Guerrilla Attacks

So I know can't sit here and type my brains out (don't say without pain, cos tha's a fekin lie and you know it) and rant away at the world. so we are going to try some Guerrilla Attacks, short and bitter. (Really had I said sweet all the people in the nations would have shrugged and side and said a collective BS, la')

I now know two things about Pink (the singer not the colour), not only has  she mad one of Papa Smurf's favorite albums (if you know Papa Smurf you are Hopefully having a good laugh, if not its a long story) but she also loves the animals and not just the fluffy cute ones she keeps as pets (I apologize if you don't have pet, or you'd rather call them animal companions or some such other whatever. I personally prefer just "friend" and without the quotation marks, I hate that...like an animal is good enough to have an actual name, no matter what you may call them, they are just dogs, cats, turtles...whatever. We are who we are...all of us not just the "Top of the Food Chain" {I've got to be careful I had a couple of points here}["Yes",  says the voice of Che Guevara Not very Guerrilla is it takes longer than 10 - 15 minutes to read." "Indeed," chimes in either Karl Marx or Ted "Una-bomber Kasinski/sp/  "much more like a manifesto."

Fekin'el back to Pink, she read about an animal that needed a expensive (sorry I didn't write it down and don't remember but $5,000 plus sounds about right) surgery or the dog would have to be put down. Anyone who has ever faced this kind of decision knows how it can tear at your heart to shreds and may (like as not) ever really heal knows that this is a nightmare decision for anyone to have to make.  Pink came up with the money, the dog had the surgery and healed, and has been adopted by a good Family.

So, Pink my dear if ever you're around...the first ones on me.

Now, when LFC drew with Blackburn I was less than happy (to say the least) but today...I love you lads, anyone who can sink Man U, 3-2...I don't mind have a draw with. And 'Villa you beauties 3-1 over Chelsea, well done.

The other day was Stan "the man" Lee's birthday...89 and doesn't look a day over it, but is still creating away.  Thing is I certainly Hope the people on the Nobel, Pulitzer, and Oscar people (as well as  a few others I can't think about right now) better get Stan sorted before long.

Cheers,
g

 

And You Shall Know Me By The Friends & Family I Keep

"It is early, some would say too damn early, others will have been up for hours. Me? I'm somewhere in between - I wake up when I get up and deal with the Time as it comes. (When it's my own choice that is. When I'm told, 'Wake up is 0530!' That makes me respond, 'That's some bullshit.')

I like pears. I am not sure how Del Monte can fuck them up so badly in their 4 oz plastic cups 'Diced and No Sugar Added.' Pears don't taste like this! It is like eating Legos.

Rant complete. The update may now start.

As for me, I'm getting stronger and more used to my role as 'the guy who can't move his neck, bend over, or pick most things up.' Don't get me wrong, I still hate most of it, but am coming to terms with it all.

What do you all think of my new ascot?
Eat your heart out Fred. Orange, really?

I have to Thank my good Friends and Family who've been by to visit. Big thanks for staying with me Brother. Even if I didn't need any help most nights as I tossed and turned (this is a figure of speech, actual tossing and turning would probably mess me up.) It was nice to hear a voice that asked if I was okay or if I needed anything.

And of course the Missus has been a saint (definitely not the martyring kind either,) and I couldn't do it without her. Even if I get grumpy and think otherwise in my blacker/bleaker moments, She's been an angel with just Enough 'Old Testament' flaming sword to deal with me when the doctor 'took out his pocket knife and cut off my horns' when I was born.

Brace? What brace? Did anyone really think I couldn't class even that thing up?

