Yes, the norovirus is distinctly a pain in the ass. (One thing that's helpful for literal pains in the ass is the dibucaine ointment sold for hemorrhoids. It's a local anesthetic.) I had a fairly mild version a few weeks ago and it was No Fun.

And in the category of "Ginger never has any good news," a woman I've known for years just died of breast cancer. She and I were first diagnosed at about the same time. It's not exactly parallel, in that she was into woo-woo stuff and rejected parts of the standard medical treatment. She was also 10 years older and what one might call a steady drinker. Still, it's hard not to take it personally. Also, she did so many more things than I have. She bought a gorgeous Craftsman house [link] as an urban pioneer when no one was sure Inman Park could be brought back. She and her husband are friends with some of the musicians I most admire. She was warm and outgoing. I am not and wish I was.

Oh, Ginger, how hard.

That is hard, Ginger. I'm sorry for your loss.

Also: Helen Mirren's Pink Hair!

Lovely!

Norovirus bad! goes to wash hands again and again

My son got 15 hours community service. Wish it was 150.

Oh Ginger. I am sorry to hear it.

I'm sorry, Ginger.

In better news, I was trying to locate who the contact might be for an old job. My boss was being treated for breast cancer when I left and I was concerned when I could never find her. Yesterday, I found out she's a big deal at the local Komen and her picture looks great and she got married. Sure, I've got issues with Komen but she looks great and very alive.

Ginger - sorry for your loss.

(I think that illness I had a couple of weeks ago must have been the novovirus - it hit so quick and hard and then was gone.)

I am so sorry Ginger.

I'm sorry Ginger.

Apparently there is a new, more virulent strain of norovirus going around from Australia.

She was warm and outgoing. I am not and wish I was.

Ah, but you're Ginger. There's no one else like you, I wish there was.

I'm so sorry to hear of your friend's death. It sounds like she lived life fully as long as she had it. It's terrible that it was taken from her so soon.