One Year & Counting

So,it's been over a year since I tore my ACL and almost 8 months since the surgery. I'm beginning to sense, my knee will never be like it was. I still ice my knee after workouts and still have pain going up/down stairs. During the inauguration, I walked a couple of miles and had problems the next day. I feel very unsure about kneeling and when I sit on the floor and try to get back up, it is difficult, espcially when the leg stiffens up.

Other than that, I'm back to at least trying everything I used to do pre-injury, runing, yoga, etc., except skiing. I sold my ski boots a couple of weeks ago. Quite a bargain for the person who bought them as they were only used for about 10 hours.

I have yet another follow up visit to the surgeon next month. Since I saw him last month, there has been no improvement so I guess this is it. He said he had some tricks up his sleeve and I'm not sure what he meant but I guess I'll find out next month.

I Was There - Part 2

Did you see me waving the flag on the Mall? I was there along with the 1.8 million people or so folks milling about the Mall & Parade Route (as well as those that were not able to get in because of overly zealous security procedures). Anyway, my day started out around 5 am….yeah, early! I walked to the Metro with Lisa, the person who was staying with me from LA and flew in just for the inauguration. When I went outside, I saw my neighbor’s dad, who also was getting ready to depart for the swearing-in. He and his friend drove from Wisconsin for the inauguration. These people were only 3 of the thousands from all over the country that came to witness this emotional and historical event.

I was supposed to be a volunteer and meet at the Castle on the Mall, which is located on 12th Street. At first, I was going to get off at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro stop but decided against it in the crowded metro (yes, it was crowded at 5:30 am) and I started to sweat because of all the layers I had on. So, I decided to get off at Gallery Place and cross over Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th, 11th or 12th Streets. Big Mistake. The organizers failed to let anyone know, including the media, that there was only ONE crossing to get to the Mall – at 18th Street. So, in the darkened streets of DC where thousands upon thousands were congregating, many of us begin the long, long walk to 18th Street (because of where the White House is located, we had to go north first to Eye Street, then back south on 18th Street to the Mall). I was just amazed at the number of people there at such an early hour. There also were hundreds of police/military and dozens and dozens of buses/trucks blocking the entrances to the streets.


I arrived on the Mall at sunrise and enjoyed some beautiful views of the DC skies. I decided to head to the Castle and ran into Sabine who told me to meet up at the Castle. She volunteered during the campaign and was one of the lucky few who got to meet Obama at the Open House on Wednesday. Because I signed up to volunteer, I got a credential, which came in handy. At about 8:30 am, I was COLD and heard the Museum of Natural History were opening their doors. My credential got me in a bit after 9 am and there was hot chocolate waiting, warmth and bathrooms. I stayed in the museum almost until 11 am and decided to join the masses.

Despite the cold, despite the crowds, despite people being hungry, everyone was still in a joyous mood. I have never seen so many people with so many happy faces and tears of joy. People just simply waited, many, like me, for hours and hours, until the big event. It seemed to take forever for all the VIPs to enter, then emerge from the Capitol to face the crowd. Then, on the JumboTrons, we saw Obama. Screaming and flag waving galore ensued – each and every time they showed Obama as well as Michelle and the kids. All the past Presidents were introduced, some more warmly received, i.e. Clinton, than others. However, when Bush (and Cheney) came out there were boos. I didn’t boo, which I thought was not appropriate, but I didn’t clap either. Obama then spoke and the people listened.


After Obama’s speech I thought I’d get out while the going was good. I decided to take the L’Enfant Metro back instead of taking the ONLY exit back out on 18th Street (I heard that was a nightmare as people were chanting Let us Out). I have never been in a crowd of people that dense for that long of a period. It was scary at times. But everyone was calm and mannerly and we simply trodded along as one. Once on the Metro, it was fine and getting out early was a good idea.
I finished my day having lunch and drinks at a bar on U Street, visiting my neighbor on the way home and watching the remainder of the festivities on television. Each and every time I saw the image of the masses of people on the Mall waving their flags, I got emotional as I was there part of that remarkable day or as the Post said “A Moment That Will Define a Generation”.

