And, gradually, I've started to feel less like my head is stuck in a vice. And my body actually feels like it wants food, having previously rejected just about everything I introduced. And my energy level has risen so that I can write more than a few sentences at a time. I've watched a plethora of movies over the past two days. I've spent more time curled up on the couch over the past two days than I have in probably the last month and a half. Over the past two days, I've eaten enough food to satisfy the appetite for the average hamster. And over the last 24 hours or so, I've consumed about 3/4 of a gallon worth of Gatorade.

Hence why I became a hermit, too weak to face the world outside. Robert came and rescued me today, though, by taking me to the grocery. It only took me an hour to traverse the whole store. I pushed the shopping cart around and gave new meaning to poor response time, as I dragged my ass around the store and skirted collisions with whole displays only after Robert called it to my attention and helped pull me away.

But such are the signs of improvement for yours truly. I had some vegetable broth and crackers a mere hour ago, and already I'm starting to feel pangs of hunger. With any luck, I'll actually sleep through the night tonight, and will get to ring in the new year a healthier, and much happier, Phil.