A Blog Less Ordinary

So the other day I went in for my second in a series of epidural injections into my back. Technically, the injection is into the epidural space surrounding my spine. Sounds all well and good. So anyway, I'm laying on the operating table with my bare ass waving in the breeze watching my spinal column on the live video monitor in front of me, nothing good is on....few vertebrae, some pelvis. So the doc is back there working an 8 inch long needle around my spine and mutters about being unable to find where he needs to inject the fluid. He tells me he will need to "reposition" the needle in my back. This sounds like much more fun than it actually is. As its early in the morning, I am not quite prepared for the nerve running the length of my leg to be hit and set off all the associated pain receptors. This sensation is as fun as it sounds. So, after agonizing minutes of searchign the doctor has the needle in place. The nurse however, is not quite as on the ball. Having never done this procedure before, she does not have the steroid to be injected prepared. The doctor is trying to hurry her along, and I to do my part calmly address the kindly nurse: "Look lady, if that piece of metal was sticking out of your ass...I think you'd be moving a little quicker to get it out." There really are no words to describe the sensation of something metal jostling around in yourspine....I don't suggest you try it anytime. I really wasn't looking for some sympathy on this one....its just so weird that I think everyone needs to just imagine it for a minute, and then look forward to being old one day.

There were some young kids and scouts camping out in the park the other night, so Shawn (the older, "more responsible" ranger in the park, who has defeated me in games of chicken on every city vehicle we have access to thus far) and I decide something needs to be done for the youngsters. We decide to bring the old fox tape back into commission. For those of you unaware with a fox tape, it is a recording of fox pups that are injured or rabbits that are being feasted upon by other foxes. Well, needless to say...the dozens of foxes in the park are intrigued by such noises and come to investigate. Many of them become irate and begin their haunting mixture of a bark and howl which makes the blood curdle. This, along with a few "ghosts" in the woods bolstered by campfire stories helped make it a successful evenign for us. Along with the free cheeseburgers and the hayride trailer hanging on miraculously without its nut to fasten the bolt onto the tractor dragging it.

So, thats how it goes....ups and downs, strikes and gutters....

If I could name you in this song
Would it make you smile and sing along?
This is the goal: to get into your soul.
If i could make you dance for joy
Could that be the second chance to coy?
The bird in hand I would need To help you understand