Interesting Stuff (Maybe)

Well, at least I think this post contains interesting stuff. Readers might not agree. Read it anyway.

Cattle-goodness
First off, last weekend Dan and I went with my parents to a Ranch Rodeo.

Dan, Mom and Dad at the Ranch Rodeo

A Ranch Rodeo is different from a Professional Rodeo in a good number of ways but I think just a few of them are worth mentioning (though maybe if I knew more about any type of rodeo, I would think others more worth mentioning). First off, there are different events. For instance, instead of Team Roping, Ranch Rodeos have Team Doctoring. The two events are similar in what is required, however the Team Doctoring is directly based on what happens on an actual ranch when there is sick cattle.

The Team Doctoring Event

Secondly, there are some events that are the same, but they have different rules. There is Bronc Riding in both Ranch and Professional Rodeos, but in the Ranch version of the event, the riders are allowed to grab on with both hands and can hang on to the saddle. It more copies the event of a rider being on a runaway horse.

Lastly, all participants in the rodeo must be employed on a working ranch. I'm not sure how long a participant is required to work at the ranch before they are eligible for the rodeo, but it is my understanding that there is some sort of limitation to prevent professional rodeo cowboys from hiring on at a ranch short term just to enter and win the rodeo.

Anyway, the rodeo was really fun. The last event was probably the most entertaining: Wild Cow Milking. Yes, seriously. The video will take a bit to load, but give it a shot. It's, well, weird.

There was also Bronc Riding, Team Doctoring, Calf Branding (don't worry - chalk dust was used), and Team Penning. And a good time was had by all!

The conclusion of Team Penning

Calf Branding - with chalk

Health-goodness
Well, after being back at work for just a hair under 2 months, I thought everything was basically over, but it was not to be so. On Monday I was informed by HR in Chicago that I was to go back on leave effective immediately. It has to do with the pain I still get in my side when I overdo it. Which isn't a problem for my actual job, but is a problem for my job duties on paper. So I'm on forced leave and had to open up another short-term disability claim. Hopefully that will be approved soon. No idea how long this is going to take.

I had to go to the doctor to get a note for the short-term disability leave and he prescribed a patch - Licoderm, I think it is - to help numb the pain. Well, yeah, it numbs the pain, but then I push too hard and right now I have an ice pack wrapped around my side because of bad cramps. Looks like I need to talk to my GI that did the surgery (as suggested by my GP). Sigh. Is being healthy too much to ask?

Well, that's all for now. I'm sure there will be more later, who know. Until then, enjoy the Wild Cow Milking video up above again. And be thankful you don't have to do that.