Whine

I don't do sick very well ("sick very well", heh). Honestly no one does I guess, but I always feel "guilty" for getting sick. If I'd only washed my hands more or taken my vitamins like my wife is always bugging me to do. If I'd only get enough sleep or wear my scarf when I go out.

Then there's missing work. I'm no company man by any stretch but... I dunno... unless I'm incoherent and near death's door I feel "bad" for calling in sick (as opposed to "calling in slick" once a year to frolic and detour with S.O.). It feels like I'm "cheating", like I'm not pulling my weight.

Then there's the lousy disposition I develop when I'm sick. My wife says that I get a bit grizzly and more than a little whiny. Part of it is that, being a Mama's Boy, no one can pamper me like Mama used to. She used to fluff the pillow just so and feed me crushed ice and 7 Up. She used to read me stories and sing me to sleep.

Yeah I know it's an unfair comparison and I'm a grown man who ought to know better. But I'm sick. Remember? I'm not thinking clearly.

The other part? Well that has to do with wasting a perfectly good day off being sick. Simple as that. Who can enjoy a day off when they're half drugged and achy with a nose that's all slimy and runny? Can't even get into the eleventy fifth viewing of "The Empire Strikes Back."

Anyway. I called in sick today after spending half of last night with chills and a low grade fever. The doctor says it's a virus and "it'll run its course soon enough." But my ears are inflamed and my nose is sore from wiping and I've about sneezed my head off. I'm taking the vitamins and drinking the tea and my wife is taking good care of me.

But man I'd offer a vestal virgin for a glass of crushed ice and 7 Up and a bed time story.