I made it to the Lab in one piece, although it was touch and go for a while. I drove in today – there’s no power in the universe that could get my wobbly ass on two wheels – but it probably wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve done. I feel drunk – or what I assume drunk feels like to most people – kind of floaty and not altogether here right now. I think I might be treading water. Am I wet? I don’t feel wet.

So far only one person has asked me why the hell I’m here today, as I look and sound just awful. I’ll take that as a compliment, because I actually sort of *tried* to look rotten and decaying today. Whenever I’m out of work sick I always think the general assumption is “she’s faking” – and even though I’m pale as a sheet of off-white paper and have a horrible bone-rattling cough, I’m afraid no one is going to believe that I’m sick for real and true. I’m barely able to stand upright, my breathing is labored and my lungs fucking *rattle*, but just in case that wasn’t enough, I’m wearing pale colours, reflective powder that is hopefully picking up the green in my sweater and casting it back into my face, and no eye makeup. That’s right, none. I am brave and sickly and wan.

I have decided Ed and I are going to PAX this year. I like Seattle, I like video games, I like Penny Arcade – why have I not been to this before? This year I am going. Pre-registration just opened up, so we are now armed with two 3-day passes for a nerd orgy of epic proportions. I will bring lube and a screwdriver.