Well, the "let's have fun in the airports at Chritsmas" story has just gotten longer, and I haven't even stepped inside another airport since the last excursion on Christmas day (see post below). When I last left you, I was on two legs. Now, I'm on three for the most part, sometimes four when I'm quite daring.
Wednesday morning, I was helping to assemble a CD/DVD shelf for my family. I was nearing the final part of the routine, when I attempted a difficult triple-axle, triple-sow-cow, and I missed....
If only I were so heroic.
Actually, I started to go down on one knee, while the knee that I wanted to go down on wanted to go the other direction. This is what we like to call a diclocated patella, or just plain painful. I ended up on my back with shooting pain up and down my right leg from the epicenter of my knee. I did hear a large *crunch* or *tear* as I went down, and I knew I was gonna be out for the season.
Fortunately, I had 4 able-bodied assistants on hand (Sarah, Mom, Kate, & Rebecca) to bring me back to life, ice my knee, put on a splint, get me sitting up, and offer to wash my car. After about 30 minutes (and the help of two Vicodin), I was able to get on my feet with crutches. I made the long hike upstairs, was lifted into the car, and rushed to the hospital. Dr. Whitaker checked me out, said the X-Rays showed no signs of damage, and gave me a new splint: smaller, lighter, and less-smellier.
It has been 7 years since I had corrective surgery on my left knee for a similar problem. It did take 5 years from the time I first dislocated my left knee until I needed surgery, so I plan on buliding up those muscles on my right leg to not face the same fate.
For now, I'm in an imobilzer brace with crutches for at least 2 weeks. After that, I'll wear a patella restraint brace, which provides full movement but makes sure my knee stays in place. The verdict is still out on whether I will be able to ski this season, but that's the least of my worries. Classes at UW start on Monday, and our first RUF will be Wednesday night. I'm slated to play guitar and lead worhsip, but I may have to bow out of those duties for a few weeks.
To top it all off, Sarah and I were once again scheduled on different flights tomorrow for our triumphant return to the Emerald City. We've talked about it, and think that it's best that I have someone to assist me in the airport and on the plane. My parents have been gracious enough to get tickets for us on the non-stop flight that Southwest Airlines provides from Kansas City to Seattle. This is much better than my 6:00 am flight tomorrow morning!
I'm sure that I'll post more upon my return to Seattle. Can't wait to see what fun is in store for New Year's Eve!
December 30, 2004
December 28, 2004
I'm dreaming of a flight-delay Christmas
So I've learned why tickets are cheaper on Christmas. Sarah and I ended up saving between $100 and $150 (each, that is) to fly on the 25th rather than the 24th or 26th. We were traveling from Columbia, SC (Sarah's home) to Kansas City, KS. The only problem was that we were on different flights through different cities. I had to fly to Atlanta for training (see post below), and then hitched a ride to Columbia. Sarah flew in later from Seattle.
Here is how our itinerary should have looked:
Please notice my expert booking, putting us no more than 30 minutes apart in departure and arrival, and I even took 3 planes! It was gonna be perfect: her parents drop us off at the same time, my parents pick us up at the same time.
But the airline gods would have things differently.
I find out that my flight out of Columbia has been cancelled... not delayed... cancelled. Getting in line for the Delta counter, I found myself amidst a crowd of distressed mothers, angry fathers, and weepy daughters (I'm sure there were sons around... probably on a GameBoy or something). Turns out that because of all the wintry weather throught the week, many planes were not able to get into Columbia to take people to their destination. And all flights from Indiana east to NYC were unable to land. "But I don't want to go to Indiana or NYC... I just want to take my flight to Orlando to Atlanta to Kansas City... nowhere near those arctic locales." For whatever reason, I was stuck in South Carolina, looking at spending Christmas with my in-laws.
For once, Chicago-O'Hare was no problem to get into. I don't like to fly through there anytime in the winter months because something is bound to go wrong: can't take off because of fog; can't land because of ice; can't move because the engine fell off... stuff like that. But Sarah was gonna get through there no sweat, and she's spending Christmas with her in-laws.
I get up to the front of line after much angst and find that they're able to get me on the same flight Sarah is on into O'Hare with United and then transfer into Kansas City on American Airlines. I would only be getting in 2 hours later than Sarah. No sweat, at least we'd be together when it was all said and done.
After having my checked luggage inspected, my carry-ons inspected, and my own body inspected (fortunately no cavity search this time), I got on the flight to Chicago. Sarah and I were able to have lunch together at Chili's in the airport, and I saw her off on her flight on United, followed by my additional 2 hours in the airport, which was enough time to read Rolling Stone from cover to cover.
When all was said and done, Sarah and I ended up making it to Kansas City without a scratch, and actually got to eat lunch together. We opened presents and had dinner with my family, and it was all well.
