Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Sidewalks and Streets....

Top of the evening all....

I understand that yet another winter storm is bearing down on the GTA this evening.  This winter just will not quit.

Anyway, the weather, combined with my shoulder has made me see certain things in a different manner.

The city usually sends ploughs down the sidewalks, although we are also responsible for the walkways in front of our own homes.  I am guessing that there is some conflict on this though.  I think that the apartment buildings down the block want the city to do it.  The city thinks that the apartment building should do it.  The result is that over the course of the winter, the sidewalk in front of that building has become an icy mess.

Falling is generally a bad thing.  Add in that I am now unable to protect myself on one side, and I walk in the street.  This is not exactly a better choice.

Eventually, I will have a healthy shoulder again.  When that happens, my bicycle will come out, and all will be good with the world.  The potholes on the side of the road in Toronto are generally bad.  This winter has made them that much worse.  Cyclists are always faced with the choice of coming out into traffic or hitting the potholes.  It is not a great choice.

That choice will become more difficult.  Do I hit the pothole, risk damage to the bicycle or to the rider, and risk aggravating a shoulder injury?  Alternatively, do I veer into traffic, with all of the risks that entails.

Tough choices...

Have a good evening.

R/SCG


Monday, March 10, 2014

Separation Issues...

Top of the evening all....

Apparently, I have separation issues.  I separated my shoulder.  I also broke a bone that heretofore I did not even know existed.  It is called the coracoid process.  My arm is in a sling.  I will see what my doctor says about it tomorrow.

A process is a type of bone that is attached only at one end.  You might be familiar with the xiphoid process at the base of the sternum.  In any event, while a process is attached at one end, mine is not attached at all.

Jesse insists that I am too old to play racquetball.  Jennifer thinks I should stick to people my own age.  Playing against Marines is not going to be a successful endeavour.

Anyway, other things I have learned:

1.  The ability to tie one's own shoes should not be taken for granted.
2.  Childproof caps are quite the thing to open the first night with the injury and the meds.
3.  The pat on the shoulder is more common than I ever realized.  Wow...Ouch...

It is my deepest hope that the boys can learn to play ping pong together.  I will be out of commission for a while.  As well, I am likely off my bicycle until it heals.  Gavi got in trouble when he injured his collarbone and then went for a bike ride.  As his father, I should probably be an example.

Have a good evening everyone.

R/SCG