Radomness and disjointed thoughts

I have a new display picture.. it was a great martini I had in a great restaurant in Boston called Durgin Park. I like being able to see the whole glass as apposed to the previous picture.

Why is it when you are getting ready to go away for the weekend it starts to pour outside? We are on our way to Rockport Massachusetts as soon as my daughter gets out of work, I hope the weather brightens up. My biggest decision is whether to bring the laptop or not. Could I manage a weekend without it. I am leaning towards trying. Problem is I sleep horribly and would hate to be awake in the middle of the night without something to distract me. I always have my BlackBerry but it isn't quite the same for midnight surfing. (edit to add.. husband handed me a case and said, this should work for the laptop.. how could I say no)

I hate logging onto itunes. It takes forever to load and it asks me to download the newest version each time and for some reason it doesn't cooperate. (this on the creaky desktop that needs to be purged) Now it won't recognize my ipod. I have some new cds to add and HAVE to have them before I leave for the weekend.... Good news I did finally get it to work and it now recognizes my ipod and Beck, OneRepublic and Queen Latifah are safely loaded. I now have 1500+ songs on it and room for about a million more. Anyone have suggestions.

Got a nice surprise when we arrived at the hotel..the wifi works in the room. They say they had it in the lobby but since reception isn't guaranteed in the room they don't promote it.. well we must be close enough to the lobby, cuz I am getting it "loud and clear" Addicted? Who me?.... "My name is Vodka Logic and I am an internet addict"

We had a lovely dinner at the Gloucester House which is quite famous. Some of you older readers may remember that a Bewitched was filmed there once. Gloucester is a fishing town so only the freshest fish is served.. Anyone heard of Gortons Fish? The plant is across the street from the restaurant. No fish sticks in the restaurant, thank goodness.

It is 6am Saturday morning and it looks dreary and over cast outside, hopefully nice enough to go shopping. I never complain about NOT putting on a bathing suit. The stores here are quaint like the town and there are also a lot of art galleries. More lobster for lunch? No vodka, I didn't drink enough water last night and have a touch of a headache. Rockport is a dry town but you can get drinks in the restaurants now.. we stopped at a liquor store in Gloucester before coming back to the hotel. Bloody Mary perhaps...where's the cafe?

Been enjoying my free Maxim magazine. There are some funny bits in the beginning, the editors answer the mail and they like to be snarky. There is a joke section too that is a laugh. I read an article about girls who like one night stands and another which suggested good restaurants around the country. You can also vote on your favorite Maxim lady from across the US, I haven't decided which I like best. ;-) I also found out a coworker friend gets Maxim now delivered for free, I will have to ask her what she thinks of it... it is certainly better than Rolling Stone which is biased and too liberal for me.

Ok enough rambling from me today.. back to bed in hopes of a bit of sleep and the end of this headache... I'll share some of Tuck's saltwater taffy with you all later. xx

Happy Anniversary to Me (hopefully)

When I first started this blog, a year ago, it was called "I Was a Snicker Bar Addict". I always figured that would be the name of my autobiography. The title being obvious. This changed over the year and my blogging changed as well. I love blogging and I love reading all the great blogs out there. If you know of a good one please leave me the link.

The following poems are old posts that I wanted to share for a laugh (hopefully) and to let you know what prompted my change in title...

Keep reading and commenting and I will keep entertaining (hopefully), inspiring (hopefully) and laughing (hopefully) along with all of you.

Thanks for the great year xx

Vodka Logic

Vodka logic
The best there is
Follow along if you can.

After a few
With only olives to eat
The effect goes right to your head.

Shaken not stirred
And on ice if you please
Sit back relax, and cheers.

------------

Vodka Logic II

The logic the next morning,
Is always so clear.
Why did I have the last drink.

As I move for the first time off my pillow
To check the time,
Will my head be sore and ache.

No hallelujah,
I have learned the trick,
Lots of water is necessary to drink.

Poor luck to the guy
On the pillow next to mine.
Who is sputtering and moaning, "oh my"

Green Day asked if we wanted to be Saved and we said Yes!!

