Concussions

I'm recovering from a concussion, and using this as a test to see if I can focus on screens for long enough to write a short post. I'm using "f.lux" to adjust my screen to help, and was last hit in the head March 9th.

Mostly I'm writing this as a place to yell into the void about how frustrating this is. I constantly feel like I'm in a little bit of a fog, with a little bit of a headache, and no ability to concentrate. As soon as I start to concentrate on something, or go for more than a brief walk, I begin to feel increasingly disoriented, headachey, and my double vision is consistently terrible.

I'm making the choices one would want someone to make: was taken to the hospital right away (thanks BJ!), resting near constantly, saw my Dr. Physio. acupuncture/massage.

And it's just depressing to face what this means in terms of limiting my risk of concussions moving forward, I spent four years not playing sports because all the health professionals in my life were worried about my knees. Now I'll have to stop because I can't risk a blow to the head. Which really sucks. And, although I know people are trying to help, I am SO FRIGGING TIRED of people suggesting I swim, ride a bike, yoga, etc: I get those are good choices, but I don't understand how people don't hear that my frustration isn't about activity, it's about sports. They are different things and one has been a huge part of my life.

Anyway, got this written and up inside ten minutes, and my head is definitely sore. Back to the pillow fort! Take care everyone.

A brief history of my concussions (or things that I'm pretty sure were concussions):

1) Kicked in the face by a horse at my parents wedding when I was 5. Pretty sure that it was a concussion, although my only remember looking at my hands and seeing blood. But who knows, maybe it wasn't.

2) Car accident in 1998 (or maybe 1997). I was in a really bad car accident, and had my first MRI. Knocked unconscious. Full recovery

3) Working maintenance in Lister Hall in...2001? I was cranking a pipe cutter:

around a pipe in a bathroom, and it snapped off, torqued around the pipe and hit me in the head. This concussion led to my second MRI.

4) Threw myself down the stairs (twice) in some poor decision making related to helping a friend make a video. There was a slow motion video of my head smashing into the wall and the concrete dust flying off, and a scary moment with some lattice work. Looking back, I may have had some concussion symptoms, I don't really remember.

(note: 5-7 happened between Feb 2016 and March 2017. Scary).
5) Fell on the sidewalk walking into work. Walked into the UC and threw up. This was the first time I threw up after hitting my head.

6) Was rear ended driving up Wellington St. Had concussion symptoms for a few weeks.

7) Soccer ball to the face. Dry heaved in the bathroom, concussion symptoms and off work for three weeks so far.

Help! What should I volunteer for next?

I had planned on writing a few more posts about the incoming Trump administration over the break, but have instead channeled my time and energy into finding an organization to volunteer with.

This is more challenging than I thought it would be, and I am open to suggestions. Here is my thought process:

• Coming out of the US election, I decided I wasn't really in a position to a) claim I knew anything or b) complain/feel dejected as I hadn't put any time or work into shaping the result.
• After reflecting some more, I've decided that the break I've taken from the type of volunteering or work I was doing in politics is over. 
• In finding a new organization to volunteer for, I'm looking for the following things (in order of priority):

1. Are they effective? Do they have clear, easily digestable objectives. Do they have strategy and tactics that they stick to.
• For example, I've ruled 123Guelph out as, after emailing back and forth, I can't really tell what they are trying to achieve and how they are trying to achieve it. 
2.  Are they working towards something I believe in?
• For example: I wouldn't volunteer for the group(s) protesting Nestle in Guelph, as I think there are more pressing water issues in Canada, and the impact of those issues are on marginalized and oppressed populations that don't have a very powerful voice.
3. Do I feel a good fit with the organization?
• I don't want to repeat my Green Party experience, where it turned out that most members and leaders of the party were committed to ideals that weren't winning elections, and my involvement usually ended up in damaging conflict as I was committed to winning. 
4. Does the project make an impact on a large scale? (and use the skills I've built in this area)
• I already have a role with the Guelph Community Boating Club that fits a fun/local niche. I don't want a project that would essentially duplicate this (e.g. Hiking Trails, Big Brothers/Sisters, Guelph Hospital, etc.)

