Monday 22 December 2003

Pic of the day: Anthracite, the new paladin. At least something went right.

Monday bites

Today is the second day of the rest of my life. (I told you yesterday was the first; you do the math...) It did not start too well.

I woke up from the sudden pain. It was a cramp in my left leg, in the same spot where I have had it a few times before in my life, in the calf I believe it is called (even though it doesn't moo). I have had this like four or five times before, most often on the left side I believe. The leg muscle just contracts for all it is worth, and there is no stopping it until it runs out of ATP or something. Afterwards the leg becomes stiff and sore so I cannot walk on it.

I got out of bed and hopped on one leg to the kitchen, where I took a small dose of acetylsalicylic acid. Even in the smaller quantities than those used as a painkiller, it has the ability to stop the stiffening of muscles after too hard exertions. But time is of the essence. So I swallowed the stuff with water and did not eat anything for a little while, despite the danger to my stomach. It is not something I would do every day, but then again I seriously hope this won't repeat itself for another year or two. It is usually no more common than that. I sat down and massaged my leg. And I did not go to work. I did not even seriously consider going to work. I did not even seriously consider going to the mailbox later in the day when I was already recovering. These things really bite when they once in awhile show up. I am glad it always happens in my sleep and not while swimming or biking or even crossing the street.

***

The day was not really remarkable in any other way. I was out of milk and yogurt and bread and cheese, all of which I had intended to buy in the city where I work. Well, tomorrow is also a day. And on the bright side I have lots of vacation days left.

And furthermore, the time of day when I usually work is the very best time to play Dark Age of Camelot. This is when the Americans sleep, so they are not camping the best spots. My new Paladin, more independent and less group oriented, is hunting "plated fiends" in the huge underground caverns of Darkness Falls. My old Paladin had very limited offensive capabilities, but was very good at blocking attacks. He was designed to serve and protect, and did rather poorly on his own. The new one will not need anybody.

Oh yes, and hackers brought down dreamwater.org where I have my archives. Only a few pages are missing, but I cannot correct anything or upload anything until they recover.