Norwalk Virus: Not 100% recovered.

Almost there

First of all, I'm pissed because I've missed out on so much stuff this weekend: Ginette's going away party, the Kris Kringle at Stan's, and the Festive Christmas Dinner at Dominic's (where I was suppose to cook the turkey). I've missed out on 4 days of Christmas shopping that can't possibly get done, and I've basically missed the only opportunity to see my friends (because I'm away in NYC and New Jersey From Dec 27th to the Dec 30th).

I tried eating solid food today, looks like my stomach wasn't up to it, as I'm feeling mighty bloated.

I also had a session of liquid bowel movement syndrom earlier this evening--but it was the only instance today (versus 12+ times yesterday) and it was "semi-solid"--I know, I know, too much information, but I need to put a positive spin on things.

So, I'm pissed because this 48-hour virus is turning to a 72+ hour virus--and I've been totally cut off from the world, bored out of my mind.

Dropping by work to pick up some materials and working from home tomorrow.

-T

Norwalk Virus: Epilogue

Feeling like Sunshine

Well, I'm not totally fine yet, but the major symptoms have stopped. I still have some minor gastritis (READ: GAS), but no more diarrhea--thank goodness.

Over the last 72 hours, I've completely lost track of how many "bathroom breaks" I've taken. However, one thing that is interesting to note is that I have lost 7 pounds.

Now, I know that most of this is probably water, but hey, if it isn't, I may have found a new, patent-able diet routine: the Norwalk Diet Plan.

Lose 6 pounds in 2 days through an intense regimen of fasting and purging--brought to you by the infamous Norwalk Virus. Thousands of people all over the world have tried it! It works!

Ahh, I can see the millions rolling in now. Bling! Bling!

I know I'm making light of the situation. I really shouldn't. Hell, there were times when I was so weak and dehydrated, I could barely take a sip of water. However, hindsight being 20|20, it's easy for me to poke fun at the experience, although I wouldn't wish this upon anyone. To have all four of the symptoms occuring at high frequency and intensity: Nausea, Diarrhea, Cramping, and Vomiting--it's crazy.

This will truly be a memorable Christmas Season.

-T

I'm a Risk.

I should just...

I should just dump whatever food that I'm eating into toilet.

It goes through me that fast.

I actually ate some solid food today.

I think the Environment Canada should come to my house and dedicate my ass illegal under the Kyoto Protocol. I'm producing so much methane and foul smelling gas, I'd have to be declared an environmental hazard. I'm single-handedly increasing global warming.

I'm a risk to the plubic. Nay, the entire country; maybe even the world.

-T

Interesting Fact: Norwalk Virus

My Favourite Jeopardy Category

Hey Guys,

Here are some interesting facts about the Norwalk Virus.

• The Norwalk Virus is sperical in shape.

• The Norwalk Virus is named after Norwalk, Ohio, where the first recorded outbreak occurred in 1968. Over 115 teachers and pupils became sick in an elementary school. In 1972, electron microscopy discovered our viral friend, and thus named it after the town.
• Unfortunately, once the virus has passed, the body is only immune to reinfection for several months
• Scientist suspect that the nature of the virus may have changed. It may be hardier, more able to withstand our environment, or it may have become airborne.

I'm lonely right now. People are avoiding me like the plague.

-T

Norwalk Virus: Day 3

This virus has really ruined my weekend

Sucks to be me right now. Can't do anything. Need to be near a toilet at any moment (if you get my drift).

Apparently Karen has been hit with the Norwalk Virus as well.

Gosh. This virus is rampant. Between Karen and I, I know 5 other people who have contracted it.

It looks like Karen's symptoms are worse than mine. My vomitting and nausea stopped by Friday Morning. Still battling the diarrhea, but this time, I've got a secret weapon:

I'm sure a lot of oriental kids will know what Po Chai Pills are. They're a standard in the Chinese medicine cabinet.

Well, I hope Karen feels better.

