Effluvia

My, my, my. Things have gone to hell in Florida, haven't they? Who would have guessed the Idiot/Fencepost championship match would have had such a long, strange denoument? You realize, of course, that it's only a matter of time before Pro-Bush and Pro-Gore mobs clash and maul each other in the streets, setting out cities ablaze.

It's interesting. Last week Sonya and I were out in Metairie and there were a bunch of Bush supporters demonstrating at the monument on Veterans Boulevard. SUpporters for Bush and Gore show up regularly on TV, chanting and waving their signs. My question: why? Public opinion no longer matters in this issue, or if it does it's a minor matter indeed. You don't need to change my opinion, buddy, you need to be putting some cash in the pockets of various judges, lawyers and other officials in Florida. They're the ones whose opinions really matter now.

Journals

• Bad Hair Days
• Plaintive Wail
• Humidity and Hebephrenia
• Randomly Ever After
• U9
• Fukushu
• Nature of life...
• DNA Sequencing

So, like, on Wednesday and Thursday night I was asleep before ten. On Thursday night I was asleep before ER came on, for God's sake. Yes, I am still sick.

Though not as sick as I was on Tuesday, that's for sure. I felt like raw ass on Tuesday, and not much better Wednesday.

(The Wife just gave me a little Dove chocolate. Those are good enough to make anyone feel better!

Dove bars confused me for years, though. I'd hear people say "I love Dove bars" and I would think, my, what an odd affection for a brand of soap. When someone would say "I ate a Dove bar" I had no idea how I should respond. I would wonder if they would hiccup and spit out bubbles, like in the cartoons.)

So yesterday I was feeling much better. Sonya and I went out after work, first for Indian food, then to Macy's (Christmas presents) and then to the Quarter to pick up some tickets at the House of Blues (Jerry Lee Lewis tonight, Better Than Ezra next Friday). So we'd already been to the House of Blues box office and we're walking down Decatur. Standing outside Silky Sullivan's, talking to the doorman, is Archie Manning! Much-loved former Saints quarterback and New Orleans demigod Archie Manning! It was so cool! Just standing there chatting like he was a normal guy, when in fact he towers above mortal men! Sonya nearly bumped into him! It was a magical night. My weekend was officially made. Archie Manning!

And then I had to buy a gag gift for my office Christmas party. I went in one of the Quarter's many tacky tourist gift shops and got a shiny glazed alligator head. I've always wanted one; I'm sure at least one of my coworkers has, too.

Today was great. I ran to Walgreen's for Coke and Kleenex earlier, and across to Joey K's for lunch, but for the most part I've been parked firmly on the couch, reading the latest Vogue and swigging away at a bottle of Robitussin. I even took a nap, too. The cold germs can not win against my arsenal of rest, high-calorie food and powerful over-the-counter drugs.

(And speaking of Arsenal, they had an impressive 5-0 victory over Newcastle United and their high-powered beer-making sponsor. Congratulations, Gunners!)

Tonight I will witness Jerry Lee Lewis in all his glory. The Killer has a bad reputation in Memphis for showing up late, drunk, not showing up at all or putting on a horrible show when he can be troubled to make it. Hopefully his behavior is a little better on the road, but I won't hesitate to lobby for a refund if he falls off his piano bench in a drunken stupor.

And tomorrow I'm pledged to run with some coworkers in a 5K that benefits the YMCA, regardless of the fact that I haven't run in a week and that I will no doubt snort and hack and blow snot all along Poydras and Canal. A charming picture, no?

And now the dog is whining and acting all anxious. We need to take a walk.