See! Pretty toes! [link]

Ok. Really signing off now.

So, reading through my email this morning I have to wonder...

Did the Hellmouth reopen in California?

Seriously, not good news. My brother could use some grow-up ma. And job-ma. Among other things. Also some be careful ma and self-esteem ma...

And then there's extended family getting a probably much needed divorce, but the way it blew up? Again I'm thinking hellmouth activity.

For all the other people whose bodies are betraying them, I hope health and relief returns quickly for you!

And in actual me news, I just signed up to the the Nation's Tri in September. Olympic Distance. Eep!

Go, d, go!

Go, Teh Ick, go! Make like a tree. Yeah, you heard me, get out of Hil, and everyone else who has it.

Hil, you'll have an easier time of keeping an electrolyte solution down than just plain water:

Also, this helps me, if you can manage it without choking or otherwise killing yourself, try holding a sip in your mouth until it warms up to body temperature before swallowing. I'm not sure if there is any scientific basis to this, but it sometimes seems very soothing to me when I do it. And at the very least it will help with dry mouth. ETA: also while you are at it, imagine that I said that in a non-bossy way, but posed it more as a possible suggestion.

Seriously, do ya bring a bathing suit to these things?

you can if you want to, but it's perfectly acceptable to go au naturel. In fact, you may not want to bring a bathing suit, if your bath has stuff in it (like oatmeal or herbs) or if you do mud. The first F2F, we went to the mud baths. I soaked with Betsy. Afterward, there was mud EV.RY.WHERE. We were in the shower just off the mud room, trying to be subtle. I finally said "look, we both have mud in unmentionable places. let's just turn our backs to each other and go for it" she said "oh, thank god"

Just heard on British radio that they are also hit with a plague of the ick, one of the most serious stomach virus outbreaks in a while. They are encouraging people to stay home as not to spread it.

TCG's stepmom just e-mailed me to tell me she had the stomach bug right after Christmas, so I guess it is going around here too.

They are encouraging people to stay home as not to spread it.

ei. in philly, it seems to be viral pneumonia that's going around...

Have a great trip, vw!

I saw someone getting on the bus yesterday wearing flip-flops, which baffled me, because I don't think any of the First Hill hospitals qualifies as a tropical destination. She didn't have a cute pedicure, either. Her feet were just very, VERY white. Like, scary bloodless white. Which is probably the natural state of bare feet when it's 40F and raining.

Seriously, do ya bring a bathing suit to these things?

Nope. you'll be in a room by yourself with a luxurious bath (the spa I did this at had clawfoot, which was sweet), probably some sort of aromatherapy fancy bubblebath, and you just soak as long as you want. It still seems weird to me even after doing it, but it is pretty nice and relaxing.

{{{Everyone with the Ick}}} Try to stay hydrated, poor things. Tiny sips from a shot glass aiming for 1 oz/hr has helped me in the past.

Hey, when you are cleaning your coffee maker with a vinegar/water solution, what's the ratio?