My friendly mosquitoes gave me something fun. It's called Chikungunya and it really sucks balls ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikungunya ).

In addition to an astonishing fever, you get arthritis affecting multiple joints and insomnia. There's other fun that I missed out on.

The fever part lasts a couple of weeks but the joint inflammation is only just beginning to subside. It's been a couple of months and I am feeling a lot better. Just never thought I would catch something that comes from a frikking jungle.

I tempted the fates writing about Alphaviruses in Case: Black and caught one. NO- not one that makes me hungry for brainz. One that makes me want to stay in a whirlpool and not get out.

I took the brunt of the arthritis in the hands, shoulders and knees. The joints were swollen and did not want to move much. Even sleeping is a chore because it takes a while to get comfortable and go to sleep. When you wake up after being asleep for a while, moving again is... not much fun. I've been hobbling to the tub and soaking in warm water to get going.

Needless to say, Chikungunya is a pain in the arse and will help you waste a couple of months. I don't recommend it.

Feeling better now, I'm going on the first real vacation I've been on in years.

I'm going to the Pacific North West. I love it up there. It's NOT the frikkin South and I am sort of scouting for a new place to live. I'll be in Washington, Oregon and Northern California a couple of days each and will do the slow desert tour on the way home.

I'll take lots of pictures and see if I can find a place that speaks to me and says- you belong here.

While the South does has it's charms, I'm sick of them.