DawnPapuga.com — Reality 101

So the pain didn’t go away like I told it to.  I figured that if I just iced the foot/ankle and kept it elevated that the pain would go away and all would be well.  Not so.  In fact, all 26 bones in my foot/ankle jointly decided to mutiny when I made an attempt to put weight on my foot this morning.  Correction:  27 bones now since my tendon decided to play Dr. Moreau and tear part of my Cuboid bone off when I slid and sprained my foot/ankle in order to create a Mini-Me version of itself (The nice lady doctor assured me that it was “Just a small bone chip that could indicate a fracture” but I’m not entirely certain that “just  a small bone chip” is ever appropriate when there aren’t supposed to be chips in the first place).  The plan is now to see an orthopedic to make sure it’s not fractured or broken (though I’m pretty sure it’s not broken.  I don’t think I could put any weight on it at all, but hey, what do I know?). 

Yeah.

On a side note, while sitting in the ER, we noticed that the “Code Blue” button behind the gurney was as you see it above.  Orange.  Not blue… that would make too much sense.  Orange.  (Have you ever really looked at the word “Orange,” by the way?  It never looks correct…)  The predominant theory is that Hunter Orange is easier to find under pressure. I think it’s done just to mess with people’s minds.

Now back to your regularly scheduled pain medication.  That is all.

I’m not the kind of person to eat when I’m upset.  Some folks connect food to emotional distress.  On the contrary, usually I don’t  eat when I’m upset.  I don’t have a “comfort food” that I reach for if something goes awry in my life.  I’m not the kind of person to curl up on a couch with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s Moose Tracks.  I’ve never been that girl.  But when I get hurt physically, that’s a different story.

Today during our softball exhibition I sprained my ankle… well, foot to be more precise.  The muscles over my cuboid bone are swollen and it’s possible that I sprained (or strained or pulled) my Extensor Digitorum Brevis Muscle.  The Lateral Ligaments are giving me trouble, and putting my full weight on my foot is incredibly painful.  Nothing is broken, but it sure hurts like no injury I’ve sustained before.  I’ve dealt with a lot of injuries–most of them were ligamental, as I’m ligamentally lax– but some how in all my years of volleyball, cheerleading, gymnastics, and diving, I never hurt my foot.  Ice has become my new best friend, and I’m sure the ankle brace will look just smashing with my business attire tomorrow. 

So after the game, while hobbling through a convenience store to find ice packs and an ankle support, I reached for the only two things that would make me feel better–a Pepsi and a king sized Butterfinger.  Neither eased the pain, but for a few moments the chocolate and buttery goodness made me feel just that much better. 

Do you have a “comfort” food? 

I’m all for chain restaurants and the comfort they provide with their never changing menus, their regulars, their reliably cranky service, and their consistency.  After the game Wednesday night @DJLunchbox and I dropped by the local Eat ‘n Park to have some coffee and solve the world’s problems.  When we ordered our drinks I got my coffee in a traditional ceramic mug, but my water came in a plastic cup.  @DJLunchbox’s iced tea came in…. a plastic cup.

Are you serious?  At what point does a restaurant make the decision that using plastic cups instead of glasses is some how more efficient?  I worked in restaurants, I know that cleaning dishes is a PITA, but creating more bags of garbage isn’t solving any problems.  PLASTIC! 

If I wanted to drink out of a plastic cup I’d go to a fast food joint.  I’d even order my drinks from a diner to go. Then you expect it!  But there was something distinctly unsettling and unattractive about being served a beverage in a plastic cup when you’re sitting down to eat and not at a picnic or graduation party.  I know I’m not eating at Ruth’s Chris, but come on!

I don’t like it.

I already have a long standing beef with Eat ‘n Park for the great Cookie Fudge Fantasy disaster of the late 90’s.  They used to serve this ice cream sundae sent from heaven in a gigantic glass pedestal bowl and it was large enough that one of these babies could sate two commiserating best friends.  Now they come in regular bowls, are half the size, and they use cheap cookies.  I haven’t had one since they switched.

And now this.

Good thing there’s an IHOP close by…