I'm not a woman. I'm not a man.

Last Saturday, as we were commencing our drive home, the four of us were having sandwiches at Y Knot in Damariscotta (highly recommended).

The subject was backpay, Jordan had never heard what a herniated disc was. Everyone took turns trying to explain, the thing is I haven’t had back issues in quite some time and said so.

And yet, as fate would have it by the end of the day, I was feeling a little pain, and by Sunday morning it had intensified quite a bit, as if, by being discussed, the beast had awakened.

Distance: 5.25 miles
Duration: 55:06
Pace:10:30

Purple Rain (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Prince & the Revolution (1984)  
Let's Go Crazy

Take Me With U

The Beautiful Ones

Computer Blue

Darling Nikki

Jungle Love (The Time)

The Bird (The Time)

When Doves Cry

I Would Die 4 U

Baby I'm a Star

Purple Rain

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 81°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Pain Reliever: TBA

So yes, forty years ago Prince owned the summer -- a summer which was also dominated by Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, etc. etc. Also, the Ghostbusters theme, Phil Collins, Thompson Twins, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and on and on. It was 1984.

There's a new exhibit at the Rock Hall, just about this year. I think I need to see this. 

Baseline: 185 lbs.

Weight: 175 lbs.  (+4.0)

Revised Goal: 170 lbs.

We enjoyed ourselves this vacation, and overdid it a bit. High calorie soda pop, complete servings, fried snacks, a lot of alcohol. Summer is over, and it is time to get back to work, and to mindful eating.

Breakfast: fresh fruit, granola & yogurt

Lunch: ramen

Happy Hour: Rum & Moxie, popsicle, pretzel sticks

Dinner: TBA

You get nowhere.

So. Ha ha. Yeah.

I have a herniated disc.

After dealing with this lower back pain for a month, I finally saw a doctor. I mean, come on. The holidays and everything else. But I saw her and she saw me, and sent me to a physical therapist who said, yeah. You have a herniated disc.

On Dec. 8, I was in the back yard felling trees and must have harmed myself. It didn't hurt until the next night, but he's pretty sure that's how it happened and I guess I am, too. The physical therapist does not believe it is permanent, that it is something I can take care of with a regular set of exercises which I have been carrying out diligently as prescribed since Wednesday.

And it has helped, though it has not made the pain disappear. But the difference is remarkable, as of Wednesday morning (pre-visit) it felt like I hadn't made any progress at all, and I haven't felt anywhere near that poor since.

So wish me luck. And listen to my wife.

Temperature: 46°
Distance: 2.7 miles

Running in shorts. The breeze was biting, but blimey that was beautiful. Running isn't a problem. Bending over and picking things up is a problem. Today is a good day, though, and I can only hope they will get better.

1971 Playlist
You Shouldn't Do That - Hawkwind
One of These Days - Pink Floyd

Two songs in twenty-two minutes. Those were the days.