Snap! Crackle! Pop!

Michael Jordan once said, “My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn’t stand the sideline.” That couldn’t be more true! Let’s just say I hurt myself last night. If you follow me on Twitter you probably saw the annoying number of Tweets about what happened and “What should I do?” My poor friend Heidi had to deal with my texts too. Let’s just say I’m not the best patient. I hate being sidelined. I had hope for my Monday to be a great, busy day. A start of something new and back to work after a very relaxing weekend. It all came to an end though when I heard “Snap, Crackle, Pop!” Nope. It wasn’t one of my favorite cereals calling out to me to eat. It was something in my calf that had me crumble to the ground! Seriously ... this is not the kind of pain I would wish on anyone. I couldn’t move! Needless to say I wasn’t prepared for this little medical mishap. My ABC Emergency kit doesn’t include ice. Everyone was telling me to go to the hospital, but I really could not move. I really did try. I really did fail to do so. So, I woke up able to hobble and went to the ER bright and early this morning. The doctors sidelined me and told me to call an orthopedic surgeon in a few days if things are the same. I hate just sitting. I never used to mind it, but on days where I have plans or have places to be it kills me. The doctors told me to stay home for at least two days. I called out for at least one. Being the stubborn optomist that I am ... I’m hoping to able to be out and about tomorrow with my crutches (that I still am learning how to handle). However, everyone keeps telling me that that is a very bad idea. That I should stay home at least one more day.

So Monday was a start of something new for me. A temporary life with my crutches. LOL Let’s just say I am not enjoying them and am glad this is just a temporary dilemma.  I have a new found respect for those with disabilities. 

So for now, no dance for me. No pilates. I’ll have to find some new creative ways to stay fit. Maybe I’ll buy Richard Simmons “Reach for Fitness-A Special Video of Excercises for the Physically Challenged.” It’s ... oh heck no! $30 and VHS!!  Hmmm .... I’ll find some other way to keep fit as my injury heals.

In the meantime, a special “thank you” to all who have inquired about how I’m doing and have offered words of wisdom. A special thank you to my landlord and his wife for all their help as well. It’s nice to know that even though you are all alone in your apartment ... you are not truly alone. Now I’m going to practice what the guy in the video below is able to do with his crutches. AMAZING! I like all the kung-fu type moves in the beginning. I can use them as ways to ward off the crazies on the train! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OasVtpPcjWg

In Full Bloom

Well hello “Fuck Yeah Nick Adams,” Nick, and those who read my blog. This is a special blog entry for a very special cause. The “In Full Bloom” A Benefit Concert For The Wishing Kids Foundation is August 6 at the Birdland in NYC. I had thought I’d be able to go to support this great organization and see some amazing performances (Go Nick!). So, I purchased tickets. Then I learned I’d have to work the night of the event. That’s how the gluten-free cookie crumbles sometimes. So I turned my frown upside-down and turned my disappointment into something positive.

I’m not allowed to send in a video for the Biggest Fan Contest that “Fuck Yeah Nick Adams” is having ...well, they know why.  However, it’s fun watching the entries come in! So far there are only two. They look fab! For those who are on the fence and are a bit shy about submitting a video about why they’re Nick’s biggest fan ...well, I get it. I just had a flashback to my Bat Mitzvah video ... when the videographer (who looked like Jack Wagner) asked me to say something about the day. Um, let’s just say I was one big dork! I laugh hysterically at myself and the things I did and said when I watch the video. I remember doing some weird chicken dance, talking about my “ditto blaster,” and saying words like “cool.” I also remember my dress. It had a Priscilla hot pink bottom that poofed out. However, being a little dorky at times is who I am. That’s what I celebrate the most about Nick.

I wouldn’t say I’m Nick’s biggest fan because I’m sure his mom is. I moved to New York in December, so I’m a bit behind on supporting Nick through his career. I never got to see some of the shows he’s been in, like Chicago and Guys and Dolls. I didn't live here. I am a Nick fan though. Being who you are is something that I think makes Nick, Nick. I haven’t met him yet, and hopefully one day will. But through his vlogs and stories I’ve read  ... he seems like a guy who inspires people to just celebrate who they are ... someone who has worked hard to be where he his ... and someone who is very grateful to those who support him and have helped him on his journey through life .. and someone who gives back.