A couple of my good Friends (Brothers from other Mothers) took me out into the Real World the other day and I felt almost Human. Might have bitten off (speaking of bitten, had my first post-op beer, Hope my doctor isn't reading this) more than I coulda/shoulda chewed, but they were always kind enough to wait for me, once they realized how far back I was and never turned a corner or crossed the street without me. Seriously, thanks for that. So what that means for the rest of you is that I am now available for short trips in the car and shorter walks (not that my house isn't FUNLAND.) Liverpool vs. Wigan will be on somewhere Today, or at the very least in some format here at the house - any are welcome

My Squeezable Grenade

I am tempted to break my rule of 'No Real Names' here on SATFD to say thank you to One of my Brothers from Another Mothers' - Mother as they were, the sugar cookies were (as always) so very, very good. Thank you Mrs. E. I had better keep on walking and squeezing the grenade, so I don't end up a 4000 lb guy with a little scar on his neck. There are still a few left...but for how long?

My Grenade in Action

My ugly green music stand has come in handy lately, I can read and write (even as we speak - actually that's not right, cos it'll take the Missus awhile to actually publish this but you get the the idea.) I could even use it for music. The Missus doesn't seem to think I need a guitar couchside, so I guess I better just walk my ass back to the bedroom. Gonna have to weigh my guitars cos I bet more than half of them are heavier than 5 pounds.

Thank you to all Friends, Family and Medical professionals alike, whether it's a visit, a prayer, a text, a surgery, cookies, a phone call, emptying my pee jar, even taking the time to read this, whatever...we've made it through the First week of this Journey. I'll take my hat off to you, (cos I can't take a bow, but you all should.) Thank you from my Heart, only 3-5 weeks and a Lifetime left to go, Thank You.

I read the Baby's blog the other day...you're a'right my wee one, Love You. He/she has been dancing, kicking, rolling and generally having a ball inside the Missus, and we can't wait (Yes, we can til Feb 20th or so, at least) to see you and Hopefully hold you in my arms."

Cheers,
g

P.S. No worries Luis...You'll Never Walk Alone.

"I Promise, I Am Not Typing"

"Believe it or not , all is fine 'round here. The 2 2/3 of us are doing fine most of the Time. As for me, it still Hurts, but less than it did last week from surgery, anyway. . You may ask, 'Does it Hurt less than last month?'  I don't want to bring anyone down, but...no.

But that's okay, it's still Early Doors. Time marches on. Let's not get ahead of our selves.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers. The Time you've taken to check in, or spend time with me and the Missus, have really meant so much to all of us.

Me in my fancy neck brace, 

perhaps it would look better with a tie.

It's been a'right. So far, I can't do the dishes or laundry (easy there you Alpha "Keep 'em barefoot and pregnant" Males.) I used to do theses things all the time -even  learned to enjoy 'em as much as you can such things...still Hate pruny fingers though. I also can't make myself a bowl of cereal (too many ups and downs and lifting heavy things...you know, like milk.) But we have moved a little further away from the mushy food only thing.

The point of entry, the Missus says the xray is much more

impressive than this little slash, either way it hurts.

I can type, [but he is not] but it may be awhile before I can do more than a sentence at a time. I also don't want to push it, in Hopes that it gets better than it was. I can even play a little guitar, but not much for the same reason. For a couple minutes though, I can feel Whole again. Miracle of miracles though, my incapacitation has gotten the Missus to write on the Baby's blog for me. 

The Missus has been wonderful (all to no ones surprise), and I wouldn't trade her in for anything in the world: animal, mineral, or vegetable. She gets to type this out, so Hopefully it makes her feel as Lucky as I am."

Cheers,

g

The original manuscript for today's post

We'll Get This Sorted

Okay I know I shouldn't be typing with every keystroke.  For updates and new exciting pics go to our "child" site:
http://thefamilyknot.blogspot.com


Sooner or later we'll know which one we are posting on. Suffice it to say I am doing alight, mainly because of all the help I get and the well wishers.

This does hurt and I am getting the look from the missus.

love,
g

Ugh... I Really Meant To Get That Up Earlier...

As I sit here now drinking my 2nd or 3rd to last beer before 10 o'clock the night before the actual surgery.  A lot of things don't work out the way you plan, but as long as some of them do...you know what I mean.  There may be mistakes galore as long as the important things go off without a hitch. I was going to space the paragraphs of my rambling with pictures of our last trip but...

