Toe Up

At 3:00 tomorrow morning, it will have been exactly 2 weeks since I broke my toe. I'm still hobbling around with one crutch and an oh-so-chic "shoe cast" (velcro is so hot right now). I saw an orthopaedic surgeon, who told me that I don't need surgery, but I did manage to both fracture a bone AND tear a ligament in my left big toe (or "great toe," as it is properly referred to in the medical community--this has been the source of numerous "great toe injury" quips). I never realized just how much I rely on my toes. They're so small and seemingly inconsequential, but having one out of commission has given me a new appreciation for the importance of these undervalued phalanges.

That said, I still kind of wish I had a more impressive injury. When people see me gimping around and ask me what happened, their looks of concern tend to turn incredulous when I tell them that I broke my toe. It didn't even happen in a cool way--no skateboarding or moshing or heroic kitten rescue. Nope. I, graceful gazelle that I am, broke my toe while climbing out of bed. Granted, my bed is lofted and is therefore about 5 feet off the ground, but it's still a pretty lame story.

There are, however, some perks to being hobbled. The walk to the Metro station is rough, but once I get on the train, I'm pretty much guaranteed a seat (many thanks to the BBW who gave up her seat for me on the Green Line this morning, and a great big "fuck you!" to the yuppy asshole who ran over my foot with her big rolly suitcase at Union Station); people hold doors for me and offer to carry my stuff (a stranger outside the Union Station Metro offerred to carry my bag, but I didn't think that was such a good idea); it's wicked easy to get a cab; and I got an awesome seat at the bar for the Detroit Cobras show at the Black Cat last Sunday (thanks, Center!).

All in all, things could be a lot worse. So for now, I shall enjoy the hospitality (and pity?) of others. Once I ditch the crutch and the orthopaedic shoe, I'll just be another chick who walks kind of funny.