On the HTML Ghost and the state of Non-Socialized Medicine

That was me. The changes to the layout? They were mine. I was getting frustrated with scrolling, while my monitor had a patch of green on either side of posts large enough to start a small ranch. Congrats on getting the feet to match up, although, I for one always thought you had done it on purpose. It was kind of artsy.
The new city sounds great. Here I provide a list of other potentially exciting aspects of running in England (based on my own experiences):

1. STINGING NETTLES. Nothing beats them, and it appears that one need only leave that well-manicured path of yours to find them. Seriously, they are the running gift that keeps on giving. For 12 hours, nows that's a lasting memory.

2. TRAFFIC CIRCLES. If you get bored of that path of yours just try tackling a traffic circle above ground. That'll get your heart rate going. Yes, you'll be taking your life into your own hands, but isn't that why they have Socialized medicine?

3. BUCKINGHAM PALACE. Not many folks can wave at the Queen everytime they go on a weekly long run. And dodging the tourists is good for balance training, abdominals, and screaming "Get the f*!& outta my way!" in as many languages as one can think of. My jealousy is building.

4. THE UNDERGROUND. With its thorough coverage of the city, you can just plug in that iPod and head out. No matter where you collapse you are bound to be near an underground station. And then it's just a matter of time until you find your way home. All the while enjoying a 40 you bought at the train station, and commiserating with the locals.

OK, enough about you. I'm still not running, although I ran across the street yesterday and it didn't hurt too bad. The symptoms have mostly subsided at this point. Just a constant pain in the ass, literally. My right glute is in constant pain, except when I take the little blue pills. The pink ones don't help much, but the blue are amazing.
I was referred to a specialist, and last week was given an appointment for the 13th of September. My plea of, "I've already been in pain for two months!" was met with a profound sense of apathetic empathy. Along the lines of, "I'm sorry, sir. I think?!? I mean they tell me to say I'm sorry, but really I'm just trying to get you off the phone so I can answer the next whiner on line 3." So, on September 13, I've got an appointment with a back specialist. I'll bring my duck call, since Forest thinks they are all quacks. If you hear something reminiscent of Norman Rockwell painting of a duck blind, you'll know I've disagreed with the quack and squawking bloody murder while dressed in a hospital gown.
I'll be taking a Phy. Ed. class at school this semester in an attempt to get something in shape. Not sure yet whether I want to do weightlifting or something cardio like swimming, but if I'm going to take one class I'm going to make it worth it. I register on Monday so I'll keep you posted.
In the meantime, I'm doing my best to show PP how we roll in the Bay Area. Dinner tonight at Suppenküche will celebrate her finishing her doctorate yesterday. Everyone offer her a huge congratulations for running that 6 year marathon without ever faltering, and while managing to keep the rum, tequila and bourbon industries in the black.