The windows are open and I hear a chirp from the yard. Night. Enough smoke from the fire to know its a good one. Fat dog listening, only moving eyes. Slow breeze on the cusp of spring. Lea’s smile.
Windows
Reply
Knee Knowledge
I came out of retirement from competitive rugby to give it another go this season with Santa Monica Rugby Club. I was playing some really good (by my standards) footy and really enjoying myself as the games went on. It all came to a halt, when against OMBAC, the #1 seated team in our division and certainly a contender for top national rankings, I hurt my knee. We were in a maul driving down the field with solid pace that I got tangled up in the soup and someone crashed into my knee from the outside and I came screaming to the ground. Talk about a wounded animal. Holy Smokes! I not sure I’ve ever cried out like that before, but it hurt. Bad. I had a bit of trouble catching my breath for a few moments and and when I did, the entire indecent seemed to blur. My friends helped me off the field and my girl came over to see how I was and the trainer began the assessment. Through a few structural tests (beding the leg in various ways) she determined that I had either torn or severely sprained my MLC. The MLC is the ligament on the inside of the knee that helps to keep your leg straight and not buckling inward. An appointment with an orthopedic and an MRI later, her determinations were confirmed. I would be 3-6 weeks, at best, and probably more like 3-6 months before I would return to playing at the level I was, if I so chose.
Bummer, dude.
The fall out would come shortly there after.
I was sequestered to my bed and couch for days on top of days. Even the simplest of tasks (ie – taking a shower, getting out of bed, putting on socks) loomed large and nearly impossible without help. Working out was out of the question and even thoughI drive an automatic, getting in the car took 10 minutes as I would contorsion the rest of my body to accommodate my immobilized pole of a leg.
It was difficult to sleep in light of the acute pain and the medication helped to make everything a bit grey. My temper soared and my tolerance dwindled. From the stress and lack of exercise, I then developed a cold. Headaches, a runny nose, coughing and sneezing, and generally feeling like cold poo would take over my waking hours.
Of course, during all of this time, I have been responsible to work and a small collection of commitments I previously made (organizing buying blazers for my rugby team, helping friends find a new place to live, etc.).
Now, I realize that I had what many might consider to be a relatively minor injury in the grand scheme of things, but man was I rain cloud. Three weeks into it and I now beginning to hobble around pretty good without crutches and the acute pain has morphed into a sort of slow ache. I can sleep and the cold has lifted.
What did I learn?
- My health is my #1 priority – Being able to get a solid sleep is an absolute must. Eating clean and healthy food is crucial. Filling my mind with uplifting content is paramount.
- My ability to reason and remain rational in the face of adversity while wounded is extremely difficult – I had blow outs with several of those closest to me during this time over what I see in retrospect as being relatively minor
- I must ask for help – I’m an independent guy and like to do for myself. However, when I am having trouble even walking I need to swallow my pride and ask for help from those I know love and care for me so much.
- I must limit, as best I can, the number of important decisions I make – Having a skewed perspective on the world + really powerful pain meds + lack of sleep + generally feeling like shit = really crummy decision making.
- I must find the light – It is a fact that I had quite a few strikes against me, but I must remember to see the light and positive in my world around me, even if I am currently at the proverbial bottom.
- I must break a sweat – Even if its only by sitting there and clapping my hands, the endorphins and chemicals that get released when doing such, make me feel better. Always.
- Sometimes I need to stop – I have struggled with telling folks no when they ask something of me. When down and out, I must find the courage to say no to more commitments. In fact, when I find myself circling toward the caldron, I must let go of the obligation sand bags if I plan to rise again before a total blow out.
I might be able to identify a few more lessons, but that’ll do it for now.
Rugby has now been reduced to cheering (heckling) from the sidelines and my schedule is quite a bit leaner as a result of my trimming the non-mandatories. My breath is deep again and I hope to begin practicing yoga in the next week. Things are looking up.
This injury has been a learning experience and I have grown from it.
Onward and upward!
The Monthly Bug – Sports + Quick Bag Edition
I’m keeping things sharp and tight these days. It’s keeping me focused on what’s important to me right now.
A full on rugby season is eminent.
Goals:
1-stay in one piece
2-win a lot
3-laugh a lot
I’d love to see you at a game. Here’s the schedule.
While my weight has stayed the same (approx – 250lbs), I’m getting leaner and stronger, in light of the running and cardio. I’ve also been focusing on my core, so as to support an achy back, but i feel it only a small part of the battle. Inasmuch, I’ve all but convinced myself that 93% of back pain is between my ears. When I am happy and feeling good – no pain. When everything is grey and my breakfast tastes like cardboard with a dash of dirt – my back expresses itself in incredible ways (pain).
Last month I completed a Basic Keel Boat sailing course, which allows me to now rent a sailboat. Watch out, ye old salty dog!
I first held my hand on a tiller as a boy in Boy Scouts, with Lazers and Sunfish. At 14 years old, my dad bought a 14′ flat bottom Jon boat, which we still have at our river house in Burgaw, NC. I’d have to say that that is where I really learned to pilot a vessel.