As I said I would, if anyone cares, I will fill you in on the Green Day concert. In the words of my youngest daughter (about to be 15) it was epic!! I was excited to see Green Day as soon as we ordered the tickets and knew it would be good, but these guys were amazing. They had us in the palm of their hands as soon as the show opened. We had 8th row center floor seats which were great..but we were unaware there was a standing area in front of us which was disappointing but the view was still good and the floor shook and swayed to everyone dancing and jumping. My chest could feel the beat of the music pounding on it and my ears felt like they had cotton in them for two days after the show. Even at my advanced age (lol) I had a great time and was glad I didn't miss it. (not been particularly healthy lately for those new to my site)

I couldn't tell you the songs they sang but they opened with a song from the new cd 21st Century Breakdown. Once they started to sing they never stopped. Billie Joe Armstrong the lead singer has more energy than a 4 year old on sugar. He ran all over the stage and played the guitar like it was the last time he might be allowed to. Tre Cool the drummer must have lost 10 pounds while playing..and Mike Durnt the bass player was excellent on bass and as a back up singer. They did have other members with them to complete the sound for a tour, but I have to admit my eyes stayed on the three main members.

The staging was fun and included pyrotechnics, explosions, sparks and fire. Poor Tre Cool must have jumped every time anything was exploded since it was next to him..Maybe he got used to it, or deaf.

I recognized most of the songs during the almost three hours they played but a few were unfamiliar to me. Not one was new to my 15 year old who sang with gusto the entire time. She was in heaven. I was so thrilled to have been able to give her this dream concert and share it with her. My two daughters and I are concert buddies and I hope it continues for years to come (even when they can pay their way and don't pretend to like me because of my check book, kidding mostly)

One of the things I like about Green Day is, it isn't all about heartbreak and cheating lovers. Their lyrics are political and relevant. I am sure they have a much more liberal leaning than I do but some ideas cross all boundaries.

Tired as I was I managed to stand through most of the show but succumbed to my seat for a few songs. The bouncing and jumping took its toll on my knees.

The concert ended with Billie Joe playing acoustic guitar and singing Good Riddance (Time of My Life).

The show was attended by all age groups and I do wonder how the parents of the little ones felt about the language.. Billie Joe did not censor himself and the volume was definitely on the maximum. My children being older it didn't bother me..besides they have heard all the "words" before.

We had supper at Cheers in Quincy Market and then spent the evening with Green Day... what a great day....that is until I got the fateful call from my husband that the police showed up at my house..

My Concert History... it Rocks

I love to go to live shows, it is my hobby. Over the years I have been to quite a few concerts.




This is my list, as chronological as I can remember. Some are opening bands, often as good if not better than the headliner. I have also forgotten some of the opening bands.

Elton John July 4, 1976 (the Bicentennial for those too young to remember )
Again in the 80's
Micheal Murphy
Dave Mason
David Bowie
The Kinks
Marshall Tucker Band
Jonathan Edwards (anyone remember The Shanty Song)
Sting
Hewey Lewis and the News
Phil Collins (not sure if with Genesis or solo)
Jethro Tull
Some reggae bands.
Pink Floyd without Roger Waters
Steely Dan
Robbie Williams (in Mexico City)
The Virgins
Jet
Snow Patrol
O.K. Go
Silver Sun Pickups
Roger Waters
Keane
Rocco Deluca and the Burden
James Morrison
Panic at the Disco
Hush Sound
Motion City Soundtrack
Stereophonics... the best gig to date :D
People in Planes
I Nine
Pat Monahan
Jason Mraz
Bushwalla
The Make Peace Brothers
Everclear
Ryan Adams
Oasis :D
Serena Ryder
Eric Hutchinson
Keane (again)
Mat Kearney
Helio Sequence

Recently
The Bravery
Green Day (in my youngest words it was epic)

Rob Thomas

Edit 02/08/10 I saw Rob Thomas in December due to a change in his schedule. The opening bands changed to Ryan Star. He was ok but I was disappoint that OneRepublic and Carolina Liar where unable to attend.

I'm sure it counts as a concert in the purest sense but we saw British commedian Eddie Izzard in January

I have tickets to see Train in March.

Edit 04/07/10 Train was great, no opening act but they made up for it.

Now have tickets for Russell Brand, Lady GaGa and Green Day again :) with AFI opening

Edit 07/06/10 We have now see Russell Brand...very funny and Jimmy Fallon also very funny.
Lady Gaga is done and dusted and next up is Keane and then Green Day..again.

