Tag Archives: Vaccine

Cocktail Corner – Cold Comfort

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We all have memorable stories of being sick. They become part of our own folklore. The tales can be sad, inspiring, funny or combos of many feelings. Here are some of the Sip Advisor’s most unforgettable illness anecdotes:

The Bad Kind of Shot

To get immunized against Hepatitis B, students in my neck of the woods received a series of shots in grade six and again in grade nine. Following each of the shots delivered in grade six, I became very ill. We’re talking delirious dreams, high fever, chills, the whole gamut. The family theory is that my undiagnosed kidney issue was to blame for times when my body was also working through the immunizations. After having my failing kidney removed in grade seven, I never experienced any issues during the grade nine treatments.

Double Hatty

On another occasion, I was feeling sick enough to not go to school, but missing sport commitments was another thing. That season, I was chasing the league lead for goals and points in roller hockey and nothing could stop me from suiting up that night. In the end, I managed to score six goals, pushing through all the symptoms that were affecting me. Following our game, it was back to bed rest, completely spent.

Hat Trick

Travel Troubles

One of the worst times to get sick is while travelling. When Mrs. Sip and I were in Egypt in 2008, I fell ill on the day before our week-long tour was set to leave. I spent the rest of that day downing water and sleeping, trying to flush whatever ailed me out of my system. It mostly worked, but I spent the rest of that trip being apprehensive about what was safe to eat and always cognizant of where the nearest bathroom was located.

What Happens in Vegas…

In a similar vein, when Mrs. Sip and I spent New Year’s Eve 2009 in Vegas, I caught a case of food poisoning that hit when I arrived home. Somehow, I survived the plane ride back, but knew something was up. Both ends were affected by this bug, which was made all the more funny/embarrassing when I discovered late at night, while trying to switch bathrooms, that I wasn’t alone in my parent’s home, as I had originally believed, my brother and his girlfriend also at the abode.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

In 2010, Mrs. Sip and I were celebrating our first Christmas while living together. It was going to be that much more special, as I had planned to ask her to marry me on Christmas morning. One problem: we both felt terribly sick with colds on Christmas Eve. We retired to our bedroom early that night, taking doses of various medications. This was during the brief time we had a TV in our room and decided to watch Babes in Toyland. You want to talk delirious dreams!? I considered bumping my proposal, but everything was already set in place, so I soldiered ahead. By the end of the day, which included telling both our families of our big news, Mrs. Sip had completely lost her voice and we were both running on fumes.

Christmas Engaged

More Than All-Inclusive

Sadly, I’ve become ill on a few of our all-inclusive getaways and not from over-indulging. In Cabo (2013), the Dominican Republic (2014) and Mayan Riviera (2023), something did not agree with my system and I was forced to spend a day or more recovering. A true highlight of these occasions, was when I arranged for a special romantic multi-course dinner to celebrate Mrs. Sip’s 30th birthday, but was unable to eat any of the amazing food offered to us. When I raced to the railing of our gazebo setting to be sick, our server thought I was simply suffering from heat stroke and dumped a pitcher of cold water over my head. It was hilarious and humiliating all at the same time!

Covid-iot

2020 saw a great change to everyone’s lives, as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. The Sip Advisor was finally afflicted by the disease in July 2021 and man did it knock me on my ass. Mrs. Sip and I were to attend an adult waterpark event the first day I felt ill and in an attempt to get my body right, I cracked open a vodka soda after my work day finished. Well, not even that could cure what ails me, so Mrs. Sip suggested I take a Covid test. Sure enough, it was evident very quickly that I was positive. I missed four days of work, completely glued to the couch. Even when I returned to work, I needed midday naps to get me through the shift.

Cocktail Corner: Cold Comfort

Cold Comfort

  • 1.5 oz White Rum
  • Splash of Lime Juice
  • Dash of Honey Syrup
  • Garnish with a Lime Wedge

Thankfully, I’ve never suffered from any serious illnesses, kidney removal aside. Hopefully this trend continues for your friendly neighbourhood Sip Advisor!

