in

Friends,

If sleep be the cousin of death, then I was at some morbid family reunion for the past 48 hours.

I must have slept 30+ hours while fighting the unknown virus or infection that plagued my throat and tested my lifelines (Thank you, "Ask the audience" lifeline). Also, to Cari's point, I think I did lose at least 5 lbs from a smoothie-only diet (Thank you, Emerald City Smoothies).

Whatever Croatian antibiotic my doctor prescribed me seems to be doing the trick as I now feel about 90 percent of where I should be, and that's good enough to go back to work.

Separately, Scott's mom is now out of ICU and in stable condition at Swedish Hospital (the place of my birth).

Many thanks,
Paolo

in

I haven't felt this sick since I had whooping cough in junior high.

I saw the doctor this morning, but he was unable to diagnose the cause of my symptoms or why I suddenly had the goiter of John Goodman. My strep test came back negative.

My greatest concern now is my breathing, which is restricted from the swelling in my neck. I can't swallow any solids so I've been on a Slurpee and smoothie diet all day.

If I'm not better late tonight I might check myself into the hospital because I don't want to deal with any emergencies overnight.

Mad props to the Wives for helping me out. I've lost my ability to talk (I can make sounds, but can't articulate because of the swelling), but they've been patient with my make-shift sign language and help me get around the apartment.

I'll update folks here if something major changes.

Update: I stayed home last night after all and feel much better this morning. The swelling is going down and I have more real estate in my throat to work with. Hopefully I'll be back to work tomorrow.

in

I'm sick.

I've developed some unpleasant symptoms that are a cross between an ear infection and strep throat. Boo.

Separately and more importantly, please keep Scott, Courtney and family in your thoughts and prayers. Scott's mom, Cassandra, is in the hospital right now for some arteries gone bad, and Courtney lost her Aunt Faith to a long battle with pancreatic cancer over the weekend, too.

Thanks.

in

Last night I hosted Amanda and Nina for dinner. I cooked a traditional, Neapolitan Puttanesca sauce with spinach linguine, complimented by fresh mozzarella and tomatoes and a green salad.

After dinner, we were discussing tattoos and piercings and Amanda expressed that she's long wanted to get her nose pierced, and Nina immediately applied the peer pressure with, "Let's go -- right now!"

Amanda replied, "Oh my gosh. OK. Let's do it!"

We hopped in the car and Slave to the Needle, where I got my microphone tattoo. Nina was all business and even signed herself up for a consultation to cover up a tattoo on her foot.

Amanda was a little nervous, but winced through the pain...

And got her nose pierced.

The end.