Turns out that coffee is not very appealing, but the receding headache *is*, so I’m sticking with it. An hour until the lidocaine patch, two hours to Dilaudid. I’m distracting myself with I House of Many Ways, a sequel to Howl’s Moving Castle, and it’s really good and engrossing. Between this and Discworld I should be able to make it through the next couple of weeks.

Plus if you’re on pain meds those will often affect appetite, so eat what you want! Have that coffee!! Put whipped cream on it!

I am crossing my fingers the rest of today remains slow at work. I need to write my self assessment, today is the last day!

My friend and I were complaining because apparently San Diego will be the hottest place in the US on Christmas...we'll stop now.

I'm glad you're home, JZ.

I was driving back from PA today ( to pick up Matt) and watching the temperature reading drop on the dashboard and then the rain turned into snow as I was making my way. It was weirdly magical. I know that's what happens when it gets cold enough, but there it was, changed in front of me.

Here in Seattle it's been cold all week, with snow from Monday and Tuesday gradually getting compacted into ice on the streets. The last two days the highs were in the 20s, and we've watched at least a dozen cars attempt our steep street only to go sliiiiidinggg backwards down the hill. Today is freezing rain, supposedly turning to rain by late afternoon as it finally warms up. I'm hoping the street will melt in time that I can get to the grocery store tonight and beat the Christmas Eve rush. We've got plenty of food, but are lacking a few key ingredients for our traditional holiday meals, and we're approaching a critical shortage of Diet Dr Pepper.

My friend and I were complaining because apparently San Diego will be the hottest place in the US on Christmas...we'll stop now.

I hope your feet don't get too sweaty in those tight diamond shoes. (I say, while noting the temperature has *increased* to –3.)

The weird — yet unsurprising — thing is that in one week, on NYE, the high here will be 61. I'm happy about it, but oh my god the planet is dying.

We’re going to attempt to do NYD at our place if we’re all heathy by then. I spent yesterday calling to change the date on a bunch of things including the pre party cleaning service.

I'm sorry about the ick and the change in plans, si.

I’m trying to remind myself that this is not a failure in adulting. It’s just crap timing. The flu really hit ltc’s class hard. One of her friends was in the hospital for a week. It’s the worst flu I ever remember her having. Luckily lots of out of state people have been sending in gifts, and I’ve been letting her open them as they come in, which has been distracting her.

Epic, I’m glad you were able to get the information you need to make you feel more comfortable with everything.