What? It's a nice word.

 

Okay, although it is true I owe you folks an absolute monster of an update I'm afraid it's just going to be a bit smaller. Without my computer my passion to write is fading somewhat and I have news that is deep and sucky.

 

Numero uno, I had the CT scan of my head done; and there is indeed a brain in there. There is also no tumor, no aneurysm, blood clot or anything else life-threatening. There is however, a big freakin' infection that is pretty much dominating the lower half of my skull.

 

It's superficial and it's mostly harmless, but it's there and has been there for about a decade; the result of all the moronic doctors I've visited doing nothing but telling me to get some rest. If any of them had actually checked me out they would have found it and given me a shot and it would not be here. But it is and I'm bombarding it with weapons-grade antibodies. There is a decent silver lining to this cloud though.... it means my migraines actually have NOT returned, it's been the infection slowly worsening. It also means that this is 100% treatable, AND I can choose to sue the stupid docs who chose to ignore my patronage to save themselves some time. So all in all it was very relieving news; if not somewhat of a pisser.

 

Numero duo, Friday morning Dad called. Grandpa is fading fast; as I write this it is nine minutes past midnight and therefore Sunday the 20th of July - Grandpa will be dead before the month is out; indeed before the new week gives way to the one after. Sai and I are flying to Adelaide so that I can speak with him for the first (and sadly last) time in twelve years. Our flight is 1PM on Tuesday the 22nd, and if Grandpa is still alive by the time we arrive then that is some beautiful luck. Goddess willing we'll make it in time and I can show him that the loud little boy he last saw is now a big sarcastic duffer with sick humour and bad hair.

 

Plus, considering that Dad's side of the family is like second or third-generation Australian from German, it means Sai is going to haff to endure gut olt-fashonned German hospitality, ja. I'm just grateful my folks aren't Greek, otherwise we really would be up the creek.

 

And in random news, I have a new computer. 3GHz dual-core processors, 410GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM and an Nvidia 6200GT graphics card - and the whole shebang only cost me $150.

 

It may have had something to do with the guys at work knowing absolute jack squat about computers and thinking it was broken.

 

Just a little.

 

Anyway, I'm going to bugger off now. My next post will be most likely be when Sai and I get back from meeting the folks and seeing one off.

 

And when in doubt, always remember: explosions fix everything!