I Was There!

I had no expectations of seeing anything during the Inauguration events. I had to tickets and did not plan to arrive early and stand for hours and hours before anything happened. I just decided I'd go to things to be there and whatever I saw, all the better.

On Sunday, I started the day going to a wonderful pro-Obama brunch organized by my friend Natasha, who used to host salons in DC years and years ago. She has quite a list of friends and I knew several folks who came - many from the 9:30 club days.


After a good time at the brunch, I decided to head down to the concert on the Lincoln Memorial. I waited about 30 minutes for the bus and after 2 buses passed packed with people, I decided to walk. As I got closer to the Mall, it seemed like a lot more people were coming back than heading down. I found out that the entrances were closed and they were not letting anymore people in. They herded us to the Washington Monument where there were several jumbotrons set up. The crowd kept getting larger and larger. I managed to squeeze up to the gate in front of the World War II memorial and had a view of the Lincoln Memorial. Being 1/2 mile to 1 mile back, I saw nothing but I was able to watch the jumbotrons set up along the reflecting pool. I got there in time to "see" U2 (I just knew they would play "Pride" and they did) and Obama (my first time hearing in speak in person). I was glad I went to be part of all of this.

The Metro was packed coming back home and after feeding the cats, I headed to a friend's house for cocktails. I saw the end of the Eagles game where they made a great come back only to lose in the end and then kept sneaking into my friend's bedroom to watch the Steelers. Then I met another friend on U Street, which was happening and lines at all the "Obama-related" places like Busboys and Poets and Ben's Chili's Bowl. After a drink at Marvin's (named after Marvin Gayne so this place was packed), we headed to Polly's as I wanted a place with a TV so I could finish watching the game. The bars just got more and more crowded.

My last stop was at my neighbor's house as her father and his friend drove from Wisconsin for the Inauguration and I wanted to stop in and say hello.

So, all in all, it was a long, fun day where I saw many friends, U2, and our next President. I can't remember another time like this ever in DC, or anywhere. It's like New Year's, the Superbowl and Halloween all rolled into one holiday.

I can't wait to see what is in store for tomorrow. I Was There, Part 2, will follow.

Almost One Year Since My ACL Injury

It’s been awhile since I posted so I guess it’s time to catch up. I’m at about the 7 months post-surgery point and 11 months post-injury point so my life has been affected by my ACL injury and rehab for almost a year – that’s a long time. I still have pain and discomfort doing certain activities like going down steps, trying to kneel, etc. I saw the surgeon last week and he basically gave me the go ahead to do just about anything – running, yoga and yes skiing – which I won’t be doing. However, everything in moderation and if I experience pain and swelling, which I have been, I need to ease back down the next day as well as ice and take Advil or something similar. So things still aren’t back to normal and I’m not sure they ever will be.

Excitement is in the Air of What Will Come

I voted last week via absentee voting as I will be flying to Orlando on Election Day - which is a drag because I want to be sitting at Busboys and Poets in DC watching Jon Stewart and the election returns. Voting took about 1 1/2 hours and election workers said that is how it was all week. Someone asked the best time to come back to vote and the election worker said at 8:30 am as there usually is only around 10 people in line when the office first opens.

I pass the building where one votes in DC on my way to work. On Friday, at 8:30 am, the line was so long it continued out on the sidewalk and then some. I saw on the news last night that people in Georgia waited 10 hours to vote early. The media has been reporting long lines across the nation. Has this ever happened in any other election? Have Americans ever been so excited by an election? Will we finally see an 80% turnout (in 2004 it was 61 percent — which was the highest level since 1968)? I could only imagine what the lines are going to be like on Election Day. Be prepared to wait!

