Germ-Fest '08 [9.7.08]

Today is a unique opportunity in terms of observance - for one of my friends has come down with a sinus infection. Having the opportunity to watch someone immediately comes along with flat-rate advantages, but being able to observe a sickly subject is even more entertaining. Frankly, I was given more than enough time to observe her today. Most days (including today), I find myself inhabiting my friend's room because of my unfortunate commuting situation. Finding my own way into Silver, I enter her dorm and see her body curled up on her bed. In an attempt to wake her, I whispered, poked, sang, threw things, and she eventually began to rouse from sleep. For the readers' sake, I must say that her usual sleeping state is light. However, due to several induced medications, her sleeping patterns were greatly altered in such forms as drowsiness, congestion, and a deeper sleep. Since our friendship is so close, I consider it to be synonymous to a "comfortable" relationship, and in turn, a forgiving one as well. I often find myself shedding some humor on others' ill-fated situations in the form of jovial comedy. Unfortunately, some may misconstrue my clever banter as cruel or damaging. (At the most, I would say my behavior is mischievous.) In an attempt to combat my wit, my friend simply monopolized the weapons that I could not tap into: the misting sneeze, the cumbersome throat-breathing, and most importantly - the leaning mountain of grubby tissues. I soon realized the weakness of my army - fear. I was not ready to come down with the unexplainable curse of whatever nuisance was plaguing my friend. It was "Germ-fest '08" and I had front row seats. My wit was fully inferior in comparison to her dirty tactics, so I waved my white flag of defeat and literally hit the road. On my way home, I wondered several things. What just happened? Why was there a power struggle, and who had the upper hand? When did disease become a playing card in the deck of politics? Most of all, how long before the secret power of germs goes global?