Everybody Nose

Just as Joe Markle is forever connected to my front tooth (for kicking it out on my 24th birthday), Ben Robinson is now forever connected to my nose.

Upon Manuel's return to Doha, basketball has become the exercise event of choice.

Thursday night, we got out for our second game and we actually convinced Ben to come out and join the fun.

We arranged a nice group to come out and play 5 on 5. First game was a blow out with my team losing.

Second game, after the re-picks, our team was stacked. Big time.

Me, Manuel, Dale, Khalid and Assim VS Ben, Tarek, Hannah, Aaron, and Zuhair.

We quickly jumped out to a 11-2 lead (in a game to 15) before breaking for water.

Everyone was struggling with the heat and humidity but we were ready to forge on.

Refreshed and ready to win, we took the court.

The tides turned quickly thanks to many missed shots and turnovers (by yours truly).

The game got to 14 - 11 and the momentum was totally in the other teams favor.

But then, with Manuel at point guard, we made a break for the basketball.

A sort of give and go.... I passed to someone (cant remember who) and made a bee line to the basketball.... I could smell the glory when the bounce pass cut through the lane and was just within reach....

At that moment, Ben, with his back to me and totally beat by my move, spun around and CRACK! His backhand smashed my face and everyone could hear the sound of breaking bones.

I dropped to the ground, shocked, and spat repeatedly, expecting loads of blood.

Nothing.I felt my teeth in fear that I lost more of them..... they were all there. Not even a loose one.

Then I felt my nose. There it was. What once was a long straight beak was now shaped like a "J" with one nearly collapsed nostril.

Calmly, we left the court and headed for the ER with a tshirt filled with ice pressed against my face.

After 3 hours in the hospital, I finally got the diagnosis....

No broken bones. Instead, I had a dislocated septum.

Which apparently is worse than having a broken nose bone (because the nose bone is a quick, on the spot fix while the septum required surgery to fix).

For now, I am coping with the massive bruising and swelling in my lip....

And waiting to get my nose sorted out.

Which leaves me with no other option than to pick myself up a badass Richard Hamilton piece.