Today was supposed to be a fun trip to Iowa and back with Kate, not another day of drug- and sinus pressure-induced stupor. The stupid $25-for-6-pills antibiotics won�t stay down, which rather complicates the issue. Weeks of lotion-laced Kleenex use have given me a giant underground pimple on the end of my nose; it hurts to even think of blowing. But I�ll be damned if I�ll end up at home again today, inadvertently watching Oprah, crying and calling JoJo to tell her all about it, whilst Sparky expectorates the entirety of his lungs in the background, the poor thing.

Nope. Instead I�ve ended up in a conversation about letting down, nipple guards, weaning and pasties, among other things.

I don�t feel well at all.

World news update. Even Saddam fancies himself a writer.

State news update. Now the rest of the country may see why we�re embarrassed of the former governor. He�s done far more than abolish the death penalty, which we all saw as a political move meant to distract from all this, in the first place.

Local news update. Excellent article. Clearly we need more national attention and pressure to combat the effects small-minded wealthy local businessmen.

Holiday tips. If any of us are still able to drink.