You sass that hoopy frood, Douglas Adams?

Do you know where your towel is?

Today is Towel Day, in honour of the author and visionary Douglas Adams. I spent whatever time I did out of the cave that I have been stuck in, carrying with me a towel and a copy of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I had a few funny looks in stores, and was questioned by the staff at my favourite eatery. But, I carried my towel with pride, knowing that I know the answer to the question of the meaning of life, the universe and everything. =P

I went to see the doc yesterday. He told me that the report from the ultrasound imaging on my leg showed a 2cm tear in my gastrocnemious muscle, with a 5cm "bubble" of fluid around the tear. So, it was exactly what we thought it was. This was good news in the sense that my physiotherapist can now focus better on getting me well again. We were working in the right direction already, but it is good to back up hunches with fact. The doc also told me that I am off work for another two weeks, just to make sure that it does heal it self. Which leads me to the next paragraph...

I broke down.

I bought a PS2. And a plastic guitar with Guitar Hero 1 & 2. And Grand Tourismo 4. So now, aside from my reading, (been through many books this past two months) and my World of Warcraft, I now have something else to let the hours slip by before I get permission to do any amounts of walking.

Damn it! I want to go hiking!!!

Changing subject again, they are paving the road outside my apartment. Now, being a guy, I like big machines. I have resisted the urge to go out and sit and watch them work; mostly because I don't want to be breathing in the fumes from the asphalt. Most control the urge to resort back to childhood!

Long train running

So it has been what, almost two months since I tore the muscle in my leg? Ya, a few days shy of two months. Is it better? Ummm, nope. No where near.

Yes, I am sure that two weeks in NYC didn't do much for it, but still, I shouldn't be waking up in the morning in the amount of pain that I am experiencing. I am attending physiotherapy, and my friend Candace is doing all she can for me, but I don't see any progress yet.

A week ago Friday, I had an ultra-sound image done on the damaged muscle, kind of like what they do with pregnant ladies so that you can see what is going on. The technician showed it as a partial tear in the Gastrocnemious / Soleous. Umm, those are two different muscles there dude, which one? I still don't know. I have been calling the doctors office to see if the report has arrived yet, and it hasn't.

One of my fears is that I still might need surgery, even though it has been this long. The doctor would go in and try and reattach the muscle where it is torn. Then, I would be off work for a long time. Ugh. I am bored enough sitting at home. Video games are only exciting for so long. I have also read most of the books that I hadn't read before.

So I sit here, doing the gentle exercises that Candace has given me, while my body slowly gets out of shape. Man, I really want to go for a walk, go for a hike, climb a mountain or ride a bike. Hell, I would be happy climbing stairs!!!

Click, click, BOOM

Sometimes you think to yourself, "golly, is that person ever stupid". Then there are times when there are times when you think "golly, is that person ever stupid, and not only are they gonna kill themselves, they will probably take me with them!"

This is what I found yesterday while putting some overpriced liquid into the tank of my car.

I was minding my own business, pumping my gas when a little Toyota Echo pulls up on the other side of the pump from me. I glance over and see an arm hanging out of the back window with a lit cigarette in her hand! I quickly mentioned that it was illegal to smoke near a gas pump and the asshat in the front seat got all testy and told me that there wasn't anyone smoking in his car. So, I pointed out the cigarette, but he still kept getting all stupid like telling me that there was nothing wrong with it. Then, he asked me if I was a smoker, which I told him no. He continues to point out that there is nothing wrong, even though right in front of him there is a sign saying no smoking. I tell him, fine, but if they want to smoke near gasoline fumes, do it elsewhere because I have seen fire start from gas fumes (was grinding on the farm, sparks lit a small bucket of fuel even though they were about five feet away). So, dummy opens his mouth again, proving his low level on the IQ scale, and tells me that guys he works with "smoke around chemicals like acetone all the time and nothing every happens to them". That is when I shook my head and left. Arguing with a meat-head like that just won't get you anywhere.