Monday, March 14, 2011

Ouch - and - the power of song

I must remember how to tie shoes.  No, it's not the mechanics of handling the laces that eludes me (though, I must admit, it took me quite a while to learn, as a child).  It is the mechanics of bending over to tie them.

I "threw my back out."  Again.  Ugh.

It's not so bad as last time.  I am much better after just a few days.  But still.  This is not the way I wanted to spend "a few days off."  But it has forced the issue of taking some time off (which was sorely needed - no pun intended).

So, lying here in bed, legs supported gently, I've slept, read, watched YouTube videos (and some others), and done some work needed for today.  It was stuff  for which I was responsible for a business meeting.  I did not have to lead the "stuff", just have it prepared.  And so, over the weekend, I got it all done, emailed to appropriate folk.  It was an out-of-town meeting that I don't mind missing.  That wasn't really how I wanted to take time off, either.

And, I've got a big presentation thingy at work on Wednesday night.  So, I'll have time to work on that.

And in other news . . . . .

As mentioned, I watched some things on-line.  Several of the oft-touted It Gets Better videos, once again, moved me to tears.  Why does that always happen?  Some of the most moving ones involved several gay men's choruses.  So I Googled several and watched more youtubes of them.  I cried more.  Good stuff.  The power of song, the wonder of men's voices, the strength of other gay men singing out together.  The Heartland Men's Chorus has a wonderful mission:  "our voices enlighten, inspire, heal, and empower."  They are out and proud and take that mission seriously, I think.  Many other gay men's choruses do that, as well, and I was inspired and healed by hearing stories of others.  And music that sings to my soul.  There are some great It Get's Better videos with both music and interviews from the London Gay Men's Chorus, The Gay Men's Chorus of DC and the Vancouver Men's Chorus.  Worth watching.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm sorry to hear of your back issues. I've been there. The incident that triggered my first episode was bending over to get 3 t-shirts out of a dryer so I understand the whole tie your shoes thing. Take it easy and I hope it is better soon.

I, too, have enjoyed many of those It Gets Better videos.

Anonymous said...

I feel the same thing when I watched It Gets Better vids.I hope i can come out someday as a proud gay in those vids

Ur-spo said...

Do the conservative things for the back and it will heal itself.

Cubby said...

Sorry for the late comment. I hope your back is healing up by now, or at least the pain is not as sharp.

Thanks for the links to the It Gets Better vids. There was a while when I thought this project jumped the shark and I was turned off to it, but lately I've been warming back up to it. Greg and I have identical purple "Bears Against Bullies" t-shirts and we love wearing them around talking about it when folks ask.

We miss you Joe.

Ice John's World said...

Hope that your back gets well soon!

Unknown said...

I hope your back feels better soon.

I am really glad that the Trevor Project exists. The GLBT community needs a voice of hope and sanity to stand against the looming and powerful religious fascism that was launched by the Bush administration in 2000.

Butterfly Mage said...

Nice photograph. I'm sorry that you have problems with your back. I sometimes have hip problems due to an injury 15 years ago that never quite healed correctly.

john said...

Get better!
Yup those It Gets Better videos move me to tears.
My best friend wrote something he wanted me to post about everything that transpired between us when I came out to him. I feel like it puts him in a bad light, his initial reaction--and no one really knows that his intentions weren't meant to be hurtful. So I have hesitated because I want to protect any criticism he may receive.

john said...

Oops, clicked post too soon...

My buddy however feels like people should know that there are initial reactions that may be bad, but if we ride the tide, eventually things settle and some things will get better given time.

JC said...

Haven't you heard of slip on shoes. They have those in stores ya'know and you can get nice pairs that look dressy or casual as necessary. I like to slip off my shoes under my desk and let my dogs breathe...
Sorry about the back, BIOFreeze or Activ-On works the best for me...maybe you could arrange for a massage if you still have some time off...