Forgive me if I take issue with the old childhood rhyme which helps people remember the number of days in each month.
The Agony Of De Feet
Friday didn’t seem as if were going to down the shitter, but down the shitter it went.
I started the day with a followup doctor appointment to try and understand why my toe was not responding to the antibiotics which I had been taking for the previous ten days. Apparently “my” doctor does not work on Fridays so I wound up seeing the other doctor who works in the office. Having never previously seen me she asked if I’d describe the incident so that she could catch up for diagnosis. After hearing my story she decided that x-rays should be taken to ensure that there were no brakes or fractures in my foot. The sound of cash registers started going off in my head. After numerous snaps while I laid under a lead vest there was no evidence that there was a break in the foot. I was then referred to a podiatrist. Ugh.
The earliest appointment that I could get on Friday was 2pm, which essentially put the kibosh on having a normal work day. So, I decided to treat myself to a late breakfast at Java Jive (darn the pumpkin pancakes have yet to arrive) and then get a much needed haircut.
Wouldn’t you know that the podiatrist also wanted to take x-rays. I protested mildly explaining that the last doctor had just taken x-rays and they didn’t find anything. I lost that battle.
I was sent away with a prescription for steroids and what will most likely be another expensive doctor’s bill to pay.
Since I was still taking the day off from work I decided to spend some leisure time before meeting up with my coworkers for happy hour. This was to be a “very special” happy hour dedicated to cheering me up after what I will only remember as being a horrible September.
Happy hour was indeed delightful, but knowing that I had scheduled an 8:30am flight to Raleigh on Saturday morning I kept myself from drinking too much. At around 9pm, still wearing flip flops because I’d seen two doctors about the toe on my right foot, I left my friend’s house and started to walk to my car. I guess I had forgotten about the short step in my friend’s walkway and before I knew it, I had slammed the big toe of my left foot into the cement stair, causing my toe to bleed and immediately turning the toenail purple. Guess who will have more blogging material as the nail inevitably falls off? Fuck You, September 31st!
ITP Flickr Pic
I always choose early morning flights in order to minimize the chance of flight delays.
I wasn’t so lucky on Saturday. However, I was able to use the time waiting in the airport to take that shot using my iPhone.
Turning It All Around
I spent the weekend hanging out with ITP-Readers Lisa and Randy, along with their boys, and for a while with their friends and children. Fortunately for me, I managed to make it through the entire weekend without injuring myself, and had a boatload of fun in the process.
On Saturday night the grownups went out for a delicious dinner at a new place in Raleigh called Market. As has become customary when I visit Lisa and Randy I tried to join them in the vegetarian eating habits. I know that they don’t care and would not be offended if I were to order and eat meat in front of them, but I figure that they are choosing restaurants at which they can get delicious vegetarian fare, so I might as well give it a shot too. From Market we made our way to downtown Raleigh for a few post-meal beverages (imagine that! A downtown which is an evening entertainment destination for its residents!) complete with free entertainment from one of the female patrons who bumped and ground (grinded?) on her boyfriend as if she were warming up for her strip-club job later that evening.
Welcome Back To The Future
I’m writing today’s blog, as well as the next few days’ blogs, using a bluetooth keyboard and my iPad. So, if the grammar seems a bit strange it may be because of the auto-correction that occurs while typing, or the fat-fingering that I do unconsciously. Things will be back to abnormal on Friday, and who knows, by the I might be known as “Paulie Nine Toenail.” Have a greet Monday everyone.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – okay, though I wish that I’d keep hurting myself
Current Music – listening to a Coverville podcast while writing this blog post in a Starbucks.
Website Of The Day – I’ve given up on Twitter for a little while, but if you miss my curse-filled tirades then you should check out CurseBird.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – n/a
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – couldn’t check
Pages Of 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die Read – 77
Monthly
Foot Mileage – 0 miles, Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Pushups – 0, Situps – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 0 (0)
Vegetarian Days – 2, Carnivorous Days – 1
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
October Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month
– Not get fired from my job
– Ride my bicycle no fewer than 200 miles
– Determine the fate of Sharpened Stone, LLC
– Complete at least one iPhone application (seriously, this needs to happen)
– lose five pounds
– eat vegetarian at least one day a week
2010 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 185 pounds (starting weight was 198 pounds) [update: On July 1 I’ve sadly gained weight; I’m at 203 pounds]
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
– Earn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Sharpened Stone.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Get the Black Sheep stats out of Excel and online
– Ride in no fewer than two 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Complete my Taco Mac Passport requirement of 125 beers
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in PHP and CSS Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Reminds me of a visit to the local Doc in a Box while I was in grad school. At some point in the evening I ‘fell’ and hurt my hand, when home, went to bed, woke up the next day with it swollen to 3 times the normal size and one of my finger was pointing in the wrong direction.
