Mint

that was camp in its nutshell. I thoroughly enjoyed myself during this past Easter weekend whilst getting to know many northern north islanders. There were very few long distance travellers, just enough to represent. I knew approximately 60% of all the campers at the onset of camp and now know about 90% of them. I did my best to remember their many names and for the most part I was successful. Being a cripple I had certain privileges and distinct disadvantages. Being unable to participate in sport was a major sore spot but I was included via refereeing volleyball. I managed to play and win a couple of games of stationary table tennis against kind, understanding competitors. But the majority of the time was spent sitting or standing in a crutched position. The weather was off and on showers, which encouraged indoor activities to which I was suited. We had “Did you know…” and riddle sessions ending in many laughs. Mafia was the popular card game. Two or three girls took the GAMES too seriously, but all in good fun. Having been selected as an elite Mafia player I was able to play in the invite only game. I was stoked to pick 2 of the 3 mafia after 2 rounds but because I didn’t do anything I was killed next round. From then on I was killed off within the first 2 rounds. Cool but not so fun. Another popular game was Queens and Kings, a girls vs boys memory game. It took me a couple of rounds to get the swing of the game before I could follow multiple names changing hands. Unfortunately the girls seemed to win the majority of the games.

Those are probably of the highlights of the camp. Now I shall look forward to Queenies Bday camp. The rumour is that a large contingent from Auckland plan to come.

Rarely have I had an opportunity to buy music directly from the artist. Not only that but to 'personally' (via email) communicate with the artist himself. However, after listening to three songs of Andrew Morgan's orchestrally lush "Misadventures in Radiology" I am determined to purchase it direct from the source. I recommend you a listen. He can be found here. Free downloads under Sounds.

Yesterday I gained respect for two people during the course of discussion of fairly contentious issues. Both times I came from a contrary position, preparing to tackle the usual arguments of their 'side'. However, they came from completely different angles that I had to respect. The sincerity and good intent in their thoughts certainly caused me appreciate what they were saying. Still I wonder if I still disagree with them nethertheless.

I have finally bought my motherload of CDs. I delayed this planned purchase over summer till now. The benefit was being scrapping through summer with just enough overdraft to get by and a higher NZ dollar. Now is the time for US purchases. My Elliott Smith catalogue will be complete, Pearlfishers extended and Pernice Brothers began. I am a happy if not obsessive. I have spent the past couple of weeks downloading all the b-sides, bootlegs and unrealised material I could obtain of Elliott Smith. Our hardrive is swelling with beautiful music.

Home James

After two swift days of room service I am back to familiar surroundings. I must say that the hospital was an enjoyable experience and I will be happy to return for my next injury.

I arrived on time at 11.25 am the morning of Tuesday the 8th of March. I was promptly shown to my room and given a few pages to read over. These leaflets contained information regarding my imminent anesthesia. Unfortunately I was missing one of the more important documents so that when the anesthetist came in he didn’t really explain anything to me. I trusted that he knew what he was doing. My orthopedic surgeon Dr Denholm came in to see if I had any questions for him and to mark my knee. They have obviously been confused at some stage as to what they were meant to be operating on and thus now require a 5 cm wide blue arrow pointing to my left knee to make sure they knew where to cut. Very reassuring…at least they have no excuse to get it wrong. I was last in line to go under the knife and thus had to wait for a considerable time for my call up. On the positive side, the surgeon should be warmed up and have plenty of time to concentrate on me rather than trying to finish me off so that he can get stuck into the next guy. On the negative side, the surgeon might be wanting to get home as soon as possible and use me as a time trial in ACL reconstruction so as to be home in time for Shortland St. I was advised to change into my surgery gown at about 3.15 pm and to wait for them to come and get me. I am glad that very few people see you in these gowns. Their one-size-fits-all should be one-size-fits-two. At least they now provide you with underpants though they again be one-size-fits-all mesh underpants. They more-or-less hold things out of the way as apposed to provide covering. My first visitor arrived while I was in this dress. Thankfully she had experienced such an outfit and thus did not feel the need to point out my ridiculousness. During her visit I was called up, hopped in my bed and taken to theatre. I had a brief wait outside of theatre as they searched for my nurse. They finally found her and it was time. I was wheeled in and had to scramble onto the operating table. Lying there and staring at the lights I was reminded of all those alien abduction movies. My arm was prepped and in went the anesthetic. It hit me hard and I felt really, really ill and then nothing. I guess I woke up in and was taken to my room. That is all a blur now.

Within about an hour visitors began to arrive. Uncle Warren came in first, then Mike and Jerome bringing a flower and card and finally Richard and Aunty Joy. I did my best to carry conservation and pay attention to what was going on. It is amazing how long the anesthetic takes to wear off. The next morning I noticed it the most. When trying to read it wouldn’t belong before my vision would go cross-eyed and I forgot where I was reading. I spent more than 20 mins trying to txt a simple message. I couldn’t spell and my mind was drifting all over the place. Was frustrating and yet fun. The two days pasted with haste. I enjoyed hospital food and tv while resting my wearisome knee. Coffee was dispensed frequently in between the many pill swallowings.

By Thursday I was encouraged to get out of bed and to hobble around a bit. It was my turn to do some visiting so I was on my crutches over to the Maternity Ward to visit Georgina and little Georgia. It was refreshing to see a different part of the hospital so that I could appreciate the diversity within its walls. After that, I patiently waited for Ross to finish school and come pick me up. He had expressed interest in being called out of class to take me home but for his benefit I decided to wait a couple hours longer in hospital. Anyway I knew I would get better service there than at home. Shortly after 3pm Ross arrived and I was on my merry way. Thus ended my hospital experience…for now. I head back on Friday to have the many staples removed from my knee that give the deceiving appearance of a zip.

The nerves have set in. The phone call last is responsible. Even though I am only going in for fairly minorish surgery tomorrow, there is a sense that I may not return from the table. Maybe it’s just a result of my extreme pessimism. I was just on the phone to my Mum and Dad who are away on holiday, which happened to coincide with my op. The goodbyes brought feelings of finality. Will this be the last time I talk with my parents? Very unlikely indeed, but the minute risk amplify's such feelings. I won't be writing a Will but I might jot down some just in case thoughts. Will be interesting to see what makes it to paper anyway.