Zoink! Computer over-use injury
June 3rd, 2008 | 40 Comments | Categorised as: Geeky Stuff, Life
I didn’t listen to the doctor when she said, "stop using your computer for 14 hours a day, take breaks every 15 mins, and find a more ergonomic work space. You are going to severely injure yourself!"
I didn't listen one bit, and now i have a neck spasm the size of the polar caps before humans polluted the earth and made icebergs melt into the ocean... like way before Leonardo died in the icy waters of doom after the Titanic totally snapped in two.
I guess I seriously need to find some other ways of amusing myself for the next couple of days while I heal. What am I gonna do?? I'm already bored.
What can I do without a computer or internet? Any suggestions? Movie/tv show recommendations are most welcome. I would say "books" but let's face it, unless it says, "Harry Potter" or "XYZ gear manual" on the cover, I won't read it.
Uhh I shouldn't even be typing this. cramp. ouch. Stop! Step away from the MB air. Away! Expecto Patronum!
Comments
Currently 40 comments.
Mostly Lisa said on June 3, 2008:
ok i'm seriously turning this beast off. 1...2...3.... GO!
Aron T said on June 3, 2008:
Either "Arrested Development" or "The Sopranos" - many hours of enjoyment can be had from renting DVDs of said shows.
LivSimpl said on June 3, 2008:
Lisa - If you haven't seen it yet, you gotta check out Arrested Development. It isn't on the air anymore, but you can rent all three seasons at most video stores. Honestly, it's the most brilliantly written show that's ever been on TV.
Hope you feel better soon.
Ryan Ray said on June 3, 2008:
You can send me the Macbook Air, I'll blog for you! Take a break more often and film or take pictures, I personally like fishing.
Chris said on June 3, 2008:
At this point, I'd have to recommend an iPhone.
Six days!!!1!!!1!
Cesar said on June 3, 2008:
this is soooo cute!!!
buy some popular mechanics, wired and national geographic! :)
I think I hurt my back but I am afraid to go to the doctor .. but it hurts when I'm lying.. haha!
Jonic said on June 3, 2008:
*checks to see if you're logged in on AIM*
Not logged in, good on ya... Hope your neck gets better soon... You could always reverse all the furniture in the room, thus reversing your ergonomic posture and cancelling the effect of neck-cack!
Seriously though, how did you do your neck in? Isn't your head pointing upwards while you use a computer? Low ceilings?
No matter, hope it feels better soon :)
Jacob Burke said on June 3, 2008:
I would suggest any of the Chris Moore books if you want something to read. The books aren't geeky, but the guy is an amazing writer! You can check him out at: http://chrismoore.com
Hope you feel better soon! HUGZ!
Chris said on June 3, 2008:
Ooh ooh ooh!
Weekdays, 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Canada
Tuesdays, 12:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. Canada
Wednesdays, 12:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. Canada
Thursdays, 12:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. Canada
Fridays, 12:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. Canada
Saturdays, 12:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. Canada
Wednesdays, 12:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. Canada
On your local CBC station. Which you should be able to get ota if you don't have cable. If you don't have a TV, get a USB TV tuner. Just no typing!
I have no idea why it states Canada after each schedule listing, but I just copied & pasted.
Jeff said on June 3, 2008:
dude, two words: rubik's cube
teflonjedi said on June 3, 2008:
Too bad you're avoiding books...I would recommend "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova. Fun, and spooky.
Lyndon said on June 3, 2008:
I think it's that Macbook Air's keyboard that did you in. My friend let me his for a bit and typing for an extended period on that thing is murder!
It's a really nice laptop, but that keyboard just sucks :(
Along with Arrested Development, you should catch up with your movie watching. DVD I'd go with Juno (by the odd chance you haven't seen it) Office Space, Ratatouille (figure out what to do with the peas) Theaters - Ironman, Indiana Jones, can't really think of anything else.
If that fails to amuse you, you can't go wrong with the Looney Tune cartoon collections on DVD as well :)
Pete said on June 3, 2008:
wii fit.
Jeremy Latham said on June 3, 2008:
I went through a similar situation a couple months back. A new, good, computer chair has made a huge difference!
Adrien said on June 3, 2008:
Hey !
I had that kind of problems, sometimes it's just neck cramps and sometimes (but it happends very rarely, it's the whole back).
So if I can give you pieces of advice (whoohoo! Geeky Stuffs !):
- if you wan't to read, take a look at Isaac Asimov Robots cycle (starting with I-robots which have no connection with the movie but the title) Always a pleasure to read it and read it again :).
- Try music learning ! That's the way I began guitar playing ^^.
- Come in France ! (that's the most expensive advice) I'll make you visit nice places, but don't look too fast at the Eiffel tower, you would cramp your neck again ^^.
heal well !
PS: excuse my english again :S
Adam said on June 4, 2008:
At least two or three seasons of house...hence the reason I haven't updated for so long.... Hope it feels better soon...
Diego said on June 4, 2008:
Play around with guys and break their hearts
cyrusinvan said on June 4, 2008:
Audible.com. I'm listening to Confessions of an Economic Hitman right now. I'm sure you can find something you like or listen to TWIT for some suggestions.
Hope you feel better soon.
