already, I assumed that I would be sent a book list by now or would have been able to find it easily online. I do not want to order books though the school and would appreciate it if you could send me one or tell me where to find what books I need. It would also be appreciated if you could get back to me by Friday morning because I am leaving this weekend and will be out of town until right before coming to school.
Thank you for you help,
XXXXXX XXXX
What's wrong with this email you may be asking? Let me list the reasons:
- This was sent over the summer, when my friend isn't in the office since it's summer!
- Why would this young person believe that just because they were randomly assigned to my friend as an adviser that they would be provided a list of needed books? Oh that's right because every other summer of their educational life they've been given a "Back To School" supply list!
- Why would their randomly assigned adviser know what classes they've registered for? Why would their randomly assigned adviser know what books are required? How do you find out that information? That's right, attend class the first day and read the goddamn syllabus.
- To me the best line is "It would also be appreciated if you could get back to me by Friday morning because I am leaving this weekend and will be out of town until right before coming to school." because it shows how this generation of children (because while they are trying to be adult-like they're clearly still a child) expect instant resolution to things. It's absolutely ABSURD to think that my friend is going to even respond to this email
We as a society are doomed I'm afraid.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Marking Time
July seems to be the month of anniversaries.
Our wedding anniversary, T's mother's wedding anniversary, the anniversary of losing a friend, and this one: 5 years ago we arrived in the mitten.
The place has, and continues to, grown on us. It's not perfect, but it's not as bad as originally thought.
The mitten does now have the distinction of being the place we've been in the most, so that must be saying something!
Our wedding anniversary, T's mother's wedding anniversary, the anniversary of losing a friend, and this one: 5 years ago we arrived in the mitten.
The place has, and continues to, grown on us. It's not perfect, but it's not as bad as originally thought.
The mitten does now have the distinction of being the place we've been in the most, so that must be saying something!
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