Portrait of Illness
First, I want to extend my apologies to Victor Hugo for borrowing his title for this post. And more importantly, acknowledge that any suffering or illness I’m currently enduring is insignificant to that of millions of people. Most of my problems in life definitely fall into the category of “First World Problems.” Things like being driven crazy by having to enter “English” as my language choice every time I use the ATM. Or the tremendous annoyance of the awful sound the credit card reader makes when it wants me to remove my card from the chip reader. Or the current virus I’m now enduring that makes me tired, sore and miserable.
First world problems.
My wife asked me how I was feeling on Friday. I took out my iPhone and made a self-portrait and sent it to her. She felt responsible because she had already be struck with the same illness for two weeks with no sign of letting up for either of us.
Portrait of Visual Reality
This photograph was made five minutes after the first. It reflects more realistically how I looked that day. The first is a much better representation of how I felt. As I type this post I continue to feel like that first picture.
There’s joy though – my once daily Zrytec pill is kicking in. Sinuses have cleared for the moment and I’ll be able to fall asleep shortly. Body still feels as if I’ve gone 12 rounds with someone I had no business confronting.
A Year Ago
This time last year was snowy and cold. I remember complaining about the weather and how difficult a time I was having adjusting to the cold. The walks through the garden with the dogs (who LOVE the cold) were torturous.
Cold not an issue so far now. It was in the mid-30s today with the thermometer hitting 40F later today. If there’s any lesson to be derived so far — I complain a lot about things I have no control over.
Two Years Ago
Like me, the Vespa was out of commission as it waited for its underside to be sandblasted and repainted in an effort to ward off any unfortunate rust and destruction. It was a good move. So far, no rust. Amazing considering how much salt the scooter has been exposed to and how lax I am at washing it off.
Riding at the End of December
Three years ago I made this self portrait on my way to Saint’s Cafe in State College, Pennsylvania to write in my journal and figure out what was bothering me. I was an UNCERTAIN RIDER.
Anyway, I’m hanging in there now with my bundle of complaints fueled by a virus that’s going around and will likely do little riding until I feel a little stronger. But I can still look back at things, and write, and dream about tomorrow.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring for Les Misérables.
Hope anyone reading this is doing well and embracing life, whatever it delivers.
[optin-cat id=”8800″]
Good early dark Steve. I’m glad you are at least starting to see the light at the end of the virus tunnel. Stay OFF the two wheels until you’ve rested and charged YOUR batteries. It’s supposed to hit 82 degrees today where I am in Florida so the liner comes out of the riding jacket and the vents on the helmet will be open. Be well in 2019 and beyond!
Three days later. Still feel awful. Just want to curl up and wait for the plague to pass. No desire to ride, walk, shower, read, eat, anything. Illness at 64 is not the exciting vacation it was at 13.
Ride safe in the good Florida weather!
Look at it this way. When any one of us, you included are ill with a virus or worse (we’ve both been there),
the rest of the world is not our oyster. The only thing we can focus upon is ourselves, although methinks the iPhone doctored view is probably more in keeping with your current condition.
Then too have you noticed? Any time you write a note in the dark of the night when all the rest of the house is sleeping, invariably some form of weird illness strikes at some point there after?
Been there, done that, and as with so many things simply will not learn that illness often follows night writings…
And as to the postings of one, two, or three years prior at this time…history has a way of reminding us of what was, is now no more!
Best wishes for 2019 to you , Kim, the four-legged family members and your child and grandchild.
The doctored photo is a precise representation of how I feel. Right now to wearing a coat indoors.
Haven’t seen a connection with night writing. Or riding. If there was I would be sick all the time.
Thanks for the well wishes for the new year Bryce. Hope you find fine days this year.
My wife and I have been struggling with bad colds for at least the past two weeks. I am hopeful that this week will be better. Hope you get over yours soon also.
Hope that you are on the mend by the time you read this. I’m on day 9 and still in the valley if not continuing to go lower.
Fingers crossed for improvement soon.
The weather was pretty nice in my part of North Carolina yesterday, so I took the KLR out for a spin. Living in a large urban area “out for a spin” mainly involves dodging traffic, and very little bucolic scenery. This morning, I woke up with “trigger finger”…my middle finger locked in a flexed position. A stupid video game I play too much and clutching the KLR aggravated and provoked it.
First world problems of my own.
Maybe there is a DCT-shifting Honda in my future. Who knows.
Steve, I am looking forward (immensely) to a another year of enjoying your posts.
Nice to get out for a little ride. Even if it’s mostly traffic dodging. Trigger finger. Ugh. I used to come close to that when I was playing Unreal Tournament or Left for Dead. That obsession was short lived. Video games are hard to come by now on my ancient iMac.
All of our first world problems are pretty nice to have when you consider what others have to deal with. Easy to forget to be grateful.
The second photo is a pretty nice one. You must be feeling fantastic… 😉
I’m finding that I’m getting more used to the temperatures around here. Today, it was all the way up to 5F and it actually was feeling pretty warm.
I shiver all the time if I’m not heavily covered. Even with the house at 72F. Outside feels like death. Had to go to the store and I just forced my way through it. Collapsed at home.
Dans tout ce qu’il nous arrive, il y a toujours quelque chose de bon à prendre…
Excellent réveillon du 31 et à l’année prochaine… en Vespa !!!
In everything that happens to us, there is always something good to take …
Excellent Eve of 31 and next year … in Vespa!
Laurent.
Thanks Laurent. Happy New Year!
Hope you are feeling well soon! Life does tend to get everyone down at some point, eh? And it’s no fun at all when you’ve got a virus problem on top of this. Humboldt said something about the bodily condition being very dependent on that of the soul. And that its important to try and cheer yourself up and to find some peace and quiet. Hope you can do this!
I’m trying to be positive. Looking for little successes through the day. Like washing a single dish. Or brushing my teeth.
I am with you on that noisy chip card reader thing. Feel better.
Thanks Bill. Can’t wait to get on the road again. Or to just take a short walk.