When your day starts with a quick diagnosis of strep throat, followed by a shot of antibiotics, followed by manic errands including but not limited to the post office (in addition to mailing packages, a letter from the IRS -- oh joy!), Target, the pharmacy, news that your favorite bookstore parrot died (see memorial below) and so on, you'd think it would be a bad day. But it wasn't. My physician assistant is kind and funny and even gave me a lolipop after my shot. She's seen me through a few things and always tells me to be a big girl so I try. The woman giving the shot made me laugh and checked on me in that vastly reassuring way (How you doing, honey?) because the medicine, thick evil liquid that it was, doesn't enter the body with any speed. No Nurse Ratched action with the whole, See did that hurt? Or worse, I haven't done anything yet so how can you hurt? Or my favorite, It's all over, how could it have hurt? I left feeling a little worse for the wear but in good cheer and then to the pharmacy for cough medicine. The cough medicine wasn't ready so I bought a bottle of Dayquil which I kept dropping as I fumbled for my CVS card. Honey, don't worry, the cashier said. Take your time. Even though she had lots of customers and stress, she laughed with me and said, I hope you feel better, sweetheart. You know, you look like Marissa Tomei. When I laughed and said she was sweet, she said, You do! You go look at you! My dad loved Marissa Tomei, and I considered it a sign from him.
The first time I had strep throat I was working as a lifeguard. My dad had to call in sick for me at the pool where I worked, and he called in sick to work to take me to the doctor and took care of me all day. My friend Angela and I used to laugh about finding a man like our dads, saying that they didn't make that model anymore, as if they were really great sturdy cars that had been replaced by a steady diet of IROCs and Pintos, maybe a DeLorian here and there. But I can't say I believe it really. I could barely string two words together yesterday and yet everyone was kind even in the hurried Christmas rush. Okay, maybe it isn't exactly It's A Wonderful Life when the day ends with a random crazy in a bar, yelling Nice ass, honey! As Richard Brautigan says in one of his poems, so much is gained and lost with those two words. But I felt the Christmas spirit all day, and I wouldn't have it hit me any other way even if I could choose.
Michelle's Spell of the Day
"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he? " It's A Wonderful Life
Cocktail Hour
Drinking music suggestion: "Merry Christmas From the Family" Robert Earl Keen -- this is quite possibly the best Christmas song in the world!
Benedictions and Maledictions
Happy Thursday!
12 comments:
Way to stay positive! Still, it sucks being sick and I hope you feel better. By the way, I love "It's A Wonderful Life." It ranks up there with "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "A Christmas Story" as one of my favorite holiday flicks.
We wish all the friends of Michelle's Spell a Blessed and Holy Christmas! Peace be with you!
May all my enemies go to hell, Noel, Noel, Noel.
So how much of that dayquil or nyquil (better stuff especially two or three bottles at a time) or whatever quil it was did you have to drink before:
A) the IRS letter was just a mere annoyance
B) you came to terms with the parrots passing
C) the christmas spirit hit you
D) you hit the dickhead in the bar and told him "Yeah it is and it provides good leverage when not
swinging from the shoulder?"
I know I should feel sympathy for your minor illness but it is kind of hard seeing as i haven't taken any of my drugs yet.
I never get a lollipop. I just have to load the fuckig needle 3 times a day and stick it in and when I got my flu shot last week the nurse didn't say shit except roll up your sleeve stupid; I can't do this through your shirt"
Good thing she had a nice ass or I would have told her to take her shirt off first so I didn't feel so naked.
I think though as far as shots go the most painful one of all was the one into my penis, now that motherfucker hurt like hell, and she even held my pupa for me. ("I was in the pool, I was in the pool" George Castanza) The five I've had directly into my spinal canal didn't even compare to that one and when it didn't have the desired affect and she wanted to do it again...I decided fuck it and never even paid my co-pay for the pain.
14 surgeries, 18 broken bones, blinded in one eye, camera's shoved up my ass, and (probably the same one) shoved down my throat and more maladies than a hypochondriach on meth and that shot was the worst.
But ok just to prove i have a sympathetic bone left in me that hasn't been broken. Poor little writer deary it will be all better in a day or two, drink another bottle (or two) of nyquil and you'll never know you had strep throat.
and uhhhhhh by the way I ain't no Pinto or IROC i am one of the big old checker(brand name, for you young 'uns) cabs who rides around in rolling art.
oh yeah at CVS if you give them your phone number they can give you the ring the bell points.
My favorite christmas movie is either full metal jacket because they sing the mickey mouse theme at the end or apocalypse now because of the wagner played from the helicopters. It is wagner isn't it? I never bothered to look.Or saving private ryan because he probably made it home to mom by christmas.
"Belloc said...
May all my enemies go to hell, Noel, Noel, Noel." If the kingdom of heaven is within you then where the fuck do you suppose hell is? Just curious
Sorry to hear your not feeling well. I hope you feel better in time for Christmas. Get lots of rest and take care.
Sucks to be sick this time of year. Sounds like you have some good drugs to help with the healing.
Merry Christmas!
Oh I am so sorry that you are sick! I am glad that you are staying positive though, I don't think I'd have the strength to do it. I hope you have a nice Christmas and feel better!
I think I read an interview once where Marissa Tomei said she keeps getting people coming up to her thinking she's Michelle Brooks. They leave disappointed that they didn't get your autograph.
I never noticed the resemblence until I read this post, now I can't see how I didn't see it...I would much rather read your blog than hers though.
I'm really glad your spirits are up even as you're feeling lousy. Hope you get better soon!
Tim
Cajun Q get well as soonasyoucan withthoseMightyIsispowerz
okFoxyDetroitLady
R2 C2 inrainynmistyfoghats
Shazammmmmmmmmm!!!!!
Hey hope you are feeling better. I enjoyed your posts. Take care.
Dearest Michelle, I dearly hope you find a speedy recovery from what is ailing you and by the way, a major Bravo to your wonderful hair stylist Stacey. How do we find her? Also it is another wonderful view and post as always. I think I recognize that background. To you, dear Catholic girl and your lovely blog and sentiments, champagne toasts and caviar dreams, Bravo!
Hey, WM, according to Sartre: Hell is other people--from his "No Exit." So the lesson is that the kingdom of God is within and hell is in other people. Comprendo?
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