Shoulderific, Uncle Sam-Flavored Ramen!

I went to physical therapy and learned that what’s actually wrong with my shoulder is that I have an “impingement.” Basically this means that there is a swollen bursa above my rotator cuff that creates a pinch point when I raise my arm above my shoulder. The bone it is sandwiched between is the acromion, and mine just happens to be bent inward, thus creating less space for said bursa to be swollen. In thinking I should work it through the pain I was actually keeping it swollen. Go me.

My physical therapist, Chuck, thinks I’m a funny gal just because I can’t seem to answer any question simply. I’ve never really been very good at that. (ha) But really, how do you answer a question about pain simply? I always thought you should leave “room” for worse pains in your life, like childbirth, for example… And does pain mean “bad” pain or any pain? Other children who were beaten probably can’t answer this either. It’s hard to figure out what does hurt “bad enough” to be considered pain… Who knows. But at least Chuck is amused.

I like Chuck. He knows things.

So, I’m on the mend, finally… Hopefully I’ll be able to hit the slopes a few more times before the season is over. I’ve got free tix, man!

All that being said, I must share my most recent trauma, being anally raped by Uncle Sam. Yes, Uncle Sam indeed has a great big one, and has recently shoved it forcefully and repeatedly into my anus (without permission).

Ya see, a few years back I did the Teach For America program in the Bronx. This program is affiliated with Americorps, so you get an “Education Award” for each year you serve. It essentially totals a little over $9000 and you can either use it to repay loans or to pay for other coursework. I chose the former and thought I’d be doing good by sending it as a big wad to the federal loans people. These guys did reward me by saying I was prepaid until 2009. Sweet! (or so I thought…)

So where does Uncle Sammie’s King Don come into this tale? A few days ago I got this little slip that says that the money I sent TO THE GOVERNMENT is considered “miscellaneous income” and that I would have to pay taxes on it since it hadn’t been taxed. Basically I have to pay taxes on money that wasn’t ever mine that I already sent TO THE GOVERNMENT to pay money I owe TO THE GOVERNMENT by way of student loans. Having my loans prepaid until 2009 puts me in the oh-so-interesting predicament of owing the government an extra $2000 in taxes! I tried to talk myself out of crying the other day, but the tears did come, as did my realization that I do not (in any way, shape, or form) have that kind of money to throw to the gov’t.

So how is that fair, people…eh? Hoepfully I can work something out before I have to sell my Christmas tree and live off of Ramen Noodles for the next 5 years.

Hey, but at least my shoulder’s getting better… --And I have a “date” with Chuck on Valentine’s Day… :-P