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Monday, January 13, 2020

2020 Plans Spiked!

Spiking the guns
The type was barely set on my 2020 Project Plans when fate spiked those freshly laid plans.  Enveloped in a winter snow storm, I went down with a broken leg.  Ouch!  After finishing shoveling the driveway of four inches of new snow, I set off to fetch the mail.  On the return, I slipped, turned my ankle, and heard and felt a loud "crunch."  A bit dizzy and in pain, I picked myself off of the snow-covered street.  Looking towards the house sixty yards away, I wondered if I could make it home.  In a combination of hobbling and dragging my foot behind me, I headed back to the house.  I must have looked like Boris Karloff, pale and dragging my foot, when I entered the garage, opened the door, and called out to my wife. 

Having her help in removing my boot, I could see the foot quickly swelling.  The pain excruciating.  Calling the nearest Urgent Care Clinic,  Nancy announced that if we could get there within a half hour we could be seen and evaluated before they closed in ninety minutes.  With the snow coming down even harder and the streets a mess of snow and cars sliding around, we set off.  Arriving at the clinic within the thirty minute deadline, we noticed the clinic was already closed.  Trying to draw someone’s attention to the door, Nancy finally received a response.  Due to the storm, management decided to close early.  What?

Luckily, another clinic was only a few blocks away. With snow piling up quickly, we were happy to see this clinic still open and taking patients.  Quickly taken to X-Ray, an evaluation showed a broken fibula.  Immobilizing the leg and given a prescription for pain meds, I was sent on my way.  "Call an orthopedist on Monday," the physician said.  That is what I plan to do. 

How does this early year mishap change my project plans?  Well, like Napoleon before the gates of Moscow in winter, my mobility is reduced and a few plans may need to be spiked or adjusted.  Without knowing if this break will require surgery, a few changes are obvious.

First, there will no cycling until Spring.  That seems a long way off.  Cycling is an activity I enjoy and part of my daily routine.  How much fitness will be lost in six to eight weeks?  Not so young anymore, it may take a long time to recover.

Second, living in a house with three floors, getting between floors may prove challenging.  Bedroom is on the top floor.  Game room and painting area are in the basement.  Yeah, this may be a problem especially when negotiating two flights of stair on crutches.

Third, standing for any length of time is painful and fatiguing.  Unlikely to have many sessions at the large gaming table in the basement game room any time soon.

Where does this leave me? No cycling, for sure.  Gaming may, by necessity, move to either the kitchen or dining room table where I can sit and play.  Smaller wargames of the hex and counter type that can fit onto this smaller playing surface will see some attention.  Commands & Colors whether in the original blocks or miniatures will see increased gaming opportunities.  Smaller miniature wargames may see action too.  I may take a page out of Norm and others' play books and switch to gaming in small places for awhile.  As for painting, well, I still think I will sneak down into the basement for short painting sessions.

Not the way I envisioned the start of the New Year!   

123 comments:

  1. Ouch!, Bad luck old chap, I hope you mend quickly. I know how cycling fitness benefits from regularity, and like you age is now a factor in getting back any time away from it.

    Still, chin up Jonathan, there is still a lot of hobby related reading you can do until you get back to being able to get at the painting desk, and you can blog your thoughts on the reading and any other hobby news that grabs your attention in the meantime.

    Get well soon

    JJ

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    1. Hi Jonathan, thanks for your encouragement and well wishes! I certainly have a deep library from which to draw inspiration. Perhaps a few more book reviews will be forthcoming? Still lots of undocumented travels to chronicle as well.

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  2. Very sorry to hear that. Get well soon.

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    1. I will be up and about in no time; just not on the bike!

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  3. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Jonathan.
    Some 15mm figures on a chessboard with the Portable Wargame might be an aid to recovery! Pity about the cycling though.

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    1. Much appreciated. It is a real loss to be off the bike for two months. Having never tried the Portable Wargame, perhaps this is an opportunity in diguise?

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    2. Try it and Yes it can be played on Hex's!

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  4. How awful for you, hope your road to recovery is not too long. Portable grid based games are the way forward and splendid fun too. There is still plenty of fun to have in the hobby for you I’m sure.

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    1. Thank you for your best wishes. Plenty of stuff to keep me active in the hobby during this forced reduction. A lot more solo Commands & Colors will likely see the table.

