January 24, 2008
Worst Trip In Years: The Flu and No Keys
This weekend I may have taken my last trip while having a severe cold. There's nothing like sitting through a couple of days of meetings while you can't breathe, constantly with the chills--even though you're wearing several layers--with a cough that won't quit. My ab muscles are sore from the coughing and my throat is raw. Drinking orange juice is painful. Not to mention the fact that I was all drugged-up on various cold medicines.
By the way, Dayquil did not work for me at all.
To make matters worse, when I got to Grand Rapids it was 8 degrees and they were right in the middle of multi-day snow storm. I didn't bring shoes for snow (that's my fault).
On the way back last night my flight was delayed over an hour. I can't breathe. I'm literally laying on the floor looking up at the ceiling dosing off and contemplating flying standby on a flight to Atlanta to get to my parent's or sister's place.
During the flight, as I was coughing every 5-7 minutes and blowing my nose, I took pleasure in imagining my arrival at my home to throw down some yogurt (I haven't had an appetite in 4 days), take some Nyquil (the only thing that seems to really work), and sleep for 10 hours. But, oh no, that was spoiled too.
When I got to the airport parking lot, I discovered that my car keys were missing. It's snowing, 32 degrees, I'm at my car, and I have no keys. I opened up my luggage to look and placed some books and papers on top of my car. A random gust of wind blew all the papers AND THE BOOKS of the top of my car. The books fell to the grounds. The papers flew all over the parking lot. I couldn't retrieve them all.
Now what? I think I looked pretty desperate because one of the parking attendants offered to take me home. "Don't you have anyone you can call," he asked. I thought about who I could call. That's when a very powerful reality check sets in. You know how people say, "hey, if you ever need anything just call me." But, do people really mean that? A friend did come and I finally made it home around midnight. I was originally scheduled to be at home around 9:30pm.
Next time, I'm calling-in sick. It's not worth it. I still have no idea where my keys are. I haven't lost my keys since high school. Really, really weird.
Posted by anthony at January 24, 2008 11:45 AM | TrackBackDude.
Posted by: Jake Belder at January 24, 2008 12:06 PMWow. That was an awful trip.
Posted by: dramaturge at January 24, 2008 12:44 PMSounds like hell to me. Is it at always great when you feel like crap and you want to get home that your flight gets delayed and you lose your keys? Anyways hope you get better soon.
Posted by: Brian Hewes at January 24, 2008 01:07 PM...what's the old saying... you can judge a person's character by how he handles tangled Christmas tree lights, telemarkerers and flight delays while suffering with the worst cold/flu in history...
It was a TEST... and I think you passed! ! !
Posted by: Just Meee~ at January 24, 2008 01:12 PMFellas, I know I need to correct the title. I'll do it later when I get back home.
Posted by: anthony at January 24, 2008 02:00 PMOh boy... well. " In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you". Great verse of scriputure to either make you feel more spiritual, or not spiritual enough depending on how you look at it. And yes, its cold here. I live in Detroit. It is currently 16 degrees. I have to use that verse alot when Im outside shivering. God bless you Anthony.... I agree with the sentiment.... you passed the test.
Posted by: miles at January 24, 2008 04:27 PMAnthony; No yougurt or any other dairy, no white flour, no eggs, no sugar. All these produce huge amounts of mucus(ugh)Have tried this many times and it really works. Hope you feel better Dude. Try a little Bourbon. Harry
Posted by: Anthoney at January 24, 2008 05:03 PMI bet it's the combo of orange juice and nyquil giving you heartburn. Chicken soup, crackers, warm tea...that's the way to go 'til you get your full appetite back. REST,REST,REST!!! Drink non-acid fluids. Your post sounds like a scene from a comedy, humorous, but I would feel guilty laughing. I hope you get over this soon.
Posted by: t.smith at January 24, 2008 05:19 PMThis honestly works when you can't get to sleep when you have a cold or flu... READY???!!!
Put VICKS on the bottom of your feet,,, slather it on and then put on some heavy (white) socks and crawl into bed...
YOU WILL HAVE A GLORIOUS NIGHT OF SLEEP...I promise!
Posted by: Just Meee~ at January 24, 2008 05:44 PM