In the summer of 1971, when I was eleven, I was working for a guy named Jimi Monji cleaning horse stalls. It was my first job and I made $1.00 an hour. One day as I pushed the loaded wheelbarrow up a 2x12 plank that led to the "Big Pile" to dump my load, the plank flipped over and one of the skids of the barrow landed on my right big toe. It split the toe open and hurt more than anything I had even known to that point. I never went to the Dr. but I am sure it was broken, having experienced the same thing a couple of times since.

Thus began a thirty seven year run of broken bones(over 15), torn muscles and ligaments, blown cartilige, sprains and various owies including two broken femurs(1975 and 2000), two fractured vertabra and disc fusions in my neck, which was my last major  malfuction associated with a very rough and demanding physical life, and I tell ya people..I feel it.

As I look fifty in the face I am beginning to realize that my body will not last forever. Aside from mutants like Jack LaLane, our bodies wear out, some faster than others depending on the abuse we subject them to, and I have subjected mine to plenty. Motocross, Baseball(didn't think it was a rough sport, did you?), fighting and work have conspired to age my bones beyond their years.

I limp, I pop and crackle and I grunt when I get out of a chair. I sometimes take scalding showers because my burning skin takes my mind off whatever  else is bothering me. I can no longer run and even walking more than a mile or so makes all my joints below the waist give me fits. I have to take sabbaticals from the gym because I am only good for a year or so before even that catches up with me.

I have to be very careful when walking on uneven ground and especially down inclines as I have no ACL in my left knee and it tends to pop out of place if I put too much lateral pressure on it. I have a prescription knee brace, but I only wear it when I am on the dirtbike.

After my broken femur in 2000, I started taking Vicodin and still do occasionally, when my body demands relief. It doesn't matter if it's hot or cold. My body hurts when it feels like it.

Yeah, I've been pretty hard on my body over the years and the lessons I've learned over time generally keep me from doing any more damage to myself with the exception of riding dirtbikes. A dangerous habit I just can't seem to shake.

I don't remember what it's like to feel like a million bucks or wake up in the morning not aching. I can't hold a phone in the crook of my neck and it's difficult to hold a pillow under my chin while I try to put a pillowcase on it. I should pay more attention to what I say in tense situations as my shoulders are too messed up to throw a decent punch and my legs are too messed up to run away!

I have enough metal in me to start a small scrap metal business and one of my most prized trophies is the first rod they put in my femur in 2000. The first was too small and had to be replaced. I really do think of it as a trophy because on a Sunday I went 3-1 for second overall and Monday(It was Memorial Day)I went down and to AVMC for an all expenses paid week! I also have copies of all the x-rays of my little metal collection. Is that classified as Sadism?

I haven't had a steroid injection in my left shoulder for over a year and it is starting to keep me up at night again and really hurt after exertion. My right ankle is starting to "hitch" more often(it has a screw in it) and my hips never stop hurting, but I have no regrets. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat, although those who have been burdened with my recoveries may have other ideas!

Yes, it has all been worth it. Like the Garth Brooks song says, "If I hadn't taken the chance, I'd have had to miss the dance". I can't wait for it to get cooler so I can go ride the dirtbike again. Yeah..I need some excitement even though my life has been anything but boring..

Hey..Can you pass the vicodin?