Influenza*

It’s that weird time of year where I’m not sure if I’m grateful or annoyed that things are so slow at work. In an interesting turn of events my company has mysteriously unblocked all the previously blocked sites (including OD). It’s been over a month, so I’m hopeful it might stick.

I’m just now coming off about seven days of pure evil sickness. Somehow I contracted Influenza B, which was not a strain covered under this year’s flu shot. Yuck! I think I may have picked it up on the plane to or in New York.
I go to New York on business a couple times a year, but it’s been many many years since I was there purely for pleasure. My friend Amy got married in Chinatown and early in the fall it sounded like the perfect excuse for a girl’s weekend with Kath and Holly. Except Holly backed out last minute and Kath brought her fiancé. By the time the change in attendees had become apparent, I had already mailed in my RSVP stating that I would be there and was excited. I absolutely hate saying I’m going to do something and then not doing it, so I went ahead and went.
I shared a room with Kath and ARod (her fiancé) in a modest hotel in Chelsea. Kath and I drank a bit on the plane on Thursday night then promptly met Amy and a friend at the Ace Hotel for drinks. We ended that night at a meatball place in the village that was pretty scrumptious. I had spicy pork meatballs covered in a white mushroom sauce.
We slept in a bit the next day then the three of us spent a couple hours walking the high line and enjoying the afternoon. We ate lobster rolls at Lobster Lovers in the Chelsea Markets then took the subway to timesquare.
Early that evening with met up in Williamsburg with some of ARod’s dad’s friends for a food and booze tour of Brooklyn hosted by them. We went to a number of bars including Brooklyn Brewery, but my favorite was a BBQ place called Fette Sau that had painfully delicious BBQ but inadequate seating.
We slept in again the next day and then I spent my time up until the wedding shopping and pampering mostly in SoHo. The convenience of New York is seriously unmatched. I got a pedicure, manicure, massage, and blowout all without an appointment or even having to look anywhere up.
Kath was in the bridal party so ARod and I met her at the wedding, held at a place called the Golden Unicorn. The wedding was a once in a lifetime kind of experience and I’m glad I went if for no other reason than experiencing a Chinese wedding. Dinner was ten courses served family style. Everything was very bright. Ultimately it seemed kind of tacky, but I feel bad saying that and would hate for someone to say that about my wedding.
We ended that night in a bar in midtown and I paid $75 to get on an earlier flight home the next day. That’s when the sickness struck. I really need to remember how sweet and wonderful P was with me when I was sick. In our four years together I’ve never been really sick, so it was sweet to see him take care of me. Must remember when he is sick!
I have a feeling this week is going to drag on. I’m looking forward to Saturday. P got us third row seats to a Ray LaMontagne acoustic set at the Chicago Theater for my birthday in October and the show Saturday night.