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  5. Ugh. So sorry to hear that. get well soon.

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    1. Thanks, Chris!

      For some unknown reason, your blog updates never reach my blog feed.

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  6. Sorry to read about your accident. Hopefully you’ll make a full recovery in double quick time.

    All the best,

    Bob

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    1. Thank you, Bob. I am hoping for recovery in double-quick time.

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  7. Feel better, Jonathan! I have been there before, my friend.

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  8. Painting. It leaves you with painting. And reading. Lots of that with no guilt.

    Get well soon. I was laid up for 5 months a decade or so ago. I never did recover all of my fitness or lose the extra pound or two I put on. But then I reckon I'm a lazy so-and-so compared to you.

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    1. If I can make it without falling down the stairs (or up!), painting may see an increase.

      Not so encouraging to read that your full fitness never returned after a similar accident.

      I have your latest ruleset winging its way to me. It might arrive on Tuesday. This will provide some enjoyable reading very soon.

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    2. Hi Jonathan,

      Trust me you are really going to enjoy this!

      All the best,

      DC

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  9. Hello old chap,

    Really sorry to hear about your accident and I hope you make a speedy recovery. Command and Colours and the Portable wargame would be a good shout to recover to!

    All the best,

    DC

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    1. Thank you, David! Both suggested games are in mind and ready for some focused attention. Can PW be played on a hex grid?

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    2. Hi Jonathan,

      Square or hex - the current school of thought is that squares work best for 'linear' style warfare whilst hexes better suit 'modern' actions. In my experience either works for either!

      All the best and hope the injury improves soon.

      DC

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    3. Good! I have a smallish hex mat but no smallish square mat. I square grid would be simple enough to create though.

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  10. Good luck Jonathan, hope you'll better soon!

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  11. Ouch, sorry to hear about your spill. You will get better, follow the therapy do's and don'ts, and you will be up for some easy cycling by late April. Do consider a small tray as a painting station (mobile), Stay away from the snacks....indoors in winter can make them seem very tempting. It will also be a good time to surf for rules demo's on website & you-tube.

    Good luck, 'Stay positive.'

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    1. Very sound advice, Sir! You sound like my wife and doctor although neither know anything about rules' surfing.

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  12. Wow! Terrible news, Jonathan. Glad you got to a clinic prior to them closing. Praying for your speedy recovery and full health! Dean

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    1. Yep. Terrible news, for sure. With the recent and incoming snow storms, my wife asked if I broke my leg on purpose to get out of shoveling. You gotta love her!

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  13. Dang! Life is a bit like that, throws a wobbler at you. A couple of 'winter warmers' are in order I take it?

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    1. I forgot to duck out of the way of the wobbler that Life threw my way. In my attempt to dodge it, I may still have rolled my ankle and broken my leg!

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  14. I am sorry to hear that. Get well soon.

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  15. Oh, damn, Jonathan, you have my sympathies. I recommend rest and Dadvil. Sometimes, you just need to take advantage of enforced opportunities to slow down.

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    1. Thanks, Markus. I prefer slowing down on my own terms!

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  16. Firstly Johnathan sorry to hear about your fall but secondly never make detailed plans ever simply because fate will have the last laugh.Hopefully you will be up and about fairly quickly so why not use the time immobilised to catch up on your reading and maybe a bit of painting. Best of luck with your recovery.

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    1. Wise advice, Robbie! I did not consider the ramifications of setting 2020 goals as an affront to Fate. I should have known better.

      Thank you for your well-wishes.

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  17. Sorry to hear about this mishap, more-so because of your joy of cycling and adherence to fitness. I hope you recover quickly and can avoid surgery.

    Good you have some good boardgames in the inventory to switch across to for now, time to get some of that stuff off the shelves, though I hope your recovery is speedy enough that you don’t get time to learn ASL :-)

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    1. Norm! Maybe now is the PERFECT time to teach myself ASL? I have three of the Starter Kits sitting on the shelf and gathering dust. You also have me interested in trying Salem Church or Stonewall's Sword. I have been telling myself for years that I ought to figure out Mercury Games' Guns of Gettysburg. Perhaps now is the time?

      Thank you for get well wishes!

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  18. That is terrible news Jonathan. What a horrible start to the year. There is nothing worse than an enforced absence from the hobby, but at least your mind has already turned toward how you can make the best of a bad situation. At least you know that things will improve given time.

