The older one gets, the longer the general cocktail party patter becomes about one's health or lack thereof.
I would like to take this moment to address my young and able-bodied friends and family - I am SO not shitting you when I tell you to not take even one moment of your youth for granted. That "perky" might be used to describe any of your body parts whatsoever is a time period that goes by SO fast that it is startling in hindsight. And to have a body that works pretty much the way it was meant to, is a gift.
Don't fuck it up.
My knees were already on their way out by the time I was 20 from playing sports and by 21, I had ruptured a disc in my back and now, at this point, my body is pretty much just straight up giving me the finger.
About 35 years ago, I was high and listening to my beloved Supertramp, specifically the bass-line to "Even in the Quietest Moments", in headphones. Really loud. I realized at that time that I had totally forgotten about the stupid sciatica pain while I was concentrating on the music. So, for me - I find it a useful tool and have used marijuana and music (listening or playing) for both stress and pain management since that time.
I am fortunate to live in a state where medicinal marijuana is legal. Unfortunately they are now trying to make it as difficult as possible - but that is a story for another time. Fortunately (I guess) my brokenness does qualify me for a "green card" so I still use this method, lo these many years later.
Obviously there are pills involved as well. I'm not insane (legally).
As I now travel the maze of medical personnel, I am having to remember to do or say things to avoid the looks of grave concern on their faces. It's mostly my blood pressure. It really is okay - unless I am in a doctor's office. I now make a record of my blood pressure for a few days before the appointment to hand in. Medical homework.
I was having a discussion with a friend today and said that I had done an experiment the night before my last doc appointment. Earlier that evening I had come home from the adorable preschool presentation of one of my tiniest bffs, so I got stoned (Bob Dylan said we must) and played my guitar for a half an hour or so and then took my blood pressure. It was extra low.
"What do you take from this?", my friend asked.
"Mostly that I should smoke more pot and play more music", I replied.
