Day 248 -- a bar fight

Well, a less than auspicious end to the first week of the term. Having a beverage with colleagues on the deck of our local bar only to be physically attacked -- by a bee. I was the second person stung while several others at the table have been close. It was a large bumble bee, usually very docile creatures. The thing flew out of no where, landed on my upper lip and stung me before I could even react to remove him from my face. What an intense pain! Luckily I was sitting beside a friend who had just recertified for first aid and emergencies. She took me inside and got some baking soda and ice and made a poultice for me to apply as she walked me the couple blocks home. By then, the pain had left and the swelling began. The wound is just at the margin of the upper lip. I do look like I've been punched.

I was very concerned and semi-panicked as the one and only other time I have been stung led to major swelling. The first time was not a bumble bee, though, so luckily no major allergic response to this species. Still icing it every few minutes and it seems to make if feel better -- likely numbing it <smile>. Smiling hurts as does opening my mouth wider to eat -- but that did not stop me from downing some pizza and salad once I rested and felt a bit calmer. Another 'first' for me -- a bar brawl with a bee. Luckily, I think I got the best of the deal. After I left the table, he bothered another couple of people and then one of them dispatched the insect, putting it out of its crazed misery. Not that I like to see bees die, but this one was in some type of distress, having bothered several and stung one before being shooed away across the brook, only to fly directly back and begin landing on everyone. It wasn't after the food or drinks as wasps tend to do, but was bent on attacking people.

What sort of music might begin to fit this situation? Two songs came to mind while walking home after the incident -- so a bonus day for us all. <grin> For me they each fit in slightly different ways, though the second one is off a bit in a calendar sense. Enjoy!



Flight of the Bumble Bee -- Rimsky-Korsakov

Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting -- The Who