Lethal Dose

For what memorial day means to me, click here.

For what it means to me this very second, I quote:

Polymorphic light eruption is a common rash that occurs as a result of photosensitivity. Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) generally occurs in adult females aged 20 to 40, although it sometimes affects children and rarely males. It is more common in places where sun exposure is uncommon, such as Northern Europe, where it is said to affect 10% of women holidaying in the Mediterranean. It can be the first sign of lupus erythematosus, but this is not usually the case. The name ‘polymorphic’, or ‘polymorphous’ refers to the fact that the rash can take many forms, although in one individual it usually looks the same every time it appears. The commonest variety is crops of 2-5 mm pink or red raised spots occurring on the arms. Other areas may be involved, particularly the chest and lower legs, but the face is usually spared*.

*Oh thank you Princess Luciana, who I’m convinced must be dead by now, because she is obviously my patron saint. After hanging at my little cabin in the high desert last week, then lounging all day yesterday at Malibu (SPF 60! umbrella! hat!), my own personal ‘curse of Job’ has returned. I will have to call the dermatologist first thing. I hope I get to undergo some kind of “treatment.”

If it wasn’t for a 24 hour marathon of Bob Dylan’s theme time radio hour (my own personal church … I want to give up everything and just follow Bob forever, as he plays music and gives me little tidbits about life that I never knew,) my weekend would be … dare I say the word … UGLY. (I shudder just writing it!)