Susan Arthur

Ah! Justus1199 has the explanation for my illness. (See the cartoon at the bottom of the page.) Now all I have to do is figure out why the flu didn't show up till years after I had all my fun....

I was determined I would go to work today. But just to be safe, I looked up on the internet to find out how long the flu is contagious. I was pretty sure it was only like 3 or 4 days, so I'd be safe to go back. But NO. You are contagious as long as you have symptoms, according to two or three different sites. I wouldn't wish this crap on anyone, so I called in again. I talked to one of my supervisors, and I commented that if I did any ILL returns (a large part of my job) I could spread this crap all over the state, single handed. So, I'm home again today.

I asked Nia to bring me some books yesterday, before I realized if I was going back to work today I wouldn't have a lot of time to read them. Especially since I'm trying to read homework, too. My attention span is pretty short, though, so light reading breaks up the more serious stuff. I specifically asked for Chuck Palahniuk (here for the short version; here for the full effect.) I saw the movie Fight Club on my daughter's recommendation, without knowing anything about it. Then I randomly picked up an audio version of Diary for one of the trips to KY, and Amy saw it in the car at Christmas and commented on it. When she told me he was the same guy who wrote Fight Club, everything about the book suddenly made more sense, or at least I understood it better. Whew. So yesterday, Nia brought me the book of Fight Club. I'd forgotten a lot of the details of the movie, but the book also has an impact (so to speak) all its own. Very good, both of them. Now to read some of the others.

Until the fresh batch of books arrived, I was re-reading stuff I own. First I picked up Sue Grafton's A is for Alibi and it was okay. I enjoyed it, but it was like eating a cheap white bakery cake-- no substance, and I kept wanting something more. Well, maybe that's a little harsh-- I'd call her books breezy, but not quite fluffy. Then I pulled out one of Marcia Muller's Sharon McCone series, and I could tell the difference immediately. There is so much more to these books. I think they're more introspective, for one thing. She gets deeper into characters, and Sharon has a supporting cast that's like an ensemble of players, instead of her being a stand-alone player. There is also a long-range story arc that keeps me coming back for more. I was also vastly entertained to find that MM's hobby is making models of houses. The Photo Gallery on her site has several shots of models she's made of structures in the books. The bedroom in one of the pics has little tiny bras, undies, and high heels scattered about. How cool is that?

I'm off insearch of food. Not sure if I can handle any more of the chicken soup or not, but I'm mighty hungry. Foooooood.

I actually slept all night last night. Whee! The couple of nights before that, I could only sleep 2 or 3 hours, then I'd wake up for an hour or two, then back to sleep. It was pretty surreal. Today I got together enough energy to throw some stuff in a pot and make chicken soup. Not that I particularly LIKE chicken soup, but it's one of those things you're supposed to eat when you're sick. I took the same approach I did to the veg soup, and modified it enough that I enjoyed it okay. If I can get enough energy to go out and get some lemons, I might add a bit of lemon juice to the next bowl. Sounds weird, I know, but I adore Avgolemono (sp?) which is a greek chicken soup with lemon, so what's to lose?

I was supposed to go to Livia's for dinner tonight but I am absolutely not going to have the strength. Pitiful. I've been awake a little over two hours this time, so I'm about ready to hit the sack again.