I look out the window again. Yes, still foggy.
Do I really want to venture outside and brave the oppressive moistness?
Perhaps my time would be better spent in updating my web site.
Surely it will be my skill with HTML that will save me
from this bitter, hopeless existence.
I spend the next twelve hours designing an animated GIF
that spells out "Tatiana Forever."
When I finish, I dissolve into a fit of hysterical weeping.
Egon comes out of his bedroom, sponges off my keyboard and leads me into the TV room.
He plants me in front of the set, saying, "Man, pull yourself together.
You need to get some perspective."
For the next hour, I stare at images and listen to words
that demonstrate the full enormity of human hardship.
Gradually, I come to realize how shallow and petty I truly am.
While I spend my days complaining about my lot in life,
there are others who experience first-hand
the absolute depths of utter despair and soul-crushing turmoil.
Those people on "thirtysomething."
They really knew what suffering's all about.