AIR

[mrdreamjeans]

Air ... as in coming up for .. as in breathing ... I haven't posted much this week. It's been hard to find time. I've been working long hours; and because of my illness, I've been heading to bed two hours after I arrive home from work. This cold/sinus infection/flu has been a doozy. I've been combating it with Airborne, hot teas, cranberry juice, saline sprays and ibuprofen. The crud I've been expectorating has changed color from brown to green to yellow; that's progress, right? I've gone from tenor to bass to mute and back. I am feeling better. I was the last person on staff to get Cedar Fever, as some folks call it. Meh ... It's going to happen when you go from freezing temps to 80's virtually overnight.

Last evening, I went to a Mexican restaurant, sat on the side of the restaurant where there were no other patrons and ordered a bowl of spicy chicken soup. I told the waitress, "I want you to bring the soup and one soft chicken taco. I'd like you to also provide a carry out bag, a large stack of napkins and then leave me alone for awhile. I have got a bunch of crud and I'm going to be blowing my nose, if the soup does what I hope it will do. I don't want any server or bus person to handle the napkins, so I'll use the bag, tie it up and throw it away." I wonder how many times, restaurant folks handle crumpled up napkins not realizing they've been used for more than wiping their hands. She laughed and said she appreciated my thoughtfulness.

To end on a positive note ... Someone sent me these "Guidelines for the New Year". They're sort of my informal philosophy for my life anyway, as I don't live it coming from a cynical place. If you read these, you've got an insight into who Neil is at his very core.

1. Compliment three people everyday.
2. Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
3. Be the first to say hello.
4. Live beneath your means.
5. Treat everyone like you would want to be treated.
6. Never give up on anybody; miracles happen.
7. Never deprive someone of hope; it may be all they have.
8. Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage.
9. Be tough-minded, but tenderhearted.
10. Be kinder than necessary.
11. Keep your promises.
12. Learn to show cheerfulness, even when you don't feel like it.
13. Remember that overnight success usually takes about 15 years.
14. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

Comments

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Well glad you are feeling better. Those are some great guidelines. I wonder if I post them around the office people would start being nicer! HA! Well that was a joke.
Hugs

[jimwnyc.livejournal.com]

I actually just printed this and (secretly) put it up on the bulletin board in our break room. Let's see what happens...

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Knowing someone in our office, they would make a big deal #8 using the word pray. Silly people!!!

Love the sexy icon btw :-)

[jimwnyc.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Just a random phone photo.

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Nothing wrong with that.
So when are you coming to Houston? I haven't heard anything from you!!!!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

And here I was thinking you meant me ... *sigh* ... You meant Jim. Oh well ....

LOL! I agree!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

7, 10, 11 and 14 are probably the ones I try most to follow. I understand folks' discomfort with the word pray, but pray doesn't have to mean religion ...

HUGS!

[madisonbear.livejournal.com]

:(

(hugs hoping you'll feel better!)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Ted .. I'm making progress.

HUGS!

[elfkat.livejournal.com]

Hope you feel better soon!

Hugs!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, my friend! Back at ya! Let me know what happens with the eye stuff.

Big HUGS!

Healthy hugs and happiness!

[redbearmark.livejournal.com]

Goodness! This winter is killer on the respiratory system! Hope you feel better soon! At least you are showing some creativity in your colour choices of phlegm (memories of Cabaret come to mind for that word)

My new position at work makes me sweat most of the night - I am at least pure in body at the end of the day. But hydration is a constant challenge!

Thanks for the positive and encouraging items to think about

Re: Healthy hugs and happiness!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I visions of you sorting packages in front of a blazing hot stove, forging iron or something, red hair gleaming red gold in the fiery light! LOL!

Keep drinking those fluids! Glad to know you've made the switch to a more amenable schedule.

HUGS!

[cimarrondfw.livejournal.com]

I've been congested for weeks. I'm beginning to believe in this moutain cedar thing. I don't seem to have a cold or any illness; I just cannot breathe easily. Be well.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Monitor it carefully. The big weather switch is when it hit me last week. It started out as a backache, then generally achiness. If you have any fever, get to a doctor, cause it's on the way!

HUGS!

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

I love your thoughtfulness with the restaurant servers. I hope you feel better soon. Hugs

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I knew I wasn't going to eat spicy soup and not blow my nose. No reason to gross out anyone else!

HUGS!

[macduff131.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

just 'cause.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

Just 'cause ...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I've tried to do this without antibiotics, but it's obviously slowed the recovery process. I hope you feel better, my friend.

Btw, one by-product of last night at the restaurant was that I scraped the end of my tongue with a tortillia chip. *whimper* It split it! It hurts! LOL!

HUGS!

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

Cedar so sucks.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

After the past five days, I believe that .. I know it to be true:)

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to sing much lately?

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Well, it's good that I'm not singing, because I wouldn't be able to ... but I'm never glad not to be singing. I miss it more than I can tell you. I just need to get better. It's been 8 days now. I've spent all weekend in bed. Enough is enough!

Compliment three people everyday

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

like we need more Johnny Carsonism around here?

LOL am I so NY?

Newsbreak: They sent back the package I sent you! I may sue. Guess I'll have to give it to you when I come there.

Re: Compliment three people everyday

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

How odd! I know you had the address correct as I got your card. Oh well, better to receive it in person and to get to see you!

HUGS!

[graphicubsf.livejournal.com]

Feel Better!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, my friend!

[bearnight.livejournal.com]

How can you be sick? Did it drop below 60 degrees there? Well, get better!!!! (Hugs)

Cedar Fever

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, my friend! It wasn't the drop below .. .We were at freezing for about a week; but one day it was a high of 40 and the next day 82. The cedars went nutso (the highest levels of pollen or whatever it's called in years)! I went to a Texas A&M basketball last Saturday night; by the time I drove home the 35 miles, I had a fever and I've been sick since. I'm hoping to be much better by tomorrow. I want to enjoy the weekend.

HUGS!

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

That's an excellent list ...I'm printing it, and it goes up on my bulletin board.
Also, it sounds just like the Neil I know ...what a privilege to have you for a friend !

Hope that by now you're my favorite 'tenor' again, and the cold has dissipated.
HUGS!

I am feeling better ....

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The list is probably a bit perky for most folks, but it really is the way I try to live my life. I'm glad you like it.

As to being a tenor again ... not quite ... I've gotten my speaking voice back, but I spent all weekend in bed. This is the ninth day of this crud. I'm over having it.

I'm so happy that you are my friend ...

HUGS!