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    1. Bad start to the year, no doubt. The big games may be out for a while but plenty of smaller footprint games at hand to keep me entertained. As long I sit with no need to change positions at the table, I should be fine.

      The big battle of Kunersdorf may be on the gaming table, idle, for a couple of months.

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  19. Oh no Jonathan really bad luck.......morphine is good ! If you are fit you will recover quicker so don’t panic, I know cycling was important to you so a real bum but time and physio will sort you out. I think painting is clearly ok for lower limb injuries as long as you don’t let it swell and move about a bit.

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    1. Hydrocodone is pretty good too!

      I hope you are correct that the cycling form returns quickly. I am counting on it. Without cycling, I may have more time for longer painting sessions.

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  20. All the best for a speedy recovery Jonathan! Small board games might be the go, you can do worse than CCA.

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    1. Thanks, Mike! CCA is what I thought of first whether in miniature or block. One of my favorites and I enjoy solo play with it. Nearly an unlimited number of scenarios too. Perfect my predicament!

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  21. Bugger me mate that sounds nasty. Hope you get sorted for out okay. As Cyrus said... I suggest the doctor prescribes a series of small board games as part of your cure.

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    1. You should be writing my prescriptions! "Plenty of rest and small gaming," sounds like the ideal prescription. Thank you!

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  22. Sorry to hear that man. Looking at your normal activity levels I bet you’ll still be putting most of us to shame.

    All the best for a speedy recovery. Swimming might be a good way of keeping a level of fitness.

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    1. I still have a long list of December units awaiting their turn at the photo both. That backlog will make my output seem "normal" for several weeks.

      Swimming would be low impact but I wonder about the kicking motion. I don't think my leg will be up for that. I turn my foot too much now and the pain is exquisite.

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  23. An unfortunate turn of events. Hoping you have a speedy recovery.

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  24. Jon - that's very bad luck - very sorry to read of this. Hope you recover nicely and quickly, and don't fret too much in the meantime. Don't rush anything. You now have to live with the stigma of having cycled in some of the most challenging places in the world, yet you took a hit collecting the mail!

    Look after yourself.

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    1. Tony, you made me laugh! My wife is always worrying that I will eventually become a casualty out on the road when cycling. I will remind her that walking to fetch the mail can be even MORE hazardous!

      Thank you, Sir!

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  25. Oh dear! What an unfortunate event! That’s what I would call rolling a double one!

    Hope you’re not in too much pain and wish you a speedy recovery. I’m sure you will know how to keep yourself busy despite the injury.

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    1. Yes, I rolled a double-one and my ankle! I know two things I won't be doing this winter: cycling and shoveling snow!

      I will keep myself busy, otherwise. Say, what are winters like in Malta?

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    2. Actually winters can be quite cold and humid here but we never have snow thankfully! Being a small island, wind is usually a major factor in winter. The season doesn’t last too long either, usually from mid-December to maybe mid-February.

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  26. Really sorry to hear this. Hope you make a speedy recovery. I was in a similar position when I broke my arm/shoulder 8 years ago. You will recover and get back to everything in time. All the best, Matt

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    1. Thanks for your encouragement, Matt! Hopefully, I will be back to full speed in time.

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  27. Upper body and SWIM TIME.

    Do what you can to keep the cardio.

    As for hobby plans, maybe some re-design time to think them out is what this injury will permit you?

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    1. Good advice. One hurdle for me is getting from car to gym on crutches through snow and ice. I certainly don’t want to repeat this episode anytime soon.

      I have rules write-ups and amendments to ponder. This time off provides time for that.

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  28. Blimey Jonathan, what bad luck! Really hope it mends quickly so that you can get back out on the bike. I know from 2 recent ops how frustrated I felt not being able to walk much talk less of cycling for some months. At least you have some good gaming options so every dark cloud has a silver lining and all that.

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    1. Bad luck, indeed, Steve! The contents of the mailbox were not worth risking life and limb to collect.

      Still plenty of gaming options available. The main gaming table will remain idle for awhile, though.

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  29. That sucks. I've got three different kinds of Commands and Colours and Memoir '44 I can bring up when you feel up to it. Never underestimate the power of a TV tray either. Good luck with the doc!

