I have come down with the dreaded virus that has been circulating around the village like a badly behaved child. It gets passed along through everyday conversations, people going to the mail, while sitting casually in a local restaurant, touching the keys on the bank machine. It has a knack for seeking out those whose immune systems are not up to snuff. If only these viruses were visable to the naked eye, then we might be able to spot them peeking out of a coat pocket, or lying in wait on the edge of a mitten. Then they would be in trouble. I picture them like those little furry coal bugs in Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, running frantically up the hem of a neighbor's pant leg. Or hiding in a bowl of fruit, ready to jump onto an unsuspecting hand. I would watch for them, and attempt to shoot them with an elastic band gun. They would be no match for me.
For now, I sit waiting for my body to finish it's battle with the dreaded bugs, purging it out through various body fluids. They sail through the air with every cough. Yet I know they sit there waiting for the next unsuspecting victim to come along, when they will sneak into a pocket and continue their journey. On to new and better things I suppose. Just you wait bugs, you won't get me the next time. I know your secrets.
***
That reminded me of my friend Stu's kitchen. He found some beautiful images of food borne viruses, samonella, ecoli, and several others. They are compelling, and leave no impression of their inherent deadliness. They hang right over the cutting board for an added touch of irony.
Posted by kerismith at February 12, 2004 09:55 AMAwww, feel better soon!
Posted by: :: jozjozjoz :: on February 14, 2004 06:56 PM"how can something so cute make one feel so ill...?"
That is part of their cunning, we humans are such suckers for a cute face.
Sorry to read of your illness. A mix of hot water ginger, lemon juice and sweetened with sugar or honey is also nice.
Posted by: m on February 13, 2004 04:06 AMI'm in the same fluey boat with you, keri.
Get well soon! Those bugs you drew they are adorable, but how can something so cute make one feel so ill...?
i've heard it said and thus i believe, humans are are kind of virus upon this earth. cheers. be happy. ad infinitum.
Posted by: randy price on February 12, 2004 11:50 PMadd to the ginger and garlic tea recipe above: 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and you have a concoction that *bugs* will run screaming from your body to get away from :) of course some people will flee your breath as well, but don't look at it as loneliness, look at it as re-infection prevention :)
Posted by: Katherine on February 12, 2004 08:58 PMIf only all viruses and bugs were as useful as the little coal-fuzzies in Spirited Away!
Get well soon.
Posted by: Shuku on February 12, 2004 08:55 PMThis may not sound nice, but "nice" isn't what bugs need. My friend who has a couple of kids swears by the following concoction:
-1 whole head of garlic, do not peel, but chop or crush
-about a thumb length of fresh ginger, also do not peel, but chop
-about three diner-size mugs of water
-bring all to boil and then simmer for 5 minutes
-then let sit for as long as you need to cool
-strain and drink
You can add lemon or honey or both, and it's best to drink it a few times a day for a few days. It seems that garlic has allicin which has similar properties to penecillin. as for other people bothered by the smell of garlic, those who really love you won't care:-)
BTW, thanks for your nice comment on my photo.
Posted by: ajd on February 12, 2004 08:00 PMhttp://www.miniai.com/
A getwellsoon present. You will like the bubblegum machine series.
Get well soon, Keri. And keep those virusses away from me.
Posted by: eliane on February 12, 2004 05:33 PMYou're so right, it has been circling the village like rampage. Everyone at school has been sick lately, and I've just got over a cold as well. Thanks for the inspiring words infront of the pizza place, it really made my day! I was still awe-struck several hours later ;)
Posted by: Dave on February 12, 2004 01:44 PMOooo, I like your cute, fuzzy little "bugs" in the illo. So deceptively friendly and pink! They remind me of Pac-Man ghosts. :)
Posted by: Kate on February 12, 2004 12:54 PMThank you so much for getting your answers back to me so quickly -- and you were sick!! Rest up. This is the perfect time to recharge your creative batteries.
Posted by: Feisty on February 12, 2004 12:45 PM