Not as bad, thanks to the wonders of ibuprofen. I've been exhausted beyond belief for 2 days now, though. Could it be from giving blood and then continuing to work out hard the rest of the week?

(That was a serious question, because I know PLENTY of people who work out and don't slack off for illness or blood donation.)

Are you used to giving blood? I was always told to take it easy for a couple of hours after giving blood.

I'm used to giving blood. And I worked out BEFORE I gave blood (ate a big lunch after working out and before donating). And then I took it easy for the rest of the night, but went back to working out hard the next 2 days. And now I'm shredded. Feh.

As it's been years since I've either given blood or worked out really hard, I'm not sure how they relate.

Blood volume drops by a pint when you donate -- I *think* this is what, 1/6 of total blood volume in the body? -- and working out is something that causes the heart to work harder anyway, and combine that with being low a pint...

and I think I just answered my own question about why I'm exhausted.

I got this feedback on "Graveyard Shift," and wanted to share with my lovely betas (Connie, Elena, s.a., Trudy -- alphabetical order):

"Tell your betas they do an excellent job, there is nothing wrong with it."

So there you are. You do an excellent job. It's not just *my* opinion!

Well, of course.

What an odd bit of feedback. But I'm glad that we're doing right by you.

I'm thinking of answering ita's challenge about 'Widow's Pique'... I know that others are going to do so, but it'll be interesting to see the different stories. Especially given my personal slant on Willow.

Elena, DO IT.

And thanks for the kind words!

Here's a thought. Say four of us write a story about this. We put it all together, in four parts, with the proper headers, under the title. I think it would be cool.