I am suffering from a mild case of allergies right now. Runny nose; stuffy sinuses; mild headache. Low level stuff. My eyes haven't started itching at least, yet. I haven't shown these symptoms since my previous visit to the East Coast.

Today I am writing to you from Philadelphia, PA. I've spent the last few days travelling all over the mid-Atlantic region of the US: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania. I've had low-level allergy symptoms throughout the visit. At first, I'd thought it might be an allergy to pets (we stayed with a very good friend who has a very pleasant dog), but the last couple of days have been pet free, and I'm still sneezing. Those who know me well have pointed out that I don't show these symptoms on the West Coast; only on the East.

The operating theory is that I'm allergic to the East Coast. I'm beginning to agree.

But, how does one treat such an allergy? Do they offer allergy shots to ward against the East Coast? Is there a patch? A pill? How does one protect oneself? How might a hypnotherapist attack this kind of problem?

"You are not really in Philadelphia. Imagine you are in Portland. It is a pleasant, rainy afternoon...." Probably wouldn't work. There's a Portland on the East Coast, too.

We've been spending time in the major cities and in the countryside. No difference. I'm curious as to whether the symptoms will go away upon my return to the West Coast. Hmmmm.

---

On a completely different topic, I received a wonderful suggestion tonight for an alternate title for the novel I'm working on. I'm going to start collecting suggestions, and then I'll put up a new poll to see which ones y'all think might work better than "The Do Over". Please keep the suggestions coming in!

Thanks,

--Allan