A dose of fever reducer, gallons of tea, and Armitage …

Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage) in Robin Hood 2.12. I’ve always thought it sounded like he had a cold in this scene. Source: RichardArmitageNet.com

I was out sick yesterday. High fever, sore throat. No way I was going to lecture to anyone, even for 75 minutes, and the 3.5 hour evening session was definitely not on, even from the optimistic perspective of 8 a.m. No internet service at home, so I had to scrape myself out of bed anyway to drive to the edge of campus where I could pick up a wifi signal in order to cancel my classes. It really is becoming essential and not just a luxury for the well-employed. That about put paid to any energy I had for the day. No tv at home, either … and NPR has been annoying the heck out of me lately.

Laying aside how I felt about this dereliction of duty (the last time I took a sick day was when I had swine flu in the fall of 2009), and the fact that in the back of my mind all day was worry about how to catch up my classes when I got back, the real problem of the day was:

What to do?

Part of that problem was solved by the fever, which kept me dozing in and out of consciousness for most of the morning. Around noon I had a bit a break and ordered some food. Eating it made me sleepy and feverish again. And for all of this time, I must say: Luckily, I have tons and tons of Richard Armitage on my harddrive.

Should this happen to you, I have the following recommendations.

For the early morning doze, which is always the worst, something that makes me feel especially good: Richard Armitage reading Venetia. Here’s my favorite minute of my favorite chapter of his reading:

For the late morning stupor, which is only better because hopefully you’ve rehydrated at least slightly, Strike Back 1.2. I think this spoke to me yesterday because she’s so strung out and he strokes her face anyway. John Porter, come stroke my fevered brow. Please:

For early afternoon languor, sleepy but alert enough to follow a plot, Spooks 8.7. This is my goto episode in moments of stress for the last several months. It’s Armitage in the Spooks blue period, there’s no Sarah Caulfield except by reference, the moral conflict at the heart of the episode is interesting and I’m never tempted to speed through the parts without Armitage, and there’s that great superhero ending sequence. Here a clip from the beginning that combines that great accent, sexy clothing, lots of finger elegance, and the always beloved DIY Armitage:

For the late afternoon, usually my best time of day when I’m sick, and thus most alert:

I actually made an Armitage pause here because I discovered that Pride and Prejudice had delivered automatically with the download of my Kindle for Mac app, and the last time I reread this might have been the week I had the swine flu. Read the first part of it while listening to one of my favorite early music ensembles, Anonymous 4, singing this and other pieces on their English Ladymass album:

I got to Charlotte’s marriage to Mr. Collins before my brain got too fuzzy to read anymore.

For the evening slump, when you realize you’re starting to wane: I picked Robin Hood 3.6. When my critical faculties are flagging, the weirdness of series 3 bothers me less, and there’s lots of weirdness to love here — that beginning scene with Guy being awakened and the closeups on his face, the amazing way they light Mr. Armitage to make his eyes look amber,

Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage) on his knees before King John in Robin Hood 3.6. My cap.

the amusing scene at the dinner table where Guy and the Sheriff are worried about being poisoned — I noticed, this time, that they’re eating broccoli (one of Servetus’ favorite vegetables)!

and, of course, the final fight scene between Guy and the Sheriff. Here’s my favorite chunk of that scene — a declaration of identity for Guy:

The camera is at too close range for that first left shovel hook to look convincing — but the second punch, the left hook, looks a lot better. I’m impressed that Richard Armitage can fake a punch with both arms.

And finally, for falling asleep to, eschewing violence, the awesome final disc of Armitage reading Sylvester. Here Sylvester describes Phoebe to his mother:

And, for heaven’s sake: don’t forget the tea. Either in this form:

or in this one:

I’m feeling somewhat better today — at least enough better to sit at my desk and grade. What’s your preferred Armitage for a sick day?

~ by Servetus on November 16, 2011.