I hit play on the DVD and, as a fifth season episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia started up, I took a seat and tested the dumbbells. It was my triceps day so I figured I’d start with flat bench extensions, move on to overhead extensions, then to close grip press, and finish up with kickbacks, interspersing my workout with some weighted dips. I grabbed the dumbbells, fairly light to start, lay back flat, then extended my arms (not fully of course because I didn’t want to risk a hyperextension), turned my wrists slightly and started the downward progression. At which point the two and half pound metal bar inside the dumbbell I was holding in my left hand slid out, dropped the two foot distance, and bounced off my face, first catching my upper cheek just below my orbital bone, then hitting my lower lip before thumping onto the carpeted floor beside me.
I was momentarily stunned. The impact was jarring. My head thrummed, my eyesight blurred, and I could feel a burning sensation snake down from the point of impact to my lower jaw. I sat up and my first thought was: “I’ve knocked out a tooth. How the hell can I go to Comic Con with a missing tooth!”. I checked the canine. It seemed to have survived intact. On t.v., Sweet Dee was still trying on wedding dresses, oblivious to my distress. How typical of her. I switched it off, then hurried into the bathroom to assess the damage.
A small cut where the bar had struck, some swelling, a little bleeding from my canine but otherwise, not bad. An inch higher and it would have hit me square in the eye. An inch lower and that canine, along with a couple of incisors, would have surely been splintered. I’d gotten off lucky!
I went upstairs where Akemi took one look at me and ordered me to the hospital. I applied a cold compress and assured her it wasn’t a big deal, that boxers get hit like this all the time and three Tylenols would do the trick. But she wasn’t having any of it. She made me promise I would go get it checked out. Sigh.
I stopped by the clinic near my place and, following a thirty minute wait, saw a doctor who tested my vision, checked the cut, and informed me I would be fine – but would be sporting an impressive shiner for the next week or so.
So, if you spot me at Comic Con wearing shades indoors, understand it is not an affectation.
The cape on the other hand…
Oooh, check it out. Stargate matches. Just like the kind followers of the Ori used to set fire to offending books, towns and, occasionally, heretics. Along with some signed scripts and the SG-1 100th episode commemorative photo frame and keychain, yet another Staragte-related item I’ll be giving them away at Comic Con this Saturday afternoon. I’ll be there, of course, signing copies of my comic book series, Dark Matter, at the Dark Horse Booth (#2615) between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. after which I’ll change into my costume so that I can stroll the floor as…AQUAMAN! The green tights keep cutting off the circulation to my groin so I’m bringing back-up leggings just in case.
The dogs are enjoying the summer sun, especially Lulu who has taken to sprawling out on the back patio to soak up the rays. Looks to be a lazy summer for them…on the heles of a lazy spring.
And cooling off:
Let’s continue our trip down Stargate: Atlantis memory lane by helping me remember the following episode:
INFERNO (219)
A fine episode sandwiched between two great episodes.
Hmmm. At a bit of a loss on this one. I mean, it was solid stand-alone episode. The only elements I recall from the production are the impressive visual effects (of the lava claiming the stargate) and Carl’s frustrating quest to find a name for the planet that everyone could agree on.
What did I miss? Thoughts?
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