PrimeDog Blog

Thanks to a dastardly individual who coveted my wallet and its contents enough to try brute-force acquisition, I’m getting around with a cane lately. The first day I used it, it was the only thing that kept me from falling on the floor. I’m not a total pain wuss, but I’m not a rugged mountain man either, and that shit HURT. It wasn’t as bad the next day and for the past few days it’s varied but been manageable. Now that I’ve mostly gotten over my preoccupation with looking absurd and feeling like a fake (I can walk normally, it just hurts more and most likely delays my recovery), I’m noticing something.

It’s nice to slow down.

Now, it’s not to say that I’m the most active guy around. I have a desk job testing games and have several sedentary leisure pursuits (reading, TV, surfing, sleep). All of which contributes to a bit of a thickened middle. But I do try to make the most of my mobility: take the stairs, get off the Skytrain a few stops early and walk the rest, go talk to colleagues instead of relying on email all the time. With the cane, though, not only am I walking less, I’m walking slower. And you know, it’s kinda nice.

Setting out to go to work with “I’ll get there when I get there” makes for a much nicer commute. I’ve noticed birds in the trees lately that I didn’t notice before the injury, especially the woodpeckers that are active right near our townhouse. I don’t know that I’ve ever *heard* woodpeckers before. I think I even enjoy riding the escalator now.

It occurred to me today that after my leg is back to normal I’ll probably go back to my speedier ways. Walking quickly, using my scooter to zip down hills and along sidewalks. Jittering impatently as I wait for a Skytrain car as though it makes it arrive any sooner. Like one of my favourite episodes of “All In The Family” where the power goes out and everyone gets along in the dark, my state of calm perambulation is temporary.

I suppose I should figure out some way to tie this post into game design, and I probably will, eventually.

No rush.