it was just a leap

It all started with a leap. It wasn't from afar, but it was high and, with gravity in complete control, it was powerful.

I was sitting on the floor playing with The Deuce. He was smiling, laughing and playing with his toys. The Sudden impact on my head and neck sent shock waves through my body as I gasped in pain. Z-Dub, with a grin on his face, decided it would be funny to fly like Superman from the top of the sofa to my seemingly strong body. Only problem is he miscalculated his trajectory and landed where great damage can be done. And boy did he cause some damage.

For the first two days I could hardly move my neck left or right. The headache at the base, where my head connects to my spine, was excruciating. It lasted for days. Even during our vacation in San Diego my head was throbbing. Tylenol was my savior.

Then last week the flu emerged with a vengeance. One of the symptoms as I was bedridden was body aches. The kind that make any and all positions uncomfortable. I was in a miserable state of being. As the flu subsided I thought I was going to be okay. Then suddenly on Thursday a sharp pain started in the middle of my back. It was so bad that even the slightest movement sent me to the floor. Even if I took a deep breath in the pain was unbearable. I went to urgent care and was given a shot of Percocet, which did little to ease my extreme discomfort. The doctor gave me a prescription for Percocet pills and Valium and said to get some rest. His answer to what was going on was completely unsatifactory. I didn't want to mask the pain, I wanted to know what the hell was happening and how to fix it.

On Friday I waddled into a Chiropractor's office for the first time in my life. I've never had an issue with back pain, so there was never a need to see one. I was a bit scared to go.

I was thoroughly examined and X-rays were taken. And, alas, they found the problem. Apparently I now have a compression injury to two vertebrae. They said the injury was probably caused years ago and then Z-Dub's Superman stunt exacerbated it, causing the ligaments to slip out of whack in my back. They also found that I have a slight twist in the middle of my spine, which makes me more prone to injury. They also found a congenital defect where I'm actually missing on T-vertebra, but I have an extra lumbar vertebra. That's weird, but really isn't a problem.

And my neck - that's a whole other issue. Z-Dub clearly did some damage. Instead of a slight crescent curvature that a normal neck has, mine now resembles an "s." To put it simple, it's "effed" up.

Since Friday I've been receiving intense physiotherapy at the Chiropractor's office and it's done wonders to help moving me again. My pain has subsided greatly - probably about 85 percent. I can actually move without dropping to the floor in pain. I'm going to continue therapy a few days a week for the next month or two to mostly correct everything, but in the meantime, I suddenly feel much older than my 34 years. I'm also worried about injuring myself again. Will I be able to be active? Or will I be resigned to be "the guy on the sidelines?" I don't want to be that guy, but only time will tell.

end of days

I was flipping through the channels on cable last night and came across a program on The History Channel that captured my attention. Actually it freaked me out a little. It had to do with the significance of December 21, 2012.

Based on research of multiple prophecies, including the Sibylline Oracles, I Ching, Merlin, the Mayans and the Hopi Indians, a number of overly analytical professor type people with bad hair have predicted a cataclysmic event on that date. They basically conclude that I we can kiss our asses goodbye in just four years and a few weeks.

Since most prophecies of the past have not come true (i.e. Nostradamus), I'm not too incredibly concerned. I'm definitely not ready to dig up my yard and build a fallout shelter. And, darn, I may have to pay my bills.

But the fact that all these nerds were able to come to the same date by looking at all of these different prophecies from around the world was a little disconcerting. That program really had me at the edge of my seat.

So now what do I do with this newly gained knowledge of a possible end to all things human?

I think the answer is clear...Partay!!!!

You're all invited to my End of Days Extravaganza on December 20, 2012. It will definitely be in Las Vegas. Who wouldn't want to spend their last full day on Earth in the city famous for sin? I wonder if I can get some cool bands to play? I'll make some calls. Oh, and feel free to bring the kids. It's their last day so they might as well go wild with the grown ups.

If the world doesn't actually come to an end the following day, just remember that "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

putting on a life preserver

From the high paid CEOs of Wall Street to the ordinary folks on Main Street who are living beyond their means, to the current Administration as well as the previous one, to the "do nothings" of both parties in Congress, many are to blame for this financial mess. The prosperity we've enjoyed for the past two decades has been nothing more than a facade.

One thing is for certain...this Vegas family will not go down with the ship. Monies will be moved, spending will be curtailed and we will continue to spend CASH ONLY. We've batten down the hatches. We will be safe and sound.

Suze Orman was right all along.

reflection

Yesterday was a special day. Despite people's views of what happened, who's responsible and how our country has responded, today is a day to reflect and to memorialize all those innocent people who lost their lives during the attacks of 9/11/2001.

note to midwest

The flooding in the midwest is truly devastating. I feel sorry for the thousands of people that have lost their homes to rising waters.

If it's all possible, please feel free to send some of that water our way. We're running out. It's pretty serious.

Seriously, is it possible to build a big pipe across the country? Just thinking out loud.