It did happen

I talked my friend (and pro photographer) Bernadette into learning iMovie and to string together the clips from my Maui 2011 swim into a video. Watching swimming is rarely fun (especially when you don't label yourself a swimmer) and to top it off, my stroke has never been considered graceful so I am so grateful that she fought through this project and created this:
http://vimeo.com/34635389

Not surprisingly my favorite parts were Scot's comments.

Man, that swim was fun.

Thanks Bern.

And thanks again to my crew (Cpt. Killer, Pablo, Kai, Laurel, Nell, Scot, Jane) and of course my fellow soloist Mike.

Here's another perspective with a much stronger (and better looking) swimmer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0LHOHj-z04&feature=player_embedded
A note on this swimmer: Mike and I met Laura at the pre-race meeting and again on the beach at the start and it was obvious to me that she "gets it"....and that she was going to crush this swim.

Flying solo

This weekend I hopped a flight to visit the Caseys in Scottsdale, AZ.

Only a few months ago this wouldn't have been a big deal, but I am not a frequent flier and currently am far from independent. Luckily, I've been friends with Bill since college and have always enjoyed spending time with his wife and kids which gave me enough motivation to see if I could pull off a solo trip.

The travel part was pretty uneventful minus some fumbling of my ID/ticket and needing a bit more time to stow my luggage.
The low point: Having to ask the clerk to open my newly purchased packet of gum for me.
The highlight: I managed to put on my own seatbelt for the return trip (without causing too much of a scene).

The weekend was very full by my standards.

• Lots of games of tag and hide-and-go-seek and a botched attempt to help Em learn to ride her bike without training wheels.
  
• An early morning hockey practice for Patrick (I still think it was odd that the rink played Adele).
• Watching Wil team up with a buddy on-line and take on the survival rounds of MW3.
• Barely keeping my king alive in 2 games of chess with Madison.

This on top of games of mega monopoly (watch out for Patrick), bridge and spades.

I barely had time to pet Bently and Mudpie.

Every time I visit my friends with kids I realize that although I "could" be a parent, I think everyone is much better off that I'm only cheering from the sidelines.

I just hope I can keep getting invited to play.

I

What happened to that guy?

That's what I have said to my reflection more than a few times since September so I'm not surprised when little kids do a double take or just stare at me when I'm out. What continually surprises me is how quickly many kids just accept a 3 fingered man who is missing half of his other arm.

Sure, my niece and nephews have been great ever since invading their house; 9 yr old Jack even told me that my hand "didn't look that bad" over a month ago (of course he followed it up with "It didn't look like a hand for a long time"), but I'd chalked that up to coaching by my sister and brother-in-law.

But I've also had these experiences:

When my buddy Chris told his 2 year old to "hold uncle Johns hand" while we were walking through a restaurant, she reached up for my right hand, moved to my left, took a second glance at my fingers then took hold of my middle finger (I think she even shrugged like "whatever").

Yesterday I had a similar experience with little Nicolas. He and his parents were in the area and dropped by to take me to lunch here in Encinitas. After lunch we decided to go for a walk down to the beach. I guess for Nicolas walking is code for "lots of arm swinging" so he grabbed my hand reached out for Christoper's and the fun began.

Not everyone can be so accepting, but I'm hoping to learn more from these kids.

You said it Jack

I wish I could say that I have lived like this, but luckily there's still time.

How to open a coke...

with only your ring and pinky.

*Those of you that know me will know how important my daily can of coca-cola is.

I can already hold the can with these two 1/2 fingers (I can move what used to be my middle finger, but the knuckle and tip are still kicking my butt).

toes up

My buddy Chris sent me the link to this story from Gizmodo yesterday and I was going to let it go, but then The Worlds Best Ever just posted it so now I have to share:

http://www.theworldsbestever.com/2011/12/06/big-toe-thumb/

I should be getting mine early next year, but my doctor is going to use my second toe.

A new first

I've learned to do quite a bit with just my pinky and ring finger while my wrist recovers some of its range of motion and my middle finger starts to play nice.

Some highlights:

• putting on socks (and not just the hospital kind)
• using a fork & spoon (cereal, salad and even yogurt which impressed my nephews the most)
• soloing an in-n-out burger
  
• brushing my teeth (the brush is electric and the process is not pretty)

BUT THIS AFTERNOON...

I PULLED OFF MY FIRST SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF A COKE (without tools).

I hope to post a video if/when I can re-create it.