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    1. Yes, it does. I have three options for Commands & Colors including Ancients, Samurai Battles, and Medieval. When you get back from your travels and have time, I would enjoy some gaming sessions, weather permitting.

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    2. Long term you can look into something like Aikido. I did it for a few years with an instructor who focused on falls and rolling. As he put it: "I have never been attacked by ninjas, but I fall every winter."

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  30. I'm really sorry to hear this! I highly recommend you get Yaktrax Diamond Grip traction cleats to slip on over your boots /shoes. Last Feb, my slip and fall broke 3 bones in my right foot. This year, I wear Yaktrax over my boots when I shovel or walk and they are a gem even on ice. I wish you a speedy recovery as you travel down the road to recovery. Good luck, Jonathan!

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    1. Monty! Good to hear from you. It has been a very long time. Are you still heavily involved in Saga?

      Sorry to hear of your fall. I will look into your recommendation for Yaktrax. Never too late to prevent the injury.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Jonathan! I see your injury has not stopped productivity. :-) I wish I lived within driving distance so I could see your work and throw dice in person.

      I had the bad luck this summer to discover all photos from my blog got dis-associated from my posts from 2017 backwards. It broke my heart and took the last winds out of my blogging sails. I still organize, TO, paint and play a lot of Saga + a monthly Saga Thorsday show on YouTube. It is a good gaming life. Take care, sir!

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    3. Well, it would be a long drive, for sure, but doable.

      That is terrible news about losing all of your photo links. Was this calamity due to a Google+ demise? I can understand the demoralization having lost all of that work.

      Good to see that you are forging on 8n another direction. How is your composer son?

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  31. Oh no very sorry to hear that Jonathan! I wish you luck in mending as soon as possible.

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks for your well wishes, Christopher. They are much appreciated.

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  32. Sorry to hear of your fall. It will be tough on the cardio but I'm sure you'll be able to maintain flexibility and strength. Maybe a small painting desk can be worked out on the main floor. I've only played a few times but The Portable Wargame was a fun game. Best wishes.

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    1. Thanks, Dan. Hopefully the lay-off will not be too tough on the cardio. I made it down into the game room successfully for a short painting session today. A bit treacherous but if very careful, I may be able to continue painting at the regular painting desk. I will put PW in my bedside reading pile.

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  33. oh! Really sorry to hear this!
    Good luck Jonathan!

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  34. Bad luck. Hope the recovery is swift

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  35. I had a friend break his fibula and he only needed a moon boot. The pain from a traumatic injury peaks between 24-48 hours after the event. So......it's possible you might get away with a cast (or removeable cast!) and light/no weight bearing for a while.
    I think even if you do end up avoiding surgery it's probably 6 weeks till you can start doing much/anything. Huge bummer and my condolences to your leg. It'd definitely be good to ask the orthopod what excercise you *can* do. The fibula doesn't really support that much weight, so depending on the fracture site you might luck out and be able to do more than you think (stationary biking perhaps?)

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    1. Dave, you are well-versed in this injury. You are correct about pain dissipation after 48 hours although if I turn or move a certain way, the pain is excruciating.

      If I could even cycle on a stationary bike after a few weeks that would be a big bonus.

      Thank you.

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  36. That is dreadful news Jonathan. I am wincing at the thought of it. My occasional bout of sciatica pale into insignificance compared to the pain you must be in! I think you need to arrange to have a temporary painting station established outside of your basement otherwise not only will you lose physical fitness, but you risk losing your painting mojo.

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    1. Thank you, Mark. With care, I can make the trip into the basement so I may continue short painting sessions as before. If needed, I can set up a temporary station on the kitchen table.

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  37. Sorry to read about your mishap Jonathan...to keep up the posting rate of every thre to four days, you may have to resort to "parades" of exiting collections, although I suppose retrieving them from storage may still present a challenge in your current condition. Hopefully it is not too long before you are back on your feet....literally 😊

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    1. Hi Keith. I still have 8 or 9 units waiting in the photo queue that have not made it onto the blog from December painting. Those units will last me awhile...I have a number of other topics to blog about if the supply of figures begins to run low.

      Thanks for your encouragement!

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  38. Sorry to hear of your accident, here in Brigadoon, sorry, Warton, we have had snow about three times in the past 20 years and even then only for two or three days max. Get well soon.

