(no subject)

My back has been very bad the past few days, complicated by the fact that we planned a couple of days playing D&D with a new friend who lives in Sharp's Chapel (about an hour and a quarter northwest of here along winding country roads). We originally made the plans when I wasn't working, and Kip was free between fall and spring semesters--but then I got a job and everything had to be shoehorned into the weekends. This means that I don't get much chance to rest anymore, and I think the strain is starting to tell.

I woke up at 4:30 this morning and my back hurt too much for me to get back to sleep. I've had all the ibuprofen I can have, and I've iced my back, and I'll try a hot bath and a walk next, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to be able to go to work today. And how bad it will look if I take time off "sick" on a week when I've already arranged to take Friday off to go to GaFilk (science fiction music convention in Atlanta).

We'll see how it goes.

(no subject)

I went home at noon today because my back was bothering me so much. Fortunately my boss didn't seem too upset; he just said I could make up the time later. I don't like falling behind like this, but my cane keeps getting in the way as I move around the lab, and I can't concentrate very well.

I've spent most of the last six hours lying down, which does help some. You know you're in bad shape when you plan how you're going to roll over.

I'm going to try and read some of the protein structure papers I've got to get ready for the talk I'm supposed to give on Thursday.