I'm not entirely sure what this means, and am open to suggestions. Here are some of the ideas I have: 

• I'm meeting with Fair Vote Canada, as I'm a fan of eliminating FPTP voting as soon as possible...but my perception is that they seem more interested in discussions and rallies, which don't seem to have had much of an impact on elected officials. 
• I could find a potential candidate for the Municipal election in 2018 and help them run. But in Guelph that may be tough. If the seat isn't open, and they aren't aligned with Mayor Guthrie's vision, it's a very high degree of difficulty to win.
• I could find a vulnerable currently elected official who I like, and help them win re-election, but I'm not sure there's anyone who meets that definition.
• In order to prevent Kelli Leitch's Trump-style politics from being in the national conversation after the Conservative leadership race, I could follow the lead of a few of my friends and volunteer for Michael Chong, who I have a lot of respect for.
• With a lack of meaningful local reporting on politics, I could approach someone like Adam Donaldson and guelphpolitico to ask if I can help in coverage of local politics. This wouldn't really use the skills I've built around point 4 above, but could be interesting and fills a void.

Feel free to comment with any suggestions you may have for me! Has to fit around my job at the University :).

New National Basketball Association Collective Bargaining Agreement seems to be good news for the Raptors

Knowing that this blog is where people come to for their up to date information on collective bargaining and the National Basketball Association and, specifically, the Raptors...

Of the facts reported on the new CBA, it appears to be great news for the Raptors:
1) The best players, worth the Maximum contracts allowed, get a small pay bump from 30% to 35% of the team's salary cap.
This will really only impact Kyle Lowry, as he's likely to get the max or just under at some point in the Winter or summer. I can't imagine him leaving the Raptors, his family is reported to be really well settled, he loves his teammates, and he's not likely to join the Cavs, Warriors, Clippers or Spurs...so...so far so good. DeRozan and Lowry are the only two max level players the Raptors are likely to have for the next three seasons.

1b) It became a more difficult choice for players like Durant to leave their original team and join a super team. This makes the formation of another Eastern Conference super team unlikely (sorry Boston).
Their original team, assuming the player is an actual star, can re-sign the player for more money and more years earlier in the contract.

2) The minimum contracts for rookie players are going up. As is the minimum contract for veterans. This is going to make it difficult for teams trying to catch the Raptors to get better.

This is great news in the sense that the Raptors contract situation is more or less set for the next two or three seasons. Teams who are looking to acquire players are going to be really squeezed out by the new CBA: Their first year players are going to be eating up a higher percentage of the salary cap, as will their star player(s) leaving less middle ground for veteran acquisitions. Free agent signing are going to become even more rare. Once again: it's kind of addition by subtraction for the Raptors: They don't have any glaring needs or big acquisitions to make. Teams looking to catch them do, and it just got harder to do that.

2b) One consequence of this will be any player signed between summer 2014 and summer 2016 is likely to have a very valuable contract. Players like Ross, Patterson, Valunciunas, Carroll, and Joseph are going to be incredibly valuable to the Raptors as they'll be getting paid way under market value. This also makes a combination of them plus draft picks a really attractive package for a team who may be looking to trade a star player. Personally: I hope the Raptors don't make a super aggressive move, not much point in getting a Cousins/George or even Milsap if they're going to leave within a year of trading for them and the Raps give up incredible value.

3) The Raptors have drafted really well recently:
Poetl, Nogeura, Powell, Siakam and Delon Wright all look to have NBA player potential, none look to be busts. They're going to get more playing time, more money, and complement the star players well.
The new CBA increases the maximum roster size by two slots, and creates two-way contracts with minor league teams for two players on each roster. All the signs from the Raptors 905 (the minor league team), are that they're incredibly well coached and a great incubator of talent.

4) So, if you believe that the Raptors team is good enough that they're one Cavalier injury away from winning the Eastern Conference playoffs...then it looks like they're going to be in this position for a few years.

So, three more years or so of: Lowry/Joseph/Wright, DeRozan/Ross, Carrol/Powell, Patteron/Sullinger/Siakam, Valuncianas/Bebe/Poetl? While other teams will have a hard time improving quickly? Yes please.