One shot of prevention

I consider myself (and Liz) to be amongst the lucky ones -- managed to get flu shots for the first time in two years. Thanks to the apologetic nurse at the Stop & Shop pharmacy (where the shots were supposed to be distributed but weren't since the program was cancelled), who told us the Visiting Nurse Service of New York would be distributing them this morning at a different location. Went down to the South Beach area, where she told us the caravan would be and 20 minutes later, we were done. Sigh of relief. Still, I blame this government for the lack of flu shots available, especially when they've gone out of their way to warn us of the devastating effects of this years' flu strain. Hmmm... my bullshit detector says this is just another ploy to keep people afraid of something/anything.

Good week. Busy; between work, more moving details to be smoothed out and the usual Punch Line business. I feel a sense of renewed energies and a calm that I haven't felt in a very long time. Looking foward to another rehearsal with the band and focusing more on getting packed and making the necessary calls before we actually move. The next two months are going to fly by. And we need to find more necessities around Union, just so we'll know what and where everything is without scrambling.

One harrowing moment; on Tuesday night, while driving home on this dark, narrow road, there was a delay of traffic moving at a green light. A bus was at the head of the traffic line; after a few beeps, we started moving slowly -- I looked to see why everyone was suddenly swerving as they approached the intersection -- a body was lying in the road, just off the curb. I thought the bus might have run him over, but no less than a dozen police cars passed me by when I got to the main drag at the intersection -- on the news the next day, it turned out this man was the owner of a barbershop across the street from where he had collapsed. He'd been shot by (apparently) two men who robbed and destroyed his shop. Surreal.

One of my co-workers applied for an apartment at that same place we'd been to in Roselle Park. Guess what the super of the aforementioned building said to him? "Are you going to take care of me?" -- this to the tune of $200. Now it's time to launch a formal complaint. This guy is one criminal scumbag. Period.

Back on a proper diet plan. Now all that's left to do is start working out... but that won't happen until March, when we're settled in Mill Run. Speaking of which, the lease renewal for this apartment came today. Bye-bye, after 10 years. And good riddance.

Time to leaf through some of the magazines that are piling up.