January 2011; 1-9-11; Sunday. Will drive to the bar to host my poker tournament (GOOD NEWS). Quick Stop (that's a "Clerks" reference) to get smokes at the convenience store on the way (convenience store is good--smoking is bad). Van won't restart now (BAD NEWS). An off-duty mechanic says it sounds like it might need a fuel pump (BAD NEWS), but it may only need a fuel filter (GOOD NEWS). I can leave the van at the store until tomorrow if need be (GOOD NEWS), and need IS be, because it's Sunday, and my mechanic's garage isn't open (BAD NEWS). Got a free ride to the bar from a convenience store worker (GOOD NEWS), and host the poker tournament (GOOD NEWS). Bubbled out at poker (BAD NEWS; placed 3rd--no $ for me). Got a free ride back to the van later from a bar employee, in the ice (GOOD NEWS), but van still won't start (BAD NEWS); however, the ride to the van also continued on to become a free ride home (GOOD NEWS).
Up the next morning early, Monday 1-10-11, to tow the van to my mechanic (GOOD NEWS). Phone rings here at 8:20 am (BAD NEWS--how can an early Monday morning phone call be good?); it's "Rehab" calling to tell me that my final urinalysis is clean (GOOD NEWS!), and that I have graduated with honors, congradulations, and I can come pick up my completion certificate today (GOOD NEWS). So I set up a truck to tow the van to my mechanic--without too much hassle (GOOD NEWS). Will ride my bicycle to meet tow truck at van (GOOD NEWS). On the bike ride to my van, I wiped out BAD in the ice (BAD NEWS); fell on my left elbow and hip, and smacked the left side of my bike helmet on concrete--the "padding" of my bike helmet hit my head so hard that my head hurts (wearing helmet is good--smacking concrete with head is bad). But I'm not paralyzed--at least not yet (GOOD NEWS). Continue bike-ride to van/tow truck. Van now starts (GOOD NEWS)! Cancelled tow truck, and went shopping. The van restarts 3 times, so it looks like van is "fixed"--maybe it just had a bad day (GOOD NEWS). As errands are run on Monday, the left side of my body gets more and more sore; major pain (BAD NEWS). No visible blood or bruising (yet), but intense discomfort.
At home with groceries, I decide to go back out and run ALL the remaining errands, and pick up the completed "Rehab" certificate (GOOD NEWS). Back to the van, and NOW it won't start (BAD NEWS). Heartbroken, again, and the left side body pain continues to grow rapidly (BAD NEWS). I went back inside to make a fine dinner (GOOD NEWS). Quality home time, but then I got tired; went to sleep and missed the entire national championship football game (BAD NEWS).
Upon waking, I thought 'This COULD be the sorest I've ever been in my life' (BAD NEWS). Not quite; the pain is big, but not horrific (GOOD NEWS). I am thankful, but a bit disappointed that I can't workout (BAD NEWS). I can stretch, however, so I feel (GOOD NEWS) about that.
Luckily, I DID remember to record the football game (GOOD NEWS). Watched recorded game at 4 am (GOOD NEWS); Ducks still lost anyway (BAD NEWS). However; I am an SEC fan--so Auburn winning the national title is not horrible (GOOD NEWS). I have more body pain--even pain in regular positions now (BAD NEWS). But again--I CAN stretch; I'm not crippled, and hopefully not badly concussed (GOOD NEWS).
Decided to write a commentary (GOOD NEWS) about how I'm going to keep a good attitude about this whole experience. Hopefully the healing will continue, and I'll be able to workout again come Wednesday (GOOD NEWS). The van is still dead outside right now (BAD NEWS), but at least it's at home (GOOD NEWS). Maybe it will start again on Tuesday morning (GOOD NEWS)! Either way; I'll get it to the shop somehow on Tuesday, and maybe the repairs will be minor (GOOD NEWS).
Van won't start Tuesday morning (BAD NEWS). Van and I get towed down to the mechanic; his shop is less than 100 yards from my favorite bar (GOOD NEWS). I took a nice (not too strenuous) walk around the wetland area nearby (GOOD NEWS). The van needs a new fuel pump AND filter; $250+, and won't be ready for 5 more hours (BAD NEWS). I stayed at the bar and wrote; used ALL of the paper in my notebook--which is very (GOOD NEWS). Van is finally ready at 4:30 pm, too late to run any errands (BAD NEWS). Came home and ate just a small dinner (GOOD NEWS), then went back to the bar for my Tuesday poker tournament (GOOD NEWS). Played well (GOOD NEWS), even though I did not win (BAD NEWS). Gave a friend a ride home, because I was sober (GOOD NEWS). I tried to keep only positive thoughts in my head (GOOD NEWS), instead of worrying about new and extended money problems (BAD NEWS).
So I spent roughly 11 hours at the bar today--Tuesday 1-11-11 (BAD NEWS); but, I never drank any alcohol (GOOD NEWS). Now I ask you; could a "DRUNK" spend 11 hours in a bar and NOT drink? I don't think so...(GOOD NEWS)!