Thank you Marble for the birthday wishes. Coach Carla says you should have done 56 min (in honour of her advanced age) instead of 13, but since we're all about support around here I've told her to stuff it.
I sure could use some of that cake. I've been nibbling at Shad's wonderful cybercake but find it strangely unfulfilling... Still trying to decide whether to tough out Day 21 and play tomorrow, or have tonight off. There is wine in the fridge and chocolate in the closet, so I can decide anytime, on a moment's notice..
Today's visit to the quack a little disappointing: I'm not allowed to blow until Sunday. They took an amazing amount of stuff out of my generously proportioned snout: I haven't re-weighed yet, but fully expect a major drop now that the splints, the drop cloths, the construction ladder, the hammer and saws, the this and that are out of there. I guess now I know why I was a little uncomfortable. And I can breathe better already, with more improvement due in a few days. The doc claims the air passages are nice and open and clear now. Apparently my multi-hued eyes are somewhat unusual, but I'm told hot compresses will help. I'm not back to work for almost another week, so maybe I'll be closer to normal then. At least as normal as I get.

There does seem to be a slight divot on the left side of the bridge, but maybe that's temporary. I don't know if it shows: I haven't felt the urge to gaze at the results yet.
Last night I decided to put the Gazelle together before bed. Ah, what a fool this mortal be! or is! I almost made it, but when I realized I had omitted a crucial step I just couldn't deal anymore, so I changed the grease-stained jammies, took a cool bath, tidied away a little of the packing debris, and hit the hay. I haven't quite found the energy yet to try again today. Lots of loin-girding required. I must admit, I did wonder why I was left with an exposed, grease-covered axle, but not enough to avoid temporary disaster. In my defence, anyone would have had trouble with the just-barely-inadequate instructions. If they had seemed as incomplete as they in fact were, I would have paid more attention... Not that I can ever decipher assembly instructions (or maps) except in retrospect. In fact that was one of the few talents my ex had that I miss.
ttfn