I will say that traveling on Christmas Day was a unique experience. You'd think all the people working at the airport and on the planes would be a little bitter that as they helped others get to see their families for Christmas, they were stuck working, apart from their families. But everyone was a bit more cheery, probably because they realized that all the travelers were pretty stressed out about making connections and not losing their luggage, so it was a day for extra courtesy. After all my issues with the commercialization/materistic-nature of the modern-day American Christmas, if it causes us to consider loving others before ourselves – the remebrance of Christ's coming – the ultimate act of love – it's obvious to see that God is still at work in the hearts of men.
Will there be more high-flying hijinx later this week when we return to Seattle on New Year's Eve? Of that you can be sure. Check back here to find out!
Here is how our itinerary should have looked:
Luke's Flights
Delta Air Lines 6281
Operated by: CHAUTAUQUA AIRLINES
morning
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)Arrive: 9:16am
morningOrlando, FL
Orlando International (MCO)Delta Air Lines 622
morningArrive: 11:32am
morningAtlanta, GA
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson ATL(ATL)Delta Air Lines 1801
afternoonArrive: 2:17pm
afternoonKansas City, MO
Kansas City International (MCI)
Sarah's Flights
United Airlines 7110
Operated by: UNITED EXPRESS/MESA AIRLINES
Please check in with the operating carrier.
morning
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)Arrive: 9:15am
morningChicago, IL
Chicago O'Hare International(ORD)United Airlines 1105
afternoonArrive: 1:48pm
afternoonKansas City, MO
Kansas City International (MCI)
|
|
But the airline gods would have things differently.
I find out that my flight out of Columbia has been cancelled... not delayed... cancelled. Getting in line for the Delta counter, I found myself amidst a crowd of distressed mothers, angry fathers, and weepy daughters (I'm sure there were sons around... probably on a GameBoy or something). Turns out that because of all the wintry weather throught the week, many planes were not able to get into Columbia to take people to their destination. And all flights from Indiana east to NYC were unable to land. "But I don't want to go to Indiana or NYC... I just want to take my flight to Orlando to Atlanta to Kansas City... nowhere near those arctic locales." For whatever reason, I was stuck in South Carolina, looking at spending Christmas with my in-laws.
For once, Chicago-O'Hare was no problem to get into. I don't like to fly through there anytime in the winter months because something is bound to go wrong: can't take off because of fog; can't land because of ice; can't move because the engine fell off... stuff like that. But Sarah was gonna get through there no sweat, and she's spending Christmas with her in-laws.
I get up to the front of line after much angst and find that they're able to get me on the same flight Sarah is on into O'Hare with United and then transfer into Kansas City on American Airlines. I would only be getting in 2 hours later than Sarah. No sweat, at least we'd be together when it was all said and done.
After having my checked luggage inspected, my carry-ons inspected, and my own body inspected (fortunately no cavity search this time), I got on the flight to Chicago. Sarah and I were able to have lunch together at Chili's in the airport, and I saw her off on her flight on United, followed by my additional 2 hours in the airport, which was enough time to read Rolling Stone from cover to cover.
When all was said and done, Sarah and I ended up making it to Kansas City without a scratch, and actually got to eat lunch together. We opened presents and had dinner with my family, and it was all well.
I will say that traveling on Christmas Day was a unique experience. You'd think all the people working at the airport and on the planes would be a little bitter that as they helped others get to see their families for Christmas, they were stuck working, apart from their families. But everyone was a bit more cheery, probably because they realized that all the travelers were pretty stressed out about making connections and not losing their luggage, so it was a day for extra courtesy. After all my issues with the commercialization/materistic-nature of the modern-day American Christmas, if it causes us to consider loving others before ourselves – the remebrance of Christ's coming – the ultimate act of love – it's obvious to see that God is still at work in the hearts of men.
Will there be more high-flying hijinx later this week when we return to Seattle on New Year's Eve? Of that you can be sure. Check back here to find out!
December 27, 2004
laughing at honor
In our civilization…we are clamoring for the very qualities we are rendering impossible. You can hardly open a periodical without coming across the statement that what our civilization needs is more drive, or dynamism, or self-sacrifice, or creativity. In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.
– C.S. Lewis
The Abolition of Man
The Abolition of Man
December 14, 2004
red-ee to red-eye!
This past Sunday night, I embarked upon a 3-week trip, which includes staff training and Christmas with both of our families. And I learned my second lesson in red-eye flights: never take the red-eye out of Las Vegas on a Sunday night. The first lesson is that sleep aids are your friend, but that's another story.
Red-eyes are no fun, any way you slice it. I mean, it is really nice that you can fly overnight, and wake up on the east coast. It just stinks that you're only in the air long enough to get your drink from the drink cart, take your Benadryl (or other pill), wait for it to work, wait for the person sitting next to you to stop fidgiting, actually fall asleep for maybe an hour, and then get shocked awake when they announce that the plane is on making it's initial descent before final descent. You get to the airport, delirious, wishing that you would have just flown during the day, get to your ride, try to stay awake to make conversation, get to where you're staying, and then crash for anywhere between 3-6 hours, depending on how much sleep you didn't get on the plane.
