Category: Life

A few weeks ago, I decided to create a myspace account on a whim. Today, out of the blue, I get a friend request from a girl named Jessica. It turns out that it’s the same Jessica that was my first “girlfriend” in kindergarten and first grade. I had lost touch with her for a while after I switched schools in second grade and her mom moved to Colorado shortly after. The last time I saw her was 9 years ago when we were 13. Today was the first time I’ve talked to her since then.

We talked online for a few hours and got caught up. I really enjoyed our conversation, and I look forward to actually seeing her the next time she comes out to Missouri to see her siblings that live with her father. I told my wife about this, and of course, she over-reacted initially. It’s not like Jessica is out to “get me back” or something like that…she’s actually looking forward to meeting my wife. For some reason, my wife always seems to think that someone is waiting just around the corner to take me away from her. If you’ve seen my picture, you’d know this is just crazy 🙂

She seems to have returned to “normal” for now, but I’m sure I’ll hear about it later 🙄 Anyway, it’s worth whatever crap my wife may give me to have have an old friend back in my life, however limited (by distance and such) it may be. I have more than a few acquaintances, but I have very few good friends, and I’m hoping Jessica turns back into just that.

Over the weekend, I managed to dislocate my left knee. Needless to say, it hurt like hell. I managed to pop it back into place right after it happened, but it’s swollen and I can’t put much pressure on it. It’s currently in an immobilizing brace pending a visit to an orthopedist.

The story of how it happened is slightly humorous (even to me). There have been some pine cones in the bed of my truck for about a week. They’ve been rolling around back there making all kinds of noise, which has been getting on my nerves. I decided to climb into the bed and toss them out. I put my left foot up on the tailgate (which I always do). I started to push myself up using my leg and my right arm, and then I was on the ground. I’m still not sure whether I fell and twisted with my foot still planted firmly on the tailgate, which caused my knee to dislocate, or if my knee dislocated by itself, which is what caused me to fall. I blame the pine cones.

I do have a request. If you are going to make jokes at my expense, please include me in on them, because I can always use a good laugh 😉

UPDATE: I’ve got an appointment for the orthopedist tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10:30 AM. He’ll probably just tell me to keep wearing the brace until the swelling goes down and happily take my money. Such is life…

You may have read about when I first dislocated my knee cap (here). Well, I’ve managed to do it again.

There was a big “winter storm” that came through St. Louis last night. There’s snow and ice all over the damn place. Well, I drive a 2003 Chevy S-10, which unfortunately, is rear-wheel drive. That means that it has absolutely horrible traction on anything the least bit slippery.

Anyway, my truck got stuck trying to pull into a parking spot at my apartment. My wife was in the driver’s seat, and some helpful people and I were pushing the back of the truck. The truck finally gave and surged forward. I slipped and my knee went sideways. The knee cap popped out of place and then immediately back in.

It hurts a hell of a lot less than the first time I did it. I guess I already did most of the damage to the surrounding tissue the first time. I can still walk on it somewhat, which is definitely a good thing. At least I have two and a half days before I have to go back to work (my work was closed today due to the snow).

I realized tonight that my 14 year old sister is wise beyond her years. Read this and let her know what you think. I wish I’d had this much insight at that age.