Broken Wheel

Above is the broken wheel of my bike.  The good news is the frame looks to have survived and I’ll only have to replace the cranks, handlebars, and the wheel.  I’ve got a spare pair of bars in my closet, the cranks Marcus will work on, and I’m hoping to salvage the hub from my wheel.  The hub wasn’t anything special, a Surly that could have a fixed gear on either side.  The great thing was how versitile it was.  At the time of the accident I had a single fixed gear mounted and a knobby tire that was great for commuting to work in the winter.  During the summer I had a freewheel on it and slick tires and along with a rack it was perfect for a trip to Trader Joes.  Well soon it will be fixed along with my leg.

my awesome limp.

I’ve started walking now with out crutches and the result is a pretty awesome limp. Some of you have seen it, but others have not so I’ll try and describe it (I could post a video, but really what fun is that).

Rhythm: Normally I walk in a very regular one-two, one-two, one-two march and now it is more of a one-twwwoo, one-twwwoo, one-twwwooo. That second step is about a half-beat longer. Not sure what time signature that is. Any Dream Theater fans should feel free to comment

Gait: The trouble I have is that all the muscles in my leg have atrophied a bit and ligaments aren’t quite as flexible as before. The result is that I don’t have a spring in my step, literally. What happens is when I step down I can feel my knee compress, then my hamstring weekly flexes to propel me, then my quadracep does its best to lift everything out of the way.

Direction/Control: Me before 2/5 > Me now > Someone with two left feet*. I was never a very straight walker, even before. Now I tend to bear left and then correct myself by leaning right. From above it must look like a fish swimming.

In the mornings before I stretch is the worst and right before bed isn’t so good either. So while I’m at work is best which is kind of sad. Oh and I was told I walk like Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects. I don’t think it is that bad.

*Example: Eugene Levy in Best in Show

A New Look

I have selected a new theme for jeffkao.net and it is called “Kubrick 1.0.” In honor of the new look I present my favorite scene from my favorite Kubrick movie Dr. Strangelove:

Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Colonel… that Coca-Cola machine. I want you to shoot the lock off it. There may be some change in there.
Colonel “Bat” Guano: That’s private property.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Colonel! Can you possibly imagine what is going to happen to you, your frame, outlook, way of life, and everything, when they learn that you have obstructed a telephone call to the President of the United States? Can you imagine? Shoot it off! Shoot! With a gun! That’s what the bullets are for, you twit!
Colonel “Bat” Guano: Okay. I’m gonna get your money for ya. But if you don’t get the President of the United States on that phone, you know what’s gonna happen to you?
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: What?
Colonel “Bat” Guano: You’re gonna have to answer to the Coca-Cola company.

When I was a kid my friends and I used to play superheroes. We each would pick a superpower and have adventures and stuff. I always wanted to be able to fly or breathe underwater or something cool, but instead I was always stuck with the ability to hide behind narrow trees. Back then I would curse my skinniness, but now more than anything I’m totally mystified by it. Previous to my accident I would ride my bike about 10 miles a day during the week and even in the winter between 60-70 miles on the weekends. The last two months I’ve been completely sedentary and for the most part eating significantly more. So how come I haven’t gained any significant weight? Creepy.

In other news I setup my trainer today in the apartment & took my first spin. I have a love/hate relationship with my bike trainer. In general riding the thing is a masochistic chore. It is difficult to find the right gear to spin in and mind numbingly booooooring. One of my strategies in the past has been to watch cycling dvds, but that soon turned into episodes of The Simpsons. In the end I usually just dressed extra warm and rode outside no matter what. Well, until I get the green-light I’m going to have to suffer through it indoors.

2 Months Later…

Good news:
- The white fluffies indicate new bone growth
- I can now put as much weight as I want on my leg
- When I’m ready I can ditch the crutches

Bad news:
- Still have to wear the protective boot
- Another month ’til I can ride
- 2 months ’til I can run

Next appointment - May 3rd