The Magic of Chiropractic

07.24.2002

Sometime this morning, I managed to do something stupid which strained my lower back. Having done this many times, I knew the key was to get whatever had popped out of place back in place before my muscles tightened up too much to where my back muscles were what was holding me out of joint.

Sounds screwy, doesn't it? Let me try again: a lot of times when my back (spine) is out, my back muscles try to compensate by holding everything in place. in the process, the muscles tightenup so much that they keep my spine out of alignment.

The solution? The Spinulator. A padded table with a slot missing where your spine goes. In this slot is a series of rollers, which more than anything give you a little massage alongyour spine. It does me the most good of all the instruments of torture at the chiropractor. It's one of those where my weight is a benefit, because it pushes me down on the rollers, thus applying more pressure the the right areas. After laying down and popping off and on for about 5 minutes, Belinda, my helpful chiropractic assistant, can in in rested her head on my chest (so I knew her years before I started going to the chiropractor, so what!). After about a minute, down at the base ofmy spine, there was a really loud POP as I felt one of my vertebrae slide back into place. Basically, it was orgasmic. I huge relief of pressure, followed by a realization that bone just moved back where it was supposed to.

I felt better all day. In fact, I like to think that lead me to have a really good day, because it's been a fun AND productive day!

Permalink

I Wanna Be A Cowboy Baby

07.23.2002

Jerry can atest to my eclectic musical tastes. Lately I've been revisting one of his lesser favorites, that being Kid Rock. I don't know why I like Kid Rock, I guess I'm his niche 33 year old white boy market? The funny part is that listening to him lately has made me miss my old Mustang convertible.

Back in '99, I went with some friend down to Panama City. Actually, we stayed just south of Panama City in Mexico Beach. The thing about Mexico Beach is that there is absolutely nothing there. It's cheaper than Panama City (which is why we were there), and only about a half hour away from Panama City.

Being bored on a Sunday, I decided to put the top down and drive around, if nothing else to find outjust how much of nothing there was in Mexico Beach. At one point, I remember driving along, the ocean not 50 yards away on one side, top down, Kid Rock blaring and me singing along. Ir was kind of ethereal; I could imagine how I must look , driving along like that. But the thing about was, I was really happy right then, just to be driving around like that.

I've known since I got the truck that would eventually get a second car, and it would be a convertible. The thing is, I'm starting to wonder how long I can wait before I have to get one. The only saving grace for me right now is that it's been in the 90's most days - too hot for me to be putting a top down, especially when you figure in our billion percent humidity. But everytime I pass a car lot I keep my eye out for convertibles. The question is will I end up getting another Mustang, or will I hold out and get a BMW 325iC so I can be snooty?

Permalink

Ode To The Lunch Menu

07.22.2002

Today I found myself in Decatur, reminiscing a little bit. I had an errand to run (yes, in Decatur) and wound up at an old hang out at lunch time.

Back when I was going to Calhoun, the main person I hung out with most of the time was Blake. I don't know where Blake is now, but back then he was a strange mix of metal head, Birkenstock sandals, and math nerd. Part of how we had became friends was that both of us had signed up for pre-algebra because we were scarred of college match classes, but both of us were well beyond pre-algebra (I think we both had over 100 average for the class. Hey, it was good for the GPA!).

By the time calculus rolled around, Blake and I would take a weekly trip on Monday to Ryan's. Monday was always popcorn shrimp day on the megabar at Ryan's, and I can clean up on some popcorn shrimp.

Today I went back to Ryan's, seeing if I could once again clean up on some popcorn shrimp. The shrimp is still there on Mondays, but my pallete has changed since those days, and it was only 7 years ago. Ok, now that I think about it, 7 years is a pretty decent amount of time for it to kick in that Ryan's shrimp isn't that good. I've gotten a taste of fresh Gulf shrimp since then, so I guess I'm ruined. No more cheap shrimp for me, which is a shame, because cheap shrimp are more affordable.

Maybe it just wasn't as good because Blake wasn't there to have lunch with me?

Permalink

Video Analysis 101

07.20.2002

Most people have seen the Mitsubishi Eclipse commercial featuring he song "Days Go By" by Dirty Vegas. (If you don't have Navigator 6.x, you can see it here). The song has gotten popular enough from the commercial that it's getting radio play and play on the video networks. I've even managed to get hooked on the video. It harkens back to my youthful heyday in the 80's, while also making me wonder "Whatever happened to Shabba Doo?" (you have to remember the dawn of breakdancing to even know where I'm coming from with that one). While surfing around and watching the video, I noticed something a little funny. There's 2 videos for the song.

The videos are the same except for cutscenes to the band. One version (which I managed to download, the main drawback being that it's 40 MB, or the ad-enhanced version is only 13 MB) has the band sitting at a table, watching the goings on of the video. The other available from the MTV website) has the band sitting at a light in.... a Mitsubishi Eclipse. It's all about product placement....

Permalink

Blocking of Invitrogen

07.19.2002

Powers that Be above me, at least as far as maintaining the webserver go, decided yesterday to block traffic from Invitrogen (also known since April 25th as "Those Bastards").

The drawback for me is that the my two biggest viewers fo the webcam, Jerry and Lori, will now be unable to view my sweet visage from work. No longer will they be able to tell just how bad my roots are showing. Am I there at my desk, waiting for the phone to ring? Have I conquered that nose-picking problem?

Oh, and they'll miss out on the Babe of the Day, too.

So, if you can read this and you're at Invitrogen, well, something screwy is going on!

Permalink