Yesterday I spent a great deal of time at the hospital receiving painkillers and undergoing tests. Severe pain in both of my arms had kept me awake the entire night before. So severe was the pain that, as little sense as it would make, I was actually concerned that I had broken both of my arms somehow without noticing. It turns out that the pain was from going off last week’s course of steroids, and given some time and narcotics, the pain is now getting better.

Luckily, that business did not effect my trip to Las Vegas, which was fantastic. Before we’d left Sin City, I won some money playing blackjack, ate at some great (and, okay, some not-so-great) places, and saw some really great comedy. On my birthday, we saw Wayne Brady’s show, which was unlike anything I’ve seen before. It was definitely a Vegas show–not something you’d see in NYC especially. There was singing, dancing, lots of improvisation, and it all focused around this one incredibly talented guy. It was really inspiring to see such a good live show that was so different from anything I’ve seen before.

It was also really great to spend so much time with my Dad. Even if we’d just hung out and not done all the other fun stuff, that made the whole trip worth it.

Oh, and thanks again to everyone for all the birthday messages. It was great to hear from so many people!

Finally, I realize that I need to give some answers to questions that keep coming up about my new job and my new dog. So here they are in FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) format:

Q: What is your new job?
A: I am a comment moderator for The Huffington Post.

Q: What the heck is that?
A: I’m basically a censor. I approve or delete comments that site visitors post on news and blog items.

Q: Why?
A: In an attempt to promote civil discourse.

Q: Is it working?
A: Not really.

Q: Why not?
A: People are especially mean about politics on the Internet.

Q: What’s the deal with this dog I keep hearing about?
A: He’s a puppy we recently got from an animal shelter in Boulder. He’s adorable. His name is Ferris Bueller. We think he’s a Bijon Friese/Westie mix.

Q: You said he was “the Devil”. Why is he “the Devil”?
A: He’s not really the Devil. He’s just very needy, and sometimes makes it hard to get anything done. He’s a troublemaker.

Q: You sound mean; doesn’t he just want your love?
A: He cries if you leave the room. I love him lots, he’s great. He just gets to be a bit much–

Q: You are a dick.
A: That’s not even a questi–

Q: Do you write editorials for The Huffington Post?
A: No, I’m just a comment moderator.

Q: Did you write the one about McCain’s golf clubs?
A: No, I don’t write anything for them.

Q: Is there some sort of left-leaning slant to that Huffington site? It seems like there’s some sort of left-leaning slant to that Huffington site.
A: Just a minute, I’m sorry, my dog is… making it hard to… typ–

Q: Don’t hit Ferris!
A: I would never hit a dog.

Q: Are you the Devil?
A: Maybe.

–Reid.

I made it out to Vegas yesterday with my Dad and Uncle Danny. I was still uncertain of going during the last few moments leaving the house, so I’m happy to say I just kicked myself in the ass and made it happen. As Rachie kept saying, it wasn’t like I was having a good time doing nothing at home–I might as well do that in Vegas, if anywhere. So my recovery continues in this sinful city, which I am finally visiting for the first time since turning 21.

We saw Craig Fergeson (the Scottish host of The Late, Late Show) last night and had a really good time. We’re going to try to see Wayne Brady tonight. Both comics are quite obviously extremely different, and they’re two that I’ve been wanting to see live for quite some time; so that’s very exciting. We also played some Blackjack, which I look forward to playing more of later!

Dave Burdick sent me this picture story for my birthday. It’s pretty much the definitive version of my life’s story right now (even if by an unauthorized author), and is much appreciated. Maybe by next year I will give Dave another picture to use. But probably I won’t.

I opened up my spam emailbox this morning to find an email entitled “Lobster With 10 Watches”. I do not know how this could have possibly been misconstrued as spam. Gmail tells me that a summary of the message contains the phrase “New Stuff available this weekend! Luxury stuff for Olympic Games!” You know, like Lobster Watches. Ten Lobster Watches.

I think I had some other stuff to say. How eloquent,

–Reid.

P.S. Thanks already for the number of calls and messages; hearing from people is always my favorite part of my birthday!

This weekend, friends-of-the-family are out in full force to support me–and taking on my Leukemia!

Judge Jay Breese is riding in the 3-day Courage Classic from Leadville, for Children’s Hospital. His team is called the “Wheels of Justice”. Judge Breese is riding with my name on his tour bib!

Additionally, Chris Hoth is walking in today’s Relay For Life, put on by the American Cancer Society. Her family is walking to show their support as well.

