the battle

The flu first showed its ugly face in our house a week ago today, and the battle is winding down. Erinn and the kids look like shell-shocked, foxholed war vets - happy the worst is over, but wary of more last-ditch enemy attacks of fever, headaches and coughing. I escaped the barrage unscathed so far, but I'm still on the lookout for swine flu snipers that are undoubtedly still hidden throughout the house on cups, plates, counter tops, light switches and doorknobs. Aggressively defensive maneuvers are still the order of the day. If you've forgotten what I mean by that, click here and skip down the page for a list of things you can do to help prevent the flu, swine or otherwise. I would add Cold fx to the list, or one of its generic competitors (which is what we are using).

Yesterday morning there were battle signs everywhere . . . half-used tissue boxes, laundry in various stages of being washed, homework scattered from one end of the house to the other . . . a regular UN war zone. When mom is sick and dad has to be in charge of cooking, laundry, nursemaiding, and surrogate tutoring - as well as work his day job - the ship doesn't stay as ship-shape as it normally would. Today, I think we move into reconstruction mode. Erinn is still under siege, but can see light at the end of the tunnel and will want to assume some modified command duties again. And I might add, life will be better again.

Now that I'm an expert on H1N1, (hey, I've spent a week dodging germs, allow me this fantasy) I have some advice for the world:

1. Get the vaccine. (I know there is a lot of controversy about this, with doctors on both sides. Make your own decision, but at least consider the vaccine).
2. If you get sick, stay home until you're better. When you send your coughing, sneezing kids to school, or tough it out yourself at work, you are aiding and abetting the enemy (considered treasonous in most countries). You may be a trooper, but consider the string of casualties you'll leave in your wake . . . some of whom could even die from the infection you spread.
3. Don't take out your frustration on the poor pigs. They really didn't mean any harm.

The maniac dad who thought he would do his deity a favour by running over his daughter has been caught. I have to give him credit - he did realize that trying to murder your own kid is a no-no in civilized countries.

Here's my soapbox again. The North American standard of living is the envy of the world. People of many countries are attracted to this land of opportunity, which is natural and appropriate . . . but they need to remember, they left the old country for a a better life. When they try to live the old life in the new country, they are delusional. Why can't they see that their intolerance and cultural bondage is what wrecked the old country . . . and that freedom is the driving force behind our prosperity? If you want the old ways, stay in the old country.

Some would argue that we've wrecked their countries. Here's my opinion (and it is my blog, and my soapbox): an ideology of intolerance and cultural bondage wrecked many of these countries long before the current war. In fact it started the current war.
Whew. This philosophical rambling (along with waging war against swine flu) really takes it out of you.

On a lighter note, the motorized La-Z-boy lounge chair that was confiscated under a drunk driving charge, is now up for auction on Ebay. The current bid (as of 1:30 today) is $39,310. The auction ends on November 3rd. If you've always wanted one, and have $40,000 to spare, go for it.