Creating more excitement was Obama's "infomercial" on Wednesday evening. Although I wasn't too keen on the idea that something like this should be aired, I watched it anyway. I must admit, I did get excited. Obama is a very dynamic speaker as witnessed by the massive audiences he draws. I do not believe either candidate will be able to quickly end our economic crisis or alleviate all the problems they will inherit. But what Obama is able to do is to create hope and optimism so that perhaps we, as Americans, can get excited about our future and continue to get through these tough times. He is charismatic and can lift our spirits. He is supported in the international community and because of this, if Obama becomes President, the United States may once again be a country looked up to with admiration and respect, instead of despised.

Another thing to look at is how are we going to remember this President after he leaves office? When one remembers past Presidents, what do we remember most of all about them? There's our first President, Washington, as the "Father of our Country" and Lincoln as "Honest Abe". Moving ahead to today, George W. is the "War President" getting us into a war we should not be in and costing the country $595 billion (as of 1/11/08) and over 4,000 lives of our fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and neighbors. George H. Bush doesn't fair much better being referred to as "The Wimp President". Unfortunately, for Clinton, he may best remembered as "Clitton" because of his stint with an intern; and before that "Slick Willie". Ford, well, you remember the SNL skits and then there's good old "Tricky Dick". Skipping a few presidents, we get to Kennedy, the "King of Camelot" that inspired so many with his orations ("ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country). I was too young to form an opinion back then but I now think of him as a charismatic, exciting leader and wish we had that now - and I think we do. And that is how I think Obama will be remembered if he becomes our 44th President.

See what I mean and even more.

When Will This be Over?

By this, I actually mean two things: the election and my knee recovery. Both seemed to have gone on forever. Did you know over $1 billion has been raised and spent on the 2008 Presidential campaign (Disbursements -$1,394,012,631; see FEC website). Could not have that money have been spent more wisely on education, transportation, housing, etc. etc. One will finally be over on November 4; the other - my knee recovery - seems to have no end in sight.

As for the knee, I’m getting impatient and wondering when I will not feel or think about my leg and knee on a daily, if not hourly, basis and when I can get back to my normal activities. It’s now over 5 months since I had ACL surgery and, among many things, I still have stiffness when I sit and get up, have pain in the back of my leg when I sit, especially in a car; and most importantly, still cannot run, let alone even attempt yoga.

I did attempt running for 4 blocks and had pain from almost the first step but I assumed it was the “good” pain the doc talked about. I had grand plans to add 2 block every week but that never happened. Instead I stopped running because I believe I overdid it on my bike. I rode my mountain bike 3 days in a row in Pennsylvania as the fall foliage was in full swing and Mother Nature was cooperating – it was so nice. The first 2 days were fine but I had some pain on the 3rd day so I took it easy. However, after the ride, I walked down and back up a very steep hill and I think the knee just said enough is enough. I’m hoping to try running again the end of this week. So that’s the update on the knee.

As for the election, I voted last week, via absentee voting, since I will be flying to Florida on election day. It took almost 1 and ½ hours for something I thought I’d be in and out. So for all of you voting on November 4, prepare for lines. I’d rather be in DC and watching the returns as the environment will be very pro-Obama and the Democrats and I think it will be fun. But, I’ll be in Orlando. The only silver lining is I’ll get to see the ducks at the Peabody hotel.

If you don’t vote, you can’t complain!

Around 5 Months or So

It's been some time since I posted and it's now about 5 months post surgery. I am now doing most things I did pre-injury at the gym. I have ridden my mountain bike a couple of times and that was fine. However, running is still not easy. I started running about 4 blocks twice a week. My knee hurts and I will check with the doc to see if the hurt is the "good" pain or the "bad" pain. If it's the "good" pain, I will up the ante and add on a few more blocks each week. I still haven't even tried yoga as I still can't touch my foot to my rear. I try this each am along with several other stretches. So that's where I am 5 months post surgery.