Uggg. Made it through work in my scratchy scrubs, but the hives are continuing to spread. They were on my arms, legs, butt, shoulders, and back. Now they are also on my neck and tummy -- and -- God help me -- my breasts.  At least my face is still spared, though it feels like they are popping out on my scalp and maybe even my earlobes. I am about to take a huge dose of benadryl and head to bed.

This stupid rash better be gone by the weekend, so Dan can give me my romantic camping in the backyard weekend! It means so much to him to give that to me in case I get deployed.

I am so proud of my friends. I have always said I know some of the finest people in the world, and they are all busy proving that's true. A bunch of them have applied to be deployed down south -- some of them with kids younger than mine (its almost impossible for me to go -- I don't even know what they went through in coming to their decision). One is a very religious girl, and one of the most sheltered people I have ever met. She is probably even more frightened than I am. Some are in AARP territory. I know several other people who have put their names on the list to take people into their homes, for months if their homes are needed for that long. One even said she would let the guest family drive one of her family's two cars if they were to need it to find and hold a job.One pharmacist I know is even heading out to Camp Custer this weekend to help out in any way he can.

Damn, I am proud of my friends!!!!!!

from my favorite Broadway play, Red and Black from Les Miserables:

Combeferre
At Notre Dame
The sections are prepared!

Feuilly
At rue de Bac
They're straining at the leash!

Courfeyrac
Students, workers, everyone
There's a river on the run
Like the flowing of the tide
Paris coming to our side!

Enjolras
The time is near...
So near.. it's stirring the blood in their veins!
And yet beware...
Don't let the wine go to your brains!
For the army we fight is a dangerous foe
With the men and the arms that we never can match
Oh, it's easy to sit here andswat 'em like flies
But the national guard will be harder to catch.
We need a sign
To rally the people
To call them to arms
To bring them in line!

[Marius enters.]

Marius, you're late.

Joly
What's wrong today?
You look as if you've seen a ghost.

Grantaire
Some wine and say what's going on!

Marius
A ghost you say... a ghost maybe
She was just like a ghost to me
One minute there, and she was gone!

Grantaire
I am agog!
I am aghast!
Is Marius in love at last?
I have never heard him `ooh' and `aah'
You talk of battles to be won
But here he comes like Don Ju-an
It's better than an o-per-a!

Enjolras
It is time for us all
To decide who we are...
Do we fight for the right
To a night at the opera now?
Have you asked of yourselves
What's the price you might pay?
Is it simply a game
For rich young boys to play?
The color of the world
Is changing
Day by day...
Red - the blood of angry men!
Black - the dark of ages past!
Red - a world about to dawn!
Black - the night that ends at last!

Marius
Had you been there tonight
You might know how it feels
To be struck to the bone
In a moment of breathless delight!
Had you been there tonight
You might also have known
How the world may be changed
In just one burst of light!
And what was right
Seems wrong
And what was wrong
Seems right...

Grantaire [mocking...]
Red...

Marius
I feel my soul on fire!

Grantaire
Black...

Marius
My world if she's not there...

All
Red...

Marius
The color of desire!

All
Black...

Marius
The color of despair!

Enjolras
Marius, you're no longer a child
I do not doubt you mean it well
But now there is a higher call
Who cares about your lonely soul
We strive toward a larger goal
Our little lives don't count at all!

All
Red - the blood of angry men!
Black - the dark of ages past!
Red - a world about to dawn!
Black - the night that ends at last!

Enjolras
Well, Courfeyrac, do we have all the guns?
Feuilly, Combeferre, our time is running short.
Grantaire, put the bottle down!
Do we have the guns we need?

Grantaire [drunk]
Give me brandy on my breath
And I'll breath 'em all to death!

Courfeyrac
In St. Antoine they're with us to a man!

Combeferre
In Notre Dame they're tearing up the stones!

Feuilly
Twenty rifles good as new.

[Gavroche rushes in, shouting.]

Gavroche
Listen!

Jean Prouvaire
Double that in Port St. Cloud!

Gavroche
Listen everybody!

Lesgles
Seven guns in St. Martin!

Gavroche
General Lamarque
Is dead!

Enjolras
Lamarque is dead.
Lamarque! His death is the hour of fate.
The people's man.
His death is the sign we await!
On his funeral day they will honor his name.
It's a rallying cry that will reach every ear!
In the death of Lamarque we will kindle the flame
They will see that the day of salvation is near!
The time is hear!
Let us welcome it gladly with courage and cheer
Let us take to the streets with no doubt in our hearts
But a jubilant shout
They will come one and all
They will come when we call!

It is time for us all
To decide who we are...

It is time for us all to decide, in the face of such an incomprehensible tragedy like Katrina, who we are. Are we people who are able, who are willing, to take care of those most in need -- our brothers and sisters who are poor? Elderly? Sick? Even at cost to ourselves?