0430 practicing steps

Casey worked with me on developing methods of safely navigating steps and curbs. Until now, I would balance myself by putting both hands on the railing, then side-stepping up or down, taking one pad at a time.

The new method would have the right hand on the handrail and the left hand on the grip of the walker. The walker was turned sideways and one set of a wheel and a ball would be on one step, and the other set would be on an adjacent step.

When going up, I’d step up with the left leg and then use the left leg muscles to help raise the right leg. I’d try to bend the knee and lift the right leg, but it was good to know that the muscles were there, just in case.

When going down, I’d step down with the right leg first, then follow with the left leg, once I made sure that my balance was stable.

With curbs, the footwork would be the same, but the walker would be used for support and balance during the transition.

0425 just wasting time

I was able to go the evening service at SBCC. I had my father drop me off and then went inside.

Because Pastor Gary was attending the Men’s Retreat that weekend, produced by the Men’s Ministry, Pastor Ken filled in for him and gave the message “Dark Night of Wasted Time”, just another installment in the “Dark Night” series.

The message spoke of our fears of wasting time. He used the story of the good Samaritan as an example of the direction that God wants us to follow.

After the service, Steve and I went to Big Island for dinner, then headed home.

0422 did you wear denim?

Today was Earth Day! I hope you did something to help save the planet. I did my share by reducing the amount of methane that I emit into the atmosphere.

I was also reminded of a routine by a stand-up comedienne. She said, “I’m going through menopause and started having hot flashes. Now Al Gore is following me.”

A friend sent me an e-mail to tell me that today is the 11th Denim Day in L.A. (link), part of a national Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Campaign. To support the cause, the wearing of denim is encouraged.

This reminded me of a friend I used to work with. A few years ago, we were talking during a break. She was having problems with her boyfriend and mentioned that men were like blue jeans for a couple of reasons.

When I asked her for an explanation, she said that sometimes men will hold on so tight that she can hardly breathe. Figuratively, of course. I told her that she needs to think about insecurity and immaturity issues. She said that she understood.

I asked her what the other reason was. She gave me a questioning look. I told her that she said that men reminded her of blue jeans for a couple of reasons.

She said, ”Oh yeah. That.” She giggled. “They shrink in cold water.”

TMI. I didn’t need to hear that. Really.

I hope that today was a good day for you, too.

0419 tasty chicken?

After service at SBCC, I met with Koinonia in the kitchen. We were going to have a luncheon at Sheri’s, but had to postpone because of a scheduling boo-boo. The group that was able to make it decided to have lunch at the nearby “Tasty Kitchen”. It got a little confusing because one group member kept referring to it as “Tasty Chicken”.

0416 a foot up

Casey helped me with therapy, but the focus is on developing exercises that I can do with a minimum of supervision. Thus, our time was spent on using the walker instead of the sticks.

Today’s exercise concentrated on curbs and stairs. With curbs, I need to remember to step down with my right foot and step up with my left foot. As for stairs, there are several methods available and I don’t know which one I’ll be using.

0415 how many fingers am I holding up?

Mother visited with John today and during the visit, asked him a question with the options of one finger for ‘yes’ and two fingers for ‘no’.

What was John’s response? Three fingers.

My father and I are stumped, but my sister thinks it’s ‘perhaps’, which John often liked to say. My mother is thinking of rounding down.

What do you think?

0414 walking and talking

The focus of today’s therapy with Karina was getting me to walk more with the walker. During the last several days, my ‘walks’ have been concentrating on putting little or no weight on the walker. As a result, my steps have been slow and small.

Dr. Cormack suggested allowing me to put weight on the walker. As a result of doing so, my speed increased and my stride lengthened. The thought is that if I speed up, I’ll be less dependent on the walker (since it’s moving) and will put less weight on it.

We practiced this in the hallway and found that I stop to answer questions.

I have to work on that. It took me a bit of time to walk and chew gum, so this will be similar.

0412 easter

Sam picked me up early as he had volunteered to assist with KidzKrew during 2nd service. When we got to SBCC, I went in to 2nd service while he went upstairs to assist. After the service ended, I went outside to watch the Easter Egg Hunt, while he attended 3rd service.

A couple of weeks ago, I called Sam and asked if he could give me a ride to the April 5th service at SBCC, since we had a BBQ right after 3rd service. He said, “Sure, but I’ll have to pick you up early because I’m helping KidzKrew during second service.”

I replied that I thought he volunteered for Easter. He said that he did. I told him that Easter was the following weekend. There was silence on the phone. He said that he’d have to call me back.

When he called back a few hours later, he said that he got the dates mixed up, so we rescheduled the pick-up for an hour later on April 5th. When I told Lillian, the KidzKrew director, about this she laughed and said that I shouldn’t have corrected him, since they’d find something to keep him busy.

Because of the fall last weekend, I made a promise to my parents that if I went to Easter service, I’d go in the wheelchair. So when Mike asked me if the 2nd service was “standing-room only” I just looked at him and replied, “Why are you asking me?”