I feel truly blessed to have folks like you looking out for me! Thank you all.

–Reid.

Jason just sent me a very funny “man on the street”-type sketch which seeks to attribute 30 quotes to either George W. Bush or Adam West as Batman. Check it out:

–Reid.

Better Than The Machine will be opening a new show this August at the PIT in NYC. It will be the first BTTM show without me, but it sounds absolutely great. It’s about me. It’s called “UnLevined”. I’m honored guys, really. Thanks!

Make sure to check out the BTTM site for upcoming show dates. I think they’re going to be posting some new video content soon, too. Very cool.

Also, I got a new job thanks to Dave Burdick, currently an editor for The Huffington Post. I’m going to be a comment moderator, a job that I will be able to do from the comfort of my own home. Thanks a lot for your help Dave! I’m very excited to start tomorrow. Woo!

All of you folks out there had better watch your manners; I can’t wait to moderate you! (Kinky?)

I’m glad I’ll be able to work from home; I can use the focus, the money will certainly be nice to have, and this round of chemo has started to really kick my ass. Fears are rising about not being able to follow through on upcoming travel plans. Might have to give up Vegas with my dad for my birthday, might not get to see the new BTTM show until after August, etc. ; ;. Ooooh well.

–Reid.

There is a great editorial in The New York Times today about viral networking sites and services on the Internet. It’s called “A Secret Society of 30 Million”. I’m thinking of writing an essay on this subject soon.

Also, today is Rachie’s “Golden Birthday”. Does anyone know how old this makes her? I had never heard of a Golden Birthday before. Happy Birthday anyway, Big Sis!

–Reid.

(note: the correct answer to the Golden Birthday question is in the comments)

I’ve been feeling pretty sorry for myself today as my sisters live it up at the Mile High Music Festival without me. The three of us were supposed to go together, but I’m just feeling too crappy to make it over there today. Looks like I’ll have to catch State Radio and Spoon next time they’re in town.

Unrelated: A year ago, I put in a bid for reidlevin.com because someone owned it and wasn’t using it. I just found out today that I now own the domain. When I get access to move it, I’ll make it a simple clone of this site, so you won’t need to worry about checking it. There’s a site there now, though, which looks like it was auto-generated.

I find it particularly interesting the kind of stuff that is linked from there right now. Stuff about skin diseases and anime and lasers. I think that page was created by a robot trying to fool people into thinking it was me. Do people really think that that’s all there is to me–skin diseases and anime and lasers?

Well maybe they’re right.

–reid.

I’ve been trying to write the same blog for days and can’t do it because of this crazy new dog. This is the neediest being I have ever been around. I think he might be the devil.

–Reid.

Even though there were some painful issues at Monday’s clinic, Tuesday turned out to be the best day-after-Vincristine-injection, first-day-of-oral-steroids ever. I even made it to my outpatient physical therapy session today and got a lead on a writing gig. To top it all off, I’m feeling great physically.

Thanks for all the good thoughts everyone sent my way. They made a big difference.

–Reid.

I passed counts (read: I’m healthy enough) to start the next phase of chemotherapy, called Delayed Intensification Phase 1. I’m currently in the oncology clinic at the hospital waiting for my Vincristine, IT (injection in the brain fluid) Methatrexate, and the brand-new (to me) two-hour drip of Doxorubicin.

I am not looking forward to this phase of chemo. Aside from the Vincristine which always knocks me on my butt, I’ll be on Dexamethasone (high, high dose of steroids) every other week. And I have no idea what Doxorubicin will do.

I feel the healthiest I’ve felt in weeks (thanks to the awesome sibling retreat for the Fourth in Keystone!), but I know this round of chemo will make me feel sick. I’ll try my hardest to keep a good attitude, and hope I don’t spend too much time laid out. But I can’t really be sure how I’ll feel.

Frankly, I guess I’m kind of scared.

–Reid.

Addendum: Thanks for all of the support from posters in the blog and friends at the hospital! The Doxarubicin and even the Vincristine were okay today. They went off without a hitch.

But something went wrong with the IT Methatrexate; the topical anesthetic (EMLA) didn’t work or perhaps the needle hit a regenerated nerve in my skull or something else extremely unlucky that would only ever happen to me… happened… to me.

I was in extreme pain for a long time. At least TG got the brain fluid taken out and the Methatrxate put in quickly, but ow! Ow-y!

Thanks for all your support, folks! You’re great.

–Reid.