Saturday 11 February 2012

Yes, Mr Furrier, Sometimes It Does Suck Getting Older. Typewriter-related Back Injuries- More Common Than You Think





Here's a mug-shot of their accomplice. 'Scuse the mess.


You would think that pulling two typewriters out of this boot would be fairly straight-forward, but no....
Actually, there's the answer! I should have been standing straight, not leaning forward. Too late now, I guess.




Don't be fooled. It's heavier than it looks, especially in its carry-case. Which I would swear is lead-lined. Then wrapped in steel.
And here's the other culprit.



These two worked as a team in order to lull me into thinking they were a coupla lightweights. They played me like the sap I was. But I'll know better, next time. They pull a stunt like this again, I'm gonna come out shooting.
But back to the Smith-Corona...



Thanks for reading, all! And Mr. Furrier, I hope your back is on the mend. Take care.


Oh yeah, that asterisk*


Here's an old Polaroid shot of my old car. It was a rare manual (stick-shift) model and, once I had the engine reconditioned, it drove like a dream. I contemplated getting the bodywork repaired, since it had some major rust in some structurally crucial places, but I had just proposed to my girlfriend and there was no way I'd be able to afford repairing this car and saving for a wedding.
So, I ran this picture through Photobucket to give it some old Hollywood soft-focus charm.


What can I say? I'm a romantic, despite the tough, cynical exterior.
Like the say, 'scratch a cynic, blah, blah, blah'.


Oh, one more thing-

***typecast on a circa 1946 Smith-Corona Sterling...which I think I'll call 'Gilda'. Makes perfect sense, why didn't I think of it earlier?***

Thanks again, all, and get well, Tom!

8 comments:

  1. Get well soon! It was interesting to read, though.

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  2. I hope you get well soon AND do what ever exercises you are told to do.

    Very nice post. That is a really good looking Smith-Corona.

    Back injuries as you know are no fun. However proper exercises done regularly and correct lifting can drastically reduce your chances of getting a repeat of the pain and injury.

    I was an EMT and also part of my job as a Manufacturing Engineer was Ergonomics and designing or modifying work areas and machines to reduce injury; especially back injuries. Here is a note if your Dr. did not mention it: a person leaning slightly forward to lift a 10 pound object will subject his lower back to a pressure of 10,000 (yes ten thousand) pounds of pressure. Amazing, but someone some where volunteered to have a probe placed in them when they did some lifting.

    Over 40 is not bad. It is over 50!

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  3. Wanna join our AA group? It's an over-40 Aging Anonymous support group where we talk about our aches and pains. And denial.

    Get well.

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  4. Ow!!

    These "portables" really can be treacherous.

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  5. Sorry to hear about your back. Hope you to get well soon. Good post :)

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  6. Ouch! Gravity can be so harsh.

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  7. I had the same exact thing happen to me about 12 years ago (except not with typewriters), and it took a few days to recover.

    Yes, it is very important to do your exercises. For me, walking was the best medicine. Back problems are the worst and I feel your pain.

    Get better soon!

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  8. ...and I bet everyone thinks typewriter collecting is a "safe" pastime. Along with the database and repair manual, we need regular refreshers in the importance of correct manual handling technique. Well done for providing it so eloquently.

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