Today's a big day for me. A really big day. It's my birthday. I'm 25 now. A quarter of a century. Halfway to fifty. It's a big day.
So why, in the name of all that is good and holy, am I writing a blog post?
Well, look at the title. Torn. Remember that knee fluid problem I filled you all in on a few days back? Well, it's not fluid. I have a tear of the meniscus. That's why I've been wandering around on crutches or with a cane, depending upon my mood. That's right. Torn cartilage, table one.
It all started as a recurring knee problem, swelling, pain, general yuckiness. Then my doctor put me on an anti-inflammatory, thinking the fluid would go away. It did go away, but the pain remained. So, off to Southern Orthopedic Specialists I went. After some preliminary x-rays, I met with Dr. Greenwood. He performed a modified version of the McMurray test. It went something like this:
Greenwood: Okay, I'm going to start with your right leg to get a base. (he turns the right foot out to nearly 60 degrees) Does that hurt?
Me: No, not really.
Greenwood: Okay, same thing on the left leg. (he starts to do the same test, but only gets about one-third of the way he did with the right before I say...
Me: Holy crap!
That's how we can to an understanding. I'm now to walk as if every step I take is on ice. Limited stair usage, thankfully there are elevators. I'm scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday, and then I follow-up next week with Dr. Greenwood. In all likelihood, and hopefully, I'll be having surgery to repair it by the end of February.
So, on my 25th birthday I sit staring at surgery.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Ancient History
I'm a history minor. As such, certain things, like old maps, interest me. I like looking at maps drawn before we had GPS and other tools that, while making life easier, completely remove the guesswork.Seriously, what's the fun of looking at a map of North America and seeing everything in minute detail from Key West to Puget Sound? It is vastly more entertaining to roll out an old parchment and see, like above, Florida barely sticking out of the United States, or, instead of the Pacific Northwest, you have a river that is labelled "Northwest Passage," yet no one ever found it. My favorite is the ocean charts that have 'Here be Monsters" drawn on them. Obviously the work of a drunken sailor after a long shift in the Crow's Nest.
So last night I was talking to Robert, the founder of Skewed, and he told me about an old 2-volume history book he'd come across. It was published circa 1875 and had a map inside that labelled parts of Asia as "Nether Asia." This sparked a lively few minutes of jokes.
Jokes like:
"Yeah, it's like when Alexander and his men reached Afghanistan... and saw people. He probably turned to one of his men and said, "I say Marcus, doesn't the map say no one his here?"
"It does, sir."
"Well who the devil are these people?"
"I'm not sure, sir."
"Hang on, excuse me, good people... uh... um... who are you and why are you here? Our map clearly states this to be the edge of the Great River."
And then a tribesman approaches, "Well, we live here, see. Always have."
"No, the map says you haven't. We are Greek, our maps are never wrong."
"Let me see that. Well, here's your problem. You've got us listed as Nether Asia, this is Afghanistan. And you've got a giant river just beyond our border. And you've listed some fellow named Prometheus in the mountains."
"Which is there by the grace of the gods. And who was placed there by the gods for his insubordination."
"No it isn't. And no he wasn't. The only person in the mountains is Old man Herbert, he runs a ham radio station. And if you keep going east, just past Ackbar's fruit stand, you'll see a bunch of big mountains. Beyond those are more lands with lots of rice and people in funny hats."
At which point the Duke of Edinburgh popped in and said "Don't stay there too long or you'll get all slitty-eyed."
Ther you go kids. I know it was short, but remember, never pass up a chance to view an old map.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
A Mixed-Bag
The Right Wing is not responsible for any harm that may come to its readers as a result of this entry.
NFL NEWS
It finally happened. David finally slew Goliath. It's like the Red Sox overcoming the Yankees all over again. Sunday night witnessed perhaps the greatest conference championship game in NFL history. The Colts, once down 21-3, stormed back in the second half and knocked off superstar Tom Brady and the Pats 38-34. Once again, the Patriots won't play for the Lombardi Trophy. I, for one, am glad. I nearly cried. I love the Colts, but my love of Indy pales in comparison to the level of hatred I have for the New England Patriots. Go Colts.
