Over the past few weeks I've been out of work because of an unfortunate accident, I broke my foot. Specifically, my left, 5th metatarsal. Every time I tell the story I get raised eyebrows of disbelief. Maybe it's because I begin the explanation with, "I broke it playing video games."
I know, how could someone break their foot playing video games? Well, it's not so hard as you might think in this world of ever advancing technology. Most of us have heard of Microsoft's Xbox game system. A few years ago Microsoft introduced an accessory to compete with the Nintendo wii called Kinect. This device, connected to your Xbox, has a camera that observes you, applying data points to the image of your body and as you move your body, arms and legs translates that movement to the screen, essentially inserting you into the game.
Some of the most popular games are exercise, dance and sports oriented activities that encourage a lot of physical activity. That is completely out of sync with the traditional image of the video gamer sitting in front of a computer screen working keys and buttons on a keyboard/controller to direct an avatar on the screen.
So, I was playing a series of games with my 8 year old grandson from ping pong, to bowling, to soccer and finally he suggested we play track and field, all of which we have played before. As we progressed through the various events, discus, javelin the sense of competition was intense with both of us trying hard to create the physical motions that would translate to the screen well and give us an advantage.
The sprints competition came next and we got ourselves prepared, settled in our virtual blocks and at the sound of the starter's pistol we were off. My grandson took off running and I was seemingly struggling through molasses, barely making progress on the track. As the first hurdle arrived Bob coached me, "lift you legs higher and you'll go faster!"
So I lifted my knees and ran right through the hurdle.
"That's OK, I'll do better next time."
I raised my knees high and worked my legs fast trying to catch up. The second hurdle, I lifted my leg, and ran right through this one as well.
"OK, I'm going to nail the next one."
Off I went in pursuit of Bob who was leaving me in his virtual dust. Knees high, legs pumping the third hurdle looms into view. I gauge my approach, calculating the exact time to vault the obstacle in front of me. I raised my leg high and again ran through the virtual hurdle in front of me.
As my sock covered foot came down in contact with the carpet I, and my wife across the room, heard a loud "SNAP," the sound not unlike that of a Thanksgiving turkey wishbone succumbing to the forces of two hopeful gladiators. I immediately sat down on the ottoman behind me.
I didn't know for sure what I had done, but I knew it wasn't good. A ligament or tendon? I couldn't know, but the thought of a broken bone never crossed my mind at that time. What I did know is that the pain was increasing in intensity and my foot was beginning to swell like a party balloon, my toes becoming tiny appendages to the bulbous mass that used to be my foot.
So, that began what will be a 3 1/2 to 4 month process including surgery, physical therapy and way too much idle time. That explains my sudden prolific writing and blogging over the past few weeks. I've really enjoyed this time to muse and set my thoughts to prose, but I'm soon to return to work, at first limited in activity and time, but moving progressively to full time, full activity.
Since my bum leg keeps me from my normal quick pace, everything takes longer, each activity carefully thought through and executed with deliberateness. Therefore my freedom to sit and think and write will become restricted and my activity on "flramblings" more sporadic.
I hope to keep contributing at a less frequent pace, but time will tell how that plays out. Even so, I've enjoyed the time I've had to write and hope those who've stopped by have found something to provoke thought and inspire to act in some way.
Until next time.
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