I had an unrelated-to-running knee injury about 2 weeks ago. I’m just about completely back to normal, but I’ve been out of commission since then. The decision I have to make, moving forward, is what level of workout to proceed with and when (I was thinking today, but I may give it one more week). Stay tuned on that.

Also: over the past 2 days, perhaps owing to some of the aloe vera gel I’ve been rubbing on my left leg due to a still-healing cut that happened the day of the knee injury (it was a pretty bad fall on granite that took a few chunks out of me), I’ve felt the strangest thing in my left calf, something I hadn’t felt since I’d injured it initially: that itch you get when a part of your body’s healing. I don’t know if it’s a sympathetic sensation attached to the cut, or related directly to the shin splints, but it’s definitely new. I’ve rested both legs pretty well over the 2 weeks of non-running, but I didn’t feel anything like this. Has anyone out there had similar feelings during the healing process for shin splints or a stress fracture?

As I do every year, I’d like to provide you with the information necessary to tell those cocksuckers what you really think of their fucking holiday.

Email: info@hallmark.com

Or call them at 1-800-HALLMARK

De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited

Corporate Headquarters
Private Bag X01, Southdale 2135, South Africa
Telephone: + 27 (0) 11 374 7000
Facsimile: + 27 (0) 11 374 7700

Kimberley
36 Stockdale Street, Kimberley 8301, South Africa
(P.O. Box 616, Kimberley 8300)
Docex: 12 Kimberley
Telephone: + 27 (0) 53 839 4111
Facsimile: + 27 (0) 53 839 4210/4230

Diamond Trading Company
17 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1N6RA, England
Telephone: + 44 (0) 20 7404 4444
Facsimile: + 44 (0) 20 7831 0663

De Beers Centenary AG
Alpenstrasse 5, 6000 Luzern 6, Switzerland
Telephone: + 41 (0) 41 418 60 00
Facsimile: + 41 (0) 41 418 60 01

Sorry, no email addresses (yet).

Have fun!

Very sad news, and a very confusing couple of hours confirming it, due to the vagueness and irresponsibility of certain news outlets who shall remain nameless. Here is the official press release from Aleix Martinez at Girlie Action Media:

“For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2009

Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, passed away this morning due to an existing heart condition at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California at 4:30 AM PST today. Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.

The Cramps emerged from the original New York punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, with a singular sound and iconography. Their distinct take on rockabilly and surf along with their midnight movie imagery reminded us all just how exciting, dangerous, vital and sexy rock and roll should be and has spawned entire subcultures. Lux was a fearless frontman who transformed every stage he stepped on into a place of passion, abandon, and true freedom. He is a rare icon who will be missed dearly.

The family requests that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

I’ll be posting more of my own thoughts on this very sad news in a little while, once the dust settles and some of us who’ve had such a hard time sorting out the facts have the official story. In the meantime, the short version is that I’m shocked and really, really bummed out. My condolences go out to Ivy, the band, and Lux’s family and friends.