NHL NEWS
In other, less exciting news, the NHL unveiled their "sleeker" uniforms today. I wasn't thrilled when I first heard that the uniform design was changing. But I've seen the pictures, and I really don't mind the change. The differences seem subtle. Thank the good Lord they didn't bring back the old Vancouver "V" uniform. (sorry about the photo quality)
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Tonight is the night of a thousand words. That's right, George W. Bush will deliver his seventh State of the Union speech tonight. For those of you that drink, there's an interesting drinking game that will likely render you comatose after the first ten minutes.
1. Every time the entire assembly gives a standing applause, take a drink.
2. Every time the Republican side of the aisle gives a standing applause, take a drink.
3. Every time the Democratic side of the aisle gives a standing applause, take a drink.
4. Whenever a close-up shot shows someone in the audience crying, take a drink.
5. Whenever a member of either party is shown sitting down while others stand and applaud, take a drink.
6. This is the trickiest one. For however many minutes it takes the networks to air the Democrat Party response to the speech, take a drink. (i.e.: if it takes 12 minutes for them to air Nancy Pelosi telling you what Bush said wrong, take 12 drinks.)
I'm more than certain some of you will die from playing this drinking game. If you do, the Right Wing is not responsible for your death. I merely told you about the game, I didn't make you play it.
Contest Time
The Right Wing is announcing a one-time contest for its readers.
It's a simple bit of trivia. Since it is State of the Union time in the United states, it's also time for one member of the Cabinet, or anyone of any influence in Washington, to be spirited away to a bunker somewhere in Nebraska, just in the event that the Capitol building is reduced to burning cinders at some point during the speech.
To win the contest, merely send us a comment to this post telling us the name of the Bush Cabinet member, or Washington insider, not present at tonight's speech, and what position they hold.
The winner will receive special mention in an upcoming Right Wing post.
Sanjay Speaks
Hello readers. Sanjay here. I've been screening your calls for sometime now, ever since Blake loosened up a let me out of the broom closet. I've been hearing from many of you that our "Greater Good" segment is a missing part of the blog. Well, I'm here to rectify that error.
The Greater Good, as most of you recall, is not a religious call to arms, nor is it a political ploy. It is simply the act of kindness toward your fellow man. Blake and I agree that this lost segment is due a revival of sorts.
The first call to the Greater Good in 2007 is to inconsiderate drivers. You know who you are. You are the people who drive like you are the only person on the road. Just the other day, a gloomy, rainy day, I was driving in to the office here at RW. The speed limit is 45 mph, which isn't fast, but when the roads are slick, it's probably in your best interest to adhere a bit to it. Anyway, I'm on a four-lane road approaching the office when some idiot flies around me at about 65 miles per hour, with no lights on, in a dark gray truck, on a very rainy overcast day. Lack of visibility aside, it's not true to the Greater Good to drive like your hair is on fire or like you just dropped your cigarette lighter into your crotch when your experiencing a mild downpour.
That's only one of many. Blake tells me every other day about the local moron who somehow passed the driving exam. Maybe it's time to institute change. Perhaps you should go through a three-step learners program from age 15-17, then get your actual driver's license at age 18. That might help.
Anyway, the Greater Good will frequently be revisited, we hope.
For myself, Blake, and whoever else might be in the office today, good luck, and my God bless.
NFL NEWS
It finally happened. David finally slew Goliath. It's like the Red Sox overcoming the Yankees all over again. Sunday night witnessed perhaps the greatest conference championship game in NFL history. The Colts, once down 21-3, stormed back in the second half and knocked off superstar Tom Brady and the Pats 38-34. Once again, the Patriots won't play for the Lombardi Trophy. I, for one, am glad. I nearly cried. I love the Colts, but my love of Indy pales in comparison to the level of hatred I have for the New England Patriots. Go Colts.NHL NEWS
In other, less exciting news, the NHL unveiled their "sleeker" uniforms today. I wasn't thrilled when I first heard that the uniform design was changing. But I've seen the pictures, and I really don't mind the change. The differences seem subtle. Thank the good Lord they didn't bring back the old Vancouver "V" uniform. (sorry about the photo quality)GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Tonight is the night of a thousand words. That's right, George W. Bush will deliver his seventh State of the Union speech tonight. For those of you that drink, there's an interesting drinking game that will likely render you comatose after the first ten minutes.
