This is why having a brother who is an artist is the best. I give him a concept via text (“Two words: Tron Howard.”) and he makes it happen.

Ron Howard, I’d like to introduce you to Tron Howard. He’s just he gosh darned nicest warrior on the mesa! Tron Howard will help make this a free system again! And no MCP looking over your shoulder!

This blog is all medical updates and no pizazz! Apparently, my x-rays weren’t alarming (I’m showing some “spine-straitening due to muscle spasm” – sounds peachy!) but the persistence of my symptoms and the addition of hip pain made my doctor refer for more x-rays and physical therapy. And more pills, which are the only things keeping me from House-like levels of snark and misery-making.

In dental news, I’m getting orthodontia to get rid of the gap in-between my top front teeth. In addition to vanity, I’m mostly doing it because I’m tired of getting my lips stuck in my teeth and getting cut. I’m also going to end up getting at least one tooth bonded or veneered so that my teeth don’t move ever again. When I went for my evaluation, one of the assistants commented on the size of my lower retaining wire: “I’ve never seen one of those in real life before!” Apparently, the wires they use now are about 1/3 of the gauge of my wire. Yes, I’m old now.

Because of my stupid neck injury, I haven’t been able to exercise at all. So, my weight isn’t going down. But it does appear to have stabilized? Probably due to the glucophage/metformin. I don’t even know anymore. I’m just focusing on fiber to get my cholesterol lower, and I’m going to worry about the rest later.

In other news, my skin is breaking out like crazy. I am focusing on remaining indoors and becoming a desert vampire because I think part of it is that my skin gets really oily if I’m in the sun too much. Also, sun hats and sunscreen in everything. My skin definitely doesn’t look 32 years old, and my fear of skin cancer, being an indoor kid in high school, and living in Seattle for most of my 20s certainly helped. So, I’m getting a consultation with aesthetician to avoid it getting worse and reverse whatever sun damage I might have.

Family-wise, it’s been awesome lately. My mom, sister, and niece came to visit last weekend, and it was just fantastic. I love them all so much and my niece is such a wonderful, easy, happy baby and has a huge personality already. Plus, my mother-in-law (who I get along with like nobody’s business) is coming this weekend, and my brother is coming to visit in May. Even Tom, who can be stressed out by having company, has been enjoying the shit out of it – it’s a good distraction from all the DIY around the house.

Speaking of which, I need to pick out some more tile, move some furniture, paint some walls, and go through some boxes. Once we’re done with everything, it will be time to move and find a new adventure.

It’s amazing how positive muscle relaxers can make a person.

My brother, Nathan, comments on the awesomeness that is Watchmen. and makes all other fanboys look like morons.

Today is Nathan’s last day here. I’ve been working the whole time that he’s been here, which sucks. So today, I’m taking him to the airport and skipping out on work this morning.

We had such wonderful intentions – I was going to invite a bunch of people out to the desert to hang and meet the boy, but I was so tired at the end of the work day, that nothing really happened.

Someday, I will just make things work, and not let anxiety or indecision cripple me. Maybe after I turn 30.

Nathan’s visit to Joshua Tree
Mom & Dad’s visit to Joshua Tree