realistic67

Some days are better than others...

Here I was just last night admiring Marie Chouinard's dancers, and their ability to make walking with crutches and canes look beautiful, amazing, interestingly funny,and even sexy. And today I find myself with a cane as a constant companion for the next three weeks at least.

I was setting up Dream Theatre. A prog metal band show at the Orpheum this morning. And, I was backing down a ramp while holding back huge Drum riser dolly, with all the rest of the set up crew. And the load shifted inside the dolly, pressing all the weight to those of us at the front. So I tried to brake the load along with everyone else.

We reached the bottom of the ramp when, BANG!!!! It felt like someone had bashed me on the back of my calf with a golf club. I yelled " What the Fuck was that!!!! " And when I turned to see who had hit me. I crumpled to the ground and saw stars.

A workers comp report and a quick hospital emergency visit later. I find myself with a torn calf muscle, semi high on anti inflammatories.

So, I'm sitting at home now. Trying to find a follow spot operator to replace myself on the up coming run of "The Producers" for ACT ( this Semi -pro theatre company which is my regular early summer employer. )Part of the job of being the spot op at ACT. I have to be able to climb ladders and help during the intermission change. Something my calf will not tolerate in the least, for about three to four weeks. And finding a replacement person will not be easy. As the run is 8 to 9 weeks long. And finding someone to replace me for that long is going to be tough. if not impossible.

So I'm out of luck for regular work for while. The QET closes for it's refit in the next week and doesn't open til late October / November. Thankfully I have all that extra calling steward money saved up over the last years that I can use til I recieve compensation for the injury. And I have that wonderful Canadian Medical system that I can get all my drug and injury assistance money back as refunds. I just hate being off work. And saving for my own place.

Of course I could be one of the 100,000 homeless in Burma. Struggling with almost nothing to survive on while digging graves for the cyclone victims. But, the fact I'm reasonably OK in comparison to those poor souls. Doesn't change the fact that I'm pissed off and hobbling around the apartment like I'm doing a bad impersonation of Doctor House.

It's weird when your injured. Your mind is trying to figure out the best monetary contingency plans, while your body is basically saying Owww! fuck you.... Owww! fuck you with every other step.... I guess after the injury money is gone I'll apply for EI for the summer. And wait it out for possible PNE work...But, it's amazing how one bad step and one injury can set me really far back on my road to my own place.

I just keep telling myself all the good things...Other than this injury I'm all in one piece. I have emergency funds. I have constant roommate who's not leaving anytime soon. And I'll be off work for the first time in years this summer...Bored out of my MIND!!!!!

No.... I can focus on getting my FE Ticket. I can learn the new ETC Ion board that The Playhouse is getting this summer. I can get a Calling Policy Committee together. I can replace the current calling steward at any time this summer. I can get my 40 birthday Tattoo that I've been meditating on for the last year. Hell, when I'm better I can go on a vacation for my 41'st birthday.

I'm saddened that I won't have the community of actors and crew that I've had for so many summers since the Vogue closed in 2004. But, ACT is getting so hard to work for. For so little payback. In fact their Musical runs are tech too quickly, with too far few crew for a nine week run. I've been fearing a serious injury to the crew and cast in their theatre. Since we did Miss Saigon back in 04. At least I know it won't be me. But, I like to think that my presence on the crew as the senior guy makes it safer there. Often while teching one of their shows I have mini nightmares of falling. That lack of control of events. And now, I won't have any influence to make the crew and cast think of safety. With me off the call. The entire crew will be new members. Most with less than 4 years on the local. I think they can keep it together. I hope they can. Because I'd hate to get a call to replace another person besides me, for an accidental injury reason again.

I guess it's time to be selfish. think of me and heal as best as I can. And start the move away from working at ACT a bit earlier than I thought. I'll have to hobble for a bit first.....