TRAVEL TRAUMA

So, it's been a while since I've made an entry, partly because of lack of anything clever to contribute, and partly lack of time. I've been nursing my injury since Saturday, and Sunday proved detrimental between commuting in the heat and standing for 4 clients straight without a break.

On Monday, commuting to the office job in the sweltering heat and humidity turned my leg into an overgrown Jimmy Dean sausage, which showed little improvement after a few happy hour specials with good chums M & Roo.

Tuesday I woke up and eureka, I found my knee cap! The swelling was almost entirely gone and I could bend my leg again! Happy days! Until...a long, tedious and stressful commute to the NEW Meadowlands for USA vs. Brazil brought Jimmy Dean back. Luckily, I was able to hitch a ride home and avoid the struggle with the crowds on the return.

Today, I did everything right, elevated, compression, etc. Only problem was, it was my first day at the chiropractor's office. 5 clients and about 4.5 hours later, I was back on the train in the sweltering heat. On the upside, I got to know my colleague the physical therapist who lives just 3 blocks away from me. But how can I tell her that I prefer to take the 4/5 to the 7 at Grand Central when she takes the N to the 7 at QB Plaza?

TRIPLE header

Yesterday I made up for my lack of weekday exercise with not one, or two, but THREE games. It was tough and exhausting, and produced one of each possible result. I ended the day limping as the fatigue took hold of my calves causing them to seize and me to subsequently take a nose-dive on the unfriendly turf. While the event itself was initially quite humorous (I wish there was video), it resulted in a couple of nice raspberries on both knees (insert joke here), while my right knee swelled up like a grapefruit. During lunch, the pain set in and the commute home with the stairs was rough going, but I've taken good care of it since and have gained back functional mobility. Still looking for that video.

Side note: Be careful what you wish for...yesterday, on top of my 3 games, I got a request to pick up two more massage shifts, there's simply not enough hours in the week! When it rains, it pours! I'm counting my blessings.

TnT TRAINING: Extra Explosive!

Temper Tantrum Training...

Today I spent a couple of hours training at a new job. Let's call my boss Dr. Baby, because he behaved like a spoiled little brat throwing a temper tantrum during training today. He became agitated and angry when I couldn't figure out how his wacky table adjusted (which later we discovered was not even functioning properly). At that point he acknowledged that he needed "a moment" to gather himself (and undoubtedly pound his fists and feet on the ground) for fear of "scaring" me away.

That wasn't the only incident, in fact, even in the interview I noticed this temper rising. And it's not exclusive to the therapists, as he also (mis)treated his office help, and publicly scolded the office coordinator in front of the staff. Very unprofessional.

Little does he know, I've worked for his sort before, on more than one occasion. Now I'm not saying that I WANT to work for someone who acts like a five year old who just had his ball stolen, then lashes out on the wrong and usually the closest person to him. I can handle it, as long as I think I will benefit from it, but make no mistake, this is my third job, and only one evening a week, HE needs ME more than I need him! And here's the ironic part, he told me that he liked my energy, perhaps because I represent the antithesis of his negativity?

Bottom line is he'll have to quickly learn that I won't tolerate being a (public) punching bag when he gets frustrated...only time will tell if I'm successful in breaking him.

Official first day is next Wed, stay tuned...[sigh]

TURNSTILES and revolving doors

A turnstile, also called a baffle gate (perhaps ironically), is a form of gate which allows one person to pass at a time.

Baffling to some because all too often people don't seem to realize that blocking the entrance or exit (typically one in the same) of said "gates" prevents them from functioning properly. Based on my observations, it can be quite a confusing concept for some who are unable to calculate that the exit of one person must be completed before the entry of another can begin to allow safe passage, avoid commuter-rage and dodge possible harm as a final result.

I suggest that "Turnstiles & Revolving Doors 101" be a prerequisite course for entering the commuter and business world. All a student would have to do is successfully enter and exit the classroom via a turnstile without creating chaos, provoking tempers or causing physical injury to another.

Please sign my petition for Prop TRD101!

THANKS: To honest people...