-T

Norwalk Virus: Day 2

Just some thoughts

I'm amazed at how fast the Norwalk Virus hit me. We're talking about 30 minutes for the onset of symptoms. I just hope that I'm not a disease vector.

It's funny, but I feel really cut off from the world. I've basically told my family to avoid me until I'm better. Since I've imposed a quarantine in my living area and bathing facilities, it's been a near silent existence. Looks like it will remain so until Monday. Kind of reminds me of my time spent in Barrie, ON.

I won't get into the details of the Norwalk virus, but suffice to say it is a 48-hour stomach flu that is known for it's nausea, "explosive" vomiting and diarrhea. It is spread in the air by particulates of said human excrement.

Wash your hands, avoid me like the plague, and wash your hands.

-T

I have the Norwalk Virus.

It's coming out of both ends.

I didn't feel well during the drive back from work. In the past hour and a half, I have thrown up twice, and had the "explosive" diarrhea like 6 times.

I've quarantined the downstair bathroom.

I won't be able to do anything for the next four days. I won't be able to do work, see LOTR2, help Mrs. So cook dinner, cook at the Sunday dinner party. Nothing.

Five minutes ago, I threw up in the toilet where I just had to do number 2.

I've hit rock bottom.

-T

Kev and his Wireless Network.

News Flash

Kev has started the arms race again by building a 802.11b wireless network in his house. He can now surf the Internet wirelessly.

Damn him!

Looks like I'll be making a trip to futureshop tomorrow.

Now, I've often wondered what I would do with a wireless network. I mean, what would could you do? Surf the net on the shitter? That's about it really. I'm the only person in my house who owns a laptop....so what advantage is there to building a wireless network?

Man, Kev beat me to the punch. I've been talking about setting up a wireless network for years...

Do you think he's trying to say something? That there is some symbollic meaning to all this?

He's a just a dumb punk with a Tech-Gadget Fetish!

-T

Gossip.

This is for FLO CHOW!

It has come to my attention recently that my blogs lack a certain, um, flare. READ: They are not juicy enough.

Well, I happen to know that at this moment, someone we all know is messing with another someone we all know. You know, a certain little, "something, something."

How's that for gossip?

-T

Pain.

Ouch

I think I had my first back spasm today.

I was bending over to use the water cooler...and POW!

Wow. That hurt.

-T

I'm so sore

Hurt but loving it!

When I got back from the airport, Win and I went for a run around the neighborhood. Lots of snow. My calves are killing me. My back is slightly stiff from the jarring impact.

I also played squash for the first time in over 2 1/2 years. I lost all three games.

I attribute it to 2 things:

1. Poor physical fitness
2. Poor serving

I think I was serving below 50%. Had I been able to get my serve across, it would have been more competitive I think.

Physically speaking, I almost had a heart attack. I'm surprised I didn't faint. I mean...damn.

I'm so out of shape.

I'm sore, but I feel good.

I'm bringing all my gear there tomorrow.

Things that I have to practice tomorrow at:

• Foot work - star drills
• swing mechanics
• Serving
• Stop swearing on the court

I think I'm going to play during the weekend and Christmas holidays. Anyone interested in a game? I have the equipment already. Just bring a towel and your court shoes. I'll need to pick up some more balls. Hell, maybe I'll buy a new racquet.

-T

Whistler - Wet and Rainy

Sigh.

Well, my big ski trip ended up being a laid back weekend in the Whistler Village.

Rain, rain and more rain.

I did have a fun time though.

I'm also impressed that Jen's co-workers didn't talk about work this weekend. I mean, to have that happen to me for a 3rd time in a row would have been a disaster for Jen and I--I would have outrightly refused to join Jen at any of her future work/social functions.

I won't go into the entire weekend. To be honest, it wasn't that memorable--I had a fun time and all, but I think my next visit to Whistler will be the one to remember.

