So I got sick, right? Sick like a dog. I slept for nearly three days straight. When I came out of it, I was banged up but really, really calm. It occurred to me that I hadn't had any caffeine during that time. It also occurred to me that I had a splitting headache. On the way to the local coffee shop I noticed that not only was I relaxed, but I felt extremely alert too. Calm and alert seems a state of mind worthy of active cultivation, so I've switched to decaffeinated tea. It's got enough juice to take the edge off the headaches, while also providing a hot drink ritual and social prop. Thus far the tea hasn't been bothering my stomach. This may be in part because I've been sticking to the cheap fannings wrapped in a napkin rather than top quality whole leaf. It is a considerable compromise.
The other thing I didn't do for three days was use a computer. When I logged in to check my facebook there were ninety-nine status update notifications. Ninety-nine! And I'm pretty sure that little red counter just gives up after ninety-nine. When they put it all together like that, in one big heap, the weight of it struck me. After considering the matter for a split-second, I decided I don't care ninety-nine status updates much, let alone enough to justify the thousands and thousands of status updates over the years. I mean, I care about you all individually, but who on Earth has the time and psychic energy to stay in virtual touch with the daily goings-on of hundreds of people — on a minute by minute basis no less!? Madness.