I guess my age and the labor-intensive job I have will collide more frequently than I would hope. The impact on my body is two-fold:
On one hand I maintain strength and flexibility.
On the other I stress muscles, tendons, bones and stamina beyond what is probably safe or healthy.
I am a dork. I like to work hard. Like walking slowly……. I can’t do it. It actually takes more effort for me to slow down and it feels awkward. I work the same way. If there is a deadline or clear goal I work harder.
Just over a week ago I went to an orthopedic doctor to perform bi-lateral carpal tunnel surgery. I could have done one hand at a time but each recovery would be about six weeks. Even if there was no time in-between – or they overlap a little, that is a long time. I don’t want to go back to work sooner, but I would like to start playing instruments and recording. If I do them both at the same time I will be ready to start working on getting my chops back up to speed sooner. If I am really lucky, there will be improvements in dexterity and endurance.
I still do things I can. I write poetry and lyrics. I look at their musical possibilities and as soon as a melody or chord progression forms I can’t let it go. I cannot play guitar or drums, and very little keyboards at this point, but I managed to put some drum loops down for my recent post: “Something To Say”. Without other instruments I wrote a melody from the drums and meter of the lyrics. Usually I would have instruments to sing against, so this is kind of working backwards from my usual creative flow. Maybe I will complete the song with other instruments. Maybe you will, and send them to me!
