Pain and Frustration

Concussion #1 with a sprained neck in March was lovely. Concussion #2 in April was wonderful, as well. So. I've been living with severe pain ever since. The amazingly stupid UofM ER performed exactly as expected. Extremely long wait time, and no pain relief. Instead, I am told to make an appointment at the Concussion Clinic (which the brilliant ER attending knew absolutely nothing about) I was given no pain relief, once again.  I call to make an appointment with this "clinic", and all the resident does is a basic neuro exam. I was told to take 4 GRAMS of Tylenol when I got home...which,  of course I didn't do because 4 GRAMS of Tylenol, is a hell of a lot! I was referred to the Spine Clinic to get an injection in my neck,  but they can't fit me in until mid-July! Then I am expected to get PT.  (Goddess knows how long it will take to get seen there) Meanwhile, the intense 24/7 headaches and neck pain is not getting better. In fact, it is getting worse. So what I have decided to do is skip the injections, and the PT and get back in the water. I refuse to spend my entire summer fooling around with UofM Health Systems. Screw that! I fucking hate doctors! I think my plan is healthier...and I have some open water races for which I must train,  coming up, and I need to spend a few days in Lake Michigan, with my wetsuit, or next summer's Mack Straits swim will find me without enough experience swimming in a wetsuit, swim socks, and swim gloves.

In the Moment

It's time we all stopped wringing our hands about the sins of our ancestors, and the wrongs of which we, ourselves are guilty of in the past. It's time to stop worrying about the future that will be in store for our children and our grandchildren, and the mistakes they will inevitably make. We can change the world for the better, by making this moment. Every moment...count. We can fix this world by remembering that every moment of every day counts. Not tomorrow. Not next week, but right now.

The Mack Straits

Well.  I'm temporarily out of the water due to the concussion I suffered in March, and the concussion and neck sprain I experienced in April. But. I will be swimming on Monday, no matter what. Things are almost finalized with the Coast Guard. I just need to send in the permit app. I have some leads on kayakers, and a guy with a motorized sailboat. I'm told he was on the Nyad team.  Obviously experienced!  I've chosen my charity. It's a very deserving one, where all of the money raised goes to the people who need it, and not to Administrative staff. Later this summer I'm going to be spending some time on Lake Michigan training. I also found a personal trainer and sports nutritionist to help me out. I may do the Coastal Crawl again, but I'm not sure what distance, or even if I want to compete again. If I swim the 2 mile or the 3 mile, I'll probably just win by default, and that's not fun.

I'll be going up north fairly soon to check out the starting point and the end point. Most people swim from North to South...probably due to the currents. I'll also be talking to some fishermen about the currents and the Coast Guard about the shipping traffic. Fundraising is going to be a challenge, but I have already enlisted some volunteers. So. Now, It's just a matter of training in the water, and weight training.  Lot of work to do in that department. But. When it comes down to it, training is the best part. I love the quiet, the smells. It's a Zen thing really. There is no better sport.

Happiness

Michigan

I live in Michigan. *not in the U.P. There are important differences*

My home is in a small village on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. You know about Ann Arbor. Right? Home to the University of Michigan...where football is a religion. However, A2 has a lot to offer...especially for  someone like me. Diverse population. Lots of cultural activities, and it's filled with Liberals, which is how I fly. We're also about 50 miles outside of Detroit...home of Tiger baseball, and Pistons basketball. *We won't talk about Lions football, because: A. They suck, and B. Football is a stupid sport...almost as stupid as golf.*

Michiganders love to complain. (It's because they've never lived in Indiana.)

I don't complain, because it is a waste of energy, and completely useless. The following is a list of things that Michiganders complain about.

Snow. I don't get that, because I find snow to be a wonderful thing. This year we were slammed with an all-time record amount of snow. Yeah. You have to shovel. Big deal.  It's great exercise. And what difference does it make if you have a foot of snow, or four feet of it?  It's beautiful to look at, it gives off an ambient light, which is great on gray days. The important thing to do is to get outside and relearn to play. Take nice long walks. People are really good about keeping their sidewalks clear. I am owned by an Alaskan Malamute, Bree,  who will not allow me to skip her daily walks.  So. Snow. It's all good.

Cold weather. It happens every winter. I happen to love the cold. Although, it is a challenge to take Bree out for her morning and late afternoon walks when it is -20F. But. It's all in how you approach it. Necessary layering,  down coat, preferably with a deep hood, and gloves with one of those little packets of heat tucked inside. Scarves and snow boots, and you're good to go!  I fail to see the problem.

Potholes. I don't like them.  Nobody does. But they are there, and generally get filled before U of My football season starts.

Rain. I NEVER complain about rain! It's as important as snow in avoiding droughts in Michigan. Droughts are bad.  Snow and rain are good.

Traffic. Always a pleasure. I just avoid driving whenever possible.  And I never drive into A2 on a game day.

Moving on here, to summer heat. I admit to having difficulty with heat. But. There it is...every year. But, as in winter, you need to reclaim your playful side. Bree and I take very long walks in the summer heat every day. *But I also swim 3 metric miles a day.*  And those awesome Michigan sunsets! And there are literally hundreds of lakes everywhere, including the BIG ONES.  Most beautiful beaches in the country. Great for open water swimming. No sharks. No jellyfish.

Art Fair. Every year A2 hosts artists from around the country. Yup. Streets are clogged, and it always falls on the hottest week of the year...the last week of July. Local merchants make a lot of money. Artists make money. It's a people watching paradise. I've been there. Many times. Now I stay home. But I don't complain. Art Fair is special for a lot of people.

Parking. Yup. Parking in A2 is a nightmare. There is no doubt about that. But complaining about it continually is so common, that I consider it to be a sport. Who can come up with the most nightmarish parking story? But. When new parking structures are built, well.  There is just no end to the whining. You just have to accept the fact that there is no place to park in Ann Arbor, and get on with your life.

Pure Michigan. An amazingly beautiful, and wonderful place to live. Love it!