I'm amazed at how self-contained the Village is--kind of reminds me of that old Patrick McGoohan series called the Prisoner.... It's huge too! I mean, even on the last day, I saw parts of the Village that I didn't recognize.

Incidents that stick out in my mind include:

• Being barred from the hot tub / jacuzzi because we didn't pay enough for our accomodations. "We're not dirty" - Mark
• Sitting beside a 20 year-old cult member named Cleo on my flight back to TO. She had left TO at the age of 13 and basically has been travelling ever since. I think she was part of the Rayellians, a group that believes in cloning and that there is a alien mothership on the darkside of the moon. "You should come out to one of our functions--you have so much love to give!" - Cleo "Umm, no thank you, I'm very happy where I am now" - Tai
• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - they have amazing caramel apples
• Citto Restaurant - great Chicken Pesto Pizza

Pictures to come.

-T

Very Tired.

This work thing is really eating into my sleep time

Man...Worked 27 hours in the between Monday (18 hours) and Tuesday (9 hours)... Today's 8 hours seems like a vacation.

Well, that said. THings are work are winding down. My client goes on Christmas shutdown this week and next week, so after that, I'm scott free to work on some niggling internal projects until the new year.

So Monday, I worked for 18 hours. Some of which were spent generating test data for an app that we are building for our client. The rest of the time was spent trying to build this presentation for a report that I had written examining the usability of the client's website. Seventy-four pages of text widdled away into a 45-minute, 30-slide presentation.

The kicker was that I never actually presented the Tuesday presentation. Kevin, the IPS (Internet Professional Services) Manager didn't feel comfortable in letting me present the report.

Guess, I'm too junior for him.

So I took the half-hour to prep my manager, Scott, to present in my stead.

Sucks.

The presentation, as expected, wow'd the audience.

However, there was "no joy in Mudville" (-- that's an allusion to the Ernest Thayer poem, "Casey at the Bat").

No glory for ol' Tai.

Oh well. Life is like that in Big Time Consulting.

Tuesday evening was customer appreciationg night for the team at Spacco's, a bar at Yonge and Eglinton. Fun time. Drank a bit too much (Ameretto and Ginger Ale + plus a shot)....was really pissed drunk (not to mention damn tired) for a point in time.

Got home okay. Fell asleep in my work clothes while waiting to take a shower.

Weekend Plans

Heading off for a 3-day weekend in Whistler, BC. It's snowing there right now....cross your fingers, I'd like to board while I'm there.

Let's hope I don't break my ass like I did last year. On the bright side, I don't have to buy a rubber "invalid ring".

-T

I have to stop doing this!

I'm so poor

Hey all,

I was thinking a lot about personal finances last week. A conversation between my coworkers (most of whom are only a year, maybe two, older than me) and my most recent VISA bill really got me thinking about how I'm no longer a studen nowand how I have responsibilities. I have to plan for my future (a future that obviously includes Jen) now. I need to use the money that I'm making now to purchase security for the years ahead.

Then I went out and spent ~$400 CDN on a new watch.

It's a pretty sweet peice of steel. A Seiko AutoRelay Premier S/S White Dial watch.

• Solid Stainless Steel Case & Bracelet,
• 100 Meter Water Resistant,
• Sapphire crystal for ultimate scratch resistance,
• Energy storage for up to four years of time memory,
• Time relay function automatically transfers time in memory to hands,
• Quick-Start of time relay function with a few shakes,
• Manual demonstration of time relay function available,
• Screw-down caseback,
• Lumibrite hands and makers for night-time visibility, and
• Push-button folding safety clasp.

What am I doing? How can I save when I keep spending?

Part of me would feel happier if I returned the DV camera. That would be ~$900 CDN back in the bank. However, if I did that, I'd end up buying it again later...or worse, I'd spend more money buying a more expensive DV Camera.

Do I absorb the price and wait for the new year to start with a clean slate?

I don't know.

I just don't know.

I'm a young, up-and-coming professional. I need to learn how to manage my money.

