Ohhh Canada....Pt.1.

Yikes, don't tell me you all turned Catholic? Anyway, how are all of you? This end you ask,....Status Quo.

• Mrs. Titus:....still sick
• Grandma:....doing better and wanted to try living on her own again.
• Neck:...still fucked up. Disability rating jumped from 7% to 17%.
• Local commercial development in neighborhood:....moving ahead, maybe some of my property value will recover after all.
• The "Branch":....still sucks. Looking for a tie dyed "Barack Obama 08" shirt for casual Friday. I figure hell, why not stir up the hornets nest.
• The ex:....child support went from $400 to $1500 per month.
• Mrs. Titus:.... finally decided to move forward with a career change. She was accepted to school and will start in May.

So....Mrs. Titus and I have been discussing retirement for the last several years. As it stands, I can retire in just over nine years. Considering how my neck has deteriorated in the last three years, the reality is that I may only last another three to five. The kids are almost grown and should be on their own in two years. We have planned to look for property in the pacific North West. If we are able to unload some of our California assets in the next two years, our relocation time line may move quicker than expected. I've been in the California Bay Area my whole life. Frankly, I'm sick of it! One plan we are researching would have us relocate north of the border :>). With Mrs. Titus having a new career (and the old one to fall back on for side work) and my retirement....we should be able to live well.

More to follow....
Jake

Kind of like Linda Blair. . . .

The profession I love and the life I live have taken their toll. I won't bore you with the list of my injuries. But venture to say between work, travel, snowboarding, and wreckless debauchery, my body has been beat up pretty bad. I'm not complaining at all. I have had a wonderful life and do not intend to slow down. Three years ago I sustained a pretty significant head and neck injury at work. Since that time I have had headaches and neck pain almost daily. As I said, I don't intend to slow down. Traditional treatments have not worked. Traditional medicines have not worked. Last year they diagnosed be with degenerative spinal arthritis. The doctors say I have to give up some of what I love. I don't think I'm ready for that. I quit going to the doctor and quit taking all of their damn pills. Two weeks ago I started seeing a Chiropractor. I'm not sure if it is helping, but I'm being patient. My first visit with him fucking freaked me out. I was sitting in a high backed chair and he was behind me. He had my head in his hands and was slowly rocking my head in a round and round, side to side kind of way. We were bullshitting about useless shit when; without warning, he snaps my head to the left!!!!! I swear to god it sounded like a fucking water buffalo fell into a dumpster full of Doritos. He kind of laughed and said "Oh sorry, I should have warned you. The popping noises can be kind of loud." I replied "No shit? Ya think?" After nearly twisting my head off too the right side, I went home. I have to say, I had a good three days of no pain. I have gone back again with similar results. I am due to go back again on Monday morning. I feel like a crack addict looking for a fix! I hope this doesn't become a "must have" life long answer. I'm considering other options as well. I may look at acupuncture, acupressure, or maybe even 420 therapies. Who knows?