Climbing the Third Stair

So this weekend I went up to South Sioux City for the Kotei tournament Bob Yager was running. This is my second Kotei of the season, as I went to Chicago in February--an occasion I really should get around to journaling, because Mike Colson is an excellent TO and a delightful host and I should leave myself notes to encourage me to go to his parties L5R tournaments more often.

Anyway, my weekend started poorly in the sense that I had picked up my car early Friday afternoon and got about four blocks down the street before getting into a car accident. A car ahead of me pulled into my lane while I was in it and this just never works well. Our cars had only minor damage and the cops gave the other driver the ticket, but it was still a very upsetting thing. (And now I have a police report to fill out and the rental car agency to deal with tomorrow. Oh, joy.)

( But wait! There's more! )

I woke up this morning with a sore throat and pressure on the right side of my face, so I knew right away today was not going to be good. Those are the classic signs of Nancy getting a sinus attack. This is never a good thing, and it's all the worse now because I'm supposed to go to the Sioux City Kotei this weekend and have fun. I can't get sick now! I've been looking forward to this for months!

I went to work, sat at my desk for a few hours pretending to work, and then gave up and came home. My concentration was shot, which is a sure of sign of me running a fever. I don't know how high it is at the moment, because as soon as I came home I took some aspirin and crawled into bed for nap. In a few hours my second dose will wear off and I'll check it.

Because hope springs eternal I reserved the rental car I need for the trip. Also, started my packing list. If it's only a light attack I should be ok-ish by Friday. I decided to do my biking in spite of being under the weather, because I have a faint memory that exercise is supposed to help your immune system, and since it couldn't hurt, there was no reason not to try it. To my surprise, I lasted the whole half-hour. Perhaps I am getting better at this?

I shall probably stay home and sleep tomorrow. That is also supposed to be good when you are sick. It's annoying though because I'll have to break into my vacation hours to cover it. I wiped out most of my sick time the last time I had a sinus attack. *sigh*

YAY!

I never managed to get my new deck built, which makes me sad because Mason had designed a really fun-looking one for me. Maybe I should try to get to another Kotei to play it? Or, I could play at Gencon this year with it. Anyway.

Spent last night hanging out with Bob, Mason, and everyone who had shown up on Friday. Troy Graham showed up and I fangirled him over the t-shirt. Everyone ended up in Bob's suite and much talking and a little drinking ensued. I finally made myself leave and get some sleep around 2 am. Today is going to be very long, and a lot of fun.

My spring is going to be interesting and filled with travel.

Towards the end of April I'm going to attend the South Sioux City Kotei. (Kotei=a particular type of big L5R tournament.) It should be a lot of fun--Bob runs a nice Kotei, and Shawn will also be there. Someone else has volunteered to be the scorekeeper at the event (traditionally I've helped Bob run that), so I'll be playing this year. And losing a lot, unless I get some practice in!

I had wanted to go to more Kotei this year, but I don't think I"ll have the funds since I'm now going to Wiscon over Memorial Day weekend so that I can hang out with yhlee and helenkeeble. We shall drink tea and eat buttered crabs and giggle madly over exploding possums. I am, obviously, looking forward to it. Before that happens I need to confect a hanbok, which should help advance my resolution to do more sewing this year.