I also recall courting a maiden in college under the helm on a 20′ Hobie Cat. Real smart.
“Yes. Absolutely. I’ve sailed all over. There’s the mast and boom. Those are the sheets and..and that thing controls the rudders.” I explained to the 16 year old manning the rental station in Wilmington, NC
“Ok. Here’s the sail. Have fun.” He replied and walked back to his goings on under a medium sized umbrella.
We were on Wrightsville Beach facing the sound and the wind was at about 15 knots.
I almost tipped it several times. We nearly drown several times, but we didn’t. However , she didn’t go on another date with me.
I simply did not know how to control the wind in a craft that fast. Alas..
I do now!
The thrill of sailing is capturing my spirit more and more every time I am on the water.
Moving right along, I built a “Quick Bag”.
It’s basically a backpack with all of the necessities I would need if I just had to go. Like, right now!
No, I haven’t robbed a bank (yet). I just know emergencies happen and I like to be prepared.
The grooming has taken place over my entire life.
First as a Boy Scout. Camping as a teenager. Road trips and hurricanes in college. Global vagabonding and a few minor earth quakes having since moved to California. Constantly seeing the disasters on the TV’s at the bank (I hate watching the news for this reason).
To sum things up, the proverbial shit does hit the fan sometimes.
I’m prepared for it.
- SAS Survival Guide
- Map of Los Angeles county and California
- Written contingency plan
- Copy of drivers license, passport, birth certificate, and credit cards
- Portable CB radio w/ extra batteries
- Signal mirror and small flares
- Head lamp w/ extra batteries
- Lock blade knife
- Hatchet
- Water purification pills (Iodine)
- Water bottle (rigid)
- Water bladder (flexible)
- Gloves
- Mittens
- Ear plugs
- Sharpie
- 2 Pens
- 2 Pencils
- Binoculars
- Compass
- Flint and steel
- 2 lighters
- 2 packs of matches
- Folding stove with fuel cells
- 2 trash bags
- Shoe laces
- Tourniquet
- Twine
- 200′ para cord
- Small roll duct tape
- Small roll electrical tape
- 12 zip ties
- Foreign country power converter/transformer
- 4 D carabiners
- First Aid Kit + medicine and contacts
- Bear spray (I camp in the Rockies and I don’t currently carry a firearm. In addition to bears, this stuff would certainly deter the belligerent drunk..and rabid dog..so it made the cut)
- Sleeping bag
- Self inflating sleeping bag mat
- Wool hat
- Work grade jeans
- Light convertible pants/shorts
- Rugby shorts (super comfortable/swimming/indestructible)
- 2 breathable shirts with zipper pockets (holding secrets)
- 1 light jacket
- 2 socks
- 1 pair sneakers
- 1 large hiking bag
- 4 misc sized nylon compression sacks
I’d like to spend a bit more time adding to my first aid kit, replacing the clothes with more multi purpose gear and a pair of solid boots, and perhaps even a different bag. I’d also like to get some dried foods and bottled water and certainly some disaster currency ($100 small bills cash, tobacco, alcohol, batteries, etc.). In due time.
Its a start and it provides a ton of peace of mind to know its just sitting there, if I need it. It took me about 3 hours to put together on a rainy Saturday and most of the stuff I found laying around the house.
Some really good resources can be found here, here, and here if you want to make one for yourself.
If you never need it, great. FANTASTIC! If you do need it, well, I suppose it’ll be a good thing you took the time to make it happen.
That’s it for now.
This past year has been nothing short of amazing and 2011 is going to be awesome! (I really love prime #’s)
Be sure to look out for next month’s Bug for the first annual Year in Review!
Stay close,
AD
pr – have I mentioned lately that I love my mom? It probably wouldn’t hurt to say it again: “Hey Mom! I love you!”
You may ask, why have I received this email from you, Aaron. The short answer is that our lives have probably crossed paths at some point and I have your email address.
The longer answer may require a connection
Are we connected? We’d be a lot cooler if we were..
Subscribe to my blog
Friend me on Facebook
Link to me on Linkedin
Follow me on Twitter
or, for the love of all things easy, call me 310-663-2865
171 Pier Ave., #251
Santa Monica, CA 90405
The Monthly Bug – Inspiration Edition
Lots of things inspire me.
Making a positive change in my life is inspires me to make more. Video (Day 1) Video (Day 30)
Playing rugby with my friends inspires me to deepen relationships. Photo
Visiting the Smithsonian inspires me to learn. Photo
Witnessing the raw power of Mother Nature inspires me to respect. Photo
Listening to one of my favorite bands in a small venue with a ridiculous sound system inspires me pay greater attention to the small things . Video
However, these events pale in comparison to the inspiration manifested by watching my only sister hold her 2 day old daughter.
