I know a lot of people are in pain all the time, but I'm not used to it. So when I have a day like today, I don't handle it well. I complained to everyone who would listen, and here I am complaining to you, too. Aren't you glad you came?

What I've been telling people is that I twisted my back, and that's probably as accurate a diagnosis as I can give. It's the lower back, at the left hip joint, and it's felt all day as if someone were poking me with a hot metal rod. It's been hard to find a comfortable sitting position, and as a result I didn't get a lot of work done.

In fact, I spent a lot of time sitting with ice (that is, frozen peas) pressed against my back. I dosed myself up with pain reliever, too, but nothing helped much. I'll just hope that it gets better with time and rest. I don't much like hobbling around and feeling like this.

Yeah, I know. I didn't get much sympathy from my co-workers, either. The family was a little more understanding, and full of advice as usual. No, I don't plan on drinking anything alcoholic while I'm doped up on pain meds. Yes, if it gets worse I'll call the doctor. No, I don't need any soup (but I wouldn't mind a cookie).

It's not as if I was out digging ditches all night, or break dancing or practicing my pommel horse routine. I don't even do those things in my dreams, much less when I'm awake and thinking clearly. I fell asleep in the recliner last night in what I think must have been an awkward position, because the pain was there when I woke up, and it built up as time went on. I was a sight to see, trying to make my way out to the mailbox this afternoon. For once the lizards didn't have to scurry very fast to get out of my way.