Ok, I'm a little sick and tired of being sick and tired. (Actually, I'm not tired, but it seemed funnier that way. Hah.) Honestly, I'm just kind of annoyed. So... maybe I'm idealizing a little here, but I recall illnesses going something like this: I get sick. I either decide it's not serious, and wait it out, or I go to the doctor. I wait a couple minutes, doctor sees me, checks me up, gives me advice or a prescription, problem solved. (And if I do have a prescription, I pick it up from the pharmacy (tiny corner shop). In America, it goes something like this: Wait for a long fucking time at to see a doctor. Sometimes this involves being referred through a byzantine system of desks and positions. (2-5 hours) Finally see the doctor. Doctor does some tests, vanishes (15-30 minutes). Another doctor comes by, does same tests, vanishes (15-30 minutes). Doctors admit they don't know what it is, but prescribe antibiotics. I go to pick up antibiotics, and a) it costs money, and b) CVS doesn't have the anti-inflammation meds in stock in that dosage. Oh, and if I'm really lucky, I get expensive worthless tests - sometimes they save me the trouble of taking one and just bill me for it, too!

God, take me to Germany, or Italy, or somewhere, anywhere, even England! Well, ok, maybe not England. God, the closest place with decent universal medical coverage is Cuba. Why does socialized health care get such a bad reputation just because of places like England? The Brits just love waiting in line, man, it's all on purpose!

Ahh... but fortunately, there's Tybalt. I almost forget about the searing, burning pain in my throat with each swallow when I'm petting him. Cats are wonderful... especially Tybalt. And of course I have a soft spot for Merlin - although I'm not-so-secretly jealous of him... cats really have the life, don't they?