Had a lovely New Year's Eve. Got gussied up and went out with friends to watch some bands I'd never heard of at Radio Radio. Lucky for me, they were all awesome! I even danced a little. This is the first time I'd attempted 'concert dancing' since breaking the kneecap 3 months ago. I did a couple merengues and bachattas for the first time last Wednesday. Every step hurt, but I was happy to have tried it out. Dancing to the bands on New Year's Eve served to be less painful, so I was pleased. After band watching and ringing in the new year, the crew made way to another bar to meet a friend and enjoy the DJ. Around 2:30am, I noticed a $2 bill laying next to the bar. I got it in my mind that I would pick it up and place it in the tip jar. I was going to walk over, squat down in a lady-like manner and pick up the bill. I was wearing a short dress, bending over just wasn't an option. [Of course I needn't actually think these steps through. Instinct developed from many trials and successes of this same procedure is what informed this chain of action.] For the normally functioning individual, this would have been a simple feat, however, I forgot I'm not quite to that point yet. Oops... So, I proceed to drop down into said squatting position only to have the breaks thrown on by Mr. 118 degree bending knee joint and was basically rubber banded backwards. I stumbled a few steps back, frightening some poor girl walking behind me. I must have looked like a drunken idiot, when in fact, I was just not physically able to do the task at hand in the manner I had originally planned. To be perfectly honest, I was pretty embarrassed and felt the physical ramifications the next day. Ouch.
If I had recalled my current limitations, this wouldn't have been an issue. I could have very easily modified how I reached the money on the floor, but I hadn't planned for that. I might not have dropped myself down in such a bouncy and carefree manner. Instead, I could have eased down, adjusted the positioning of my legs, and/or grabbed a hold of the bar or a stool to help support myself. So many options. And thus, first lesson of the New Year is to know my limitations. This can translate to any arena. Know what I can manage physically, emotionally, time-wise...everything, and plan accordingly, so as not to suffer unpleasant, unnecessary recoils. Happy New Year!
