Introduction & Early Stages

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August 2005

Monday, August 01, 2005

Last week I really criss-crossed the country. We had patient events in Dallas, Texas and Silver Spring, Maryland. After those two events I went back west, but this time to stimulate the other (slightly ignored) senses, in Las Vegas. The few days I spent there with my brothers was a lot of fun. We had a chance to eat good food, see fun shows, and spend as much time outside as comfort would allow. With temperatures in the teens (as in one hundred and sixteen!), outdoor activities included just about nothing but sweating. This was what you may refer to as a ‘double deodorant trip’, for all the obvious reasons.

I had nothing but pleasant experiences ‘holding hands with America’ last week. I met all kinds of friendly people, between the wonderful people attending the events, the super-efficient folks who helped organize the programs, the locals who shuttled us to and from the airport and everyone else we met on the way.

Usually after traveling 10,000 miles I have a funny or interesting story to tell. But the reality is that it was a fast-paced, easygoing and fun trip. I’m glad we got a chance to visit with all the folks we met, and I look forward to coming back.

And just for the record, I did not make a deposit in Vegas and I did not get married by Elvis. Two things that, knowing me, were not too far fetched!

What I did start this week is my omega-3 fish oils. I’ve been hearing so much about them – and how they can do everything but make your car go faster – that I decided to give it a whirl. So far so good – that is to say I haven’t dropped dead and I haven’t grown scales. But hopefully in the next few days I’ll start feeling or noticing results. I wouldn’t mind swimming faster…

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Things have been pretty busy at work, which has given my wrist a run for its money. I know that wearing my wrist brace is probably the best thing for me to do, but that thing is so cumbersome and so annoying I’d rather wear a wool sweater to Florida in August. But nonetheless every other night or so (which is a clear compromise than the 24-hours-a-day I was told to wear it) helps keep things at bay.

Speaking of really hot weather, the New York area has been absolutely brutal. It’s as though we’re being punished for driving around in our SUV’s, littering and polluting. So now we pay the price and walk around in what feels like a hot, sticky and smelly oven. But you gotta love New York! The only city where the sidewalks steam water, waste and other liquids we’d rather not describe.

On Sunday, I decided that I wasn’t going to let my wrist, the weather, or my back from stopping me from playing golf. Despite the 103-degree weather, I still played for 5 hours, sweating through my shirt and inevitably, soiling the already dirty clothes in the hamper I discarded it in. “What am I thinking?” I kept asking myself. But it wound up being one of the best games I’ve played all summer.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

The last 7 days have felt like Tuesday. So because today is Tuesday, I feel even more special. We’ve been on the road for the last few days, and since we had events and traveled right through the weekend, I got a chance to see how much healing and how much relaxing I otherwise usually do on Saturdays and Sundays. I’ve settled into a nice routine over the summer, and even though it has involved weekend trips, I’m always home on Sunday night, watching my favorite TV shows, and eating my favorite Chinese food. It’s become a tradition.

However, this week was slightly different – but for good reason. We had a patient event (Healthy Living Forum) in Seattle on Sunday. A Sunday brunch, actually, complete with bagels and lox. The salmon in the Pacific Northwest is supposed to be amazing. Too bad I just don’t like the taste of it. But from what I heard, the fish was fresher than ever.

The event itself was wonderful. All kinds of people showed up with all kinds of questions. While I was in Seattle I learned the secret to the North West. I probably shouldn’t share it but I sort of feel obligated to tell…

Apparently, and as demonstrated over the weekend while we were there, the weather in Seattle is generally very nice. It’s not a rainy, snowy, windy place like everyone says it is. The natives asked me to keep quiet about this fact for fear of overcrowding Seattle in the coming years. While they blame it on global warming, I replied “well, making Seattle a tiny bit warmer might be the only good thing George Bush and his friends have done”.

Today I’m in San Francisco for another Joe Namath Arthritis Huddle event. Perched high atop the 31st floor of this beautiful hotel, I can literally feel myself swaying in the wind. Good thing I’m a New Yorker and a little building tilt doesn’t get to me. I can only imagine how unsettling this could feel to other, less accustomed, out-of-towners.

But for now it’s time to take in a little of the sights, the sounds, and the smell of this beautiful city. It’s always a pleasure to be out West. The place where infants are born wearing sunglasses and a visor…