Reading: The Diamond Age, still. I really like this one.

Watching: Oz, which we taped last night. Background courtesy of
Ace of Space

Physiological and Mechanical Malfunctions

Last night I was running a slight fever, which confirmed in my mind that what I've been experiencing is a urinary tract infection. I've had them before, so I'm familiar with the symptoms. I called my doctor's office this morning to see if I should come in, but she just phoned in a prescription for me.

I've never heard of the antibiotic she prescribed: Macrobid (nitrofurantoin macrocrystals). Late this afternoon I took my first capsule with milk as directed. About an hour later while we were sitting at dinner, the room started slowly revolving around me. The boys' voices seemed to be coming from very far away.

"Can I have another piece of bread, Mama?" asked Daniel.

Slowly, very deliberately, I took one of the pieces of cheese bread I'd already sliced. I buttered it and handed it to him, concentrating on every movement. I didn't want to pass out at the dinner table, though the boys would probably laugh, thinking that Mama was fooling around again.

The lightheadedness passed. After dinner I checked the package insert again and read that dizziness in the first few days is one of the possible side effects. Great. Just as long as it doesn't happen while I'm driving.

My body is not alone in letting me down. Last night my special graphics monitor died on me. The software for the page composition program I use in my freelance work for the Press was written specifically for one and only one graphics monitor; it won't work with any other. Unfortunately, the software company went out of business years ago, and the monitors themselves are no longer being manufactured. Actually, I feel lucky that this monitor lasted me for more than three years.

I got in touch with my contact person at the Press, and she told me that they have a few extras lying around, the Press itself having upgraded to a new system. Only one of their monitors is in working order, however. So yesterday after we picked up Tab, we stopped by the Press where Tab carried the defective monitor in and brought the replacement out. I hope this one lasts me as long as I need it. Else wise, I'm not sure what I'd do.

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