Edit 01/26/11 Keane was amazing again as usual. Fran Healy opened for them. He is the lead singer for Travis and is touring a solo project. I really enjoyed him as well. Also opening for Keane was Ingrid Michealson

Green Day was AMAZING. They know how to entertain an audience for hours.. and hours.

We went to the House of Blues and saw Say Anything, Motion City Soundtrack and another band who's name I have forgotten. MCS was the only one we enjoyed.

Next up is Elton John.. I can't wait.

Edit 03/27/11

Saw Elton John and Leon Russell.

Just saw Jeff Beck

Augustana
The Main

Coming up
Train with Maroon 5 and Gavin DeGraw [opening]

Motion City Soundtrack

Foo Fighters

Beady Eye

No Oscar nomination and World domination

So I went to my doctor and then to employee health and was told I could go back to work three nights a week (I normally work 5). No acting required, no "cough cough", just plane and simple I need to cut back my hours for now. I really am pleased about it since after my first week back I spent the weekend sleeping.

When you work nights, at "my" hospital it consists of Friday and Saturday night. Friday is part of one week, Saturday part of the following week. I usually work the Sunday night too, which for a night person is Monday...got it? Ok. The nurse in employee health was not too thrilled that I would be working the weekend, but I did explain that every night is basically the same. Two techs and what ever happens, stabbing, gun shots, falls, or liver transplants can happen any night of the week so it made no difference. We will just count the week end towards the 3 nights a week. She conceded but said no to working Sunday night.. who am I to argue.

The night went well, we were steady busy, not crazy which was good. Enough to keep me awake but not so busy I was running around. There was at least one stabbing..not sure the outcome of the patient but he didn't require any units of blood. There were falls and plenty of abdominal pain but nothing too drastic. It was like riding a bike.. I will work again tonight and then have 3 off and work 2 more...trouble is I could get used to this..I have plenty of sick time so will get paid for 5 nights, which is good. But no sense wishing I could work less hours for real, college bills, food bills, mortgage payments, and vodka to buy.

Excuse me while I go back to bed......

There is good news, I no longer take a blood pressure pill for now, and my diuretic has been reduced. A few extra arthritis strength tylenol have been added for the aches and pains but I think the trade off is good. (those are my pills in the picture lol)

Not a good seque (why does my autospell check say segue is spelled wrong, google confirmed it?) but I now have 61 country flags. 61 countries have visited my blog.
Some are probably mistakes, they were looking for vodka recipes or logic (none here) but ended up here. Who am I kidding of course they were all looking for me and my wisdom. (insert rolling eyes smilie) The newest country is Honduras, I bet they have a huge blogging community there.

World domination is getting closer, I can feel it. (off to google how many countries there are on the planet...)

Rob Thomas, Indiana and Back to work

I have tickets to see Rob Thomas at The Mohegan Sun in November. I am very excited about it. He will be a new addition to my concert list. Opening for him is Carolina Liar and OneRepublic both good bands as well. The seats aren't the best but the venue seems ok.. but no worries will still hear the music. One gig ends and I get the shakes until I have another concert lined up.

I have also bought plane tickets for my 14 year old and I to visit a friend in Indiana. We met on line and have become fast friends. We have a lot in common, including 14 year old daughters. I hope they hit it off as well, Rush and I have bars to visit. Seriously though the girls seem to have similar interests as well.

And to be safe I bought flight insurance, the way my vacations have been going this year I thought it would be wise to buy in case I come down with some other disease... any suggestions?

Work resumes tonight and a 12 hour shift as well. I don't do many of them but we all have to take turns filling in the open shifts and I signed up for this one months ago. I also have appointments with my doctor and employee health today. I do "cough, cough" feel an Oscar worthy "cough, cough"performance coming my way.... " I would like to thank....."

I will let you know.

