l'epaul plus

Well, I just misspelled 'shoulder' in French, but oh well. I'm leaving it. Results of MRI: I have small tears in both my rotator cuff and one of the ligaments. So, that's what that funny ripping sound was I thought was my favorite fifteen year old and perfectly broken in flannel nightshirt giving way! Thought that for a about one second. Maybe less. Also explains my inability to get the joint back together myself. Anyway, Pre-Op appointment is April 17, Surgery on the 30th. Arm is in a sling most of the time, until the weight makes my neck hurt, which is a four-hour cycle. It's tender, but not in any way crippling. I am told to wear the sling whenever the arm feels uncomfortable, to limit activity (um, 'course), take some ibuprofen whenever the tender intensifies to real ouch, and to call should "anything happen." Okey-doke. So, onward, but quietly.

In other news, Stein continues, messily, but it'll be fine. The Murdoch anthology needs a good deal of attention this week, like a new deadline and CFP that re-focuses submissions in light of what we've accepted. These are all very good essays, and I pretty well can't wait to get them all in one place with each other. Also, probably should finish mine on Murdoch, what say? Given that I will need to, you know, work again someday, I'm sending out cold-letters to Eng. Depts. in the area, of which there are like 15, to let them know I'd be happy to do some teaching come fall or winter. Get my name in the hopper, you know? And what is it with college websites that give no addresses for their departments and don't list, say, the dept's chair or the school's dean??? What IS that? These people need some content design assistance. Big time. Anyway, at least they do list phone numbers, so I can call and get the addy.

Speed Racer and his woman are in Costa Rica for two weeks. (envy) So, we have his dog, Tonka (joy), who is the lovingest Statfordshire Terrier -- ever. Looks like a pit bull, but is not. Doesn't have so much as an aggressive whisker. She's ten months, still has puppy-brain, but she's delightful and huge.

Speaking of dogs, some animal hilarity: Ever watch a golden retriever swim around a pond chasing four geese and two ducks? I recommend it. Dog almost catches up to bird, bird Flies about twenty feet on, dog keeps swimming, repeat, repeat. Repeat five hours later when the birds come back. It will make you smile.