Presbyopia

 

I sent the notice to the student who cheated that she regrettably earned a "0" for this exam. I also explained how no grade is worth the loss of one's integrity and that also using the Disability Services Office as a mechanism to do this denigrates the importance and value of the Disability Services Office for students who truly do have need for specialized accommodations.  We shall see what transpires further.

* * * * * 

I am carrying around a lovely pipe with me again today.  I feel I need the modest comfort it provides to me.  It is almost akin to having a pacifier, I guess.  But, today, experiencing just those ever so tiny, ghostly hints of the pipe tobacco I had indulged in with this pipe is making me feel some level of comfort.  I do also have to admit it is revving up my deep desire to begin smoking again, so perhaps it is a double edged sword of sorts.  But, I really need the modest comfort today, I truly do.

* * * * * 

The etiology of the healing of my battered body is interesting to me:

1.  Immediately after the fall and tumble, I lay sprawled on the parking lot pavement assessing the pain, specifically thinking through a)  Did I hit my head? (no), b) Did I slam down on one or both knees? (both), c) Although the pain is fierce in my right knee, is it a bone or ligament that has been broken or torn?  (It took me a few minutes to assess... I had to let the pain subside a bit before I tried to move my leg without putting any weight bearing force on it..... but ultimately.... I figured out that no bones were broken and no ligaments were torn.)  I basically paid no attention to my elbow, figuring it was just scrapped up.  

2.  I had ran about 4 miles when I tripped and fell.  When I finally got up, and was done cursing on the bench for a bit, I started to run the final 6 or so miles after the fall, I started out somewhat gingerly as my knee was still feeling a lot of pain, but over the first additional mile, the pain began to dissipate and I was back up to nearly my normal speed of running  (roughly 7 mph (11.5 kph)) by the time I hit the next mile.  When I was finished with the 10 total miles, my leg felt 95% normal.  But I knew that was an illusion.  

3.  By the time I arrived at the U, my knee was feeling a bit achy and stiff.  I took one asprin.  My knee remained achy and stiff the rest of the day, but I expected that.  

4.  Tuesday was the worst.  As I predicted it would, my knee became a bit swollen by Monday evening.  Again, I anticipated it.... but the swelling was far less than the swelling I had occur in my knee when I had a similar damnable tripping accident  at the latter part of Spring.  But, upon awakening the swelling was still there, so I started slowly on my run.... and in fact because of the severe frost and the potential for slippery spots, I chose to run on the abominable treadmill.  I slowly worked up to normal speed and completed the 10 miles (~16 km) and at that time my knee felt fine.  But, again, I know how this goes.... by the time I arrived at the U, the stiffness and ache had returned and were stronger than on Monday... especially when climbing flights of stairs.

5.  Today.... pretty much the same..... sore and slightly swollen this morning, but after running my 10 miles, I felt fine.  And, now as the day has progressed, only a small amount of the stiffness and ache has returned.  I predict on Friday that any pain or discomfort will be minimal and by Saturday I will not notice anything amiss.... other than kneeling when at Mass.  That often takes 2-3 weeks to before it is not uncomfortable.  There is something about the pressure points when kneeling that seems to perfectly align with where I strike my patella (knee caps) when I do fall.     

* * * * *

I was thinking about television sitcoms today.  Not sure why.  While I have watched MANY sitcoms over the course of my life, and there are MANY enjoyable ones.... there are THREE sitcoms that I would consider the best ones to elicit uproarious laughter from me:

"I Love Lucy" - the immortal classic.  Even today, nearly 70 years later, damn near every episode will cause me laugh-out-loud sorts of laughter.  

"The Dick Van Dyke Show" - too wonderful beyond words.  Featuring to distinctly different environments both equally uproariously funny to me....  a)  the home life, with Mary Tyler Moore (in her most amazing beauty) portraying Dick's wife, and b) the office life, with Morey Amsterdam and Rose Marie..... two comedians worth their weight in gold. 

"Seinfeld" - the perfect absurdist comedy.  Even though only a neophyte 30 years old.... I do not think there is a single episode (sans the Finale) that will not have me rolling on the floor with laughter.  

Again, do not get me wrong.... there are a lot of good comedies I have watched over the years that I LIKE..... but none are of the quality of "I Love Lucy", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", nor "Seinfeld". These three would receive an "A" from me.  

 A few others off the top of my head that I have liked (and would probably rank a "B" grade include:

1. Make Room for Daddy (probably a "B+")

2.  Father Knows Best

3.  Leave it to Beaver

4.  The Patty Duke Show

5.  Green Acres (probably a "B+")

6.  That Girl

7.  Family Affair (mostly for the delight of watching Sebastian Cabot)

8.  The Lucy Show  (probably a "B+")

9.  The Lucille Ball Show

10.  Brady Bunch

11.  Partridge Family

12.  Mary Tyler Moore Show  (probably a "B+")

13.  Sanford & Son

14.  All in the Family

15.  Chico and the Man

16.  Maude

17.  Rhoda

18.  Alf

19.  The Cosby Show

20.  Big Bang Theory (probably a "B+")

Of course, I have seen many other sitcoms as well.... but most others were, to me, average, at best.  (Perhaps a "C" or "D" grade).    

I would like to hear what you think of my list... and would like to hear what you think are the best situation comedies.  

PipeTobacco