Rolling Stone and Maxim magazine

A couple of years ago I bought a two year subscription to Rolling Stone magazine through one of my daughters school fund raisers. It was a good deal so why not. I read it each month, the music bits anyway, and then tossed it. I didn't resubscribe since it is a bit, well a lot left wing for me. For my music news I prefer Q Magazine. It is British and that is where my music preferences mostly lean..there are exceptions however. Q is good about including American music news, especially the bigger bands. So each month I put out the $10 for it, a month after it is out in the UK even. I digress... a few months ago I started receiving Rolling Stone magazine again. I didn't subscribe, it just started showing up in the mail box, no big deal as before I read the articles that interest me and then recycle it. I figure they are trying to get me to resubscribe again..it won't work but I will read it for free.

Today I get the mail and I am now getting a new magazine, addressed to me. The magazine you ask....Maxim. I always thought that was a mens magazine. As far as I know Vodka is a girls name. No mind I will have a read, maybe I can learn something about men, then I'll pass it on to my husband.

For Better or Worse

This cartoon was in the paper today and it gave me a chuckle. I hope you enjoy it. (click on cartoon to see it larger)


by Lynn Johnston

The police were looking for me last night...no lie

I will post more about Green Day I promise...mean while having the police show up at my house looking for me still has me in a bit of a state of shock.

Last night I didn't show up for work, I have never done that before. I have overslept (I work nights for those that don't know)and called as soon as I woke up to tell them I would be late. Thing is Employee Health was supposed to email my Manager... A bit of back story...

I was in the hospital for a few days two weeks ago and when you are out of work for 5 or more days due to illness you are supposed to go to employee health before you go back.. I forgot that rule as did my manager, supervisor and the lead techs. So I went to see them on Monday and they and I decided I shouldn't have gone back to work all at once. I work full time and perhaps reduced hours would have been better. (I spent most of the last weekend in bed napping)

Employee health was to email my manager with a form that I would not be returning until at least Friday. I did not call the department since I was told it wasn't necessary. At 1130 last night my phone rang, well vibrated, and my daughter answered it and they asked for me and she said I was "busy" and that was all she heard so hung up. (they never identified themselves as my work) Then my supervisor kept calling, these calls I did not see. The first call I saw was the non emergency number of the local police... OMG. My husband called shortly after and warned me. He asked me what I told them and I said nothing I didn't answer the call. Apparently the police had just been my house looking for me... two cruisers, two, can you believe it. Poor husbands blood pressure hit the roof when he awoke to blue flashing lights and the police banging at the front door. The neighbors lights started going on as well.

What did he tell them? He told them I had gone to the 24 hour CVS (a chain pharmacy) because I didn't feel well. So I finally call the police back and tell them why I wasn't at work and it was a misunderstanding and he said ok, I'll call your supervisor. Cool I thought, I didn't want to call her.

I did call her in the morning and ask why she felt it necessary to call the police and she said she was "concerned" since I have never skipped out on work before and so sent the police to check on my welfare.. she also said she knows my husband owns guns.. I am pretty sure she was kidding. She also apologized for being such an alarmist. I guess I should be flattered they were that concerned for me, but the police???

The local paper prints the police activity in the weekly paper I wonder if I make it....

And for the "rest of the story" email me. ;-)

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Green Day

Amazing show at Boston Garden. More to follow
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The Traveling Wilburys

A few years ago I bought Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Anthology and it is brilliant. The songs don't come up on rotation very often, on my ipod and today one did to my surprise. It reminded me that I used to listen to The Traveling Wilburys. More great music in my opinion. The group is comprised of Tom Petty, George Harrison (the creator), Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne of ELO.



I know I have the first one, and maybe the second in my cd collection somewhere but they are MIA at the moment so after I dropped my daughter off at work I went into BestBuy to get them. All they had was a 3 cd collection so I picked it up. I don't have the third cd, recorded after Orbison died, and it had previously unreleased songs so the repeat cds seemed a good deal.



The songs still stand up over time. (First cd released in 1988-ish) There is a lot of humor in the songs and great melodies. I have never been a fan of Dylan's voice but he is a brilliant poet. As part of The Wilburys I enjoy him. I never knew much of Harrison either but as a group they were great together. All sing lead and back up so the variety is enjoyable. And Roy Orbison deserves a special mention, his voice is distinct and marvelous.



If you haven't, take a listen, you won't be disappointed and let me know.





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A Grudge

I don 't like to hold a grudge,
But admit I have done so.
Sometimes it is hard to resist,
So things sit and let them grow.