Even worse, though, is flying out of Las Vegas on a Sunday night. I'm sure flying into Vegas would be a thrill (Nathaniel Thompson has told me so). Everyone is a little jolly, making jokes, and ready to party it up in Sin City. Whereas, Sunday night, after having gotten no sleep since Friday night when they landed, after having played blackjack or video slots and blowing their life savings, after having had as much to drink as one would normally drink in a month (or possibly a year), and then they get on a plane... back home... back to the real world... to go to work Monday morning. Needless to say, they're not in the best mood.
The other problem: the plane is packed..
And nobody is nice to each other...
Well, I actually got about 2.5 hours of sleep on our 3.5 hour flight, arriving in Atlanta at 5:30 EST, which for those of you doing the math is 2:30 PST (better know as "my body time"). And then I had to wait to be picked up at 9:30 to go to the conference center. So I sat with my luggage in the main terminal of the Atlanta airport... and I sat... and I sat. Then I caught a train from the south side of town to the north side of town.
Clif Wilcox picked me up, and I'm glad that he carried the conversation, or at least I think I remember him carrying the conversation. It was a good conversation, as well. After dropping me off at Simpsonwood, I checked in and proceeded to sleep for 4 hours.
Long story short, I'm writing on Tuesday night, and I think that my body clock is almost on the east coast. If not, tomorrow night should feel pretty good.
So off to bed for me; it's a big day of Covenantal Theology with Ben Inman!
Red-eyes are no fun, any way you slice it. I mean, it is really nice that you can fly overnight, and wake up on the east coast. It just stinks that you're only in the air long enough to get your drink from the drink cart, take your Benadryl (or other pill), wait for it to work, wait for the person sitting next to you to stop fidgiting, actually fall asleep for maybe an hour, and then get shocked awake when they announce that the plane is on making it's initial descent before final descent. You get to the airport, delirious, wishing that you would have just flown during the day, get to your ride, try to stay awake to make conversation, get to where you're staying, and then crash for anywhere between 3-6 hours, depending on how much sleep you didn't get on the plane.
Even worse, though, is flying out of Las Vegas on a Sunday night. I'm sure flying into Vegas would be a thrill (Nathaniel Thompson has told me so). Everyone is a little jolly, making jokes, and ready to party it up in Sin City. Whereas, Sunday night, after having gotten no sleep since Friday night when they landed, after having played blackjack or video slots and blowing their life savings, after having had as much to drink as one would normally drink in a month (or possibly a year), and then they get on a plane... back home... back to the real world... to go to work Monday morning. Needless to say, they're not in the best mood.
The other problem: the plane is packed..
And nobody is nice to each other...
Well, I actually got about 2.5 hours of sleep on our 3.5 hour flight, arriving in Atlanta at 5:30 EST, which for those of you doing the math is 2:30 PST (better know as "my body time"). And then I had to wait to be picked up at 9:30 to go to the conference center. So I sat with my luggage in the main terminal of the Atlanta airport... and I sat... and I sat. Then I caught a train from the south side of town to the north side of town.
Clif Wilcox picked me up, and I'm glad that he carried the conversation, or at least I think I remember him carrying the conversation. It was a good conversation, as well. After dropping me off at Simpsonwood, I checked in and proceeded to sleep for 4 hours.
Long story short, I'm writing on Tuesday night, and I think that my body clock is almost on the east coast. If not, tomorrow night should feel pretty good.
So off to bed for me; it's a big day of Covenantal Theology with Ben Inman!
December 06, 2004
lukebrodine.net is no more!
So after much debating in my own heart (and with Sarah), I have decided to take down lukebrodine.net indefinitely. I've found a number of free ways to leave my mark on the internet, namely this blog and flickr.com, and it just didn't make sense to keep a site going that I don't take the time to maintain. Don't be dismayed, I am still keeping my server space, and you can access the old web site at this address: http://www222.pair.com/btb/luke/. Possibly over Christmas Break I will make the site a little more straight forward to download MP3s and whatnot. Thank you for your patience and keep your eyes peeled for new developments in the coming months!
Also, my email has changed: luke@lukebrodine.net exists no longer and has been replaced with luke.brodine@gmail.com; lbrodine@ruf.org still works.
Also, my email has changed: luke@lukebrodine.net exists no longer and has been replaced with luke.brodine@gmail.com; lbrodine@ruf.org still works.
December 03, 2004
David Brooks on John Stott
I've been a fan of David Brooks for a while. For those of you who don't know who the heck he is, he is an op-ed columnist on the New York Times and has written some hilarious social commentary in the books Bobo's In Paradise and On Paradise Drive Sometimes I get forwarded his articles. This week's stood out to me as noteworthy; click on the title above to link directly to the original.
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