Sorry, I don’t know where I’ve been. Still a little floored by the news from the Magazine Mansion, I haven’t had much desire to post anything on this site in the last few days. Plus, I’ve been pretty busy, which makes it difficult to write blog entries.
A few days ago I discovered that I have a plant growing in the trunk of my car. Yes, folks, a plant. Apparently, the latest Traquer escapade transformed my car into a portable container garden. You see, now that my back window doesn’t close, and since the rain has returned to Oregon (hellooooo orblogs.com), the trunk has turned into a particularly hospitable ecosystem. It’s had moss for awhile, but now there is a fledgling weed sprouting through the carpeting. Nice, huh? I’ll post a picture soon.
I don’t use my car very much. I take the bus to work and bike as much as I can, which means I fire up the Crapper only a few times a month. I should sell it, except that between the roof and the tires (both of which need replacement) I might net about negative $50 if anyone was actually dumb enough to purchase it from me. But now it has a new purpose in life: gardening. I think I might scatter some lettuce seeds back there just to see if I can grow anything edible. Not that a head of Tracker-grown radicchio would be particularly appetizing, but it sure would be funny.
Anyway, in the Department of Unwanted Mydogischelsea’s Health News, I have developed shin splints from playing too much Ultimate frisbee. Sucks. I chased the bus this morning for about fifty feet, and when I boarded and sat down, my legs said, “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!?” in that excruciating, allcaps kind of way. I said, “Legs, come on guys, it was just a short sprint. Cut it out. You’re hurting me.” They weren’t having it. “EXCUSE ME, BUT YOU’RE WEARING YOUR WORK SHOES!” they responded. “YOU RUN ON CEMENT ONE MORE TIME AND WE’LL SELF-AMPUTATE.” The conversation did not go well. My guess is that we won’t even be on speaking terms after the frisbee tournament this weekend.
RICE: rest, ice, compress, elevate. That’s what I’m supposed to do about shin splints. That and these funny feet exercises to strengthen my calves. Unfortunately, my frisbee schedule doesn’t allow for any RICE, so I’m all about the AIMF regime (Advil is my friend). We’ll see how that works out this weekend.
9 responses so far ↓
1 thinlizzy // May 3, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Oh no. Beware self-amputation. I do like funny calf exercises. They feel good.
2 TimsHead // May 3, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Back when I ran track (during the Wilson Administration), the trick we learned was that, after a heavy workout, you sit on a high surface so your feet can dangle above the ground and loop a paint can (full of some kind of weight) around the toe end of your foot. Slowly and gently pivot the foot up and down at the ankle. Worked pretty well … or at least prevented all-caps responses.
Oh Laura … you’re just about the only person I know whose car literally is helping create a greener world!
3 Boo // May 3, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Self-amputation is serious. I’d heed the shins.
The trunk of produce is one of those weird things I would likely let grow just to see what it turned out to be. But I ca also understand the urge to turn that soil over.
I read over at somewhere on the masthead and can understand why it is still having an impact. It is lovely that you have formed such friendships.
he is one popular blogger too it seems. I don;t know many people on blogger who get such loyal readers much less comment numbers like his. A special person he must be. Condolences again.
4 michael5000 // May 3, 2007 at 9:07 pm
You know, if I understand the whole Traquer concept correctly, you could transform that sucker into a killer mobile greenhouse unit. Are you using the back seat for anything? Because we’re going to need to put shelves back there for a container garden. I know, I know, you’re thinking “raised beds,” but that’s impractical; you’d need about a cubic yard of soil and that would totally screw your gas mileage. But this is going to be great — not only will you have fresh veggies, but you’ll be able to produce veggies fresh out of the ground ANYWHERE IN TOWN… and you’ll be breathing in sweet sweet oxygen-enhanced air on the drive over.
5 Natalie B // May 5, 2007 at 8:03 am
from the windows at work, I can see the roofs of the buildings around us, and a good amount of them have what looks like prarie grass (seriously!) growing on them in small patches. I wonder if the owners know their roofs are becoming more biodiverse?
6 Truly // May 7, 2007 at 12:49 am
That is crazy about the plants in your trunk! You should try to grow a real garden back there–it would be hilarious! Plus, your car would be doing something good when not in use–cleaning the air.
Shin splints really hurt! So sorry–I used to get these when I ran track. I did the excersie where you stand half-way on a step and pump your calves up and down to strengthen them. I still do it, eventhough I havn’t had the splints in a long time; the pain of them makes me too afraid to stop.
7 Gabers // May 7, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Everyone could use some RICE now and again.
Does something like “Tiger Balm” (rawr) help shin splints?
Positive Vibes Laura, (Miss ya)
Gabers
8 Kathryn // May 8, 2007 at 1:48 pm
2 things –
I want to see lettuce grown in the Tracker (no, really I do) and, sadly, my legs have that discussion with me on a regular basis, especially when I am sprinting for the bus in my 4-inch Fluevogs ….
9 Truly // May 8, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Thanks for letting me know the comments thingie was messed up on Loch Ness. I fixed it–I think Shaun set it on no comments for some reason (oh the joys of the shared blog). Personally, I don’t mind blog spam. It makes me laugh; its funnier than email spam. Today a spam on Loch Ness, awaiting moderation, said: “7th grade science project outwidth dicks with asses.” WTF?!? There are so many many things wrong with that statment. Hilarious!