Cool shit I found to cure the common cold (and by cure, I mean distract from)

this is about the level of involvement i have
with my surroundings today.

It's happened to all of us, I'm sure. The seasons change, you wake up one day and your sinuses are tight, and you think, oh great, allergies. Then you get a little chest raspiness and a sore throat, so you cough sometimes, sounding not so much ill as pathetic.

That was yesterday. Breathing hasn't been much fun, which for me at least, kind of gives me a lackluster outlook on life in general. Breathing being, you know, sort of important. So now I not only sounded like Howl's wheezy alter ego, but I basically had the same level of excitement for my surroundings as him too.

Then this morning I woke up to find my nose was doing its level best to win a faucet impersonation contest, my sore throat had gone from zero to full Tim Curry in the night. Am I sick? Yes. But sick enough to miss work? Ehhh.... I figured I'd suck it up and come in. I need the money, and I need to continue making a good impression on my new boss.

yes i am very perky and would love to
HACK WHEEZE assist you today!

Besides, I worked retail for four years, I know how to slap on a smile with the best of 'em.

Now you might be asking yourself, what's my problem? Why don't I just pull up my pants, take a Day-Quil and move on with my life? Ohoho, if only it were that simple.

You see, lieblings, most people see those histamine-blocking medications as the go-to for the sorts of illnesses that can lay you out for a few days at a stretch. I, on the other hand, apparently have the immune system of a Regency heroine (the annoying Caroline Bingley type, natch), because what antihistamines do to me is not make me better. They make me high. High, high, higher than a kite with a jet pack attached to it. Sure, my symptoms are gone, but I'm basically in a coma of drugs that renders me incapable of interacting with my environment beyond eating and drinking what's put in front of me, and occasionally blowing my nose.

All of which means it's really difficult to medicate myself when I'm sick, lest I end up a drooling, gibbering mess. Most of the time, like my British forebears, I medicate with tea, Advil and willpower. Sometimes that works. Most of the time, my illness then progresses on to the stage where I lie on the couch moaning about how terrible I feel in the hopes that someone will take pity on me and bring me chicken soup or something. Usually I just succeed in making the people who live with me find very important things to do outside the house.

Without finding the magical correct combination of medicines to stave off this hell-plague, I predict we will reach this stage by tomorrow night. Which could be cool if I end up not going into work on Friday, because hey, three day weekend. But a) I could use the money, and b) no one wants to waste a sick day actually being sick, amirite?

So my normal mood when October finally arrives in my life, which is basically summed up by this cat :

has now been replaced by a feeling of general malaise and a desire to get back in bed. This is bad for several reasons. One, I joined The Kitchn Cure (because I'm obsessed with The Kitchn and if you're not... why not?? It's like internet Disneyland for foodies!) and am supposed to be merrily cleaning and purging my kitchen this week. Yeah, like that's going to happen when I'm a snot factory. Also, my mom's coming up on Saturday to help me with projects around the apartment, and on Sunday I'm going to a wedding expo with my two best friends who are getting hitched in a year. Yay weddings! Hope I don't hack up something gooey on any expensive dresses!

On the upside, if I do take a day off on Friday, at least I'll have a lot of good books to keep me company. :D

Now here, have some links. They're totally taking my mind off wanting to crawl under my desk and take a nap. I promise.

• I love Rainbow Rowell (author of the stunning Eleanor and Park, and ssh I haven't laid hands on Fangirl yet but BELIEVE ME it's on my list) and the Horn Book asked her five questions, the answers to which I really loved.
• In "I'm really old" news, Hey Ya turned ten last week, and Boy Meets World turned 20. And just in case you hadn't had a "right in the feels" moment yet today, here, have 16 things Mr. Feeny taught us. 
• The Mary Sue posted these minimalist covers for essential geek literature. Personally I'd love to see The Hero and the Crown on there with the crown of sorka leaves, or the Earthsea books with the two halves of the Ring of Erreth-Akbe. What books do you guys think qualify as essential geek lit?
• Like swearing? Who doesn't? Colin Burrow's review of Melissa Mohr's Holy Shit: A Brief History of Swearing will give you some great ideas for inventive curses. Unless you already lash out at people by calling them "grouthead gnat-snappers", in which case, carry on.
• Here, have House Lannister drawn like characters from The Lion King.
• In queer girl news, this response to the Smith girl who wants a straight-only sorority on campus is really thoughtful and nonjudgmental. Which is more than I could have mustered myself, frankly. Equally thought provoking, Riese from Autostraddle's response to M-Rod's (long-awaited) coming out, and thoughts on why it's a big deal. Definitely gave me some perspective on both M-Rod and the language that we as internet denizens take for granted when talking about representation, feminism and queer activism.
• And lastly, in "thinking about writing" news: two perspectives. One; these original descriptions of the six "Friends" are really spot-on. Makes me think about boiling a character down to his or her essence, and what actually is the essence of a good character, and how to write an ensemble cast that all works together in interesting ways.
  Alternately, Rainbow Rowell (again ♥) tweeted this morning about the unaired pilot of Sherlock and what the comparison between it and the final cut says about the power of revision. Food for writerly thought! Writers out there, do you believe in sticking to your concept no matter what, or do you leave room in your brain for ideas, characters, stories to change as you write them?

Okay darlings, it's nearly 5pm, which means it's nearly time for mama to go take some Advil, make a cuppa and crawl into bed with the fat flumpy cat and a book. Till next time!

♥ emily