It’s been approximately three days since my last dose of antibiotics. My throat is feeling a little scratchy and vaguely sore, but I remain optimistic that the strep is finally (finally!) gone. OK, “optimistic” is a bit of an exaggeration, but I am slightly hopeful that these lingering symptoms will disappear on their own (and yes—I switched toothbrushes. Twice). No fever yet. That’s a good sign.
Taking antibiotics four times a day was a challenge. First of all, I was supposed to take them every six hours AND 1 hour before or 2-3 hours after a meal. That meant waking up at 6, taking a pill, waiting an excruciating hour to eat breakfast, taking a pill at 12, nearly passing out from starvation until 1, taking a pill at 6, staring longingly at the fridge until 7, going to bed at 10 while setting an alarm for midnight, and waking up two hours later for the final dose of the day.
Of course, that’s assuming I only eat three times a day, but I think I’d keel over on the bus if I ate that infrequently. Let’s just say that I gave up on that whole “empty stomach” thing by Day Two.
So the other day Asa and I had the following conversation, which has become a common exchange in the MDIC household:
Asa: “I need to call _________. Can I use your phone?”
MDIC: “No. Use yours.”
Asa: “But it’s after 9! AND it’s Saturday! Yours is free right now. Mine isn’t.”
But “free” is a misnomer. Just because the minutes don’t accumulate on the weekends or evenings, it doesn’t mean they don’t cost me anything. In fact, I pay $39.99 a month plus taxes just so that I can have “free” off-peak calls.
I know, I know. You’re thinking, “God, MDIC is so stingy.”
Yeah, I am. But he chose to get a computer “phone” (the quotes indicate how reliable and useful it is) after having a cell phone for two weeks and determining that it was “not for [him].” He didn’t want a contract, he didn’t want to pay a large monthly bill, he didn’t want to be one of those people attached to their phones.
So instead, he attaches to mine. And uses it a lot. To the point where many of my incoming calls are actually for him (”Hey Laura, how’s it going—um, is Asa around?”) and those calls, often, are not free.
Just sayin.’
Anyway. Oh—I got my hair cut today at a salon for the first time in about three years. I’m highly embarrassed to admit this, but I actually assembled a collage of Katie Holmes pictures to bring to the stylist as a guide. Because ever since I saw this in the checkout line of the supermarket, I’ve been wanting to cut my hair:
Next thing you know I’ll be converting to Scientology and marrying an overrated and egotistical actor.
URGENT EDIT!!!!!!: My cousin left the following comment: “careful that is a haircut i have seen on your mom and [aunt] joanne.”
HOLY SHIT!!!!! It is!!! Crap! What have I done?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!
11 responses so far ↓
1 TimsHead // Aug 9, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Correct that last line to: Next thing you know I’ll be converting to Scientology and marrying an overrated and egotistical actor to hide his homosexuality and keep him marketable.
Since I’m 106 years old, still have a landline and don’t care much for the phone anyway, I’m never even without view of my minutes. I’m on a 200-minute plan with free nights and weekends, but I’ve never had an overage. Not even close. I did have a sales call on my cell (don’t you hate that?) offering me a free phone and more free minutes than I’m awake in a month for the “privilege” of paying more than $20 additional per year. I’m sure they get stoolies to make that tradeoff all the time.
So anyway, if you or Asa ever need to borrow my phone, go right ahead.
2 TimsHead // Aug 9, 2007 at 5:27 pm
^ Er, that should read $20 additional per month. I know people likely upgrade that much for a free phone, not realizing that paying $240 more per year for a free phone is sheer folly. Though were it an iPhone, I would be tempted. Just a bit anyway.
3 Boo // Aug 9, 2007 at 5:30 pm
That is a cute mommy cut. Without the tike it wouldn’t even necessarily fall into that category either. It’s very graceful.
A computer phone?Like a Blackberry or something? Your plan seems better. It would be irritating to keep track of it with other calls though. Still, you have a good deal there IMO. I pay too much I am beginning to think.
Oh I hope it is he end of that regimen for you too! Keeping optimistic and healthy thoughts for you!
4 thinlizzy // Aug 9, 2007 at 5:31 pm
*whines* But I wanted to marry Jeremy Piven!
I like the haircut. I hope it turns out to be a lovely and manageable haircut in the long term. I hate it when I get a cute haircut (which is almost never) and have enough oomph to maintain it for a week or so, and then revert back to Lizzy’s ponytail.
re: Ed Berbin. Not a real guy. He’s a character I made up on the fly, and now he’s got his own blog at http://www.xanga.com/EdBerbin. I’m having a hoot of a time pretending to be someone else.
5 jiffer // Aug 9, 2007 at 6:26 pm
careful that is a haircut i have seen on your mom and joanne.
6 Natalie B // Aug 9, 2007 at 6:57 pm
will you get a baby too? hahaha… I just had to pick up on that
7 Sasha // Aug 9, 2007 at 6:59 pm
i can picture the hair ut on you and i bet it looks great… but, the comparison to your mom is great!
8 michael5000 // Aug 10, 2007 at 7:24 am
Why MDIC is Happier Than Ever!!!
9 michael5000 // Aug 10, 2007 at 7:33 am
Mrs.5000 & I have a plan with three great benefits: 1) Local calls are free, so you don’t have to worry about minutes, and 2) Incoming long-distance calls are free, so you don’t have to worry about minutes unless you cared enough to make a long-distance call, and 3) The phone only works within 50 feet of our actual house, so we never need be bothered by phone calls when we are out and about.
It’s called a “land line.” I think it’s the wave of the future.
10 jiffer // Aug 10, 2007 at 10:54 am
there are worse things in the world than having the same style/fashion sense of the women in our family.
the older i get the happier i am that i did not fall far from the tree. Joyce, Diane, Mary, Elaine, and Joanne are incredible women- and the next genteration is doing alright.
let’s see a picture of you with the haircut.
11 fern // Aug 10, 2007 at 1:12 pm
it’s a good cut. as soon as i saw katie with it i though of cutting my hair.
i am rethinking the whole cell phone thing. i have one because my ex assboss insisted and he paid for it. well, now that i pay for it, it is damn expensive for not a lot of talk time. i dunno. it would be cheaper to get a land line but i kind of need a cell at school in case some kid brings a weapon. but i heard today at my teacher training that att/singular gives 20% off for teachers.
whatever i decide to do, it is highway robbery.
i’m all for marrying gay men, but if you convert to Scientology i will personally fly to portland and kidnap you from the crazies.