Introduction & Early Stages

Latest Entry

Entries:

August 2004

Monday, August 02, 2004

In New York there is an immutable law of nature which states that "if you are transferring subway lines you will either be the last person on the train or you will miss it all together." Yesterday, a little of both happened. As I crept home from spending a day in Union Square, I sat quietly minding my business on the express train. When we pulled into 42nd street I saw the local 6 across the platform, and without thinking, figured I could make a transfer. That 20 foot platform is a lot further when subway doors are closing.

Regardless of that fact, I lunged into the car and made it in all except for my left leg and left foot. My left foot with a flip-flop that remained on the platform while the majority of my body was in the subway car.

In a state of panic I realized I’d be barefoot if the doors don’t reopen, not to mention the situation I’d have once the train started moving with the better part of my leg hanging out from it. After what seemed like minutes (but was probably 3 seconds) the doors finally re-opened and I was able to pull my leg in, and in an "Indiana Jones" inspired move, reached back outside of the car to grab my missing sandal.

There are few things that can illicit an audible gasp and then an applause by a subway car full of tired, hot and rude New Yorkers – but last night I received both. Truly a feat worth recounting.

Thursday, August 05, 2004

There are certain things I’d like to do in the coming weeks that I no longer have an excuse not to do. For one, I need to start working out again. What I might do is increase the frequency that I go to physical therapy for my neck. But that’s kind of lame. I need to sweat. I need to burn more calories than I’m eating. Forget about this low-carb nonsense, it’s about calories. Lots of them. And in my case, too many of them. Not only do I feel myself gaining weight, but I don’t feel as healthy as I used to be, say, six months ago. It could be the temptation of a slice of pizza one block in any direction. But I think it has to do more with self discipline and control.

Another thing I’ve wanted to do for a while is volunteer as a big brother to a child without a mentor or role model. I was reminded of this once again when – although very trivial – I taught a young boy how to use an automatic faucet at a restaurant yesterday. Now I know, we’re not exactly talking about lifelong lessons here (although you could make an argument that I contributed to his health, well being and general sanitary habits) – but it proved that I’m older, smarter, and tall enough to reach the faucet sensor.

And if I can accomplish these two goals I’ll reward myself with something I’ve always wanted to do since I was old enough to drive: fly in the back seat of a fighter jet. I’d like to fly faster than the speed of sound, pitching, rolling and puking into my face mask. I never had dreams of growing up and being a combat pilot (or… "naval aviator"), but I do have that insatiable "need for speed" that I think would be cool to achieve.

Come to think of it, forget about rewarding myself, why don’t I make working out the preparation for putting my body under the stress of pulling 6 G’s? I’ll be in training. When people ask what I’m working out for, instead of telling them it’s because I have arthritis and spend 10 minutes explaining that it’s possible, I’ll tell them I’m getting in shape to go faster than man was ever intended to go.

Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Just when I thought I’d been everywhere in the U.S., I board a plane bound for Louisville, Kentucky. This will be a fun trip – alongside Joe Namath – because we’re able to meet hundreds of area doctors with the message of pain management and the Arthritis Huddle. While we’re down here we’ll also have a chance to scout out sites for the A-Games. Which means we’re returning to Louisville. It wouldn’t be enough for me to visit a city once. I always have to return.

And on a more redundant note, I’m getting closer and closer to joining a gym again. I’m not the most spontaneous person, so any decision I am going to commit to I require weeks and weeks of internal debate. The time to stop procrastinating and start working out has come. Probably because I’ve felt so much guilt recently about that buffalo wing I can’t resist, or the ice cream sundae, or the mother of all temptation: pizza.

So even though I haven’t even begun working out, I’m headed in the right direction, at least mentally and emotionally. As for a physical workout, well, that’s just getting caught up in the details of the whole thing. Besides, who ever said exercising was physical?