It's not a trait of which I am proud,
But somethings have a mind of their own.
So I try to work through the best I can,
And not bother others with my moan.

Most things work themselves out,
As time and nature take course.
As I muddle through the lingering grudge,
Looking for a stronger force.

As they say "time heals all wounds"
Truer words were never spoken.
Soon I forget the true cause,
And the grudge is now broken.

If you hold on to them too tight,
It weakens the mind and soul.
So forget the past and move on,
Forgiveness the ultimate goal.

Hello World

When in the world to behold,
We watch to see the truth unfold.

Wondering where we fit in,
When will our lives truely begin?

Often told age is but a number,
Yet through this life we stumble and slumber.

Too bad the number doesn't match,
What's in my brain wanting to hatch.

Youth is there trying to escape,
But the body unwilling, out of shape.

Damned am I not to let it stop me,
Break the chains, to be set free.

Screw the pain, screw the drain,
It's my turn, my time to reign.


(now if only I could believe it)

Ouch, glad I'm not a Kangaroo

A friend in Australia sent me this "coin" purse (and a Stereophinics cd I love). My kids said "gross" when they saw it. I had a great laugh. It fits nicely in my new small purse.
It is nice to have something by the "balls". Thanks Danielle.
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Where in the World are my Readers

Blogging has been interesting to say the least. When I first started I only posted my poems but then when I had no inspiration for a while my blog sat silent, so I decided to blog "conventionally" from time to time. Mix it up so to speak. I like it better this way. Not sure about everyone else but for me it makes it more interesting and varied.

I have always had the Flag chart showing where my readers came from and it has proved interesting as well. At first I got people from here and there, a few at a time. I joined a couple of blog sites that help you promote your site and things have expanded a bit. Funny at first I didn't care who read or how many, but then I became more obsessed with spreading "my" word. Don't know why, nothing I say will ever change the world but why share if no one is going to read it. Anyway it has been fun to see the numbers grow and the number of countries expand.

I have now had visits from 57 different countries, cool. Most of them I have heard of, some not. I get a laugh out of a few of them,Unknown - European Union with 4 visits. If anyone knows where Unknown European Union is let me know. :-)

They are listed in order of the countries with the most visits, US being number one, for obvious reasons I suppose. Britain and Australia next, as I have a lot of friends in those countries as well. Some other interesting countries are, Brunei Darussalam with 2 visits, Sri Lanka with 2 visits, Pakistan with 10..that's kinda cool and my newest country is Oman.. I need to google where that is... geography was too many years ago to admit.

I hope to get more countries and will not rest until I have been visited by the world !! Unrealistic? Probably but hey, we all need a goal.

Bloodwork, Boats and Blogs

Hello blog world, I am back and mostly on the mend, only having trouble with some carpal tunnel due to residual fluid retention.. ouch. Again thank you for all the kind comments of well wishes. The doctor called today and my blood work is back to normal, except my potassium is low. She has prescribed a supplement. I promised to eat plenty of bananas and green veggies. She has stopped my blood pressure medicine for a while to see how I do with out. I also take diuretics which with the mono and not eating and drinking made things worse. Lesson learned the hard way. Now if I haven't bored you keep reading, I did manage to get some fun into my vacation week. (the boss even agreed to switch some of it for sick time..wonders never cease)

My oldest daughter and I did go back to Boston the next day to get a better look at the Tall Ships. I didn't realize it but they only come to Boston every 4 years. They are stunning and if they stop in a port near you I recommend a visit. I believe they are headed to Nova Scotia next and then Ireland.

Unfortunately I don't remember the names or countries of a lot of the boats...excuse me ships..but most of the names are hard to pronounce. I have included a few pictures of my favorites. I don't have a fancy camera but I think you will get the idea.
As you can see the day was beautiful and since we took a Boston Harbor Cruise we could relax and enjoy the day. We did walk around later but the arthritic knee got the best of me and we went to Quincy Market Place and had some supper.



