I am unable to type very much due to the fact of a shooting pain in my lower back.
Amy was concerned that it might be sciatica, but the sensation only set up shop in my lower back and has yet to despatch an exploratory vanguard down my thigh, crippling my walk further (though my posture today is impeccable). Were it to do so, I would have no recourse but to attempt a rebuff through medication, perhaps complemented by a trip to the chiropractor.
Since I'm on my ass most of a day anyway, it's not disabled my ability to type, but rather rerouted what cognitive abilities I do have to focus somewhere just above my ass. I haven't thought about my backside this much in a very long time. I think I need to run more.
On a more positive note, I managed to carve out enough time this weekend to plough through over 250 pages of an eagerly anticipated book. Given domestic temporal constraints with a wife running about most of both Saturday and Sunday, and two wee boys still to fend for, my reading was restricted to the quiet hours after the rest of the house was abed. Prime time, really. I was interrupted only ever by the sounds of the house settling down for the night, the cycles of the dishwasher and the occasional offensive *poot* emanating from a somnolent Boxer dog one couch over.
Giving myself that time to read precluded any and all time jacked in to the virtual world -- itself an odd sensation that, once accepted, was gratifyingly freeing. An information junkie needs to unplug from the spiderweb on a regular basis in order to traverse a more linear path less travelled.
My tri-colour ribbon bookmark is still sitting in the doldrums, near the halfway point of Moby Dick, so I was left without a bookmark the first night I picked up my new hardback. (I never pondered for a second heaving to with the Whale in favour of a short stay in a new port.) Amy, with no care for my feelings or masculinity, foisted on me a cute little puppy dog magnetic page marker. I was slightly chagrined but comfortable enough in myself to keep using it. Plus, it amused me that the paper ears of the puppy dog face were dog-eared.
*****
I met with VP Boss (Muffy) on Friday regarding my career path for the new year. He noted that over the past few months I have been observably disenfranchised with my role and wanted to know what I wanted. I told him, and the ship will change heading a few points to starboard right quick. 2007 will mark a time for some changes, to be sure. One way or another.
Plus, I liked that he knew how to use the word 'disenfranchised'.
I have to get up and walk around a bit. Carefully.
Sorry to hear about your back, Si. I've been very lucky in that regard in that I very rarely have back issues...but I've certainly been there.
I remember when my Dad threw his back out, he'd hang from a ceiling joist on a construction site and sort of twist his waist about. The weight of his tool belt would help pull everything back. Now...I am in no way recommending this proceedure, but variations on the theme have helped me in the past and it's what your post made me think about.
Also, I'm thrilled to hear about your work. It's got to feel nice to work for people who both notice and care that you are not enjoying your current task. I hope if works out well. And I also hope you still find time for us when you start lovin' the work ;)
Posted by: Moksha Gren | Monday, 22 January 2007 at 12:05 PM
So that's where my backache went! I had it last week -- it was very unpleasant. But a good session of yoga and within 24 hours the pain was much less and then went away. It was the nerve-pain type that feels like it should start shooting down one's leg, but it never did. And then it went away... actually I think it was from feeling overburdened and then manifesting that physically.
Hanging from something, if you could arrange it, would certainly help. Hope it's better soon...
Glad to hear that things will be a bit less tedious at work, if that's what the change will mean.
Posted by: marian | Monday, 22 January 2007 at 01:17 PM
My back's been killing me all week, too. I blame Moose Winooski's.
Posted by: Paul | Monday, 22 January 2007 at 01:27 PM
Simon dahling, we missed you terribly. (Or I did.) But since you were reading what looks to be a fabulous book, we will excuse you this once.
I certainly hope the new horizon in your vocational area works out the way you'd like.
And, as much, I hope the new discomfort in your posterior area works out the way you'd like. From the sounds of things, unlike some rather infamous characters of late, you might actually benefit from a bit of hanging ;-)
Posted by: Linda | Monday, 22 January 2007 at 02:43 PM
Moksha, since it's simply too hilarious not to share, let me say that the "belt" in the second sentence of your second paragraph is an incredibly important word to have where it is. (Too bad the person who pointed it out to me didn't deign to comment on that himself.) I'll look into the dangling thing, and more double entendres.
Marian, I very much hope less tedium is in the works at work. That's where I intend to steer, at any rate.
Paul, I think it was the portion sizes at the Moose. WTF was up with that?
Linda, I'm happy to have been missed. Especially if you were wielding a fire-arm. (Har!) It's an exceptionally good book. That man can write real good stuff and words. I join you in wishing the best for my ass.
Posted by: Simon | Monday, 22 January 2007 at 02:58 PM
Feel better. I have my own pained husband to care for, shoulder troubles though. He's miserble. Wish I could do something for him.
Posted by: TerriTorial | Monday, 22 January 2007 at 08:26 PM
Isn't Guy the guy you met?
Dang, do back troubles run in tu familia?
Great news about work. If it means a little less activity out here (or even a lot), then so be it. I know how it feels to be disenfranchised a whole eight hours of the day.
Posted by: Mark | Tuesday, 23 January 2007 at 08:12 AM
Simon, I am giddy for you to finish this book. Is it bad that are the only other person I "know" who's reading, let alone who I can trade thoughts with about it? If so, I'm comfortable with that.
Good about work, and bad about back - but please! finish the book!
Posted by: Tal | Tuesday, 23 January 2007 at 04:15 PM