After countless times asking if I wanted to go with her to yoga my friend Andrea finally succeeded this morning in getting me to attend with her. I've done yoga a few times on various cruises I've taken and never really had much interest in pursuing it at home.
I was a bit apprehensive this morning as we drove to Bloom. We were the first to arrive so we got a very good spot and relaxed while the other yoga goers arrived. I was very comforted by the fact that the instructor came up to us and asked if we were having any aches/pains or any injuries that she should know about. As the clock approached nine I was ready to start bending and stretching. Up until this point I was the only male under 40 in a room full of women with the exception of a 60 year old man. Thoughts crossed my mind of being unable to do a lot of the poses while these women wrapped their feet around their heads but I kept telling myself that I should just try my best and not worry what others were doing. Then walked in the last yoga participant. Of course, he was very attractive and naturally he sat down directly in front of me. Immediately I was disheartened because I thought all I'd be able to do is stare at his butt doing all these different poses and wouldn't get the full yoga experience that I wanted.
At this moment the class started and I found myself forgetting all about Mr. Hot Ass and I hardly looked at him during the entire hour. I was able to do all the poses and only needed the help of the instructor and Andrea once. I finished the class feeling very relaxed and confident in my beginners yoga ability.
Hopefully I'll get to go back this Tuesday for another beginners class and I have Andrea to thank for it. So, thanks Andrea!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Best Days Of My Life
I'm tired. Tired of politics. Tired of hearing about money. Tired of snow and ice. Tired of whiny people not taking responsibility. Tired of people trying to get something for nothing. I'm tired of it all.
I decided not to vote in yesterdays Chicago city elections. It doesn't really matter. It was a foregone conclusion that Rahm Emanuel would win...and he did.
Enough about the economy or the deficit. This goes with politics. Mr. Boehner...where are the jobs? Why hasn't the deficit gone down? Isn't that what you campaigned on...reducing the deficit and creating jobs? Instead you waste millions trying to repeal this health care bill because you and your supporters don't like it and feel it infringes on your "rights." You talk about the Democrats' endless spending but you have no problem spending money on something you don't like. STOP wasting my money Mr. Speaker!
Tonight in the span of ten minutes there was freezing rain and then lightning. When will it end? Winter goes on and on.
To the people of America...take responsibility. If you make a mistake own up to it. It's nobody's fault but your own. Learn from your mistakes and I bet you won't make the same one again.
And finally...no one owes you anything. Your sob stories and acts do nothing to make me feel sorry for you. There are people in this world who have it a whole lot worse than you do. Be thankful you don't live in Iran with a crazy President who criticizes the use of force against peaceful protesters in another country with one breathe but then orders his police to attack protesters in his own country with the next breathe. You could also be living in a box and eating one meal a day at a shelter. Think about that next time you claim to be the victim just so you can get something.
I decided not to vote in yesterdays Chicago city elections. It doesn't really matter. It was a foregone conclusion that Rahm Emanuel would win...and he did.
Enough about the economy or the deficit. This goes with politics. Mr. Boehner...where are the jobs? Why hasn't the deficit gone down? Isn't that what you campaigned on...reducing the deficit and creating jobs? Instead you waste millions trying to repeal this health care bill because you and your supporters don't like it and feel it infringes on your "rights." You talk about the Democrats' endless spending but you have no problem spending money on something you don't like. STOP wasting my money Mr. Speaker!
Tonight in the span of ten minutes there was freezing rain and then lightning. When will it end? Winter goes on and on.
To the people of America...take responsibility. If you make a mistake own up to it. It's nobody's fault but your own. Learn from your mistakes and I bet you won't make the same one again.
And finally...no one owes you anything. Your sob stories and acts do nothing to make me feel sorry for you. There are people in this world who have it a whole lot worse than you do. Be thankful you don't live in Iran with a crazy President who criticizes the use of force against peaceful protesters in another country with one breathe but then orders his police to attack protesters in his own country with the next breathe. You could also be living in a box and eating one meal a day at a shelter. Think about that next time you claim to be the victim just so you can get something.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Jackie
As of 6pm tonight I have gotten off the couch a total of four times. A couple trips to the bathroom, once to get lunch, and once to go outside and feel a little warmth. That's it. It feels good.
When the TV show Glee first aired I refused to watch it. Adam was beside himself over a show about a high school show choir but I thought I'd have no interest in something like that. Well, as with many people all it took was one episode and I was hooked. For the past two January's I've eagerly awaited it's return from hiatus with almost as much anticipation as a child has on Christmas Eve.
I recently discovered the song "Nightshift" by The Commodores. I also discovered that Lionel Ritchie was in said band. The things one learns while listening to 80's music at 1am in San Diego.
When the TV show Glee first aired I refused to watch it. Adam was beside himself over a show about a high school show choir but I thought I'd have no interest in something like that. Well, as with many people all it took was one episode and I was hooked. For the past two January's I've eagerly awaited it's return from hiatus with almost as much anticipation as a child has on Christmas Eve.