BTW, my parents just bought a new treadmill to replace the exercise bike.

Weekend Recap

Jen and I saw the CanStage production of "The Beard of Avon". It was okay. I'd give it ** 1/2. To be blunt, It wasn't that funny. I didn't always understand what the people were saying--the English was too High and some of the actors couldn't project very well. I also felt that the timing and delivery was a little rushed. Moreover, I felt that there was too much gesticulating done by the actors. Finally, I felt that some of the characters were just portrayed wrong. I mean, Queen Elizabeth I writing the Taming of the Shrew? C'mon people--that's just stupid. All-in-all there were moments of greatness in that play. However, it never really went beyond amusing, nor was it ever able to envelope me within its private reality.

After the play, Jen and I sat up and watched an hour of Disc 4 of the Lord of the Rings Extended Edition DVD set. Brilliant. I can't wait for the next movie.

-T

News Flash!

This Just in...

Our good friend Eric just got a job with Oracle. He will be working out of Mississauga and starts January 6th, 2003.

Let's give him a warm round of applause.

-T

In and out of Vancouver

This was written on the flight back. I've been too busy since to post it until now.

-T

Friday Night - I'm tired

Jen arrived in the first 5 minutes after I landed...we went back to her place. I was kind of hungry, but I wanted something warm and soupy to take away the damp chill that was prevalent all weekend.

She suggested A Ramen Noodle house near her place. Jen ordered a Miso-flavoured Ramen and I ordered a Shoyu flavoured ramen. That really hit the spot. Jen didn't really like her Miso flavoured ramen, so we switched at the beginning.

I also had "Gyoza", Japanese Dumplings.

I basically became deleriously tired after the meal and a half (I ate Jen's half).

Jen and I woke up the following morning after a much needed sleep. I complained that I was tired, but she wanted to do something, so we headed out to "White Spot" for some breaky and then headed to Stanley park. The walk around stanley park was nice. It was sunny for most of the part--with foggy breaks that would roll in from the water.

One thing that made me curous was this "9'oclock canon" that sits along the sea wall, about 1/4 around the Stanley Park loop. Apparently they fire this canon everyday at 9 PM. Go figure.... I wonder why.

One thing about it...you have to love the sign:

And here is a picture of a large Sulphur pile that sits near North Vancouver. I love the colour:

After walking around Stanely park for 2 and half hours, we dropped by Blendz ( a local coffee chain), picked up a regular French Vanilla coffee and a Caramel Mochiatto and headed back to Jen's house. I called my friend Allison Salter, arranged plans for lunch Sunday morning, and then took a brief nap.

We slept for an hour and 40 minutes.

Dinner

Dinner was one mistake after another. To drink, I wanted something a little more exotic...so I walked into a nearby Korean/Japanese corner store and bought a 1.5 L bottle of Calpis Water (see my other blog about the wonders of Japanese Beverages). That ended up costing $8.55 CDN. Damn!

Jen had gone grocery shopping earlier, so we decided to prepare some Shake and Bake, using the rest of the shake and bake to cover some red bell peppers that would be roasted in the oven.

Now, Jen lives in a rather "luxurious" condo overlooking Robson Street (kind of like the Yonge St. of Vancouver.

It's too bad that her oven didn't work. So i ended up pan frying the chicken breast...

I was sooo upset...almost visibly so.

The only things that really turned out was the steamed rice and the stir-fried green beans.

Too bad..we had the ingredients for a great stir fry....

Technology 1, Tai 0.

I was bummed for the rest of the night.

Jen had really wanted to go to this caf� called "Death by Chocolate", but I wasn't in the mood.

I know she was kind of upset.

I never had the chance to see Allison...it wasn't in the cards. Oh well.

Jen made some excellent French Toast that morning. We topped off the meal by visiting a hot new food location that sold gourmet cupcakes.

The store was called (and all the usability specialists will like this one), "Cup Cakes".

The flight back was uneventful.

-T