So it seems I spoke a bit too soon on the body feeling good thing. Damn After a night or two and a couple of relaxed days Ft. Lauderdale I went to play a lil warmup round of #discgolf and I believe I strained my left oblique. So strange, it wasn’t a far throw, I’d thrown plenty of sidearms already before that, and I warmed up with a 20 minute yoga about an hour prior, but as I threw I felt a stabby pain in my side. I figured it would work itself out in the next few holes but the pain continued, I tried one more sidearm with serious pain and realized it wasn’t smart for me to continue. After some research it seems that this isn’t an uncommon disc golf injury but I am quite shocked it happened to me. The timeline on recovery is uncertain but given my #loa has really just begun there’s no reason at all to push it. Much like with the personal journey I’m on, I need to exhibit some patience and allow myself the time to heal. I can no longer change what has happened but I can give myself the proper space to get better and move forward stronger and that’s the goal. I’ve still been stretching and working out daily and a lot of time outside in the sun. Ft. Lauderdale is lovely and I’ll continue to enjoy my time here even if I can’t golf.

The last few days in the car have been long. Surprisingly, my body feels pretty good so I think the stretching has been paying off. I’ve made it to Florida and am finally en route to my destination in #ftlauderdale . I had a couple lovely #dogstr to cuddle with on my journey to fill the void of missing my chicken boy. It’s not the same but in the moment it’s nice. Chester and Kevin. Caught up with a couple old friends as well and took a ride on a sweet golf cart in Lakewood Ranch. I had a chill stay in Naples last night and enjoyed a great convo with a longtime friend. #loa is in full swing now as I approach a full month off. Wild.

Kicked off week 4 of #loa on the road all day, ending up in Tennessee just south of #nashville for dinner with my aunt uncle and cousin. It was really nice to see them and enjoy a nice conversation and a nice meal. Tomorrow it’s onward to Jacksonville to reconnect with an old friend I haven’t seen in years and meet her new baby. I can’t wait for the travel of the coming days.

2 days till I hit the road for Florida. I’ve been golfing and disc golfing the last 3 days and can’t wait to continue that activity in warmer weather. On Saturday I’ll be spending the night in Tennessee, then I’ll head down to Jacksonville for a night and then onward south. #loa is just ramping up and things are looking up. More pictures to come of the sights from the road.

The time off is flying by. I’m now through day 15 of my #loa and really getting prepped for the journey to Florida. Video attached is from #openmic on Tuesday night. I’ll be headed back this week as well. I also got a chance to catch up with a good friend on Friday morning and talk about life. I can’t wait to visit him and his family when I’m in Florida in a couple weeks. I’ve been reading more, and I’ve decided to read The Comfort Crisis, which I borrowed from a friend. As part of the process of taking leave I need to realign my perspective on the challenges in my life, and reform thought patterns. 50 pages in and I’m enjoying it.

This is profound. #loa View quoted note →

Days 8-10 have been busy busy. Monday was a lot of prep for the months to come. Cleaning up around the house, getting things squared away with taxes etc. Then had to make my semiannual stop at the dentist, all clear, hit an open mic night where my friend, Katz, plays the drums, and then played a full day of #discgolf in some sloppy conditions. Congrats to Jimmy on the ace! My upcoming #roadtrip to Florida is becoming more real by the day and emotions are heavy. This #loa is important and will help me get my head right and ready to come back stronger and with more mental clarity than before. I’m already making better decisions for myself and hope to continue to do so.

Day 6-7: The weather in #chicago has finally started to warm. After a week around 0° even 20-30 feels like a relief. Stretching has been a consistent theme for me every day this week and will continue to be for the remainder of my #loa, therefore I’m going to leave it out of my posts unless I discover something revolutionary. Till then, keep stretching and I’ll be doing the same. I have however shifted into a core/yoga workout focus which will be priority till my back is in order from 16 straight years working at a desk. I’m starting to see benefits after just a few days and am excited at the benefits it will bring to my body. I also picked up my bicycle from the shop and it is Florida ready after a new chain and fixed shifters. Can’t wait to take it for a spin once I hit my destination. I then started today with a lovely round of #discgolf for Dana Vicich’s birthday. Man is a living legend in the game and I couldn’t be more grateful to call him a friend. Should be seeing a friend tonight for dinner around town and then early to bed to prepare for a healthy and mindful week ahead. I’m already feeling the positive effects of disconnecting from work and other constraints which I’ve put on myself over these many years and I can’t wait to feel the full effects in a few weeks/months.

Day 5 going pretty well. #loa #foodstr

#loa photo from previous post.