0411 buca

My friend, Sam, picked me up from home and we headed off for a group birthday dinner for Jerome (see 4/3 post) at Buca di Beppo in Redondo Beach. We were early, so we went off to look for a card, which both of us forgot.

We stopped at some shops in the Torrance Riviera and found a place to park. It’s great that the handicapped spaces in a metered lot doesn’t have meters.

Anyways, the card store that we were heading to was closed, but there was a Trader Joe’s a few doors down. To make a long story short, we went in looking for a birthday card. We came out with a birthday card, plus nuts, dried fruit, cookies and Clif bars. So much for a quick stop.

We made it to the restaurant and found the wheelchair ramp since going down the stairs would have been quicker, but more difficult.

0405 ice

After the third service, Sam gave me a ride to Steve and Verna’s, for an afternoon get-together combining their lifegroup and Koinonia. On the way, we stopped at Vons so Sam could pick up some ice and beverages. Thinking about it, I should have picked that stuff up earlier.

After all, ice doesn’t go bad, does it?

0404 revelation

After the service, I met with my bible study group. We were in Revelation 20. The study was supposed to cover verses 1 thru 10, but the facilitator’s questions were from 1 thru 9. So we decided to add verse 10 to the next study.

Kiyomi served a great dinner for us and we were fortunate that Anjie was able to sit-in. We also noticed Gary’s absence again. Someone said, “Maybe he has a date.”

I chose to stay quiet this time (see the post on 3/21), but someone else said, ”Gary?”

At least, I’m not the only one who wonders.

0404 loaded question

My sister dropped me off at SBCC. It was a little early, so I watched as they were setting up for that evening’s service. Steve and Sheri were in the booth. Steve was working on audio, while Sheri was busy on the PC, getting all the visuals set-up for Pastor Gary. Since it was early, the A/C wasn’t turned on and it got warm in the worship center with all the equipment and people.

Sheri turned and asked, “Is it hot in here or is it just me?” Wow! What a loaded question. Us guys didn’t know how to answer that one.

Pastor Gary finished up his “Celebrate!” series with the final installment of “Celebrate Freedom”, with a sermon of how Jesus’ love freed us from being condemned by sin.

0404 eat dessert first!

This morning, my sister, my nephew, my mother, and I, went to a memorial service for Cousin Joyce at Zenshuji Soto Mission in downtown L.A. I was a good service and gave me an opportunity to catch up with a bunch of relatives.

After the service, we had lunch in J-town at Oiwake. Boy, that brought back a lot of memories. Several years ago, I remember arriving late for a private party in a side room. As I entered, a microphone was thrust into my hands and I was led up to the front where a song was just starting.

I asked the name of the song, but was told that it was a surprise and I should just sing it. Yes, it was quite a surprise! It was Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”. Fortunately, the only video monitor in the room was in front and facing the audience. So in order to follow the lyrics, my back was turned to the audience. I didn’t turn around as I knew there were cameras in the room. I finished the song and quickly sat down.

The lunch was buffet and I was holding the table and getting beverages. My nephew returned with a plateful of desserts, since, according to him, that part of the buffet didn’t have a waiting line.

He didn’t seem to mind.

0403 walkin' with osam

Osam and I went “walking” today. Usually, we make the trip on Saturday, but since I had plans tomorrow and he had a day off, we got together for our regular walk-and-talk. It’s actually shuffling, but nothing nice rhymes with that.

We got to the park and started from the parking lot. I like Liberty Park because there’s no curb to navigate, so “walking” from the van is safer. We usually go along the central walkway to the fence.

We had lunch at Red Robin. It’s been a long time since I had a Royal Burger. You know, the one with a fried egg in it.

0403 HB2U Jerome!

Today is Jerome’s birthday. Most people call him “Rome” (so do I). Liz calls him “Romi”. He comes from the islands (Hawaiian, not Falkland) and lives the life of a transplanted island-boy. He works for United Airlines, and sometimes gets to fly back to the islands to train others.

Ask him where to find the best plate lunches and he’ll tell you (if not, I can direct you to a website resource). I like his updates on local tours by traveling musicians/dancers/artists from the islands.

I guess it’s a good thing that he never read the post from 6/7/07.

Wherever you are, Happy Birthday, Jerome!

0402 HB2U Nathan!

Today is Nathan’s 32nd birthday. His Facebook status said that he “was feeling old”.

I replied that he was born a year before I graduated high school, so don’t start with the “old” stuff.

Back in 2006, we were taking a Men’s Fraternity class at SBCC together (Wednesdays at 6am) and the subject that day was “mentoring”. Pastor Gary had mentioned that a mentor is someone older who guides you and helps to keep you on the right path. I asked him if the mentor has to be older. He said “yes” and asked if that was a problem.

I replied, “It may be. Nathan is my mentor. When I grow up, I wanna be just like him!”

Wherever you are, Happy Birthday, Nathan!