Okay, that was cheesy. Yes, I am one to celebrate my cheesy-ness. Just ask my friends. I don’t care how cheesy I am. It’s what makes me, me. We all express who we are in different ways. Some of us do it on camera. Some of us put it in writing. Some do it in front of hundreds of people on Broadway or in an orchestra hall.  Some people do it in the way they give back to their community or to charities they donate to.

The “In Full Bloom” A Benefit Concert For The Wishing Kids Foundation is just around the corner. The Wishing Kids Foundation is an organization that provides a sense of comfort and support (financially, etc) for those fighting cancer or other terminal illnesses. I know cancer has, unfortunately, been part of many people’s lives in some way, shape or form. Together, we can help fight cancer ... and help make the lives better for those battling illness and their families. No, this isn’t a pitch to go donate to this organization. This is just a little blog in honor of a great organization ... and to Nick ... and to people like him who have touched people’s lives in one way, shape or form.

So... “Fuck Yeah Nick Adams” followers .... go make your video! As Madonna would say, “Express Yourself.”

The Call

It’s 3:30am and I should be going to bed after what was a long day. However, I figured I’d check email quickly. I found a cute link a friend of mine had e-mailed me. It was of this little girl calling 9-1-1. Her dad was having chest pains. Don’t worry. The dad lives and the kid is too cute! I finished watching it and had a huge smile on my face. Then YouTube had listed a bunch of videos from September 11, 2001. The smile quickly faded. The videos included 9-1-1 calls of people who died in the Twin Towers that horrific day.

I knew I didn’t want to click and listen to these calls, but I was interested and wanted to hear a recording. So I hit the first call and listened to the man’s ... this father’s ... this husband’s final moments. I thought about his family and the dispatcher on the other end of the line. It just broke my heart into a million pieces. Then I realized. I’ll be here on September 11th. I haven’t been to the 9/11 Memorial yet. No real reason. I know I will go at some point to pay my respects to the heroes and to the fallen. Then I thought it was weird that I haven’t been. Then I thought, “weird.” I was on the train coming home this morning and was sitting across from a guy. He had an odd, cylinder-like bag, with a lock on it that I found a bit unusual. What was weird was the first thing I thought. I thought, “What's in that bag and will it go off?” It’s the first time since I lived here that I thought about terrorism in New York City. I mean we hear it on the subway all the time ... the announcement about keeping our eyes open for suspicious activity and reporting it.  I looked at the bag and watched this guy’s behavior (which was nothing unusual). Then, I noticed something. The guy next to him was watching him too!  After a few minutes the guy sitting next to him went back to listening to his music and I went back to watching the time pass. 

Time ... time that many of us take for granted at some point in our lives. Time, that we should remember ... could run out at any moment ... for any one of us. So as I wrap up this somber blog entry ... let’s remember not to take for granted the things in life ... the people in our lives  ... the time. For me. It’s time to go to bed ... and time to say a prayer for all the angels watching over us.

"Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children." -President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

"Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11." -President Barack Obama

"9/11 was a reminder that the bonds of family can be severed in an instant. They are essential, crucial, valuable, fragile." -Peter Jennings, late news anchor of ABC's World News Tonight

The Eleventh Of September
Written by Roger J. Robicheau ©2002
The Poetic Plumber www.thepoeticplumber.com

We mourn their loss this day this year
Those now with God, no danger near

So many loved ones left do stand
Confronting loss throughout our land

My heart goes out to those who do
No one can fathom what they view

I firmly pray for peace of mind
Dear God please help each one to find

And to our soldiers now at war
God guide above, at sea, on shore

They are the best, I have no doubt
Our country’s pride, complete, devout

The finest force you’ll ever see
All freedom grown through liberty

One final thought comes clear to me
For what must live in infamy

Absolutely - We’ll Remember
The Eleventh - Of September