As some of this has already leaked out, and as my sense of duty wishes to publicly thank those well-wishers and those who have written, called, eMailed and otherwise voiced their concern. Yes, the whispers are true this time…
About 2o odd days ago, the black mylar sleeve in the brand-new full-strength workout resistance band pictured below; suddenly slipped from under my left-foot while doing front-delt-raises and rocketed the metal ball inside the mylar sleeve/doorjamb right into the precise center of my left-eye. Instant forfeiture of all sight in the left-eye with a scorecard that read: 4 coronial abrasions in the shape of a “W” over the left-pupil, 9 at the very bottom of the eye, and 2o much smaller scratches ranging upwards from left-to-right diagonally across my left-eye. Iris platelets knocked loose and amber pigmentation and blood everywhere with a 3’oclock iritis big and bold. Both eyes fully blackened in about 24 hours, with the left one enjoying an amazing purple streak marking the path of the mylar sleeve itself. 
Not to mention the gold band of pigmentation scaring from about 2 o’clock to 4 o’clock on the inner right-side edge of the iris thanks to said missing pigmentation platelets; which is a story in waiting upon inspection just begging for a place to happen.
In the meantime, after what began as absolute zero sight, and then 20/2,200 vision later that night on an emergency afterhours appointment at the local eye-clinic (praise be to Dr. Britton), I’ve recovered the services of about 85 odd percent of my nearsightedness, myopia, or vision at a distance i.e. seeing across the room or at range. Reading continues to be something of a bugbear; however, once I get through the 24/7 around the clock dilation drops, the retinal surgery clinic at the Capital (praise be to Dr. Mitias) believes that most of that will slowly return (READERs note: reading is now all the way up to a rock solid 70% or so). Even if the totality of healing is said to be numbered in monthly or mid-July terms in the final analysis –hey, it could be worse, I know what blindness is –I know how it feels. Any restoration of sight is a great great great Blessing indeed. I Thank God! I really do. Accordingly…
* All o-8’s on the wimminz scale are now all 9’s.
* All of you 9’s are now Bo Derek.
* And if I finds me a Bo Derek, I’m gonna pull a Colonel Henry Blake of M*A*S*H fame and propose on the very first date.
I can only assure you that the world is a different place right about now. Tightly focused, and wonderful, no matter where I look. 25 odd years removed from Williams Hall and my love affair with American Lit’, I finally appreciate what Emerson meant when he wrote about “…seeing the world though a different lens” in his epic essay titled Self Reliance.
***
In the meantime my techsideline.com publishing scale will be restricted; possibly all the way until mid-summer or thereabouts. Hence the recent presence of my absence on TSL and the absence altogether of my spring practice coverage as well. My professional apologies on that. That’ll get better as everything gets back. You could say you have my word on that … because you do.
Hope to see you soon.
Thankfully and contritely,
b’street**
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I thought we were a little banged up at WR and LB during spring, but now Bstreet is out too! Get well and good health to your eyes.
You know it’s bad when the injury bug starts biting your reporters…
I wish you a speedy and full recovery. Eye injuries are no fun, but you will recover given time. Thanks for your contributions to a great site; I visit it multiple times every day. Can’t get enough of the Hokies. Hang in there!
Best of luck Bstreet! We need you a full strength come start of fall practice.
Close call, bstreet — very, very glad it wasn’t a disaster. My pops has had one-eyed vision for the last 4-5 years and says you never really get used to it. Glad to hear you’re going to be well — or mostly well, if I can interpret your prose correctly.
We’ll keep the chair warm for you!
Great to hear you are getting better.
Dragon, Speak Naturally could be your friend.
Take care!!!
Take care and fast recovery, ‘Street.
AAAAWWWW! I really enjoy Will and CC but I have to say that B’street’s boldness is the most entertaining.
I have had an opthalmologist tell me that the eye isn’t prone to scarring, which is a large part of the trouble with many injuries. The scar tissue interferes with complete healing.
I am glad to know that you have the good news to share that we will still be able to expect to read more of your work, but we have to be patient…so I will learn patience.
I wish your healing Godspeed.
So sorry you have suffered.
If your vision does not turn out perfectly, you’ll still have that vision we need concerning the Hokies. May the Force be with you.
Glad to hear you are doing better. I always enjoy your write ups as well as all the others. I read a lot of Tech sites but this is the only one I have no problem paying for. I hope your sight continues to get better and can’t wait to read more of your write ups.
You always make for interesting reading. Your insight, acumen, and synopsis is World-Class-at this level anyway. Don’t worry, a Blind Man could dissect the Tech Offense, oh yeah, that’s right, you already do! Please get back up to snuff quick, you are a treat! My
Buddies and I find you delightful, the Tech Sideline won’t be the same, that’s fer sure.
b-st…I truly wish for a quick and complete recovery of your 100% vision….Hang in there; Sounds like you got some very good medical attention when it was most needed…I’ll say a prayer for your recovery!
WoW!! That’s some scary stuff b’st. Sounds like things could have been much worse. I’ll say some prayers for a speedy recovery so we can all get back to not understanding what you right on the boards and blogs (well, at least not understanding ALL of what you write!)
Chief
SHUN…………………………………………………..! Nah, just kidding. Get well soon Street!
B- will be praying for a quick and full recovery.
Get better soon B-street–you da man! You know Hokies football like no other and your posts and articles are both informative and funny.
Bless you and best wishes.
You will be sorely missed here and I look forward to your recovery and return…
B-Street, my man, get well soon. God only gives you 2 eyes and I am happy that you are on the road to recovery. Stay postive and I will keep you in my thoughts.
Looking forward to your truly, one of a kind writing and analysis when you return. You sir, are EPIC!
Having a BA in English from VT I have knocked before and, sadly, will probably have to do it again for abusing our mother tongue. Having said that, I wish you a speedy and complete recovery,
Sorry to hear about your injury but glad to hear that you are recovering nicely. This will give me time to catch up translating your most recent articles. (just kidding.
God Speed
Glad to hear you’ll be able to recover from it. Least it didn’t happen during football season and the spring game was cancelled.
God bless. Here is to a speedy recovery.
Best wishes. We miss your commentary, but your first priority has to be your sight!!!
God bless!!
Here’s to a speedy recovery B’Street! We will keep you (and your Doctors) in our thoughts and prayers!
best wishes for speedy & full recovery…..look forward to your future bylines.
OUCH! Here’s to a speedy recovery …
Yikes, b’street. Hang in there and I hope you heal up quickly and completely. Best wishes to you, my Hokie brother.