Sometimes, I Forget............

This cleaning-up-the-apartment thing I've been doing is coming to the end of it's 3rd week. I'm pretty much finished with the living room, and have started on my bedroom. (Actually, I'm done with the Living Room cleanup-wise, but I decided to hang some pictures on the wall behind the couch and I haven't found what I want for back there yet.)

Three weeks may seem like a lot of time for approximately 1 1/2 rooms but I'm taking my time. My routine has been to start as soon as I get up, and do one specific section at a time. I still had stuff in boxes from when I moved in, and had piled stuff on top of that over the last 15 years or so. I've been pretty brutal with some of the top stuff - throwing out what I figured I hadn't worn or used since the operation 3 1/2 years ago. It's the older stuff that causes me problems.

The older things have memories attached.

Memories can be tricky. We remember things the way we want them to be, which may not always be the case.

The older boxes held pictures, cards, and things from the old house and my old job. Memories of my daughter when she was young. My father when he was alive. Good memories.

And bad memories.

You can't get away from the bad memories. You can suppress them - forget them - but eventually something you come across brings them back. Dealing with them isn't easy but it has to be done. You have to accept them as they are, put them to rest, and move on.

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This morning was slightly cloudy but the day would be turning sunny. I decided not to do any cleaning and instead would head out to a couple of places that carry poster board copies of famous artists' works. I figured on getting some cheap prints for the living room. I needed gas, and would need cash. I used the ATM at the TD Bank across from ShopRite, and took the back way towards the cheap gas station I use. I passed by Pelzman Park which is tucked away in a back corner of Avenel. I saw the man just standing there, alone.

I had the Flasher out, and the passenger side window rolled down. There was no one else around. I slowed, and got closer. Then..

I passed him by. He was out in the open. Too open. It didn't seem sensible. I drove on.

After filling up, I headed back through Avenel towards St. George's Avenue. I figured on stopping at Dunkin Donuts for some breakfast to go, then heading towards the stores. Passing through one of the apartment complexes, I noticed someone walking up ahead.

Again, I was ready with the Flasher.

Again, I passed by. I just wasn't feeling it.

Before I got to Dunkin Donuts, I pulled into the PathMark parking lot. I wanted a copy of today's paper and some lottery tickets. I parked, then noticed that there was a woman sitting in the car a couple of spaces away.

 I went inside.

As I headed back to my car, I noticed that the woman was still in her car. I went to my passenger side, and opened that door. Now I was partly shielded. I looked around. No one was around, and the sun was starting to break through. I took the chance and turned.

Point, press, Flash.

I got in to my car, started the engine, and drove away.

After stopping in Dunkin Donuts, I hit the A. C. Moore's store in Linden without success. It was still early, so I drove down Route 1 to the Michael's outlet in North Brunswick. I found a reproduction of Van Gogh's "The Mulberry Tree" which I thought would look good on my wall. I headed home.

Near the Edison/Woodbridge border I fell in behind a school bus. Since it was only around 10:30, I figured there wouldn't be any kids on board so I wouldn't be making any unexpected stops.

Well, there weren't any stops, but he was driving slowly and there was no way to get around him. And it took him a while to get going after a stop light. On Chain of Hills Road, he crossed over into the oncoming lane whenever he took a curve. My guess was that he was distracted. Probably on a cell phone.

Finally, we approached the light at St. George's and there was now an extra lane for turns. He went to the left, and I went right.

 I couldn't see the driver, but there was something I could do. A quick look around. No one there.

Point, press, Flash.

I aimed at the bus itself. I'd forgotten that the Flasher would drain the power out of a motor vehicle. I moved on. He didn't.

Sometimes, it pays to remember.