Wednesday, January 30, 2013







"Sometimes you just can't get rid of a bomb."
                                                                                                      ~Batman


Lord. Isn't that truth, Cape Crusader? Isn't that the truth?
Interesting bit of trivia:
Actor Adam West owes his getting the role of Bruce Wayne/The Dark Knight to his appearance in several Nestle Quick Commercials. Don't believe me?

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



And that's 'Jody' with a 'y'
*Copyright 2013
*All Rights Reserved
James Stewart in Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 Rear Window




Feeling a little like Rear Window's L.B. 'Jeff' Jefferies these days. 
Sure. He had a broken leg and was in a wheelchair. I'm in a back brace and walking with a cane. There are similarities though. 
For the most part, we're both restricted to a single view. He with his large window and the telephoto lens of his camera. I have my plasma television and my remote, which allows me to many more views than Mr. Jefferies was able to see. I could even see his, over his shoulder, if I wanted. 
I don't anticipate witnessing any murder. The worst, the most horrible, I could be exposed to, if I so chose, would be reality television. 
Sorry. Haven't seen the train wreck that is Honey Boo Boo and have no plans to any time soon. If I want to ruin my eyes and brain at the same time, I'll sniff airplane glue. 

And that's 'Jody' with a 'y'
*Copyright 2013
*All Rights Reserved





From David Lean's 1962 epic LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, Peter O'Toole and Omad Sharif


Movies have always been my escape. When things have been at the worse, I have disappeared into a darkened theater, Twizzlers in hand, and forgotten about my troubles for a while. Maybe not the most psychologically sound or mature response to a situation, but its always worked for me. 
A little escape never hurt anyone.
I'm watching David Lean's masterpiece (and marathon event at over three hours) Lawrence of Arabia, an epic based on the life of T.E. Lawrence. The film tells the story of Lawrence's adventures in Arabia during WWI.
The film boasts and amazing casts including Anthony Quinn, Claude Rains, Jose Ferrer, Alec Guiness (none other than Obi Wan Kenobi!) and Jack Hawkins, who would both appeared together earlier in Lean's 1957 Bridge Over The River Kwai
Lawrence of Arabia would later go on to win many awards, including seven Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor for Sharif and Best Actor for O'Toole, who was a virtual unknown when chosen to play the role of the titular title character. 
The musical score by Maurice Jarre is nothing less than brilliant and would garner Jarre his first Oscar.
Lean is an influential director and LOA is considered to be one of the best films ever made. And notice I said film and not movie. There is a difference. Lawrence of Arabia is a film. Caddyshack is a movie. 
The acting is amazing. 
The direction is undeniably masterful. 

I'm sitting here in awe of the film-making and...Man! Am I thirsty! 
I bet the concession stands were out the lobby doors. 
Sure there have been movies about the dessert before. The original Flight of the Phoenix with Jimmy Stewart is one. There's something about the cinematography of Lawrence of Arabia, though, that pulls you in through the lens...you can almost feel the churning sands at your feet and whipping into your face. 

It's a classic. Watch it. Just have a cold beverage on hand. 


and that's 'Jody' with a 'y'
*Copyright 2013
*All Rights Reserved


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

 "That terrible mood of depression of whether it's any good or not is what is known as The Artist's Reward." ~Ernest Hemingway


"On the road of experience, I'm trying to find my own way.
Sometimes I wish that I could fly away
When I think that I'm moving, suddenly things stand still
I'm afraid 'cause I think they always will.

And I'm looking for space
And to find out who I am
And I'm looking to know and understand
It's a sweet, sweet dream
Sometimes I'm almost there
Sometimes I fly like an eagle
And sometimes I'm deep in despair..."

~John Denver, Looking For Space

It's been a week since my laminectomy. Apparently, according to my surgeon, the hospital staff and the physical therapist I met yesterday, I'm doing incredibly well
I wish I felt incredibly well. 
I don't. I am exhausted and in pain. I'm frustrated because I'm limited to doing anything other than sitting on the couch looking like I rolled downhill in an old barrel. 
Everyone keeps telling me the same thing. 
"Do what they tell you to do...and how they tell you to do it." 
"No matter how good you feel....take it slow....take it easy...don't be stupid."
There is double the danger of hurting myself even worse  than before due to the fact this past surgery was in the exact same spot where there had been a previous surgery, with the added complication of scar tissue from the latter. 
It's frustrating but I do the point they are making. 
There is a ton...literally a ton....if I put all the shit I have to take care of on one of those truck scales you see along the interstate it would weight just about a ton...I'm pretty sure...a ton of stuff that I have to do. But I can't.
I can't lift a gallon of milk. There is no vacuuming. I can't make the bed. i'm not allowed to bend over to put on my own shoes. It hurts to sit at the computer to work. It's hard to get on and off the toilet. 
I'm not supposed to drive. 
I might as well be strapped into a dolly like Hannibal Lecter. 
My sleep schedule is way off. 
I can't remember the last time I had a decent night's sleep. 
I think I was 7 and the last game of hide-n-go-seek one summer's eve had worn me out completely. If I only I could play now. I'd be a crappy 'hider' and a really lousy 'finder.' Then I would beat myself up for ruining the game and then my mind would race and I would toss and turn and...then...well...there you go. 
I need a break from myself. 
I'm sick of me right now...how I look...what I'm doing...how I'm doing...what I am saying...
Nothing seems to be working right now. 
Fuck. 
This was a crappy post. 
Sorry. 


