2006: A YEAR IN REVIEW

January 2: First major storm of the year to hit Southern California.
January 5: The "shoebox" is sold.

February 1: I lose a good friend and Fugowhee softball teammate, Paul, to heart failure. His death was a shock to all of us. We will miss him.
February 4: I move some household goods into my apartment. I spend my last night in the "shoebox." My back goes out. Painful. I drive myself to the ER only to return home without seeing an ER doctor.
February 5: Movers.
February 5: Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Seattle Seahawks, 21-10, in Superbowl XL.
February 7: My good friend Paul is laid to rest.
February 14: Receive disbursements from the sale of the "shoebox."
February 24: My first of three epidurals.

March 10: The second of three epidurals.
March 11: Kindra takes me to the ER after I experience excruciating pain all day. I was given the hypo version of Dilaudid.
March 12: First laptop at Circuit City. Still feeling the Dilaudid.
March 14: The pain in my right leg mysteriously "disappears" for the entire day.
March 20: Japan beats Cuba, 10-6, in the inaugural World Baseball Classic championship at Petco Park in San Diego.
March 24: The third and final epidural.
March 26: New computer.
March 31: The neurologist appointment. No surgery required. "Enjoy your (Whitney) hike in August," he says.

April 1: "Trepidation Trek" along Sam Merrill Trail with Joe. First hike of the year. Getting my legs to work on the ascents was a tremendous undertaking due to my "inactive" status.
April 2: Pacific Daylight Savings Time. 2007 will be in March.
April 6: The inaugural Thursday Night hike in Crystal Cove State Park.
April 15: "Trepidation Trek II" hike up San Antonio Road past the utility building with snowshoes.
April 29: Summit of Santiago Peak (5,687) via Holy Jim Trail with Garv, Joe, Heather, Kathy, Mike.

May 13: Snow Travel School in Bishop, CA. Convict Lake northwest of Bishop.
May 20: Chino Air Show with Ken.
May 21: Summit of Mt. Wilson (5,680') with Dave and Jane. Fantastic people.
May 29: Memorial Day.

June 10: Summit of San Jacinto (10,834') via The Easy Way with Dave, Kelly and his son, Ryan.
June 11: Summit of Baden-Powell (9,399') via Vincent Gap.
June 12: Purchased a camper shell. No more Holiday Inn Express!
June 17: Summit of Baden-Powell (9,399') via Vincent Gap. Erin's very first summit of any mountain.
June 18: Summit of Mt. Baldy (10,064') via Baldy Bowl Trail.

July 2: Failed summit attempt of White Mountain Peak (14,246'). Keiko has AMS.
July 8: Summit of San Gorgonio (11,501') via Vivian Creek with Dave and Jane. Their first summit.
July 23: Summit of San Jacinto (10,834') via The Easy Way.
July 29: Failed summit attempt of San Bernardino Peak due to storm conditions on the mountaintop.

August 10: Fourth Mt. Whitney summit (day hike) with Erin (her first). 17:05. Second longest 22-miler I have ever done.
August 11: Dave and Jane summit Whitney for their first time. First husband and wife team to hike to the top.
August 15: Kandy summits Whitney for her first time along with her hiking friend and daughter. First mother and daughter team to hike to the top.

September 8: Company golf tournament. Kicked some putt on the links!
September 12: Fifth Mt. Whitney summit (day hike) with Horacio (his first). 15:11.
September 23: Summit of San Bernardino Peak (10,649') via the SBP Trail. Erin bags her fourth peak of the year completing her "grand slam."
September 30: Summit of Mt. San Antonio (10,064') via the Baldy Bowl Trail.

October 7: Summit of Bighorn Peak (8,441') and Ontario Peak (8,693') via Ice House Canyon Trail.
October 21: Summit of Baden-Powell (9,399').
October 27: The "Anaheim Cardinals of St. Louis" defeat the Detroit Tigers, 4-2, to win the World Series 4 games to 1. David Eckstein is World Series MVP. Jim Edmonds, Scott Spiezio and Jeff Weaver (all former "Anaheim" Angels) get their coveted World Series hardware.
October 28: Summit of Twin Peaks East (7,761').
October 29: Pacific Standard Time. 2007 will be in early November.

November 18: Started trailrunning. Slow, but not easy.

December 3: ER. Tachycardia. Later diagnosed as a "panic attack." Wake up call.
December 25: Santa delivers a $20 REI gift card, a book entitled "No Shortcuts to the Top" by Ed Viesturs, and Dale Earnhardt Christmas ornaments. I volunteer at a homeless shelter to serve food and spread cheer. My heart felt good this day.
December 31: Final hike of the year at Crystal Cove State Park. San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek for New Year's Eve/Day summit.

And other notable events of 2006...

PANIC

Agoraphobia...

That is what my psychologist said last night. I had a panic attack last Sunday after my run, because I failed to continue taking my fluoxetine since Thanksgiving.

The good side is that I "probably" didn't have a "vapor lock" after all. The bad side is that I am possibly "chemically dependent" on fluoxetine. Great. I am now an official member of the great American society of pill-poppers. Got a medical problem, pop a pill.

The psych wrote another prescription for another anti-depressant but I am hesitant to get it. My little "reality check" on Sunday was enough to jolt me out of my current predicament.

I am going to ride this storm out. The only "pills" I want to pop are aspirins and vitamins.

As we grow older our mind and body start misfiring. Duh! Too bad I can't get a "tune up" for another 100,000 miles and replace my brain, blood, and lymphatic system.

It was a strange coincidence that there was a documentary on HBO this morning on panic attacks. Earl Campbell and Kim Basinger also have this "disorder."

Ah, a sign from a higher power...