Well, it’s not quite so dramatic as that, but I do feel as if, after several days of playing poster-child for every freakin’ off-the-counter cold and flu remedy there is, I am starting to feel better. How do I know? The Bolla Valpolicella tastes mighty fine tonight, and I feel as if I can sleep in my own bed again. (Although, I’ll admit, not having a 16-lb. rabbit hopping around looking for treats at 5 AM was a nice departure, for a change.)

Kim, a co-worker of mine, said that when you get sick, the only real remedy is rest, lots of fluids, and watching a lot of movies. Which is exactly what I did – that is, when I wasn’t working via my laptop, which is not exactly heavy lifting, if you know what I mean. That being said, there was enough downtime to warrant these few humble observations:

1) Every now and then I enjoy tuning into the C-SPANs’ “Today In Washington” programming, but whenever I’m watching, I can’t help but think I’m the only non-government employee out there doing so.

2) The Weather Channel continues to be a wonderful source of mindless background-noise entertainment, but some of their on-air personalities are starting to get a little long in the tooth, if you know what I mean.

3) And “Storm Stories”, while entertaining, is a waste of a good hour that could otherwise be filled with – oh, I don’t know – weather forecasts. I wish I had a nickel for every time someone on one of those shows says, “I thought I was gonna die.”

4) Ever since the election ended, the number of times our phone rings during the day has dropped to near-zero.

5) No matter how many times you watch it, “Miracle On 34th Street” is still a fine movie. I’d much prefer the B&W version to the colorized one I watched, but it’s still great entertainment. My favorite character in it: William “Fred Mertz” Frawley as the judge’s political backer. He’s cool.

6) We get SIRIUS radio‘s “Classical Christmas” on Channel 6086 on the DISH Network. Lovely music to do work by or take a afternoon siesta to.

7) Harris Faulkner on FOX News is, well, a bonafide fox. And I love her patented signature sign-off smile – very easy on the eyes, if you know what I mean.

8) I know showers are essential in this day and age, but a good, hot soak in a bathtub full of moisturizing suds with a good mag or book is one of life’s simple pleasures.

9) “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” both disturbed and scared the bejeezus out of Mrs. Shank so much that she couldn’t sleep last night and ended up staying home from work today. Don’t ask me – I was in bed, sick – remember?

10) And no, don’t even ask. The Big Nipper‘s blogging days are over. I don’t care how many additional hits this site got from his post the other day.