I Surrender

The recent release of the movie about the killing of Osama bin Laden (Zero Dark Thirty) appears to have reopened the whole argument about torture and its effectiveness. I raise it not to take a side in that debate. And I haven’t seen the movie yet, but want to try and catch it while it is still in the theater. But I was thinking about it recently as I was wallowing on my couch and bed in my own world of hurt shivering violently as I battled the flu bug or some other strain of evil I picked up while out of town at a meeting.

My thought was, right now I would probably say or do anything if they told me they would make my pain and ache stop. That’s how bad I felt. Forget water boarding; just tell me you can make my nose stop running before it falls off my face from my constant blowing. What names and information would you like? And I like to think I am a tough guy when it comes to being sick.   

First off, I don’t get sick (ha!). At least that was my theory. I hate being sick so much I just talk myself out of being sick. It’s like the Seinfeld episode where he knows the exact date of the last time he ever threw up because he hated throwing up that badly. That’s my approach to being sick. The last time I was anywhere close to this sick was about 20 years ago, not that I am counting.

Again, my theory is just never accept that you may be sick and you won’t be, and it will go away. It’s that mind over matter thing. Put your head down, pop a vitamin and keep charging forward. Now I am sure that part of this is a genetic thing. Growing up in my household, being sick was frowned upon once you got past grade school. It was a sign of some kind of inner weakness on your part. You could not fake my parents out about being sick. Are you really sick? Go get the thermometer. I’ll give you something to be sick about. Remember, these were pre-boomer parenting days.

For the record, I did get my flu shot back in November. I started doing that kind of stuff 20 years ago after the last time I was really sick. But flu shots are not perfect – supposedly they are effective about 60 percent of the time. So this year, I am in the unlucky 40 percent I guess. I did go to the doctor. That is another habit I started after that episode 20 years ago. She gave me some antibiotics to take. I have no idea if they will be effective, but I will take any pill or medicine if I think it has a shot.  

I have started feeling better the last day or so. My wife noticed as my silent whimpering has ended and I started talking again. She is probably wishing for a relapse on my part!

Comments

[Donna Wesling]

Ugh. My mom's rule was you had to have a temperature or be throwing up or covered in chicken pox to stay home from school. I am a baby boomer parent, but I found myself enforcing the same rule. Funny how that works! But really aren't we supposed to be teaching our kids to be responsible? Sorry to hear you we're sick John. I feel sorry for Carolyn too ;)

[Ben Pena]

Not sick! Not sick!

Here! Here!

Good stuff John. (not you being sick of course. lol.)

-Ben Pena