1. Every time the entire assembly gives a standing applause, take a drink.
2. Every time the Republican side of the aisle gives a standing applause, take a drink.
3. Every time the Democratic side of the aisle gives a standing applause, take a drink.
4. Whenever a close-up shot shows someone in the audience crying, take a drink.
5. Whenever a member of either party is shown sitting down while others stand and applaud, take a drink.
6. This is the trickiest one. For however many minutes it takes the networks to air the Democrat Party response to the speech, take a drink. (i.e.: if it takes 12 minutes for them to air Nancy Pelosi telling you what Bush said wrong, take 12 drinks.)
I'm more than certain some of you will die from playing this drinking game. If you do, the Right Wing is not responsible for your death. I merely told you about the game, I didn't make you play it.
Contest Time
The Right Wing is announcing a one-time contest for its readers.
It's a simple bit of trivia. Since it is State of the Union time in the United states, it's also time for one member of the Cabinet, or anyone of any influence in Washington, to be spirited away to a bunker somewhere in Nebraska, just in the event that the Capitol building is reduced to burning cinders at some point during the speech.
To win the contest, merely send us a comment to this post telling us the name of the Bush Cabinet member, or Washington insider, not present at tonight's speech, and what position they hold.
The winner will receive special mention in an upcoming Right Wing post.
Sanjay Speaks
Hello readers. Sanjay here. I've been screening your calls for sometime now, ever since Blake loosened up a let me out of the broom closet. I've been hearing from many of you that our "Greater Good" segment is a missing part of the blog. Well, I'm here to rectify that error.
The Greater Good, as most of you recall, is not a religious call to arms, nor is it a political ploy. It is simply the act of kindness toward your fellow man. Blake and I agree that this lost segment is due a revival of sorts.
The first call to the Greater Good in 2007 is to inconsiderate drivers. You know who you are. You are the people who drive like you are the only person on the road. Just the other day, a gloomy, rainy day, I was driving in to the office here at RW. The speed limit is 45 mph, which isn't fast, but when the roads are slick, it's probably in your best interest to adhere a bit to it. Anyway, I'm on a four-lane road approaching the office when some idiot flies around me at about 65 miles per hour, with no lights on, in a dark gray truck, on a very rainy overcast day. Lack of visibility aside, it's not true to the Greater Good to drive like your hair is on fire or like you just dropped your cigarette lighter into your crotch when your experiencing a mild downpour.
That's only one of many. Blake tells me every other day about the local moron who somehow passed the driving exam. Maybe it's time to institute change. Perhaps you should go through a three-step learners program from age 15-17, then get your actual driver's license at age 18. That might help.
Anyway, the Greater Good will frequently be revisited, we hope.
For myself, Blake, and whoever else might be in the office today, good luck, and my God bless.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Football Predictions
AFC:
Game One: Indianapolis at Baltimore
Okay, Baltimore is the obvious choice here. That's why I'm picking Indy for the upset. This is all dependent on which Colts team shows up. Will we see the regular season Colts (Oh, he's rushing. Okay, guys let him go, we can score 40 points on these guys, we don't have to play defense.) or will we get the playoff Colts of last weeks (Well, we stopped the run but Peyton threw 3 picks. Oh well, we still won.)? If the latter shows up, it'll be a tight game, likely decided by a last second field goal, at which point I'll be happy to see a Vinatieri kick.
Predition: Colts 27, Ravens 24
Game Two: New England at San Diego
The Chargers enter this game as an enigma, which doesn't often happen for a 14-2 team. The Pats are a playoff team, and by that I mean they rarely choke when the big game rolls around. Well, this is big folks. Powerhouses colliding big. That being said, I like the Chargers. I think they have too much on offense for New England to overcome. Antonio Gates and LaDanian Tomlinson will expose the Pats secondary, and LT will put in at 130 yards on the ground.
Prediction: Chargers take it 31-21
NFC:
Game One: Philadelphia at New Orleans
The Saints are the feel good story of the year. A city devastated, the fans turn to their football team, a perennial loser. Well, the planets aligned, Reggie Bush fell into their lap, Marques Colston proved to be just as valuable as Bush, and the Saints played strong all year, finishing 11-5. The Eagles, on the other hand, watched Donovan McNabb go down to injury. All seemed lost until Jeff Garcia stepped in and proved that the crafty veteran can be just as good as the young gun. Philly has the hot hand right now.
Prediction: Philadelphia 23, New Orleans 17
Game Two: Seattle at Chicago
This is the hardest game to pick. Chicago has been as much as an 8 point favorite, but I don't see it. Grossman has to become an incredible quarterback in a very short time to pull that off. Remember, this is the same Rex Grossman who had a passer rating on 1.7 in a game earlier this season. Seattle gained a lot of momentum from a one point win over Dallas. Look for Hasselbeck and Alexander to take the 'Hawks to the NFC championship for a second straight season.
