So Cathy wanted for us to go to a holiday party last night with one of her favorite clients. I never want to do stuff like that, but I always want for my best-beloved to be happy.
Turns out I got out of going anyway. While we were walking the dogs on the Arizona Canal — walking, not running — I slipped one way as Shyly and Odysseus were charging off the other way. I fell down and cracked my elbow nicely on the tarmac.
We ended up having a very nice evening at the hospital. I’m not joking — attitude is everything. But poor Cathleen didn’t get to go to her party.
I’m typing with one hand right now, so you may be hearing less than a lot from me for a while.
Vance Shutes says:
Greg,
Best wishes for a quick recovery, my friend!
December 5, 2010 — 5:03 pm
Greg Swann says:
Bless you, Vance. Thanks.
December 5, 2010 — 9:15 pm
Teri Lussier says:
That’s no fun. Take care of yourself.
December 6, 2010 — 1:09 am
Greg Swann says:
Y’all are sweet. Thanks.
I had two houses go into escrow over the weekend, and I wrote a contract today. The four corners for yesterday’s calendar entry are all black holes, but the middle has interesting red marks.
I can’t lift weights, for now, but I can ride the recumbent bike. Can’t play guitar — except on my iPhone — but I can study music theory, which I’ve been avoiding for the shear fun of pounding strings. And I’m typing — badly — with two hands, so tomorrow I’m going to write software. You’re only as crippled as you want to be.
And my wife and I had a sweet date Saturday night at the hospital. We had fun just being together, and we had fun talking with the nice people at the hospital. Splendor is where you find it? Not quite. When you’ve made it the defining value of your life, Splendor is wherever you are.
December 6, 2010 — 4:56 pm
Michelle DeRepentigny says:
The things you men will put yourselves through to avoid a social gathering :). Hope you heal well and quickly!
December 6, 2010 — 9:38 am
Mark Brian says:
Hope you get better soon!
December 6, 2010 — 10:22 am
Al Lorenz says:
You’re looking good, even in a hospital! The elbow will heal and you’ll be back on the guitar soon.
My absolute best wishes for a speedy recovery my friend! Take heart, typing with one hand just means temporarily you only write a little faster than the rest of us…
December 6, 2010 — 11:54 am
Meg Hurtado says:
hurry up and recover so you can keep up the great blogging!
December 6, 2010 — 12:09 pm
Thomas Johnson says:
Ouch! I hope you heal quickly. Eat well and continue your exercise regime. Healing will happen faster when you metabolize good food-your body will respond.
Some greens and a little extra milk can add calcium so that it lands where you need it.
In the future, do not go faster than your guardian angels can fly 😉
December 6, 2010 — 2:38 pm
Don Reedy says:
Here’s a gift from me to you.
Get better. Sleepwalk. Dream. Be.
December 6, 2010 — 5:34 pm
Anonymous says:
Greg, I sure hope this hasn’t adversely affected your funny bone.
Get well soon
December 6, 2010 — 11:22 pm
Cheryl Johnson says:
Ouch! How did you manage to get yourself and the dogs back home?! Please get better fast!
P.S. Over the years, I’ve known some guys who, when injured, refuse pain medication, and opt instead to share their misery with everyone close by. If your Doctor prescribes pain med, take it! Your family and friends will thank you. 🙂
December 7, 2010 — 7:45 am
Greg Swann says:
> How did you manage to get yourself and the dogs back home?!
Cathy took the dogs home and went to get her car. I stayed flat on my ass on the tarmac until two Army medics happened by. They hoisted me to my feet and laughed with me a little about how ludicrous the situation was. Then I shambled down to Central Avenue and walked toward a convergence with Cathleen. By then, I was largely okay.
> Over the years, I’ve known some guys who, when injured, refuse pain medication, and opt instead to share their misery with everyone close by.
You’ve never known anyone like me. I almost never take pain-killers beyond Advil, but I’m at my best under adversity. My elbow hurt quite a bit when I slammed it, not so much since. Cathy and I were laughing at the hospital, and I observed, “If I’m bitching, it’s because nothing serious is wrong.” When the shit hits the fan, that’s when the Splendor comes out for me: I want the world my way, and I fight back with my best weapon — illimitable human joy — when I don’t get just what I want.
December 7, 2010 — 9:11 am
Eric Blackwell says:
Best wishes, Greg!
You are so right about hospitals..all about the attitude.
Eric
December 8, 2010 — 6:22 am
Greg Swann says:
Saw the bone doc today. Guitar tonight, if my arm will let me. Light duty for 3 – 6 weeks. Maybe back to bench presses where I was Saturday morning within three months. That’ll teach me to watch where I put me feet. Pretty bruise, though, ain’t it?
December 8, 2010 — 6:43 pm
Doug Quance says:
Ouch.
Hope that heals quick. That had to hurt.
December 8, 2010 — 10:37 pm
Greg Swann says:
> Hope that heals quick.
Quick enough. I can play my guitar, and I can almost fully-extend my elbow. Consider where my shoulder was when that photo was taken. I won’t lose anything from this spill except a little time.
> That had to hurt.
I have a high tolerance for pain. I also know a ton about how to rehab an injury. The events of our lives are largely beneficial, I think. You just have to know how to evaluate them.
December 8, 2010 — 10:57 pm