Daily Success November 7

Daily Success November 7 is “Okay.” My score could have been “Mandatory Rest Day” or “Not Applicable” just as easily.

Why? Because exercise was absolutely minimal with my Upper Body work limited to physical therapy. That was intentional. As I sit here at the computer, I am listening intently to my body / back / left leg. Things are not going well.

I’m seeing Monika tomorrow. We must discuss pulling past that discomfort in my groin to get my pelvis moving correctly in the hope of ending this. I had to drive to the wine store, less than a quarter mile, to get some beer and wine yesterday! That is absurd.

And, yes, this is my own fault for being too active over the weekend. How else am I to get the chores done?

Today

I’m going to do my stretches, but only after really thinking about it. I may do Leg Strength as I believe I can do enough of those without involving my back. The same is true of Upper Body Strength. I don’t believe Core Strength is a good idea. Actually, I’m not sure about Leg or Upper Body, either.

My plan for the day includes starting on the SurveyorBot Block Diagram. It’s way overdue, but that’s the result of Sam’s unwillingness to manage the project. I raised alarms early and often, only to be ignored. Fortunately, I don’t think that developing a good Block Diagram will take too long because the SurveyorBot Payload is not complex.

Sam needs a memo establishing that the spectrometer is low-value, high-cost / risk for the primary SurveyorBot mission because he can than approve it’s deletion from the Phase I study. Getting that together, based on all the work I’ve already done, is low hanging fruit at this point.

I also plan to attend the 5PM Zoom status meeting.

Finally, there is poker tonight. That will provide some camaraderie and relaxation that I really need at this point. Unfortunately, I’ll have to drive. And I should probably take my back support pillow along. My back problem is bad enough to demand both.

The Future

Who knows‽ I am frustrated, and a bit discouraged, by my back’s lack of response to treatment.

The idea of squeezing my knees together against a ball to “pop” the pelvic joint free (who knew the pelvic joint was supposed to move‽) is scary because of the sensation involved. At the same time, I’m terrified that this, that is forced inactivity, is a permanent situation.

My appointment with Monika tomorrow is extremely important.