8:45am I look at myself in the mirror. I have about five welts on my neck. My neck! I haven’t been bitten on the neck before. They must know the end is near. 10:15pm I’m on the 7 train heading…

May 1, 2004 I spend a lovely day out of the city. I start to notice what I think are incredibly itchy mosquito bites. Oh well. That’s what I get for romping in the woods. May 18, 2004 I go…

* The following post contains a gross amount of exclamation points and not-at-all-creative profanity. If my dad were to read this, I’m certain he would look at me over his glasses and say, “C.M.”—he always calls me by my first…