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    1. If you do not enjoy snow, you are lucky. I think we have had significant snowfall four out of the last five days.

      Thanks for your well-wishes.

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  39. Sorry to hear that, Jonathan!Get well soon.
    Probably you'll have more spare time for social networks :)

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  40. Ouch! Sorry to hear of your injury! Please rest and take it easy in order not to aggravate it further. Time for a lot of TV and movies and reading. My best wishes to you. 😀

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  41. Thank goodness you weren’t stranded in the snow. Get well soon.

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  42. Oh dear, that sounds awful! Hopefully you recover quickly, particularly with the pain standing part.

    Since it never snows here in this part of California, I am really not sure what people do when they live in snow... here it is something that you drive to look at/play in.

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    1. Thanks. I hope the recovery is quick too! To not shovel snow in winter would be a luxury.

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  43. Oh no! That's terrible news Jonathan! I think I'd move my bed and TV to the basement. Not sure your wife would agree though?

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    1. Ray, since there is a suite and TV in the basement, that’s not a bad idea! My office with computers is on the second floor though.

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  44. Ooof! Bloody hell Jon! That's awful luck. :( Sounds like a horrid way to start the New Year. You have my sympathies.
    With the lack of comfort and mobility, it sounds like smaller games are indeed the way to go until such a time arises where you are better able to get about again.

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    1. Bloody hell, indeed! I think going small is the way forward for now.

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  45. That's terrible news. My condolences. A few years back I had shoulder surgery and the one good take away I had was that it made me appreciate what I could do when I healed. Good luck and I hope it doesn't require surgery.

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    1. Much appreciated, Aaron! I will keep your experience in mind while I heal. Great to see you again!

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  46. Sorry to hear this Jonathan good job on the clinic and well done to Mrs Freitag.

    Regards
    Peter

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  47. Oh no! That's just awful! I do hope you have a speedy recovery and get back on the bike soon! Hopefully in the meantime you can find a way to prop yourself up comfortably and get some painting done!

    (and here I was all feeling sorry for myself for having a cold!)

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    1. Thanks, Tim! Where there a will there is a way to get paining done. Biking is a way off, I'm afraid.

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  48. I wish you a good recovery and all the best.

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  49. Could have sworn I left a comment yesterday!? :(

    (Stupid work PC was acting up all day though so that might be it.)

    Hope you heal up quick and as comfortably as possible Jon. Maybe this will encourage some upper-body workouts to help get you up and down those stairs! :P

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    1. Hi Dai! You DID leave a comment yesterday. Scroll up a bit and you will see it. I really appreciate your perseverance in taking another shot at it. Yes, I need to work on upper body strength now since lower body workouts are off limit for now.

      Thank you!

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  50. My house is also on 3 floors with all my gaming stuff on the top floor! Can empathise with your predicament Jonathan. Hope your recovery is quick and your gaming not too badly affected.

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    1. Thank you, Jon! If not actual gaming, I can enjoy the hobby vicariously through your fine battle reports.

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  51. Oh heck, Jon! So sorry to hear about your fall and fracture. Like you, our bedroom is on the 2nd floor, and everything gaming related except the library is in the basement. Hopefully you won't require surgery, and will recover as swiftly as possible!

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    1. “Oh, heck” were my words too! Perhaps a bit more colorful, though. I find out today if surgery is needed.

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  52. Terrible news mate,

    Six weeks of reading for you, and perhaps some painting. The same as you we have three floors and stairs.

    Get better soon

    Cheers
    Matt

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    1. Yes, terrible news but I am on the mend. Negotiating the stairs on crutches takes some patience and care. Thanks for checking in!

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  53. Oh no! Best of luck with your recovery and I support a tray so that you don't have to hobble to the basement!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks, Iain! If I set up a painting tray on the main floor, what is the probability that I actually have all of the stuff I need? My guess is zero. I can envision still needing to hobble down into the basement.

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    2. A man with your ability to plan ? Surely not! Most of my kit is in the shed,I have half a cupboard in the house, my trips to the shed are about once a week I guess, just thinking of your ankles!
      Best Iain

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  54. Oh no! Sorry to hear of your misfortune Jonathan! May you heal up quickly and be back to activities shortly. I have no doubt you will be able to shift plans and make use of the downtime productively in some other fashion too.

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    1. Thanks for your well wishes, Mark! Shifting plans now...

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