Random Rambling

1. It pretty well sucks to be sick. I've been feeling very odd for the last week - weak, poor vision, sensitive skin, some fever. The docs say I have a virus, and it is slow getting over it.
2. I'm headed to Norway again this Sunday, so I sure hope I get over this sickness before hopping a transatlantic flight. I'll be gone for a week, giving a paper at a conference. For those interested, they have some strange ideas in Norway - one of the most environmentally conscious nations and they love their cetaceans (for dinner). They have a couple of slogans:
   "Whales: Intelligent food for intelligent people."
   "If we had dolphins, we'd kill them, too."
3. Norway also includes portions of Lapland, whose people actually retain their own language. Lapland is known as a traditional home for reindeer (but they've not yet found Santa's workshop). While I'm there, I plan on eating me some Rudolph!
4. The Norwegians eat a lot of fish - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I will as well, while there. The Norwegians I know best also have a great love for drink. One, in particular, always has a story to tell and has informed me that they have worked out, mathematically, at just what point it is less expensive to buy specific liquors inside Norway, in the duty free zones in airports, or in foreign countries. It is actually less expensive, in some cases, for French wines to be exported to Norway and then re-imported for sale than if it had not been exported in the first place.
5. I'm also having feline scatological issues. This has been going on for some time, but my cat refuses to use the litter box. I, almost daily, clean the mess off the floor. Mrs. E has suggested sending the cat off to kitty boot camp. Disgusting and frustrating.
6. After more than a month, it seems the Lil'er E is finally over is bout with thrush. That took a long time, but he is a happy camper these days. He has also been laughing some, but only on Monday's and only for Lil'E and me. Poor Mrs. E has been absent from the room every time.

Tags: Cats, Norway, Sick, Virus, Whales, Dolphins, Reindeer, Lapland, Thrush