I recently discovered the song "Nightshift" by The Commodores. I also discovered that Lionel Ritchie was in said band. The things one learns while listening to 80's music at 1am in San Diego.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Wie Ghets
Today was my first day off in six days. I had plans to have breakfast with a good friend, clean the part of the condo Adam didn't get to, practice more German, and pick up a trip at work for Sunday. Well, I had breakfast with my friend but ended up hanging out with him much longer than I had anticipated (which was great) and then had a two and a half hour lunch with another friend who needed some company. I did succeed in cleaning up the rest of the condo (thanks for doing the bathroom baby) but I've yet to start any German and my board at work is still empty for Sunday. The German can slide but I HAVE to find something to work tomorrow.
Usually I listen to the internet radio while I surf the net, especially if I'm home alone or on a layover. More often than not it's 80's music. I know almost all the songs even though I was still a child during that decade. I've always said that I wish I had been in my twenties during the 80's.
Growing up in NE Ohio and now living in Chicago I've known nothing but five months of winter my entire life. Snow, wind, and bone chilling temperatures have been a way of life from my earliest memory...and I'm sick of it. Each year winter seems harder and harder for me to get through. We are off to Florida and then Hawaii in less than a week and I can't wait. I need to feel warmth and sun on my face. I also need for it to not take five minutes to put on a scarf, gloves, hat, and coat to go outside. It takes me less time to get dressed when I get out of the shower.
Usually I listen to the internet radio while I surf the net, especially if I'm home alone or on a layover. More often than not it's 80's music. I know almost all the songs even though I was still a child during that decade. I've always said that I wish I had been in my twenties during the 80's.
Growing up in NE Ohio and now living in Chicago I've known nothing but five months of winter my entire life. Snow, wind, and bone chilling temperatures have been a way of life from my earliest memory...and I'm sick of it. Each year winter seems harder and harder for me to get through. We are off to Florida and then Hawaii in less than a week and I can't wait. I need to feel warmth and sun on my face. I also need for it to not take five minutes to put on a scarf, gloves, hat, and coat to go outside. It takes me less time to get dressed when I get out of the shower.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Right Stuff - The Finale
Once those stents were out I began to follow the signs of healing that the PA had told me about. Slowly my sense of smell and taste would come back and even though it would feel like I had a really bad cold, that too would slowly abate.
A and I had plans with some friends of ours to try out a new sushi place by our house on Friday night and I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to taste any of the rolls. So I was happy when I slowly began to taste things again as Friday wore on. When we got to the restaurant I couldn't wait for the rolls to come. After eating about two or three I started to get a weird feeling so I opted to just stop. About 15 minutes later I got that feeling in my stomach. I made my way to the bathroom where I...well, you know. I couldn't figure it out and was hoping it was just a mixture of things and that it was a one time event. We soon made our way home in the freezing temps and with my stomach doing all sorts of weird things. I collapsed into bed feeling awful. Sometime in the middle of the night I awoke to that feeling again and proceeded to spend about 30 minutes in the bathroom hugging the toilet. "This can't be happening" I thought..."you're still trying to get over this damn surgery." Oh and I should mention that when one vomits it pulls on ALL the muscles in your face, so the ones in my nose that were already sore hurt even MORE.
Saturday morning came with horrible stomach pains and aches all over. A had to leave to go to work and I spent the majority of the day in bed sleeping. While I managed to keep whatever was left inside of me I still felt awful all day. Around dinner time I was able to keep some chicken broth down and also did my first sinus cleanse of the day, not caring that I was supposed to do three by that point. So, my nose was also very raw. After accomplishing all of this I took another dose of Theraflu and went to bed.
I awoke this morning not so achy but still a little off. I think my nose is finally on the upswing and I plan to take it easy all day again. There's the entire Golden Girls series on DVD that's calling my name.
A and I had plans with some friends of ours to try out a new sushi place by our house on Friday night and I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to taste any of the rolls. So I was happy when I slowly began to taste things again as Friday wore on. When we got to the restaurant I couldn't wait for the rolls to come. After eating about two or three I started to get a weird feeling so I opted to just stop. About 15 minutes later I got that feeling in my stomach. I made my way to the bathroom where I...well, you know. I couldn't figure it out and was hoping it was just a mixture of things and that it was a one time event. We soon made our way home in the freezing temps and with my stomach doing all sorts of weird things. I collapsed into bed feeling awful. Sometime in the middle of the night I awoke to that feeling again and proceeded to spend about 30 minutes in the bathroom hugging the toilet. "This can't be happening" I thought..."you're still trying to get over this damn surgery." Oh and I should mention that when one vomits it pulls on ALL the muscles in your face, so the ones in my nose that were already sore hurt even MORE.
