{{{{java}}}} {{{{seska}}}}} {{{{everyone whose family has been jerky}}}}}

ION, my cats are totally taking advantage of my injury. they've realized that while i'm soaking/icing my foot (and thus out of the air cast) i can't run after them and chase them away from whatever mischief they are making. Now they wait for me to unstrap and unwrap, then jump up on the counter and wreak basement-cat-approved havoc. Jerks. I need a long-range water canon.

Thank you for the extremely supportive messages, peeps. After S took a nap, we tried yo see Avatar but it was sold out so we ended up seeing Sherlock. We had fun. If only our entire relationship could be spent dog walking, movie-going, and sitting in pubs with pints of Guinness. Alas it cannot be. I'm not going to try and have anything but a light and easy-going time until I leave on Wednesday. I don't know what I'd do without y'all.

I need a long-range water canon.

Ugg. Sunday is start of long week. And how do I start it off? I left my lunch bucket at work. Please let the rest of super stressful week go better.

S is insane. and I mean that in a truly compassionate way. he spent 2.5 years without a job, found a job, moved across country , away from a major part of his supposrt system and his been so busy with his new job , he can't unpack. He feels crazed right now.

I get that you are hurt, Java chick-- how could anyone move across country and not consider what commitment means.

What I would do, is set a deadline, Java chick. Not for him , but for you. On April 3rd ( or whatever date you pick) you will make some sort of decision -- go forward, stop , or continue for a little longer; stop going to Boston , but welcome him home, etc.

Take the pressure off for a few months, you have put some time and effort into this relationship. It is not always best to make a choice when all of the parties are a bit crazed.

Beth is very wise. I just want to give you a huge hug, Java. I won't be around much this week, but I love you dearly and am thinking of you.

And Seska, I'm so sorry about your stupid in-laws.

And BC, yay new suit! Sorry it was pricey, but it's actually a really good thing to have anyway. It's the male equivalent to the stereotypical little black dress.

Okay, not here now. Just had to jump in and say that.

Well, that was exciting in a very NOT sort of way. Fire rescue, including two big trucks, paramedics, and a Sheriff just left my house after my smoke alarm went on, then off very quickly. Initially, we just thought it was because of the furnace kicking in, since we're having our first big cold snap of the season, but it had a different sort of smell from typical first time furnace and it was very localized upstairs. Even after checking everything out and finding nothing, we weren't comfortable, so we called the fire department and they advised that someone should come check it out.

I expected one truck.

Got three.

But hey, they checked everything out with the sensors and everything's okay, if you don't count the extremely grumpy thirteen-year-old and his extremely grumpy cat who may never forgive me for shoving him into his carrier with no elegance whatsoever.

Sleep now.

Barb, I got no comprehension of what you just said, but I really really hope all is OK with you. Trucks and paramedics and Sheriffs are a lot for one night, or a year.

Kristin and Drew, I loved the pictures. Have a wonderful wedding and a honeymoon, and aww, God, you look so happy. I remember, the F2F, when I was there by video camera, and just saw you and went "wow". I know I said "wow" and "hey" lots of times this evening/morning, but that was because that 1. it was really early morning, 2. there were so many Buffistas there to love, and see for the first time, that my vocabulary didn't kick in. But in your case, I remember that the "wow" was for "wow! Look at these happy, shiny people!". Kristin, happiness suits you, and I wish you and drew nothing but this (and health) for a very, very long time.

Shane's pictures are as always, so joyful. How is the little punk, and how are you two doing, GC?

{{javachick}} and {{Seska}}. Please listen to other wise Buffistas. I'm sorry - and a part of me can't believe that great, gorgeous people like yourselves have to go through shit like this - for it is craziness. You deserve so much more than doubt and hostility. This isn't quite it.

Thank you all for the feel better wishes (WS - I laughed and laughed). Unfortunately, my body still differs, and it's getting quite creative about it. A woman-person gets up at 6am to go to another full day and uni+volunteering gig. She doesn't feel that great, and suspects she's high on fever, but hey, she's still standing and able to do things, so what the hell, right? Wrong. 10 minutes before I was planning to leave the house, after I took 2 sips of tea, I felt really, really sick, and pretty much puked my soul out. I don't know if there's a similar expression in English, but it is the expression in Hebrew, even though now it makes me think of demons/curses a-la Angel. After it, fever shivering started, just in case I still thought of getting out. 5 hours later in bed, I'm still weak, feeling a little bit sick, and need drugs to control fever and headaches. Which is JOY. Trying to get little sips of water and some food just not to take the drugs on empty stomach. Lovely.

But I really, really, really do need to get better by tomorrow. Because I'll have another chance to meet The Girl and Seska, and I won't be able to meet The Girl if I'm sick, because of her dad's chemo.

I think I'll get back to bed now. You see, it took me over 40 minutes to type this post. And it's just the time for to take some more pills, yay!

Shir, we say puke your guts out . Not quite as dreadful or spiritual as the Hebrew, is it? I hope you feel better soon.

Then I guess the soul is in the guts. And thank you.