Gregador

Smile, Weep, Reflect. Repeat.

Just last week I had planned a day off for my birthday, but life interfered.  I was off four days straight dealing with another pinched nerve, so I did what I could to keep myself comfortable and hope this wasn’t the life-changing event that would prevent me from working to retirement.  After much delay, I finally decided to visit a Chiropractor.  It’s odd that such a relatively easy decision for most would take so many years to work through, but it did.  After my first visit yesterday I’m feeling much more comfortable, even though my lower back was sore and very stiff the entire night.   The doc and I both agreed the goal was to get me back on my mountain bike, and he was confident he’d do just that.  My mood lifted immediately.

This morning I listened to (what I thought was) a very moving story on This American Life’s episode “Show me the Way”, and while I don’t do much crying at this stage of my life I found myself tearing up and reflecting on just how lucky I’ve been.  I mean, there are so many things that can go horribly wrong in just a single day of life.  How does one live to be 53, or even 20?  Life is such a marvel.  

I took off later this morning on my hybrid, my current ride of choice since the riding position on my mountain bike causes some lovely pain.  I ended up visiting the McGarvey warehouse site, which is now really just a pile of concrete bits, and felt a loss.  I’ve documented this area for well over a year, and to see it reduced to rubble is sad if nothing else, even as I know it’s probably best to have the area developed.  I have a great memory here, however, as it was the very first abandoned building I had entered and made it to the roof.  Yes, I finally had some urbex cred.  Heh.

I rode past the Tullio on my way home.  Rather, the Erie Insurance Arena.  Workers are assembling the stuctural steel for the front of the building, and it’s fascinating to watch, like a big Erector Set.  I’ll be back to snap some photos, soon.

No, this wasn’t the most interesting or important birthday I’ve experienced.  Hell, it’s not over either.  I’ll be heading to work soon, and dealing with all that fun.  But I’m content and happy, and looking forward to taking the day off next year.