h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*offers Ben and Agapanthus a tissue and a sympathetic pat*

*collects some paracetamol, tissues, a jar of honey and some lemon squash in case he catches the cold that seems to be a haunting the salon*

I wonder if it's because women are tradionaly less able to take time off ill? After all if you've got four kids wanting dinner you can't call in sick.

Actually resting isn't an option when you've got your medicine finals in one month and one day.

I think I need to make a revision timetable, and colour it in.

Its only any good being stoical when you've got people to be stoical AT, B. When my family are about the place, I'd sooner disembowell-meself-honourably than admit to feeling ill even when I'm practically crawling on the floor. On me tod, I whinge and grizzle like a toddler. Only S is priviledged to see my infantile side, and even then I will occasionally relapse and protest I'm fine while locked in the privy or coughing myself sick. Lord knows why I do it - much more fun to lie on the sofa watching videos while people bring you tea and satsumas and aspirins.

Ah. I curl up in bed and demand whisky and . Much more enjoyable.

Ben's doing the horribly sensible thing of thinking of her health and putting it first rather than carrying on and making things worse.

Ooh as for accepting freebies, I will happily accept freebies from companies trying sell *me* stuff (and not buy the stuff, though I have to admit I've rather reluctantly purchased indemity insurance, but the freebie was worth twice the price of the insurance) BUT their are two differences with drugs.

1) Every single doctor thinks that pens an advertising don't affect their prescribing. But drug companies aren't stupid and don't supply pens to doctors out of the goodness of their hearts. It must be affecting prescribing, even subconcsciouly.

2) Even if it doesn't affect you're prescribing , some patients think that it might do so it looks bad.

3) This website basically sums things up..
http://www.nofreelunch.org/

>> Whisky and

Now that sounds like *such* a good idea. When I was married I would permit my ex to cossett me, but these days I prefer to hole up in seclusion and privacy.

I think you are right about there being specific audiences in front of whom one would disembowel-oneself-honorouably, Ag, rather than admit to being ill.

Also I have *always* taken the view that one is better off at home getting better than at work getting worse. Not to mention spreading germs.

Ben

The interviews today and Friday are with placement agencies. There are a variety of jobs that are available.

I really need to get Going Postal. Anyone who has read it, please let me know what you think of it.

GDZ.

B

Some bugger has left a great big plate of orange sticky buns in our office break room for everyone.

Going postal's very good-borrowed it off someone in the chaplincy. Acquired 4 coat hangers today-there were a load in a box in the chaplincy, where we're having a clearout precipitated by the chaplain enforcing the house rules about storage, of which there is simply not enough.
Am briefly online before I write essay no. 2 of 3

have had a tickly cough but it's a bit better.

acquire lots of free pens at the county show every year



Am wondering how much of my relationship with someone (fellow hootooer by sheer coincidence) is my maternal nature showing itself, and how much I'm falling in love, despite certain barriers to a relationship-he does know some of this!!!!

Falling in love? There's a thing... My advice - for what it is worth which isn't really that much - is don't worry about lables, and just go with whatever happens. Live in the moment, darlin'...

B

I've decided not to go my meeting at medschool this evening, too much work, so I'm now back at home.

GDZ.

I must agree with B, take things as they come. Thanks all, 20 minutes til interview.

[TIM]

Why isn't there a smiley? It is subtly different from .

, anyway, GDZ.

B

Good luck, GDZ.

S is stuck on a train with a dud engine just outside Watford and has been for AGES. He should have been home by now but even if the engine magically repairs itself he'll still be another hour or more and as it is they are waiting for either another engine or permission to limp back to Watford so give it at least two hours. I'll stoically have his dinner ready (I'm going a bit Waltons what with not having a job) and I'll tape things off the telly and warm his slippers by the fire and everything but feeling deeply peeved because I want coddling and here I am forced by the vagaries of British trains to coddle instead. Worse still, coddling someone who's not even here to enjoy and appreciate it and by the time he does I'll be too tired to care.

*limps in*

I'm ok. I wish I could say the same for my left knee . My ballet dancing days are over, I fear.

I happened to limp past the headmaster today and this gave me the opportunity to tell him how I had selflessly hobbled in to teach the class who have an external exam tomorrow . I think he's going to be such a useful referee for the next couple of years .

I wore my specs today and it made a huge difference to how the kids behaved. The McGonagall effect, methinks. Although one group were most fascinated by the name Armani on the side of my specs. The youth of today are so shallow .

I'm very tired. I didn't finish my prep until 01:00 this morning and I have to get up at 05:15 to catch the . I'm listening to Tony Robinson reading Going Postal during my journey. It's the best bit of the day.

Good to hear that you're still there, Amy. More bandaid?

*quietl adds to the kleenex collection for those in need*

B - - the description you gave of men having a cold is something I'm sure Mrs SG V would agree to in a split second. Me, I cannot understand why, though....

- need my beauty

[]

Glad you're recovered from that nasty argument with the ground, Amy.

GDZ - hope the interview went well .

daSilva - couldn't you have a Hootoo hol from the rest - but stay here? I thought Z's other suggestion was quite good.

Decongestant inhalations and extra-soft tissues to those with sneezes and sniffles. Always best to stay at home and rest up - and avoid infecting others.

I hope S got home safe, Ag, and after being cossetted is now duly reciprocating in a suitably sympathetic fashion.

There's something very strange going on in my handbag - I either have twelve pens or none at all and never recall putting them in or taking them out.
I got loads of freebie pens and post-its and other tooth-related stuff at the weekend. I've given most of it away to patients already. I'm keeping the rather fab demonstrator given by one of the electric toothbrush guys - it's got strobe lights and vibrating particles. Oooer!