Woke up, barely breathing. Cleared a pint from my throat in a number of successive coughing fits. Snort, hack, repeat. Vile business. For some reason, the latter half of American Beauty replays in my head.

I opened my window for the first time since it got cold and left it that way after I was done spitting disgusting, watery gobs of phlegm out the window. Vile business.

Noticing the sun was out, I rolled over and checked the time and realized I hadn't been up this early in a week. At least, not of my own volition. I also realize my throat isn't killing me anymore. It dawns on me now that I'll be back on the dry cough schedule probably until the New Year.

I bring up the porn, for some reason, and masturbate. I get it over and done with quickly, knowing that my desire isn't particularly strong this afternoon. I clean up and use the restroom. Vile business.

I play Hearts on the computer for a while and get my ass handed to me the first game. I start playing again, then remember I told Yaga I'd re-read that section of his novel now that I've learned how to play. Going over it again, I now have a decent visual of what the hell's going on in that scene, but I don't know how interesting it is. On the one hand, I kind of like the characters and the scene itself; on the other hand, the scene seems superfluous. Maybe it's too much like real life that way. I suppose the alternative is to cut the students altogether and let the character brood over his coffee for a while, but I don't know if I like that idea. My instinct says leave it, but I'm biased. I can't help but be curious what an actual editor might say.

Ninety minutes later, it's dark I'm still reading the story. This is clearly a sign that this is the type of book that I'd buy (as I don't re-read shit). I've forgotten about my Hearts game.

It's getting colder; I should close my window.