Newton Bigelow

Image by googlisti, used under a CC license.

After eight days of this bastard cold, I can say without doubt that there is nothing cute or endearing about it. I’d also like to point out to my immune system that the idea is to attack the invader, not the host body. So little more search-and-destroy and a little less carpet-bombing my lungs with mucus, thanks.

But I like the idea of plushy virus toys. Sort of takes the taint of evil off the little buggers.

Also, the word “blogging” accurately describes the sound of me hacking phlegm out of my lungs at two in the morning. So I guess that makes me a double blogger.

Ugh.

Image by Klearchos Kapoutsis, used under a CC license.

Kukeri is a yearly Bulgarian celebration that traces its roots back to ancient Thrace. Dancers wearing goatlike costumes parade around in order to frighten evil spirits away. Like a lot of spring celebrations, it contains elements of death and rebirth, as well as fertility and bacchanalia.

In other parts of the world, spring is celebrated by eating large amounts of pastel-colored candy nestled in baskets full of plastic grass. Evil spirits are frightened away by the presence of hideous baby chickens made from synthetic marshmallow. Sugar comas usually preclude any bacchanalian pursuits. Movies featuring Charlton Heston also contribute to the general anhedonia.