We went to Bill's Last Resort, it was fun. Their "thing" is to be insulting and uncaring. The toss the place mats and menus at you and are surly. Our waiter was the king of sarcasm and funny. He knew we "got it" so really played it up. They also make hats out of paper and write funny sayings on them. My daughters said "I still wear diapers, cuz I am lazy".
They tied a balloon in my hair that said, "I am still hot, but now it comes in flashes".
Funny. We had Alaskan King crab legs and K had cheesecake for dessert and I had a strawberry daiquiri...yummy. The day before we went to Legal Seafood and I had a delicious watermelon drink..it was basically fresh watermelon blended with Grey Goose vodka... and if you are concerned, why would you be, I only had the one drink each day.. I am recovering ;-)

And I think I have caught up on all the blogs I normally read. Thanks for the laughs mostly and just sharing your thoughts with me and the rest of the world. xx

Boston Skyline

Tall Ships Boston

We had an actual vacation day today and the family went to Boston to see some of the tall ships. We shopped Newbury Street first (I got a cute purse at Brooks Brothers) and then we went to the warf.

My oldest daughter and I may come back tomorrow since the husband and youngest were grumpy .....sheesh who just got out of the hospital?
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Vacation Day.....who knows

This was the lovely breakfast served in the ER while I wait for a private room. Yuck

I am being worked up for the flu so apparently I can't share a space with another patient. Not that I want to share but it would be nice to move along.

I have been getting some tasty iv's and have to measure all my pee. Seems I am in acute renal failure due to dehydration and a bladder infection. Yippee. Things are improving so that is good.

Thanks for the comments of well wishes from my readers and family and friends. I hope to be back to reading all our blogs soon but the Blackberry is only so good.

Xxx
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Day 4 Vacation

Day 4 of vacation in ER being evaluated for Mono, a bladder infection and flu. Sigh
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Buster the crab

Buster has showed up at my favorite restaurant.
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Ticker Tape of Weight

I found this ticker maker thingy to track your weight loss. I have set it to a target of 10 lbs at a time so as not to get discouraged.

Day Two Vacation

No picture today... don't feel like it. It is actually warm and looks sunny as well. Just not in the mood, go figure. I do feel human today, not 100% but I think the worst is over.

I got up at 6am to go get my infusion and the clinic was closed. I checked my date book and my appointment was yesterday. Crap. It is July 3rd so the clinics are closed and I, in my feverishness, didn't take notice. Crap again, will now have to make it up.

Also had an appointment yesterday to have the roots done on my hair, guess what, missed that too. It would have been nice if they called me the day before to remind me...sometimes they do. Now I will head off to NYC with roots...crap. Honestly not sure I would have gone. Takes a couple hours to have the hair cut and colored. Still feels better to blame them than myself.

I do think I feel well enough to go to dinner with friends tonight, probably not sushi but there must be something on the menu I can eat.

I do love vacations honestly and they don't usually start like this and I have great hope it will improve. Stay tuned, I'll let you know..if I haven't chased you all off with doom and gloom. :-)

Day One Vacation

This is the weather on day one of my vacation. It greeted me as I left work this morning.

I am feeling a bit better this morning but now have cramps. Gotta love the human body.
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Flu, Day Three

It is day three of my flu, I have a temperature and my whole body aches. Lucky I haven't had the nauseous and runs part of it.... mostly. The worse part is this fever, I haven't taken my temperature but there is no doubt about it. So basically I am living on tylenol, ibuprofen and a few crackers and water.

I have been sleeping off and on around the clock since I started feeling sick and for the most part that is fine, but the body gets sore laying down all the time. Yesterday I moved to the couch downstairs, better tv, other people, and more room to move around. The fan has been on constantly, blowing at me to keep me cool. Trouble is eventually I get cold, go figure.

Luckily my kids are older and can take care of themselves. The older can drive the younger around if need be, and they can get themselves lunch, like I do that anyway. My husband is home in time to make supper so all is taken care of. I know this life of leisure won't last forever but I will take it while I can. I wonder if I can fake a fever once I feel better.... probably won't because I hate feeling sick for real.

I need to feel better for my trip to NYC next week and calling in sick to work right before a vacation never looks good. I am going to try and drag myself in tonight, my last shift, and make it til morning and a training session. Yuck.

How long do I feel like this before I call a doctor, there is swine flu and all... Best part is it is good for the diet and I am sure I have lost a couple of pounds through all of this. I would say down about 12 lbs now. Has to be some benefit from being sick.