OK, not good

I am 90% sure I have developed Achilles tendinosis. I've had pain in my Achilles tendons for some time now, and what felt like a callus developing above my heel which, when I did some research, is almost certainly a sign of an advanced degenerative condition. Not surprisingly, this is not uncommon in people 35 to 45 who engage vigorously in sport, especially those who are not in good condition to start out with. At the very least, this means I need to do much more stretching, and I think comparatively more cycling and walking and less refereeing (I didn't notice this problem cropping up until I started reffing). A boot or brace to immobilise the tendon to let it heal may be necessary, and surgery may be required and is not always successful in promoting full healing. :-(

First thing, I need to go see a doctor. Soon.

(no subject)

Good turnout in my precinct for the election. 200+ people were waiting when the polls opened. It took me about an hour and a half to get in and vote (usually takes about 15-20 minutes).

Nothing to do now but wait and see what happens...

I try, I really try

But I find it impossible to have even minimal respect for some peoples' opinions.

Oh, I am hopeful...

That something good, something hugely good for this country and all the world is going to come out of this disappointing, difficult, frustrating, and heartbreaking year.

That something is going to bring my country that I so often despair of, but that I love, out of a bitter, pointless bickering into a better place where we might just possibly learn to listen to each other and talk sensibly again about the things we really need to do, instead of arguing pointlessly, trying to find imaginary grievances over issues that none of us can really solve.

I'm only hopeful, and I may yet be proved wrong by events, but I am happier tonight than I have been in a long time.

thank you, America!

Thank you.

Thank you, all you people who came out and stood in long lines. And all you wonderful people who worked long hours in the polling places.

Thank you, people who weren't sure you would count, but who didn't want to pass up the opportunity to be heard.

Thank you, all you people who thought, and wrote, and argued, but still listened to each other.

Thank you, people in 'Red' states, who didn't accept that you couldn't make a difference.

Thank you, people of New England who stood up first of all for our new president and showed your traditional combination of idealism and granite-hard commonsense. You make me proud of my Yankee roots (or 'ruts', as they say it there).

Thank you, people of Virginia, who showed that being the oldest home of English-speaking democracy in the New World doesn't mean you have to stick with old ways.

Thank you, all those who worked hard for the Obama campaign, even when things didn't look so good.

Thank you, Clintons, for playing a straight bat, however grudingly, and working to get your party's nominee elected.

Thank you, John McCain, for giving a decent, honest concession speech that, at the last, reminded me why for years I thought you were a decent and worthy man I just disagreed with. Maybe now you can go back to being that man again. Your country needs you to.

And thank you, thank you, thank you, President-elect Barack Obama, for giving me hope that the United States might, just for a little while, raise high the banner of its dreams instead of trampling them in the race for wealth and power.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and listen to Barack, and cry. And for once, this year, it will be tears of joy.