Things Comma Five--I Mean Six

1. My Storytellers Unplugged post for January, "Taking Another Tilt at the Windmill," is up. It's about fantasy, science fiction, and genre theory.

2. I was woken up this morning by a call from the sleep clinic. While the irony is bright and shiny and very pointed, I am glad to know my GP went ahead and made the referral, because I was going to have to call him today to tell him to do so. RLS is evil.

3. Gynecologist appointment also today, in which we agreed to try taking the Mirena out, and see what happens. (Taking it out was about 5 MILLION TIMES less painful than putting it in, so that was good.) The Mirena lessened my menstrual flow, but it made my periods MUCH too frequent, and it also randomized my menstrual cramps so that they became like drive-by stabbings. Double-plus ungood, thank you.

This is a new-to-me gynecologist, and I like her. She asked if I wanted to keep the Mirena. (I did.)

4. RT @pnh Elise, about to be Discharged, manifests as a Figure of Allegory and asserts Control over Time. http://yfrog.com/h7eieaj

5. It is snowing. Nevertheless, I plan to go to the pool in another hour or so.

6. ursulav is right on the money.

Project Valkyrie: waterlog

50 minutes, 32 laps. Pull buoy, kick board (which I loathe), even some unassisted laps. I am happy.

Also? Nobody goes to the pool on Friday evening. It was me and one other guy, and the lifeguard who was probably bored out of her mind, but who nevertheless wished me good night as I left.

PSA: the clock is striking thirteen

64 hours (and counting) ago, elisem had a stroke. Because she got to the hospital right away, she is coming out of it with no permanent damage.

What Elise would like people to do for her is to spread the word. The efficacy of TPA (tissue plasminogen activator, the drug that means Elise is coming out of this unharmed) depends on its being administered within a very narrow time window. Learn the symptoms of stroke, and if you observe these symptoms in yourself, a friend, family member, co-worker, etc., CALL 911. If you're not sure, CALL 911. This is a case where better safe than sorry are truly words to live by.