9:45AM

That's the time as I start this entry. I've now been up for a total of nine and a half hours. Yep, that's right - I didn't go back to sleep. I have since stayed up, and thus far isn't hasn't been too hard. Sure, I feel tired, but not so tired that I cannot concentrate.

Seems my throat flu is passing by rather quickly... Just came back from Safeway where I purchased not only some tasty orange-flavoured Vicks cough drops, but some Benadryl. Feeling better already.

12:08AM...

...is what the clock reads as I start to write this entry. Need I remind anyone that on normal circumstances I'd never been up at such an hour, but tonight is different. Tonight is different because I seem to have come ill with the flu myself. In light of what has happened with Jocelyn and etc, I cannot think of a worse time either.

Thankfully, I don't think it's one of those "two week" flu's, but as is obvious, it's still bad enough to interrupt my sleep.

I had noticed that my throat was getting sore and dry by about 4:00pm yesterday, and by the time 8:00pm had arrived, I knew what was going on. I don't think - or at least I hope - it's not a full-out stomach flu... at the moment it's merely a bad throat and a nose that feels a tad runny.

This is just terrible. What if Friday rolls around and Jocelyn and her son are ready to meet me, but I'm a terrible mess? Worst timing ever. I cannot let her down.

P.S - Last I spoke with her (last night - some several hours ago), Brandon (her son) was doing much better. Still suffering from a cough and a bad throat, but overall, much better.

Out of the Blue

As I recently mentioned, I signed up with Facebook just a few weeks ago. Ahh yes, and the results were quite spectacular; not only did I get to reunite with many of my old friends, but I was even able to add a few of my GermanCarZone buddies. It really is a great site, but they're are some downsides - such as people who you don't want to talk (nor want to find) you, and then asking for a friend's invitation.

That happened to me a couple of nights ago. The person you ask? My mother.

Had you failed to notice, I've never brought up the subject of my mother. Never ever. The reason being because I haven't spoken to her since 2001 or 2002 and quite honestly, hadn't the intention to ever again.

To keep it short - my Mother bailed on me and my Father many times when I was just a wee-lad, and then left us some time in late '97 and then reunited with us back in '99 and then left us again. So, suffice to say, I don't think too highly of my Mother at all. And that's just a few of the terrors that once were!

Truth is, over the last 5-6 years she has only popped into my mind about three times. And yes, I'm serious. Her making contact after all of these years actually makes me uneasy. Though she lived with us through my childhood, I can honestly say that I do not know her as an individual. We don't have anything in common, let alone the son and Mother bondage which is naturally expected of most normal families. And I'm not being dramatic either. She left a mark upon me and my Father which needs little reminder.

Undoubtedly, my life hasn't been the most sorted thing over the last several years, but the last thing I needed was a reminder of the old days. Uggh... And just when I was getting my life back on track.

I have yet to accept her request...

Sickness

Holy smokes.

I am feeling reminiscent to a corpse.

The start of my awful day started at about, oh, 2:00 am when one of my three cats insisted on being a lunatic. Because there wasn't any food in the dishes he decided to scratch our front door (wooden) as well as our back door which has metal screen - both of which are loud enough to get anyone up.

His purpose you ask? Merely to get me awake to feed him.

I love Bill (his name) but he's truly a devious little bastard. And take note that this is far from the first time he's done this; he's done stuff like this many times before and for variety of reasons too (food, wanting to be let outside, etc).

His obsession is unparalleled by anything on this earth.

However, that's very little of the actual reason why I'm feeling like shit. After visiting Starbucks this morning (yes, I hate the place, but it's a weekend morning ritual for "Lemon Cranberry Scones") my stomach got extremely sick which eventually led to countless visits to the bathroom.

I am very much unaware of the cause. The only thing I can say is that it wasn't the Scone which caused my sickness. My father also had one today and is feeling absolutely fine. The only thing I can think is it may have been something I ate last night: watermelon (which was the worst I've ever had in my life) and steak. I suppose it's possible that the watermelon was the cause, but the time frame makes no sense..

Haven't a clue, but thankfully, I am feeling better. My stomach has settled down.