Evening out

It was time to even things out with the hip joints.  After some fits-and-starts with scheduling, I eventually got back in to see Dr. Parvizi at Rothman again.  My biggest fear was that he was going to say, "Let's wait and see for 6 months."  That would have been totally contrary to my plans to leave employment with the CIty by the end of this year.  As my luck would have it though, he recommended a labrum repair to match lefty with ol' righty. 

Going in to the surgery was low-key terrifying this time.  Whereas in the first go-round, I had been so laid up for so long, I was happy for anything that promised to help, this time I was actually feeling pretty OK before the surgery and I wasn't keen on the discomfort an immobilization to come.  I had been traumatized by some of the more acute pain episodes--feeling like my bladder was going to burst along with my hip as I hobbled to the bathroom at Jefferson on the day of the surgery, followed by an opiate-induced constipation episode which I wouldn't wish on anyone, and ultimately just the pain of hobbling around and recovering. 

I could have just chilled a bit.  Recovery from the first surgery was honestly quite good.  Aside from the pain, I was riding my bike to work about ten days after surgery, and was able to resume fairly full activity about a month later.  This time, things were even speedier and required very little in the way of pain management.  

Within a few days I was walking with 'crutches optional' and then was able to tootle around on a brief bike ride to Harbor Freight on Wednesday--just 8 days after the operation.  I probably could have made it happen on Sunday, but I'm actually somewhat wiser than I was 9 years ago, and less eager to push my limits. 

Mc'Crutchin Bakery

Perhaps the best part about recovery this time is that I actually have been able to use some of my tremendous stockpile of sick leave.  The ability to check out fully, and just focus on recovery rather than worry about getting back to work has been huge for my mental health, and I think that the markedly better sleep made possible by that relaxation really sped my recovery.  Turns out that sleep is good for you!  Go figure. 

2 days post surgery, working away in the dungeon.

I'm hopefull that things continue to improve at this pace.  It would be so awesome to be OK'd for mountain biking following my 4 week check up next Wednesday.

HOPE

Good song from a prolific songwriter.

look carefully around 2:17 to see some philly skyline.

The 19#

For people in our luck situation, COVID-19 is not really that bad. Here we have morel mushrooms on a wild-nettle bisque. Make do, and make tasty.

COVID Cruise

I like riding at night. It is particularly nice to do so when there are only a few cars on the road. That is one up-side of the pandemic I guess.

Fanciest thing I've ever found on a fire hydrant

This lovely jacket was draped over a fire hydrant at the end of my block. The most wonderful thing about it of course is that it fits me perfectly!

If that wasn't good enough, I encountered this jacket while I was wearing a lovely lightweight Castelli windbreaker that I had found elsewhere in Philadelphia. Garbage clothes? Yes please!

Redirect.

I've really enjoyed reading the Red Kite Prayer blog over the years. Smart, melancholy people who love bicycling like I do.

This Friday Group Ride post from early February hit me today. It's a reflection on the selfish (or not) pursuit of cycling.  Why the self-inflicted pain for uncertain gains?   I dunno, but to me it seems better than the alternative.

Can you say Stockholm syndrome?

The first review tells you all you need to know about expectations for SEPTA.

Feeling a little tired, and a lot creeped out.

Jennifer's been on a work trip for the last few days, and as is my custom, i've been sleeping like shit.  Partly that is my own doing--need to go to bed earlier--and partly it's that I really like having her around.

And now, with bleary eyes, i'm reading this piece from the New York Times, titled "One Nation, Tracked." Pretty f'n creepy. On to this bit, "How to Protect Yourself".

Necessity is the mother of invention

And sometimes you just need a steering wheel instead of handlebars.

Coffee guy

One thing that I love about Philly is that it's kind of a village.  It's a big, dirty, and often rude village, but a village nonetheless. I've got my auto paint guys, I've got the Mexican store, the Chinese corner store, and even the folks at the local Petsmart know me as the dude who always goes to buy more shrimp for his aquarium.

My favorite village find right now is Greene Street Coffee Roasters.  I can swing by the roastery before work and shoot the shit with Chris the owner. He hooks me up with what is fresh and tasty.  Sometimes I get it straight out of the roaster, so fresh it's crackling still.

Dope.

Happy birthday Jennifer

Huong Tram delivers the flavor of 40.

But they had a little help from the umami blaster.