Day 46

46, oh what to say about 46. I know. Vote on the poll. Click on the ads. Tell your awesome friends about the awesome blog. Comment on the blog. Add up your awesome points and let me know.

I am playing baseball as I think most of you know. I used to play baseball in high school and for 1/6th of my years in college (that's just one year). I used to play 10+ years ago. I currently play less than 3 days ago.

I thought it would be a ton of fun, which it is. I thought I would pitch well, which I have to an extent. Here is what I didn't think. That I would need to get in shape. What, just because I'm gonna throw 100 or so pitches every 10 days or so I should be in some kind of shape? (And I guess I am kind of in a shape, just not in shape.)

So, long story short, my team, not doing so hot this year. This is our team's (Million $ Men) page, and this is the league's (MSBL) page, if you're interested in seeing more about that. In fact, we have lost 16 straight. But hey, if we get hot in the playoffs, anything can happen, right, right? Ok, maybe not, but I gotta keep some hope alive.

Ok, back to topic (like there is a topic). I didn't get in shape and pitched a bunch. My arm hurts. Duh. Well, I had a doctor's visit recently and asked him about my elbow. He said I have Golfer's Elbow (I explained to him, that while I golf, I think pitching a baseball is what caused the issue. Apparently Golfer's Elbow is just the name, there are a lot of things that can cause it, check out what else causes it here.) The doc recommends I stop pitching (we all know that won't happen) or at least get some physical therapy (like I can afford it).

A physical therapist calls me to schedule an appointment. I explain that I am poor, she says, "Let's see what your insurance will cover." It covers up to a $25 co-pay. Like I said, I'm poor. She says, "How about a $5 co-pay?" I say, "When can I come in?"

There are many kinds of treatments available for those that have golfer's elbow and won't quit using it. Basically, I need to ice it several times a day, take I-B-Profen (I can't spell the real word) a few times a day, and stretch regularly. But it won't heal until I quit using it (6 more games). In addition to all this, the therapist says that I should get some medicine called Dexamethasone Phosphate. According to Web MD, it can treat all kinds of stuff.

Anyway, they give it to me using a treatment called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). They squirt some meds on a pad thing, then they hook it up via two sticky pads on my arm and shock me. Basically, they are making a negative current go through the pad, through my muscles (boy, that's a long way, what with all those big, hug muscles) and into the damaged tendon. It is pretty awesome. I show up and they do some ultrasound (can't tell if its a boy or girl yet) and then they shock me for a half hour or so.

Physical therapy is awesome. They can help heal all sorts of stuff. And, they totally cut me a deal. I was trying to remember what this therapy was called, but I knew it had to do with negative ions, so I googled negative ion physical therapy. Apparently there are some serious medical breakthroughs happening with this technology. Seriously, you should check out the Google results.

Enough already, physical therapy is awesome, especially when they shock you.

Here is a picture, you better enjoy the stache while it lasts, there's no telling how long it'll be around or what is next.


See you tomorrow!

Day 39

Wow, I still can't believe my persistence at this. Oh, and get your vote in today, should people be my awesomosity?

So, if any of you follow my twitter, you probably already know what I did today, which was totally awesome and today's winner, but first, I will tell you the runner up, which was my activities last night.

Many of you are aware that I am playing on a 25 and up men's baseball league this year. If you didn't know, you do now. I have been pitching (and was woefully unprepared, just ask my elbow). I have also caught and played shortstop (I know, whoda thunk it?). My team is 2-14. We rock. Most of our games have been losses by more than 12-15 runs, which are no fun. But last night, no, last night we truly made a game of it.

We were down 4-2 in the 4th when one of our more powerful hitters hit a 3-run jack, prompting his wife who was in the stands to stand and scream, "That's my husband!". Totally awesome.

I personally had a good night at the plate with a walk, an RBI (my first of the year, I suck at hitting) single, and a sac bunt to put the tying run on second in the last inning. I also played passable defense at short, with just one error.

That was awesome, but what beat it? Golf. Golf is always awesome. Always.

Today we (myself, Alvan Sage from EmbroidMe, and Harold Long with AAA insurance) played The Missouri Bluffs, a beautiful course just off 40 between the Boone bridge and 94. It was a little pricey, but totally worth it. Here, take a look at the 13th (sorry my phone's camera sucks):


I know it's hard to tell, but the fairway is down probably 100 yards on this gorgeous par 5 (I think I parred this hole). This really is a beautiful course.

The most awesome thing of the day was my score though. For the first time ever, I shot under 100. I got a 99 (I didn't say far under 100). I was quite proud of myself. If it weren't for a few totally shanked shots, I would have done much better.

So that's awesome today. I encourage you to go play golf sometime soon. There are plenty of reasonably priced ($20-$30) public courses around, and if you aren't really into the whole "playing 18 holes" thing, go to a driving range, they will even let you borrow clubs if necessary. If that is too much work, go play miniature golf, that is also a ton of fun.

I will be happy to do any of these things with you (including throwing a baseball around), just let me know if you're interested.

Thanks for reading, don't neglect those Google ads, I'm up to $8.01 so far, almost 10% to actually money in my pocket. Here is my picture, taken from that beautiful 13th hole.