Sicko, by Michael Davis – Straight No Chaser #156

February 27, 2010 Michael Davis 0 Comments

I’m sick.

Every year, twice a year, like clockwork I get really sick. It happens at the beginning of the year and in the middle of the year. It always starts the same way-with a slight sore throat; I consider nothing until I wake up the next day bathed in sweat and unable to swallow.

When I was younger I would have a two-day turn around. I’d feel a slight sore throat Monday, wake up sick as a dog on Tuesday. Be sick all day Tuesday, wake up felling better on Wednesday and be good as new Wednesday night.

Now, that I’ve reached the age of (cough, cough, GAG!) my recovery is anyone’s guess. Last year, I was really sick for almost three weeks. I’ve never been that sick before but this current bout with my twice-yearly nemesis feels a lot like last year’s.

I hate being sick, or do I? I’ve been thinking, do I really I really hate being sick?

When I work, I like to be alone and be left alone.

When I’m sick, I like to be alone and be left alone.

What makes me most happy is to lay in bed and read until I fall asleep.

When I’m sick, I lay in bed and read until I fall asleep.

I never have the time to just watch old movies and geek out on comics.

When I’m sick I have nothing but time, so I’m able to just watch old movies and geek out on comics.

One of my issues with myself as a writer is I often retain and relate to much information and I spend way too much time editing my own work before it goes to my publisher and their editors.

When I’m sick, my head hurts so much that I can’t retain or relate information.

Since I was a kid, I’ve known that I would get sick twice a year. I’m smart enough to know how I could prevent being sick and I say all the time “I hate being sick.”

However, as I lie here snug as a bug in my bedroom watching hours of The History Channel, reading tons of books and comics and self medicating on REAL GOOD DRUGS, yes they are legal, don’t worry I’m a doctor…

Like I was saying, as I lie here I can’t help but think, if not for the fever, horrible sore throat, inability to swallow and terrible headache I would really like this. I mean what’s not to like? I’m in bed surrounded by video games, books, and comics; zillions of satellite channels I ask again, what’s not to like?

So maybe in the empty place which is my inner most thoughts I LIKE being sick? Maybe I look forward to the time when I can just curl up with a good hard cover and slip myself a Mickey and lull into that place of dreams where there are no deadlines only more Thea-Flu.

Or maybe the next time I will wear a fucking coat over my goddamn suit when it’s raining and cold outside but I decide to walk to the restaurant because it’s only a block away from the Director’s Guild where the event was taking place and where the air conditioning was blowing right on my seat.

I H A T E being sick.