A third of my father's spine is now completely artificial. He's already back at home, recovering with the help of frozen yogurt and ice cream. He even has a new painkiller that comes in the form of a lollipop. If that's not an invitation for overdose, I don't know what is.

Once he heals, he's getting more vertebrae replaced. And once he recovers from that surgery, he's going to rehab. I'm sure they'll have regular lollipops to help wean him off the neuropathic variety.

Today, I also gained some backbone, this one more metaphorical than artificial. But it was useful. Momentarily. I'm still going to need pain killers. San Diego is off for now.

Also: I was all up in this dude's nutz this morning.