Prediction: Seattle 20, Chicago 13
Game One: Indianapolis at Baltimore
Okay, Baltimore is the obvious choice here. That's why I'm picking Indy for the upset. This is all dependent on which Colts team shows up. Will we see the regular season Colts (Oh, he's rushing. Okay, guys let him go, we can score 40 points on these guys, we don't have to play defense.) or will we get the playoff Colts of last weeks (Well, we stopped the run but Peyton threw 3 picks. Oh well, we still won.)? If the latter shows up, it'll be a tight game, likely decided by a last second field goal, at which point I'll be happy to see a Vinatieri kick.
Predition: Colts 27, Ravens 24
Game Two: New England at San Diego
The Chargers enter this game as an enigma, which doesn't often happen for a 14-2 team. The Pats are a playoff team, and by that I mean they rarely choke when the big game rolls around. Well, this is big folks. Powerhouses colliding big. That being said, I like the Chargers. I think they have too much on offense for New England to overcome. Antonio Gates and LaDanian Tomlinson will expose the Pats secondary, and LT will put in at 130 yards on the ground.
Prediction: Chargers take it 31-21
NFC:
Game One: Philadelphia at New Orleans
The Saints are the feel good story of the year. A city devastated, the fans turn to their football team, a perennial loser. Well, the planets aligned, Reggie Bush fell into their lap, Marques Colston proved to be just as valuable as Bush, and the Saints played strong all year, finishing 11-5. The Eagles, on the other hand, watched Donovan McNabb go down to injury. All seemed lost until Jeff Garcia stepped in and proved that the crafty veteran can be just as good as the young gun. Philly has the hot hand right now.
Prediction: Philadelphia 23, New Orleans 17
Game Two: Seattle at Chicago
This is the hardest game to pick. Chicago has been as much as an 8 point favorite, but I don't see it. Grossman has to become an incredible quarterback in a very short time to pull that off. Remember, this is the same Rex Grossman who had a passer rating on 1.7 in a game earlier this season. Seattle gained a lot of momentum from a one point win over Dallas. Look for Hasselbeck and Alexander to take the 'Hawks to the NFC championship for a second straight season.
Prediction: Seattle 20, Chicago 13
Friday, January 12, 2007
Sampler Platter
The name says it all.
1. I've read Rennie's post about the President, and I have to agree. I'll admit I voted for the man twice. The first time because I thought he could be a good President who would work with Congress and his cabinet. The second time was, as Robert so eloquently put it one time, his party could only find a dweeble as a candidate. I'm tired of the war. The goal has been reached. There were WMDs found, they were semi-dormant containers that WE had given Saddam during the Iran conflict. That's right, the US state department had enough whiskey one night to look at Saddam and say "You're a snuggy bear, we're gonna give you Anthrax." (Lewis Black)
2. Parking at NGCSU continues to circle the drain. Now, in an even more brilliant move, the college has closed off parts of the campus where absolutely no work is going on, but were instead places the students used to congregate. Brilliant.
3. This weather has constantly gone from one extreme to the other, and the CNN weatherman earlier today couldn't understand why the southeast was experiencing the largest flu outbreak in the nation.
1. I've read Rennie's post about the President, and I have to agree. I'll admit I voted for the man twice. The first time because I thought he could be a good President who would work with Congress and his cabinet. The second time was, as Robert so eloquently put it one time, his party could only find a dweeble as a candidate. I'm tired of the war. The goal has been reached. There were WMDs found, they were semi-dormant containers that WE had given Saddam during the Iran conflict. That's right, the US state department had enough whiskey one night to look at Saddam and say "You're a snuggy bear, we're gonna give you Anthrax." (Lewis Black)
2. Parking at NGCSU continues to circle the drain. Now, in an even more brilliant move, the college has closed off parts of the campus where absolutely no work is going on, but were instead places the students used to congregate. Brilliant.
3. This weather has constantly gone from one extreme to the other, and the CNN weatherman earlier today couldn't understand why the southeast was experiencing the largest flu outbreak in the nation.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Post 45: Let the Games Begin
Alright kids, we're back in the groove known as Spring Semester. I'd hoped to be rid of you people by May, but turns out we'll have to deal with each other until December. Like roomates from different cultures, this partnership is sure to go sour, but it'll make one great ABC sitcom.
