ChiKat, that's horrible. ~mas to the student. I'm so sorry.

Not meetings on my Birthday!

I hear that in pirate accent.

ION, my dad walked into my room, saying we'll give the Big House Hunt another try this Friday, but that would be it.

Unfortunately, new options just won't come up.

I just wish I could find a fast way to feel better about it, or just indifferent. Or a time machine and reeducation of the past 24 years of my life.

I'm really not after the brackets, I just don't know what to do. I know it has to be done. I just wish it wouldn't hurt so much.

I'd be interested to serve on a jury, though I'm pretty sure "my dad's a judge" would see me excluded by one side or the other. I've never been called for jury duty in Australia. Conversely, I received multiple summonses while living in Philly (which, as a non-citizen, I had to decline).

The joint? It can do either. Slowly returning is the least painful way. What's yours doing?

I've regained some range of motion. Tilting my head down still hurts like a bitch. I've tried all my regular neck-popping moves, gingerly, but to no avail. Wishing I had an inversion table handy.

If it doesn't get better on its own soon, I'd suggest seeing a doctor if you can. They'll know if you've done anything more complicated than just trapping a nerve.

Duly noted, and thanks.

I hope it feels better really soon, smonster. Trapped nerves in neck are an absolute evil bitch.

In not-unrelated news, I am totally unproductive today 'cos pain and tired and all that crap. Am wondering whether dihydrocodeine will help or hinder.

Shir, I'm still sending house~ma, in the hope that your family's final search for a suitable house proves fruitful.

Happy birthday, omnis!

Can I once again reiterate how awesome my little brother is? He had to add something else to the order to get free shipping when he bought me the Manga Guide to Molecular Biology. But Amazon shipped them separately for some reason, meaning my Surprise would come earlier.

He called me yesterday and asked if I'd gotten a package. I told him I was still at work, and he remembered the time difference.

When I finally got home, I found a very heavy package waiting for me. I opened it...and it was Craig Thompson's Blankets. Which I have been wanting to read for a while because it's supposed to be really good, and I always eye in bookstores because it looks so pretty. I had even recently been thinking about it and how it was kind of expensive and I probably wouldn't buy it myself. Except it's not on my Amazon Wishlist, and I have never talked to my brother about it. We always joke about our psychic bond. I love him.

I envy you the lack of knowledge about this. Single Ladies is insidious.

Innocence lost. Can't stop humming it now.

P-C, your brother is awesome.

I went to see the doctor for my not-hearing oozy ear. He can't tell if I have a middle ear infection because of all the wax in my ear. (D'oh!) Apparently the ooze really is wax, because water gets trapped in the ear and mixes with the wax and then...oozes.

So I have to put peroxide in my ear 3 times a day until Tuesday, then go back to the doctor; if the wax is still there, he'll scoop it out and then see if I have a middle ear infection. I do, however, have an infection in my ear canal, so I have antibiotic drops for that. (I really do feel like a 5-year-old.)

Your ear is yucky!

Jilli, is The Ghostly Equestrian Ball on your calendar?

Your ear is yucky!

My doctor's observation on first peering in my ear: "There's a moderate level of nastiness in there."

Me: "Is that a medical term?"

Dr.: "Well, no. The term is 'ew, gross!', but I didn't want to confuse you with medical terminology."

I love my doctor. I do not love my ear. Stupid ear! Be less waxy!