Changing of the Guard

Yesterday I switched my decks out. I retired my Daddie's board. Lots of memories with that one. That board ushered in a new era of skating for me. Riding the half pipe at my home, skating Chris' garage mini, dropping into bowls (and skating them!) , learning new tricks and making new (old) friends.
I also broke my ankle on that board. On the night that was meant to be my last on it.
Prior to that disaster, I received an awesome new Lance Mountain deck from Chris for my birthday. It's been hanging on my wall since I broke my ankle. Motivating and mocking me.
Now that I can skate again, I decided it was time to break it in. Maybe poor choice of words. Sticky grip tape and my trucks felt really responsive. It was awesome. Made my night.
I'm hoping by the end of the summer I'll be close to where I was before I broke my ankle. At the very least, I'm gonna have some more memories (and owies) from this board.

Physical Therapy

Chris stopped by earlier in the week to flaunt his two working legs and the fact that he's doing some little frontsides now. I couldn't take it. So I laced up my new ankle brace, slipped on my knee pads and headed to the local truck stop...I mean, skated the half pipe! I skated! A month and change removed from having surgery on my broken ankle. Science? Will you go steady with me?
Also? I start "normal" physical therapy on Tuesday. I may or may not disclose my private sessions.

Soon

All Systems Are GO! (Kinda)

I had a Doctor's appointment last Tuesday. For my ankle. The clinic isn't open on Tuesdays.
I was looking forward to this appointment because 3 weeks prior, the doc had told me that I should be walking on that day. At that point I confided in her that I had already been walking...sometimes. She looked at me and didn't say anything for a second. Then, she said "Let pain be your guide". Awesome. I broke down into tears as I realized the implications of that on life itself. Just kidding, I took it as carte blanche to do whatever I wanted with my ankle.
So that was three weeks ago. I've been walking ever since with minimal crutch assistance. I went to my latest appointment on crutches just to be safe.
As I sat in the lobby making small talk with other gimps of varying degrees, who probably really needed their crutches. I felt a little guilty. Before the conversation got too awkward, I was called back to get some x-rays.
When I got back to the x-ray room, I leaned my crutches against the wall and walked about 5' over to the table. The guy freaked out.
"Woah, woah! What're you doing, did the Doctor tell you that was okay?!"
"Uhh". I was too cavalier with my walking! "She told me to let pain be my guide?"
By now I'm laying on the table. He's in disbelief as to how short a time it's been since my surgery, but my answer seemed to put him at ease. Carte. Blanche, baby.
After x-rays I was able to see the doc. She said everything looked really good and she was impressed with how little swelling there was.
Then she told me I could put my crutches down and attempt to walk. So I did. Without hesitation. Without a limp. Whoops.
"Did you bring those crutches in for show? So that you wouldn't get in trouble?"
"Yes. Yes I did."
"Well, I can't get you in trouble, because everything looks great!"
I was so relieved. In the back of my mind, I was worried I had pushed it a bit too much and maybe one of the screws had backed out or the plate had shifted. But all was in it's place. Awesome.
I walked out of the Doctor's office, carrying my crutches, right past all those poor suckers in the lobby.
Up next? Physical therapy.

Half Pipe. Full Murder.

It has begun. The halfpipe has gotten a taste for blood and mayhem after breaking my ankle a month ago. It's now turned to murder.

I went out back to do some yard work this evening and found the corpse of this bird on the ramp. The ramp dared me to call the police. I don't know what to do. It's out of control. I'm hoping that soon I'm going to be able to ride again and may bere-establish who's really in charge here. That, or I'll start a blog documenting my broken arm.

4th Of July CHAMPS!

What better way to celebrate our freedom than an evening of fireworks, bbq and beer pong? Being the Champions of Beer Pong. That's how.
Chris and I have trophies to prove our championship mettle. Also? I don't know if I'm going to wind up with more pictures of cats, my ankle or Chris with a wiener in his mouth. It's gonna be close.

Sometimes You Think You Have True Love and Then You Catch the Early Flight Home From San Diego and a Couple of Nude People Jump Out of Your Bathroom

Same name. Same receding hairline. Same family? Noooooooo!!! Who is this impostor?! I left Oklahoma and missed my photo shoot! Carrie, how could you? The children don't even seem to notice...sob...and flannel under a sport coat with jeans? Really? THAT'S GENIUS! You speak to all of your constituents that way! Well. I can see the best man won. Carrie was a terrible kisser anyways. Ryan Leonard 2010 (and forever)!