Got a bit lucky today after dropping my glasses off to get new lenses, I did a bit of shoe shopping (just about the only shopping that doesn't feel like torture). After realizing I would have to mail order my shoes, I left empty handed and sad. I headed back to pick up my glasses, and quickly jumped on the #7 express, as to get out of the heat of the underground...I waited just above ground for the local, not realizing until Queensboro Plaza that I did not have my phone. Tragedy, I was hot, tired and suffering a headache and had to get back on the train back into Grand Central--during rush hour no less! Once I arrived at the eyeglass shop, I was relieved to discover I had left it on the counter, and they were holding it for me. How lucky am I ? And that's the second time this year in as many countries that I've been that lucky w/my bberry!

THANKS to the good samaritans at Grand Central Optical (well, to be honest, they'd have been douchebags to have kept it, but nonetheless...).

TREES: Really love your peaches wanna shake your tree...

Wildlife in New York...after returning from South Africa, I never would have suspected that reading a book in my back garden would be interrupted by an intense fascination with playful city squirrels fighting over unripened peaches. And the strangest part is, I'm here 14 years, when the heck did a peach tree pop up in the back yard, and when is peach season?! Back in love with NYC!

TAXI: 9H94

After slipping out of my day job for what I considered early enough to get to the C&G summer outing on time, got me to Chelsea Piers about 30 minutes late. No worries, as I still had time to master the art of my golf swing in just about 15 minutes with a pro. I'm a force to be reckoned with now, watch your back, Mickelson!

Next, in order to prevent re-injuring my still not 100% right elbow, I took on left-handed bowling, mastered that too beating Vinoo with a whopping score of 85. I was on fire! Be very afraid, Walter Ray Williams Jr. (I'll admit it, I had to look that one up).

A quick shower and we were off to chow down at the Sunset Terrace with some old and new friends from my former 9-5 home. Spectacular view, and great entertainment by the Charles Soule band, featuring (not all at once) Harvey, Steve, Ellen, Issy, Natalie and Tiffany (hope I didn't miss anyone). Enjoyed nice conversation with gracious hosts Mark and Larry, on their big day. ;)

Later, us "cool" kids headed over to the Half King Bar for a nightcap, snacks and somewhat incoherent dialogue....oh, and night in a bar wouldn't be complete w/o me volunteering a well-needed back rub.

I was happy to get a cab quite quickly on 10th Avenue, and I didn't even have to trick the driver to let me in before telling him I was headed to Queens. I looked to take note of his hack license, as I do, only to realize it had been removed (obviously it wasn't his taxi)...hmmm..."Where are you from?" I ask, to at least get some details to give the cops should the need arise. "Ghana" he answers...to which I (perhaps premature to my safe arrival at home) reply "I'm sorry, I cannot be your friend because your team knocked the US out of the last two World Cups." The silence induced by my response made the rest of the ride slightly awkward, however safe (and quite quick) arrival home was evidence that he had more class than I did when it came to discussing soccer in the wee hours of the morning.

TIP: Be careful what you wish for...

Today I realized that accepting 2 jobs in as many days...keeping in mind that I already work in an office full time...might be a bit insane. This doesn't even count the volunteer work I hope to do again for the Fordham soccer team again this year...

TIP: Don't bite off more than you can chew, but then again, no one said you can't spit it out...

TRICK: #7 line - Manhattan to Queens

After a long day starting with seeing my visiting friend off at 4:30am, a job interview at 10am (which I think I landed successfully, whether I want it or not is another issue), the law office at 11:30am, happy hour with an old friend by 6:30, and finally homeward bound on the #1 to the #7. It was here that I saw a young man with his "pants on the ground" stand up, and completely undo his pants, reached into his pants to tuck in, god knows what, and refasten his waistband, in the name of exhibition I can only guess. But even more comical, was the Asian woman who sat in the seat right next to me, completely ignoring an entire row of open seats just next to her, only to discover only after I started coughing, that she'd rather sit in opposite end of the car...at which time I asked myself, would this trick work with any passenger, or only an Asian who left their mask at home?

TRICK: To acquire additional real estate on the #7 Flushing-bound train, simply fake a sudden obvious and repulsive illness...

PS...Perhaps I'm missing some important message about my means of transport, between the above events on mass transit and the Personal Mobility Assessment Questionnaire from the Scooter Store, what is this telling me?