Saturday morning came with horrible stomach pains and aches all over. A had to leave to go to work and I spent the majority of the day in bed sleeping. While I managed to keep whatever was left inside of me I still felt awful all day. Around dinner time I was able to keep some chicken broth down and also did my first sinus cleanse of the day, not caring that I was supposed to do three by that point. So, my nose was also very raw. After accomplishing all of this I took another dose of Theraflu and went to bed.
I awoke this morning not so achy but still a little off. I think my nose is finally on the upswing and I plan to take it easy all day again. There's the entire Golden Girls series on DVD that's calling my name.
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Right Stuff - Part Two
Once we got home A got me settled into bed and ran out to get a few things plus my all important pain meds. As soon as he left my nose started bleeding...heavily. I sent him a text and asked him to hurry as I was somewhat concerned and unable to get the bleeding to stop. He came home soon and was able to change my dressing and help get the bleeding to stop, for the time being. I quickly took two pills and was soon fast asleep. I will say that the best thing I did to help the healing process so far was to sleep. Although I'm a stomach sleeper I had to make sure I stayed on my back at all times so that 1) no blood would run out of my nose and 2) I didn't put any pressure on my nose, which would only cause more bleeding. The rest of the day passed without even and I was even able to move to the couch and catch up on some TV and watch a movie.
Day two involved much of the same thing. Lots of sleep and down time on the couch but there was a lot less blood. By the end of the day I was ready for the stents to come out and not feel so much pressure on my nostrils. I couldn't wait for the next morning to arrive so that I could get them out.
Well the morning came and I was very eager to get to the Doctor. Once there I told his PA that I could care less who took them out as long as someone did. She laughed and began cleaning out each nostril so that it was easy for her to remove each stent. Once the area around each stent was cleaned she told me to take a deep breath in through my nose and exhale...as I exhaled she pulled out each stent. I wouldn't call it painful but it's not a very pleasant feeling to have something about three inches pulled out of your nostril. After the initial discomfort from this began to wear off I immediately felt a lot less pressure on the inside of my nose. What a relief. The rest of the day passed with hardly any blood and only the continued loss of taste.
Stay tuned for more on the healing process...
Day two involved much of the same thing. Lots of sleep and down time on the couch but there was a lot less blood. By the end of the day I was ready for the stents to come out and not feel so much pressure on my nostrils. I couldn't wait for the next morning to arrive so that I could get them out.
Well the morning came and I was very eager to get to the Doctor. Once there I told his PA that I could care less who took them out as long as someone did. She laughed and began cleaning out each nostril so that it was easy for her to remove each stent. Once the area around each stent was cleaned she told me to take a deep breath in through my nose and exhale...as I exhaled she pulled out each stent. I wouldn't call it painful but it's not a very pleasant feeling to have something about three inches pulled out of your nostril. After the initial discomfort from this began to wear off I immediately felt a lot less pressure on the inside of my nose. What a relief. The rest of the day passed with hardly any blood and only the continued loss of taste.
Stay tuned for more on the healing process...
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Right Stuff
For years I've had a problem breathing out of both my nostrils at the same time. I've tried spray after spray and nothing ever worked. In the past few years I started to get frequent sinus headaches on the right side of my head that would render me immobile. I could never figure out why I only got the headache on the one side of my head and no matter what I tried to do to prevent them they would come out of nowhere, usually when I first woke up in the morning. After mentioning this to a few co-workers one of them said that he had the same thing happen to him. He stated that he was about to go in for sinus/nasal surgery and that I should talk to his ENT if the surgery worked for him. After said surgery the co-worker said that it was the best thing he ever did. He had no more headaches and could breathe out of both his nostrils. That was all it took for me to make an appointment with his ENT.
After an examination the ENT diagnosed me as having a deviated septum and a Turbinate dysfunction. He advised that I could continue with sprays to relive some of the symptoms or that I could have surgery to straighten the septum and to shrink the size of the Turbinate. For obvious reasons I elected to have the surgery.
Leading up to the big day I wasn't nervous, I just wanted it over with. Years and years of not being able to fully breath were taking their toll on me and I just wanted a fresh start in that regard. The morning of surgery I had to be at the Surgery Center at 6am. I was told I would go into surgery at around 730am and it would last about 30-45 minutes with about 1-2 hours in recovery. After being taken into a room and put into a gown and a cap I was given a name tag and an IV for the anesthesia that I would receive. This was my first patient tag and IV and although I hate needles I was excited. Aside from a few winces I didn't have any trouble getting the IV in and was then left to relax in the room with Adam.
The last thing I remember is being wheeled into the O.R. and the Doctor asking for something. The next thing I know, I'm sitting back in the recovery room with Adam at my side. Apparently I was making comments about the hot nurse who kept walking by...something like "HEEEEY HOT NURSE." I vaguely remember this. After about an hour I was alert enough to go home and start the healing process. Stay tuned for part two...
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