You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's Gone...

Our health is one of those things we take for granted. Until we don't have it anymore. The impact is higher, of course, with fatal or potentially fatal conditions such as cancer, or disabilities such as the loss of a limb.

At the moment I have an upper respiratory infection: sore throat, pathetic little cough, glands that feel like exploding marshmallows, thick sinuses, and my favorite, the "I swear I'm gonna pull the drapes off the wall" earache.

This feels more like step throat than a cold. I've got some leftover Cipro I started taking. I know, I know, but I can't afford to go to the doctor or to pay for another prescription (unless I get a whole lot worse and have no choice). It's a pretty powerful antibiotic so hopefully, it will take care of it. Cipro and Tylenol for pain is a powerful enough combo to allow me to be up writing this (although I hear a nap calling).

After my job disappointment of a few days ago, I got a call from a recruiter who has another job that looks very good. He wants to bring me in for an interview the beginning of next week. I had to tell him that the later, the better because of this health problem and hope that doesn't scotch my chances. He's on retainer from the company and is the kind of person who does what he says he's going to, when he says he's going to do it. What a wonderful change of pace from all the rude people out there who only consider their own needs and the hell with yours. Sure you've run up against this one more than once

I also experienced 15-seconds of fame last night when an e-mail I had written to a local news station was read on the air (even though they misspelled my name). That blew me away. The newscaster, (guy's sharp as a tack), responded to it but I was so dumbfounded I didn't hear what he said. Have to give him a call today to ask. Here's the e-mail I sent:

As a 57-year old professional and long-term DC area resident trying to find a job for almost a year, I found it fascinating to hear about the influx of young professionals to the area since the late 90s.

Perhaps I'm facing new competition for the first time in 35 years. Or, perhaps, I've run smack up against age discrimination.

T'would be very useful to get the media involved in my efforts to emerge from poverty, very useful indeed. We'll see.

By the way, does the last line of "Big Yellow Taxi" go, "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" or "The Pink Paradise put up a parking lot?" I always thought it was the latter. It should be if it isn't. Hear that Joni?