Friday - 2008-0321-1215 - Rain Miniature Japanese Woodblock; Greg Louganis; Mal de mer; Visiting the Doctor When You're Sick

Rain - Miniature Japanese Woodblock Larger Image

Greg Louganis Larger Image

A woodblock found at Miniature Japanese Woodblock Prints. As the page indicated, the artist is unknown.

There's a certain crudity to the elements. Almost as if this was a "sketch" for a more-refined image. Note that the dog borders on being a stick figure. The people appear to almost hover over the path. The barns, I'm guessing, dominate the layout. You might also notice that the proportion of the barn vs that of the people seems off. As I looked at the woodblock, the term Expressionism came to mind.

One of an undetermined number of Greg by Herb Ritts. I've finished a set of pages dedicated to guys - Greg Louganis. Most of the photos have been in my archives for awhile. In searching for new images, I only found only a couple.

He has a magnificent physique. The abdominal muscles almost defy belief. As do the thigh muscles. One image in particular, guys - Greg Louganis - 23, does the best job of highlighting these features.

I'm almost certain this shot is another in the Herb Ritts set.

Last weekend, I noticed that I kept having severe headaches that I chalked up as the usual sinus, migraine, allergy malady. Monday, I figured out it was gastrointestinal. The single biggest problem was the inability to sleep, or the sleep that did occur was at the REM level filled with horrific dreams.

Wednesday, I stumbled off to the clinic. The clinic used to be fairly close to where I lived, but now it much further away. I took a route that crossed the reservoir embankment. Since it was a very windy day, furls bobbed furiously across the lake's surface. On the other side of the dam, the trees were in every state of spring development. Some barren; some with budding leaves; and some adorned in flowers. A flock of white-plumed egrets were roosting on cypress branches.

Amazingly, there was not a single person in the waiting room. Mass alien abduction? The medical clinic version of theMary Celeste? A roundup by the SS looking for members of the resistance movement?

The doctor ordered a blood test which showed a higher than normal white blood cell count which meant that my body was to fight off an infection. He gave me a prescription for nausea and another for gastro irritation.

I frequently think of the Catch 22 of having to visit the doctor. If you're sick, you've most likely spent a lot of time in bed, and your appearance is not a high priority. Actually, you may have the look of a ragamuffin. So you have to spend a certain amount of time making yourself presentable. (Unless you're Michael Jackson, and can appear in public wearing pyjamas. Or Hugh Hefner who has made appearing in robe and slippers his personal signature.)

Next you have to plot your route to the doctor. You arrive. You wait in a room with people who could have anything from a cold to viral hemorrhagic fever. Literally!!! Of course by virtue of being sick, you immune system is compromised, so you're more susceptible to other infections.

You're called back. You wait some more. The doctor appears and you discuss your problem. In some cases. you may have to have tests. There's a consultation after the test results. Prescriptions are written.

You trek to the pharmacy. You try to remember what you have in the pantry, and what you will need for the next few days in terms of food and supplies. (You shutter to think if you run out of cat food.)

You head home; once there, you have to unpack the car. Inside, you have to store your purchases. The cats, of course, want to know what's in every bag. "Surely, he did not come home without something for us!"

No matter how you felt in the beginning, you're bound to feel worse. Most likely the process has taken three or four hours. And you don't know if you've "caught" something else while out.

At last, you're able to take your pills, tablets, sprays, etc. And hope that you can go to sleep.

(In Friday - 2008-0321-1215 / Out - 2008-0322-1230) This entry was written in multiple settings.

Pax! Erin go braugh! Je accuse...