and that's 'Jody' with a 'y'
*Copyright 2013
*All Rights Reserved




Thursday, January 24, 2013

I'm a real pretty picture this morning. 
I look like Christopher Walken stole clothing items from Gary Busey and then fell down some stairs
I was released from the hopsital yesterday and it's time for my hospital report card. 
Overall I was not as impressed with St. Mary's Hospital as I was during my visit at the beginning of December 2012. Which is kind of sad since I was in the hospital for steroid injections and not back surgery.
Maybe its because I was expecting the same experience. 
Maybe its because I was in considerably more pain. 
I don't know but where my first stay of 5 days in December for just injections would merit a grade of A, my stay of only three days after surgery would get a C-.
Some of the staff was very friendly and seemed to care about me genuinley. 
Overall though, I felt like I was bothering some of the folks there. 
I certainly have some bones to pick with the kitchen staff, and surprisingly, not about the food. (I doubt that was meat they were serving me, and therefore, there weren't any bones) It was just the way they burst into the room to make their deliveries. No one ever checked to see if I was asleep (and I was...every time they came to my room) they just  barged in talking at the top of their voices completely ignoring my presence. God forbid I asked for more salt...or fresh ice in my water...or a fork. Seriously. I would have gotten it myself but I couldn't walk!
Sleep is a precious commodity when you're in the hospital, especially when you're in a post-op situation and you feel like there is a knife sticking in your back. All I'm asking is stick you head in and check to see if the patient is asleep. How hard could that be?
Physical therapy is never fun and I can't imagine it's a fun job. Afterall, you are responsible for getting someone out of bed and doing physical activities when the last thing that person wants to do is get out of bed and do physical activities. 
There is no comfortable position for me to be in right now. 
I can't lie, sit, recline or stand. 
I'm thinking that my only option is to be suspended from the ceiling like Tom Cruise in MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.    
I'm walking with a four-pronged walking cane. The only thing missing is the four, neon yellow tennis balls. 
I have a thick brace around my waist which I have dubbed my UTILITY BELT. 
I might actually paint a yellow circle with a black belt on the front in a few days. 
I plan on doing a lof of nothing in the next few weeks. 
Some of those things are on the list I will call The THINGS I AM NOT TO DO OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS List.
There is an anachronism for the activities which I am forbidden (forbidden? guess that means that if I do any of them, I will receive the CURSE OF GREAT PAIN and release TYGOR, the seven-headed dragon from HEll)
The anachronism is BLT
Which means I am not allowed to bend, lean or twist.
Trust me, I'm so glad that's what this means. I don't think I could go without baconing for a few weeks.
For instance, I am not allowed to try and lift a gallon of milk. 
I am not supposed to vacuum, or make the bed or wrestle bears. 
(Just wanted to see if you were still paying attention)
My plastic beer stein, which never leaves my side. Or, front, I guess I should have said. I'm calling my plastic urinal Gerhardt. He's my new best friend. I'm getting quite good at using him without anyone noticing.vIn fact, as I'm typing this...well...you get the picture.
I wish I had Gerhardt  when I saw Avatar.
My collection of pain pills has grown. Two more bottles and I can legally become president of an Elvis Presely fan club.
There are the pills I take for my head (oh yes....all that bullshit is still going on) and the pills I was given for my post-op pain. It looks like I'm about to open my own pharmacy.
On a scale of 1 to 10, my pain right now is 11. 
A really strong 11.
I'm hoping to get some sleep today.
Heck! Who am I fooling
I would be happy to able to sit back against the back of the couch without crying. Using the toilet is going to be hard. 
I hope, one day, Gerhardt can find the courage and strength to forgive me.  


and that's 'Jody with a 'y' 
All Rights Reserved. 
Copyright 2013.