I'm writing this to you from the scenic Computer Lab on the first floor of Dunlap hall.
Let's start with the obvious. Parking. Bane of the commuter. I've solved this problem by parking at my friend's apartment on the beautiful Dahlonega square and walking to class, but not everyone has that luxury. Plus, it's not really the greatest for me as I learned this morning that I have fluid build-up on my left knee. I'm in a knee brace now that allows my leg to bend about three degrees and that's that. So it took a bit longer to walk over here, I need the exercise.
Now there's seemingly 18,000 students car-jousting for 35 spaces. You see, NGCSU, in their infinite wisdom, closed off about half of the commuter lots in order to, and you'd better sit down for the load of irony that's about to hit you, build a parking deck. Typical institutional thinking. Did they offer to make parking available elsewhere? No. Did they look in to opening a temporary parking lot off-campus and running shuttle buses back and forth? Nope. Did they single-handedly screw up a semester's worth of parking? You bet your butt they did.
Let's move on to the less-obvious. I'm going it alone this semester. My trusty gang of Grubbs and Rennie are gone. Retired, if you will, to a community of twenty-somethings in Florida. Playing Bingo every Tuesday and telling anyone who will listen about their grandkids that they don't even have. I'm happy for them, and I'm curious to see what will happen to my grades this time around. I made four Bs and two As last semester. If I can get better then I'll know those two kept me down.
Now, the portion of the show called "What I Missed Most." I get to see the whiny freshmeat... er freshmen, again. This time they've got one semester of experience under their belts and they're ticked off about it. They obviously know everything. Well, as resident Jaded Senior, it falls my lot to remind them of somethings Rennie said last semester, simply to reiterate a few points.
1. I don't care about your problems, that's why they're called your problems.
2. I have my own work to do, don't ask me where certain places are. I can tell you're lost, but it's still your problem.
3. I need to graduate in December, so professors, please go easy on a worn down soul.
4. I'm tired already, stupid knee fluid.
So that's my story. Day one of Spring Semester 2007. Look for special editions of the Right Wing throughout the next few months. Also, Sanjay returns from the broom closet with a new perspective on life.
Good night, and good luck.
I'm writing this to you from the scenic Computer Lab on the first floor of Dunlap hall.
Let's start with the obvious. Parking. Bane of the commuter. I've solved this problem by parking at my friend's apartment on the beautiful Dahlonega square and walking to class, but not everyone has that luxury. Plus, it's not really the greatest for me as I learned this morning that I have fluid build-up on my left knee. I'm in a knee brace now that allows my leg to bend about three degrees and that's that. So it took a bit longer to walk over here, I need the exercise.
Now there's seemingly 18,000 students car-jousting for 35 spaces. You see, NGCSU, in their infinite wisdom, closed off about half of the commuter lots in order to, and you'd better sit down for the load of irony that's about to hit you, build a parking deck. Typical institutional thinking. Did they offer to make parking available elsewhere? No. Did they look in to opening a temporary parking lot off-campus and running shuttle buses back and forth? Nope. Did they single-handedly screw up a semester's worth of parking? You bet your butt they did.
Let's move on to the less-obvious. I'm going it alone this semester. My trusty gang of Grubbs and Rennie are gone. Retired, if you will, to a community of twenty-somethings in Florida. Playing Bingo every Tuesday and telling anyone who will listen about their grandkids that they don't even have. I'm happy for them, and I'm curious to see what will happen to my grades this time around. I made four Bs and two As last semester. If I can get better then I'll know those two kept me down.
Now, the portion of the show called "What I Missed Most." I get to see the whiny freshmeat... er freshmen, again. This time they've got one semester of experience under their belts and they're ticked off about it. They obviously know everything. Well, as resident Jaded Senior, it falls my lot to remind them of somethings Rennie said last semester, simply to reiterate a few points.
1. I don't care about your problems, that's why they're called your problems.
2. I have my own work to do, don't ask me where certain places are. I can tell you're lost, but it's still your problem.
3. I need to graduate in December, so professors, please go easy on a worn down soul.
4. I'm tired already, stupid knee fluid.
So that's my story. Day one of Spring Semester 2007. Look for special editions of the Right Wing throughout the next few months. Also, Sanjay returns from the broom closet with a new perspective on life.
Good night, and good luck.
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