Standerd Slides

Subject: James Balzer
Photo: Kim Traas
TSQ Location: Book 2.2, Polaroid, Page 112

This photo was taken a day or two after James’ discharge from the hospital. He spent a few days having his bones screwed back together, coughing up blood and having sand removed from every crack of his body. My husband, Ivan, and I happened to be on vacation at the time of James’ intimate encounter with the dirt bike track, so a daily visit to the hospital was quickly added to our itinerary. His face didn’t look so bad when he was in the hospital. The swelling was worse, but it took a few days for all the bruises to fully form into the beauty that you see here.

I think I recall that the look on his face in this shot was in response to a simple question about what he wanted for dinner. It was the same expression he had on his face for that whole week… except when the oxycodone wore off, then he added a grimace. The doctor said he hadn’t suffered any head injury, but I don’t know. They didn’t even scan his head, and this look kind of says it all.

James is all back up to snuff now. Whatever damage was done has healed up and he’s back and ready for action. I suggested he and my husband take up fishing or something less risky than dirtbiking or wakeboarding (responsible for my husband’s current cast situation) but they pretty much ignored me.

-Kim Traas