December 13 – Black Death

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Better Luck Next Year

Last week, we took a look at the people/groups who are riding high in 2014, enjoying success in their chosen field. This week, we examine the people who suffered (some deservedly and others not) through a tough year and are hoping for better fortune in 2015:

#5: Donald Sterling

One minute, you’re the owner of a NBA franchise (the Los Angeles Clippers) and the next, you’re handed a lifetime ban and being forced to sell the team because you put your foot in your mouth and alienated the league’s players, coaches, and fan base with racist remarks. Sterling and his estranged wife did walk away with $2 billion from the sale, which will help in paying off his $2.5 million fine, levied by the NBA. Sterling is no stranger to controversy, as he’s been sued twice under sexual harassment allegations and been the subject of discrimination lawsuits even before this latest scandal.

donald-sterling

#4: Comedy Community

With the deaths of comedic legends Robin Williams and Joan Rivers coming under a month apart, a lot of laughter was lost this year. While I can’t say that I was a fan of Rivers (I do respect her trailblazing career), I certainly was a Robin Williams supporter. From his stand-up to roles as Mork (Mork & Mindy), Peter Pan (Hook), Alan Parrish (Jumanji), and the voice of the Genie (Aladdin), he had such a lasting presence. The man could even do dramatic roles, as seen in Good Will Hunting, which he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and Dead Poets Society. Sadly, the longtime voice of Shaggy (from Scooby Doo), Casey Casem also passed away in 2014.

#3: Roger Goodell & NFL

In the wake of domestic violence and child abuse scandals, the NFL was under intense pressure in 2014 to change a culture that it has let exist for years, with countless player arrests occurring throughout the league. Many groups called for commissioner Roger Goddell to step down from his post after the mishandling of the Ray Rice incident – first suspending the running back for only two games for beating up his now wife, only to extend the suspension indefinitely when a video showing the incident surfaced – and his role in trying to cover up the whole story. That said, business wise, the NFL is thriving and raking in the cash.

NFL Ratings

#2: Ebola Victims

West Africa has been hit hard this year with the potentially deadly Ebola Virus Disease. It must be really bad, because I remember learning that illnesses are either viruses or diseases and it looks like Ebola is covering both sides of that ledger. To this point, thousands have been infected, while close to half of those have died from the sickness. The scariest thing about Ebola is that nobody quite knows how to treat it yet. A vaccine is in development, but has yet to be approved. Mrs. Sip wants to travel to South Africa next September, but we’ll just see about that (as if I have any say!)…

#1: Malaysia Airlines

Despite being voted as having one of the best in-flight services in the industry, Malaysia Airlines has experienced some serious turbulence in 2014, starting with the disappearance of Flight 370, over the Gulf of Thailand. The plane, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, is assumed to have crashed into the Indian Ocean, killing all 239 people on board. Just months later, another Malaysia Airlines craft (Flight 17), was shot out of the air with a missile, crashing in the Ukraine and killing 298 passengers and crew. Following a drop in bookings, the airline was forced to cut 6,000 jobs, while other staff have chosen to leave the company.

Super Saturday Shot Day: Black Death

Black Death Shot

  • 1 oz Vodka
  • Splash of Soy Sauce
  • Garnish with a Kiwi Slice

There were others I considered (ie. Israel/Palestine), but in some cases, how is one year shittier than others when you’re constantly at war and such. Who do you think had a miserable 2014? Feel free to respond below.

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (0.5 Sips out of 5):
In choosing this shooter, I scoured the internet for the worst recipes out there and this one, while some would immediately think is repulsive, I have an affinity for Soy Sauce, so wanted to give it a try. The only question left was which Vodka should I use, knowing full well that it would probably be wasted in this recipe. I went with my Absolut Texas (Serrano Chile and Cucumber) and that was the only good part of the shot (the lowest score I’ve ever handed out). The Soy Sauce was just way too salty and pushed me to the edge of madness. As for the Kiwi Slice as garnish, I figured why the hell not. No other reason than that!