Andrew said on June 4, 2008:
I think you should watch Carnivale. It came out around the same time as the Sopranos, and is very very entertaining. I''m pissed that there are only two seasons though.
Pasquale said on June 4, 2008:
Install some animals, catch a flick, complete some more of my list and practice your smiling without laughing technique.
SpazZ said on June 4, 2008:
Some of my favourite shows are:
Supernatural / Reaper / Chuck and Psych.
My books mostly come with lots of drawn pictures in them, flown in from the US of A, so not a lot of tips there.. Though Advanced Photoshop is a pretty nice magazine, as is Computer Arts.
Good luck dealing with that nasty injury!
Mitchell said on June 4, 2008:
You should read Twilight. Most awesome book ever.
James said on June 4, 2008:
I second the Chris Moore recommendation. "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Friend" is wonderful, as is "You Suck: A Love Story."
Tyler Ingram said on June 4, 2008:
get outside enjoy our (rainy) city?
Read the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind?
Make Banana Pancakes and pretend it's like the weekend?
Danny Dang said on June 4, 2008:
Catch up on a tv show you been meaning to pick up? I find I can burn through a season or two very quickly when I need to get away from the computer.
Rebecca Gillis said on June 4, 2008:
I spend countless hours in front of the computer which in turn leaves me rather stiff in the neck and back.
To counterbalance all this sitting I suggest circuit training... I absolutely swear by it... a good hour and a half work out session ever other day is exactly what keeps me from deforming into a hunch back. Hiking is another great way... it gets you upright and mobile.
Dan said on June 4, 2008:
Check out a UK show called The Inbetweeners. I had a random bout of insomnia the other night and ended up watching 6 episodes of it. It's really funny.
Also, Gordon Ramsay's F Word...
This kinda reminds me of the World of Warcraft South Park episode... "ARGH!! Carpal tunnel! CARPEL TUNNEL!!!"
You could also do the American party piece and sue everyone from Apple, to WordPress to the manufacturer of your wristwatch.
Melvin said on June 5, 2008:
I would suggest watching the NBA finals.... jk... ;-)
Clintus said on June 5, 2008:
Sorry to hear you're hurt. You crack me up though. So cute and nerdy.
Clintus said on June 5, 2008:
PS How do I get my picture in one of those little boxes?
Tawcan said on June 5, 2008:
You can try reading Time Traveler's Wife. Good book.
Spike said on June 5, 2008:
Sorry you're hurt. I'd be willing to trade you my shattered and surgically-repaired wrist. At least you'd be able to type with one hand (with a little help from my new friend "System Preferences -> Universal Access -> Keyboard -> Sticky Keys").
Raul said on June 5, 2008:
Salsa dancing is good for your neck ;)
Hope you get well soon, Lisa. Take care.
Brad Ruggles said on June 6, 2008:
At least the peas match your top. Nice touch! :-)
Hope you feel better soon so you can return to your lovely MB Air.
Brad Ruggles // http://www.bradruggles.com
Nate said on June 6, 2008:
You don't even play MMORPGs and you managed to injure yourself...You have been working pretty hard and I think you should take a week-long sabbatical from the blawggg.
In The Sphere: Step Away From the Computer | BlueFur.com said on June 6, 2008:
[...] Lisa went to see her doctor lately and she was told to step away from the computer and find a more ergonomic work space. The warning was that Lisa would severely injure herself. She [...]
Ducho said on June 6, 2008:
have you tried ...
- rubik cube
- nude texas holdem tricks
- another aventure with the camera paper animals friends
- guitar hero
- yoga
- a bath of bubbles
- (maybe ice cream and jonny deep non-comercial movies) .. jeje thats the way i conquist a little girl one time...
good luck, i send you lots of health
Mostly Lisa said on June 7, 2008:
@Aron T & @livsimpl & @lyndon -- i'm a huge fan of Arrested Development. i have them all, but i'll definitely watch them again and again.
@lydon -- def going to see Ironman asap! ps. don't hate me, but i didn't love Juno. i felt it was overwritten and melodramatic and trying way way way to hard. and i've heard Indiana Jones sucked bollocks.
@Cesar -- i'm currently reading June 2008's Wired magazine! my favourite!
@Jonic -- been off IM for 4... count them 4 long days!
@SpaZ -- funny. i've auditioned for Supernatural & Psych. didn't get the part... obviously! jerks.
gosh i'm never gonna get to everybody with my 5 minutes on line at a time. ok i'll be back later to reply to the rest of yous!
peaz out.
AJH said on June 8, 2008:
A good chair; the Aeron is in three sizes, and highly touted as an ergonomic solution to extensive keyboarding. (When you get better).
http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/0,,a10-c440-p8,00.html
I swear by the Logicraft Trackball mouse; one moves the thumb only, none of the herky jerky hand movements, and I see it can work for a Mac. I got mine 8 years ago when $80 US, and love it still, and live in fear that it might be discontinued.
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Ed pNo=473153&CatId=540
Healing time | MostlyLisa.com said on August 11, 2008:
[...] I’m sorry for the lack of posts, but my horrible computer over-use neck injury is taking it’s darn sweet time to heal. Apparently, these muscle-tendon injuries need longer than a day to heal. I know! What’s with that? And if you continue to work in anti-ergonomic conditions for 18+ hours a day, the injury comes back! Harsh. [...]