I'll be talking to you all soon, or dictating to you soon.  Wow I finally get to feel important. "Miss Bryant get in here and take a letter!"

Cheers,
g

"Not To Fix, But To Stop It From Getting Worse'

The above is a quote from the neurosurgeon, and it really sums things up.  If I actually have less pain then that is really a bonus.  Now if I can get everyone to understand that at one time...

So the pre-op appointment went fine, its amazing that for a cripple I am still in surprising good shape (for the shape I'm in) and should have no problems with what they want to do. The surgery itself is 2-3 hours and I should be in the hospital itself that day and most likely the next day. After that I should be back sleeping on my couch.

From there is where it gets a little more blurry. There is no real set timelin or chart that tells me, "by here I should be there" I am supposed to get up and walk around as I can, same goes with sitting and laying down. It is alot like right now, I do what my body lets me. I'll be wearing a brace 'round me neck pretty much full time for the fist 4 weeks, from there it just depends on my strength.

There is a good chance that I may have spasms to my arms and legs from the spinal cord being compressed as long as it has. These should go away fairly soon, if they come at all. I should have control over my bladder and all th,t so  no diaper changes...until Febuary at least.

For the first few weeks I am not supposed to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk, so it seems like 12-20 ounce curls can still be done (and the beer industry take a sigh of relief) . I am also not supposed to lift my hands above my head, and since I can't remember when the last time I could really do that was...

The most I may need during this time is some company, and while I can ride in a car (insert inside jokes here) and all that I don't think I will be doing a lot of housecalls for awhile. I am still looking towards brewing and the offer is still open to anyone that wants to learn something about the brewery arts. I have a guest room (until Febuary) and a couch if anyone wants (needs) to sleep here.


Thanks in advance for everything.


Cheers,
g

Things That Scare Me

Just a few things off the top of my head. Maybe by saying them out loud (so to speak {write}) will help take the weight off of it.

People will watch the "Lord of the Rings" movies and never read the books.  

What a waste and how wrong. Being fair the movies are art and have some manner of worth in their own right, but they aren't the books. Looking back on them it is hard to take all the dark and horrible things that were added, expanded upon, or focused on at the expense of the real things.  The movies are about War and the books are more about people in a time of war and how they get by.  Much of what I know of friendship I learned from "The Lord of the Rings" and "Magnum P.I." and a few other things but at their heart both of these things are about Friends and Friendship. 

I might walk past my daughter and not recognize her.

Need we say more here? Not really no, this also pains me more that I can put into words. I've never been very good with faces, and the other day I was thinking I wouldn't know most of my friends from high school. Would the recognize me? When I look in the mirror I think I look much as I always have. (Now when I look at the me with no beard...I don't know if I recognize that guy. Not sure I'd Trust him either, seems like he could be a real ass.)

I know two phone numbers (that matter) by heart.

I think this may be true for more of us out there than we'd like to admit.  Since the cell phone...who needs to memorize anything. I am just now getting where I can remember the Misuss' (most of the time) without having to look it up.  You know what I do remember though? Nearly all of the numbers "I" had before the cell phone. Pretty much all the way back to high school (those that were "mine" for longer than a year anyway) and now I can't remember my last cell phone number.

Surgery and being helpless.

And with the above looming in the near Future (next week actually can be classified "Danger Close" in this instance) Being afraid probably isn't the greatest thing.  One thing I can take comfort in is the great support that I have from Friends and Family.  There was a Time when I thought I had no need of either...and now I know all too well that I cannot and will not survive without them.  I have said before that if a man can be judged by his Friends then I am one of the riches men in the world. Thanks to you all in advance, I Hope that I am not as big a burden as I fear I will be.  Maybe it will all be easy...greatest part is that either way I am lucky enough to be Loved.

More later I will try and keep everyone as well informed as I can.  I'll even try to get some pictures in here as well.  Who can't wait to seem my new scar?

Cheers,

g