Archive for January, 2009
Return to the ice!
Monday, January 26th, 2009Today is a very exciting day. In a matter of hours I will be lacing up my skates and playing some ice hockey for the first time in several years.
As big as the San Jose Sharks are out here in Silicon Valley, there aren’t very many rinks, and ice time can be very expensive. However, after two years living in California, I just learned about a local rink that’s not too far from me. It’s just been hiding in a shopping mall this whole time. California is weird.
It seems so long ago, but hockey used to be a pretty big part of me life. If you know where to look, you can still find some tidbits from my glory days on the internet. I believe I started playing when I was four or five. From what I recall at that age, gravity is typically a greater opponent than the team you’re playing. Eventually things gravitated to travel teams, Thanksgiving weekend tournaments, and State championships.
I can still vividly remember my very last game of organized hockey. It was a sectional tournament game in the frozen tundra of Pulaski, NY. Halfway through the 2nd period my left shoulder dislocated. This was a pretty common occurrence for me; I think at that point it had probably dislocated close to 40 times in a span of two or three years. Usually I could get it back in the socket within 10 minutes. However this time it didn’t want to go back in. It started swelling up to the point that my body started going into some form of shock and I could hardly stand on my feet.
It quickly became obvious that I needed to get to a hospital to get my shoulder back in the socket. Still struggling to stand up, I managed to make it outside to my parent’s minivan where we drove through a total lake effect white-out to get to some sort of medical center in the middle of nowhere. After an hour or two of waiting and x-rays, a doctor and a nurse struggled with it for about another hour. But alas, no luck. My swollen shoulder had defeated two medical professionals.
It must have been a slow day in this medical center because eventually the entire medical staff was in the room. I think three or four staff members were holding me down while a doctor was yanking and twisting on my arm. Suddenly it just popped back in place. Greatest feeling in the world, hands down. My shoulder may have been victorious over two medical professionals, but it was no match for a whole room full of them!
A month later I had reconstructive surgery on my shoulder and lost use of my arm for 6 weeks.
In conclusion, I can’t wait to get back on the ice tonight!
The end.
Two year California anniversary
Monday, January 19th, 2009Tomorrow, January 20th 2009, marks my two year California anniversary. That’s right, exactly two years ago I coasted into California with no money, no place to live, and no clue what I was getting myself into. I started in NY and had driven clear across the country in just under four days, dodging three winter storms in the process.
So what do I have to show for myself two years later? Well, I do have a place to live, but I still don’t have any money. I think I’ve figured out the whole California life style thing, but I’m pretty sure that it’s not really for me. I think I’ve been clear about this in the past.
I’ve been thinking about my cross country drive a lot lately. I recall during the actual drive it was rather boring and I’m pretty sure I recall having many unhealthy conversations with myself, yet I really want to do it again – but in reverse this. I want to take the time to actually see what’s out, talk to a few strangers, and get lost a bit. I want an adventure this time.
This was my route last time:
It was pretty much a straight shot on route 80, except for a short detour to Boulder, CO. I needed to get to California as soon as possible, so I took the most direct route. On the way back I want to try something different. Maybe something like this:
[UPDATE: Just found out that a good friend of mine will be living in Wichita, KS after he returns from serving in Afghanistan. I've adjusted the travel route accordingly. Note to Reid: This means I get to drive through St. Louis and Kansas City now. The BBQ better be good!]
It would be a significantly longer drive (something like 15 23 hours longer), but I would get to drive through a few areas that I’d really like to see. New Mexico has always fascinated me and Nashville, TN has always been a city that I’ve wanted to visit. Other random stops in there (San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City Wichita, Denver) would be to visit friends and family.
You may also notice that the end point of the above map is Boston. I would really like for Boston to my final destination. Sighhh…maybe someday.
So, who wants to go on a road trip?
