Sick of It

So.. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday of this week in my bed knocked out...and Thursday I was still recovering... I watched fireworks from the comfort of my couch. At least the high-def. was nice. New York's was amazing by the way.. it was like 30 minutes long, with what seemed like 10 different finales. But yeah, I was horizontal for like almost 48 hours straight. When I get sick, it hits me so hard, it's seriously ridiculous. Luckily my neighbor and good buddy Tim Cannon is also my doctor (local resident at GW Hospital). He was able to diagnose (strep) and prescribe (Augmentin) for me. Thank heavens for Tim, I'd probably still be in bed if it weren't for him, simply because I wouldn't have gone to the doctor.

I just hate going to the doctor for so many reasons. First of all, the whole process takes forever. I could easily drive from DC to NY, or watch a whole football game in the allotted time you are going to be in the doctor's office. Then, sitting in the little waiting room (which is freezing cold--just to ensure that you really are sick-- or if you weren't already, now you're on your way) with all these other people who are sniffling, shivering, shaking, and staring- that's the awkward part (besides the nudity that happens in the private rooms with the crunchy paper), and you have all this time to sit there and wonder what they're in for and worry if you're going to end up getting what they have. Don't read any of the magazines by the way.. they're outdated, and think of how nasty and germ-filled those things are, being handled by countless sick hands every day. Maybe I sound like a germ freak. I am.. sometimes. I tend to kick doors open when possible (especially public restroom doors).

And while on the topic of germs, I've got to make a statement about handshakes at the dinner table. I hate it when there are late-comers to dinner once you've already started eating and you're like mid-meal and the late-comers start sticking out their hands to greet you, like just saying "Hey, how are you?!" isn't going to completely say, "hello" and be the official greeting. No.. they've got to actually shake your hand-- and who knows where their hand has been? Mine was just washed and now I'm using it to eat, but their hand was probably just opening the restaurant's door picking up the marks of thousands of other hands that have been there today, and now they would all like to shake your hand before you go back to enjoying your meal! I make it a point if anyone is ever mid-meal and I'm the late-comer, I won't even try to shake hands-- in fact, a small wave, heartfelt "hello" and a big smile will do the trick quite nicely-- even though it may look a little cheesy. And if the eater insists (generally because he feels some sort of obligation because he's overly polite or socially cautious/insecure/clueless/obnoxious--could be any combination of the those) then, and this is not under all circumstances, I think the "rock" (a swift, solid, yet soft bump of the clasped fist with another typically with the fists turned so that the thumb, if called upon could rise to do an immediate "thumb's up" without the hand moving) is appropriate. I've been in situations where I've given the "rock" when the other party insisted that our hands touch despite him being mid-meal, and he was very pleased and even looked a bit relieved. So, I actually don't think I'm a germ-freak, I'm just aware of the many ways that man can become ill through the passing of germs, and after this past week, I don't want to get sick for a long time.

Anyway, I am feeling much better today, and back at work with some things to get done...

Thanks Tim.