[Jeff Higgins]

First off, I want to just say a very heartfelt "thank you" to all of you who chimed in on the "other" thread over the last couple of days. I couldn't believe all of the genuine concern for my well being from the many, many friends I seem to have made here over the years. Moreover, I simply could not believe how many of you continue to oil your holsters and use WD40 as a firearms lube... If I achieve nothing else in this lifetime...

Anyway, no one did anything "wrong". To put to rest all of the rumors circulating not only this forum, but the various social media sites, internet chat rooms, blogs, and board rooms across the land, it was I who asked that Z-man tidy up the thread a bit. There was some personal stuff on it that I didn't want flitting about the wide open interwebs. Believe me, I'm fine with you guys knowing, but it's become a big scary world out there...

Anyway, shingles... Yeah... umm... "Get yer GODDAMN VACCINE!!!!!" That's today's friendly Public Service Announcement. I would not wish my January on anyone. There is a little discussed component that most are lucky enough to avoid but, unfortunately, it found me. Boy did it find me...

In "rare" cases, like 16% or so, there is a "debilitating nerve pain" component. That sounds so innocent. Well, I'm here to tell you - like many of you, I am no stranger to "pain". I volunteered at an early age to be my family's designated lifetime crash test dummy. You name it, I've probably broken or sprained or lacerated or burned or road crashed or crushed it. One total hip replacement, two surgeries to relieve discs impinging into my spinal column, and on and on. That cute little "pain scale" of one to ten, the one where our doctors like to ask us where we are to let them know how much "this" hurts? This one is an honest to gosh 300-400. At least.

The best part is, it never fluctuates. Never gets worse, but never gets better. Completely position or activity insensitive. Think of the moment the dentist's needle finds the nerve so he can numb a tooth - that special pain. Down an entire arm. For five weeks. 24/7. In the old days, folks simply went insane, then took their own lives. There is no treatment, even today.

Anyhoo, I don't want to dwell on that. Let's just chalk that up in the "best avoided" column. I was still able to lurk, during moments of (relative) clarity, so I was keeping an eye on you lot. Don't think I wasn't watching... now that I'm back, you can start dismounting those scopes from your lever guns and performing your proper penance. Oh, and shaving your palms, for those of you who let it go too long...