On September 25, 2010 at 8:27 am Kalina Louise Racheva was introduced to the world. She has a full head of dark hair, a humbling dimple in her right cheek, long thin fingers (and toes) that will be perfect for the piano, and spirited vocal cords.
Elizabeth, Danail, and Kalina are all healthy and happy.
I’m amazed and proud and thrilled and excited and nervous and…inspired!
Stay close,
AD
The Monthly Bug – Sales + Change Edition (Video)
I’ve gone on a bit in the last few installments of the Monthly Bug about my passion for real estate, learning, and marketing..but after much reflection, I realize I might be spreading a bit of a mixed signal.
Yes, its true, I absolutely love those industries, but my interests span much wider than that.
In the last 60 days I have consulted with a travel company, a digital media company, a law firm, a credit repair company, an industrial recycling outfit, a photographer, a massage therapist, an event organizer, and a sports rehab start up.
Why did the principals want to pick my brain? What is the common denominator?
Sales.
I know sales.
Come to think about it..
Everyone is in sales..and everyone should be cognisant of its virtues.
A trainer in a gym is selling their expertise about fitness to worker outers and facilities. The director of a non profit is selling their idea to grant providers and those that might benefit from their services. A teacher is selling their capability to educate to their student and the faculty.
I could go on.
But, its not always money that is being exchanged.
Its ideas, collateral, tools, advise..value. Read that again, value, is being exchanged.
Value is represented sometimes as money and sometimes its the feeling that you made a difference.
I call it sales, whereas you may label it something different. What you call it doesn’t matter.
What matters is that you are offering value.
What are you doing to insure you are offering value to your audience? Drop me a line or comment on my blog to let me know your ideas.
Talk soon,
AD
ps – 3 links everyone should visit
1 – Are you failing often? You should be.
2 – Are you focusing on dramatic emergencies? I am working on the long run (Video).
3 – A 5 step plan for just about everyone and everything.
pps – I’m growing out my beard for the winter. What do you think?
30 Day Challenge Update
I have reached my quota for HD videos with Vimeo, however I have infact been true to my committment and have been posting them daily to my Facebook profile. Friend me to follow along :)
http://facebook.com/aaronloringdavis
Stay up
Day 4 – I’m listening to my gut (30 Day Challenge)
I go off on a few tangents in this installment of my 30 day challenge, but the theme of today is to listen to my gut.
So, by the time this video is published, I’ll have resigned from my firm of almost 5 years. I enjoyed my time there, but it was time for me to move on. It was a leap of faith, as I do not completely have the future mapped out and I am uncertain as to how the resignation will play out.
But, I must honor myself. I had a very insightful conversation this morning about just that. It wasn’t overly lengthy, but the its value was incredibly high. It boiled down to this – Not being honored by others is OK, because we don’t have control over anyone other than ourselves. But, when we don’t honor ourselves, that is when the real damage occurs.
So, while I have many many friends from my time at Sotheby’s, it is time to part ways. Perhaps I’ll get into why on another day, but that isn’t what’s important today. I hope that they all continue to provide excellent service for their clients and are able to realize incredible success for themselves. Well, most of them at least..there are a couple that I hope get fat and lose all their hair.
For me it’s a bit scary. In fact, as I write this my heart is beating fast. Having fear of the unknown is normal, I suppose. But, as I listen to my gut, I know its the right thing to do. Its a leap of faith in my effort to do right to myself and to do right to those that deserve it.
Stay up
Day 3 – Just laugh (30 Day Challenge)
In my effort to stop smoking, which I have, I have done my best to stay busy. Industry, or the act of being industrious, seems to be a great tool for focusing the mind on things other than that which I am stopping. Inasmuch, I had trouble getting to sleep for the second night in a row.
But, no time for the meek!
The theme, if there is one, for today is to laugh. To laugh with and at every possible thing I can.
So, thank you so much for tuning in and showing your support. Please stay with me and drop me a line or call me if you feel inclined.
Day 2 – 65% and getting after it (30 Day Challenge)
In the video, I talk about not feeling 100% today, but that I’m committed to staying on track. It feels good. So, by the time I am done with my walk, thinking and verbalizing what I am thankful for in my life, and then having a bit of breakfast I’m ready to attack the day. While I do not have quite as much energy as I did yesterday, I certainly have more now than I did when I woke up.
My concern, as I stated in the video, was staying committed to this new ‘morning walk/reflection’ time every morning for 30 days. I am concerned because I know myself, and I know about how many times I’ve started something that I know will be good for me, only to lose steam a week in and quit.
I found this article (http://www.prolificliving.com/blog/2010/08/03/beyond-first-30-days-staying-committed-to-habits/) to have some good advice, whereas the take aways for me are:
1 – Practice firmness and kindness with myself
2 – Let habits build on each other
3 – Reject the notion that I can’t do it, for whatever reason
and 4 (which isn’t listed) to enlist the support of others, which is why I’m sharing in the first place.
So, thanks for helping me along. I really appreciate it!
Do you know of other article or ideas on how best to keep/build momentum in the face of habit changing?