The prep

Packing. Boring. Last time I was out of Austin for a month was a business trip to China. Packed for Beijing for about two weeks. Ready to leave and give my stomach a rest, and the client asks, "How about Shanghai?" Two weeks later, my 30 day Visa is almost expired. Some days I would've welcomed the Chinese government removing me from their country. Actually, check that.

Leaving today aroud 1 pm central. Knee has been feeling decent over the past week, but certainly haven't tried to bend or straighten it in any way. Meandering around Vail should be a good way to spend my few mobile days before my world becomes repeats of Regis and Kelly and the Price is Right. Remember to spade and neuter your pets. How is that guy, Bob Barker, still around? Will there be a crazy game show host scandal like Letterman and Leno with Carson when Barker retires? Are there any hosts under 50 at this point?

A quick recap for those who haven't been playing along at home for the last year. I tore my ACL and sprained a couple other ligaments last April '04. In May, I had the ACL replaced, but was never able to gain much motion. Therefore, they did a manipulation under anethesia (MUA) in July. Basically, put you under, bend your knee to break up scar tissue. That didn't work well either, so a doc did a debridement in September - open up the knee and scrape away the scar tissue that is restricting the motion. Unfortunately, that didn't work either.

So we're headed to Vail to see a specialist in arthofibrosis (which is my problem, excessive generation of scar tissue). I can walk with a limp and don't have much pain, but can't get in a car or walk stairs easily. Plus, my chances of a first round selection in the NBA draft just bottomed out. Should be an enlightening adventure. Thanks for coming along.