So called a gf to drive me to the doctor (My car keys had been taken away from me for some reason), in the mean time I wrapped it in ice to get the swelling down. When I arrived at the office, I was asked what happened, did I cut myself, “no, I think it’s broken”…okay, next the nurse, did you cut yourself? “No, as I said before I think it’s broken”…now the doctor, I bet you can’t guess what she asked??? So for the third time, I say I think it’s broken. Oh, well our x-ray machine isn’t working so you’ll need to go to the ER (this was after almost 90 minutes). She put it in a sling, gave me some aspirin along with a bill for over $100 and sent me on my way.
For the record, I had two broken fingers and the other finger was dislocated in two places. I spent 6 weeks in OT so I could make a fist again.
Healthy eating contest starts today at the gym. I’m not officially participating, I don’t want to mess too much with my diet, 6 weeks out from a marathon, plus I have the relay race this weekend. I am going to try and clean things up a bit, step 1, toss out the bag of marshmallow I’ve been chomping on all weekend…anyone want to join me??
Why is there a shoe on top of the X-ray machine? is it yours or they have it there for decoration?
Well – ziplining was very fun, and the way they strap you in, I don’t think it would be that bad even if you are afraid of heights. But – I’m not afraid, so I can’t really say for sure. It was a gorgeous day too, so that made it even more fun.
The sneaker is not mine Barb. There was also a rack of shoes in the podiatrists waiting area, so I think it’s just a prop for advertisement. ‘m laughing right now because I saw the shoe in the shot when I posting and thought “I wonder who will be fir firs to ask about the sneaker?” 🙂
If I were strapped to the zip line I could so do it. I have a fear of heights but love roller coasters because I’m locked in. I think my fear of heights is tied to my fear of being able to jump/fall.
For the record, I’m currently being that douche bag in Starbucks sitting around sucking off the teet of their Wi-Fi. ITP-Reader Lisa lent me her car while she’s at work so I’ll be driving around Raleigh a bit before I pick take her to lunch and return her to work. My co-worker is due to arrive later this evening so I’ll hook up with him then.
Also for the record, I’ve yet to watch either Mad Men or The Amazing Race, so please don’t spoil either for me.
And also also for the record, I promise not to post any photos of my blue toenail or foot once the nail is gone.
Martha – so you didn’t even have a cut at all & they kept asking you that? That’s kind of funny in a sad way. I don’t have any marshmallows to throw out, but I would if I had some. I never thought of them as a snack food – I only eat them around a campfire with graham crackers & chocolate.
Paulie – why do you say you are a douche bag sitting at Starbucks? I thought that was the idea behind the free wifi for all these places?
We did watch Amazing Race,so I’ll not comment until you tell me too.
and – Allan ordered you some handlebar tape – actually 2 rolls, so you can try not to lose the extra one for the next time. It isn’t in yet……
Martha, hopefully once you could make a fist, you went back to the doc-in-a-box and did some punching!! After having waited an outrageous amount of time in the E.R. lately, and giving up entirely on one occasion, there really needs to be a better way.
-FP
Thanks Barb. I’ll keep the extra roll with all my other bike stuff so I will know where it is when the time comes. Tell me what you two would like as compensation for the repair and I’ll do my best to come through.
I am “that guy” because I have been here so long. I have purchased things though, so at least i have that going for me.
Off to do some scooting before lunch!
Steve – why have you been hanging in the ER? Allan says try Piedmont, of the ones he goes to that is the least crowded.
Paulie……… right now painting would be good compensation 😉
Looks like we will start tomorrow, unless I get a wild hair & start tonight by myself. I don’t want to do the ceiling (10 foot), so I may start rolling the Kilz on the walls. We want to do the floor this weekend, so we need to get the walls & ceiling done this weel.
Oh no, not Kilz!! We painted Sarah’s kitchen a few years ago and had the best time.. I don’t think it was the beer, either!! Maybe that’s why I’ve been so forgetful lately…
Debbie had a kidney stone and we waited 10 hours to finally see someone and 2 weeks later she had a really nasty headache (and she is a tough customer when it comes to migrains) and we went for that.. after 5 hours, we finally gave up. BTW, the bill for the kidney stone was $7k. (But we don’t need healtcare reform… yeah right!)
Latex kilz……. not using the make you crazy with the smell oil based stuff.
My motto – never go to the ER. (unless I get shot or something major like that)
CrAzY?? I dOn’T tHiNk iT mAdE uS cRaZy.
You are all having too much fun today. I’ve just found my way back to Lisa’s office to pick her up for lunch.