AFK

Today is my first day back at work after Christmas holidays, and I'm probably feeling better today than I have since about the 20th of December. X. and I have both been wretchedly ill during the Yuletide season, a condition apparently shared by just about everyone we know. I don't know if it's the flu, but there does seem to be something extraordinarily nasty going around right now. Fortunately, X. is between jobs and I've had since the 22nd off, so at least we didn't have to haul our diseased carcasses in to work, but I suspect we've made up for it by infecting our respective families with the Damned Thing. Unfortunately, it's difficult to appreciate ten solid days of slack time when you're busy drowning in your own noxious secretions.

So here's what I've been up to, for anyone who's interested:

Dec. 22: Got to leave at noon. Watered office plants thoroughly, because dead houseplants make baby Jesus cry. Went to early Christmas Eve dinner at folks' place because my dear little sister and her beau were leaving for Spain on the 24th. Tried to avoid coughing on her, as I didn't want to spoil her holiday. Opened presents. Went home early at my mother's insistence.

Dec. 24: Christmas Eve at X.'s folks. Learned a great deal about the eating habits of various ruminant species from X.'s dad, who evidently misses lecturing. Opened more presents. Went home early due to hellacious stomach cramps.

Dec. 25: Christmas Day at my folks' with my aunt, uncle, and two of my three cousins. Wore a great deal of makeup to disguise sickly complexion for obligatory family photography session. Went home early after hacking germs all over extended family.

Dec. 26-7: Hacking, sniffling, and watching _Shogun_ on DVD.

Dec. 28: Birthday. X. was feeling a bit better, so he made me breakfast. Went to folks' place for dinner (chicken cordon bleu - my favourite) and profiteroles in lieu of cake. X. earned my undying gratitude for erasing the picture my mother insisted on taking to mark the momentous occasion of my turning 35. Like I really want to immortalize the moment when I look and feel as though I've been run over by the "Bust Loose" party bus

Dec. 30: More or less alive. Went with X. to a D&D session at TFG's apartment although only as a spectator.

Dec. 31: Went to a smallish soiree at Strixy and Franca's apartment and got rather drunk. Felt considerably better. Decided to consume more alcohol next time I get sick.