A Good Mood ............................

I woke up this morning in a good mood. Early in the week it was hot and I slept fitfully but last night it cooled off. I slept well. Like I said, I woke up in a good mood.

I should've known it wouldn't last.

I had a few places to go to but no real plan for the day. The sun was out but there was a nice breeze and I figured to just drive around with the windows open and the radio on. I'd take the long way around in between stops. I drove up Rahway to Freeman and headed towards Shoprite. That's when this idiot cut across in front of me.

I was only doing about 25, but he came damn close to the front of my car. Of course, if I'd hit him it would've been my fault not his. I had the Flasher ready, but there were people out at the minivan up ahead and I didn't have the opportunity. I passed by.

My good mood was starting to slip.

After Shoprite, I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. I sat inside enjoying a Chocolate Chip muffin and a medium Iced Tea, reading my book. I decided to head down Chain-of-Hills Road to New Dover.

As I got close to Wood Avenue, an Edison Township dump truck turned out of a side street right in front of me. The speed limit along here is posted as 25 but this guy was only doing about 10. I was stuck behind him for about 15 minutes while my mood rapidly soured. Finally, he turned into a strip mall parking lot and I followed him in. I held back until he'd parked.

I circled around until he was on my passenger side.

Point, press, Flash.

My mood improved, slightly.

I drove out of the lot and headed towards South Plainfield.

I stopped at the Thrift Store. After looking through the shirts and jeans, I decided to check out the side room where they kept the furniture, electronics, books, etc. I don't normally look through the books but something special caught my eye - "The Sea-Hawk" by Rafael Sabatini. This is a real find. I've looked for this book - on and off - for years. I also wound up picking up two other books - both being additions to different series' that I read years ago. I paid $1.50 a piece but, to me, the Sabatini is priceless.

Definitely feeling better.

Now all I wanted was to head home and start reading. I took the same route back. That's when I saw this guy rooting around in the back of his car.

Sometimes it's just that easy.

Point, press, Flash.

Smiling now.

I kept to my route, still heading home. I came to a corner where I usually make a left turn but I was singing along to the song on the radio and decided to keep going forward.

I made the left turn several blocks later and drove through a development I was unfamiliar with. I figured to go a few blocks then take another left and, hopefully, come out on the street I intended to be on earlier. That's when I saw this guy coming towards me.

A bike rider. Just like this morning. Only this time I could do something.

Point, press, Flash.

I made the left and did find the street I was looking for. I headed for home.

There had been some disruptions but, all in all, I was feeling great. I was back in ...

a good mood.

Any Day...............................

I haven't staged an Event since last month. That was the last time I'd spoken with Doyle - the time he'd told me that Gordon's signal had popped up near me several times over the last few months. Doyle figured that he was baiting the DHS and was hoping that, if I spotted Gordon, I'd try to get word out somehow. I've been watching for Gordon ever since. I'm not sure what I'd do. I'm kinda stuck in the middle here, having been in contact with both sides. I figured it would depend on what Gordon would do.

I figured that I'd see him any day. So far - nothing.

I put it on the back burner when I started a round of doctor's visits.
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I was down at my cardiologist's in New Brunswick for blood work on the 21st, and then for my semi-annual visit on the 28th. (I go down to their office for the blood work because we get the results quickly.) According to the Nurse Practitioner, all my levels are good but they forgot to run a panel. I had another blood test taken and my cholesterol levels are good but my triglycerides are high so I now have to watch my carbs.

I went to see my dermatologist on the 6th. He had the reports from the oncologist regarding the carcinoma that was removed several months ago, so he just looked at the results but made no comment. I showed him the new spot that had developed along my left cheek bone. He said that it was pretty small and normally he'd take a "wait and see" approach but, given my history, he took it off. I'd expected that. I also told him about some reactions I've been having. He did a quick skin test and recommended that I take Allegra for it. Apparently, it's allergies.

I don't see another doctor until the 27th. It's a follow-up with the oncologist. I'm semi-optimistic that the carcinoma hasn't come back.

I've been dealing with all of this for 5 1/2 years now. I've learned that anything can happen - any time, any day.
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It was misty this morning, and damp. Just like it was yesterday, and the day before. Just like it will be tomorrow. They tell me that there's hope for the weekend.

I was out early, and drove up to Avenel to pay my cable bill. Comcast has a small office on Lord Street which has a drop-off box out front. A quick stop and it's done. I took Lord towards Remsen, heading towards Shoprite. Through the mist, just ahead, I saw this person walking.

It was quiet out, and the streets were empty.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove to Shoprite and parked. I had this plan for today's meals but it depended on whether they had the chopped salad I liked. They didn't. On to Plan B.

I had breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts, then headed down Route 1 towards Menlo Park. I changed my mind after a few miles, and made the turn-off on Green Street towards Route 27. This road cuts through a cemetery and that's where I got stuck behind a guy riding a mower who was crawling along on the roadway. After what felt like half an hour but was probably only 10 minutes, he shifted to the left then backed into a side road.

I was the only car on the road.

Point, press, Flash.

As I passed, I noticed the sign that said "Slow Moving Vehicles Ahead". That struck me as funny.

I made a left onto Route 27 and headed towards the library in Metuchen. A few blocks before I got there, I made a right turn -a spur-of-the-moment choice. I drove up a few blocks, then a left, then a few blocks more. It was still overcast, but the mist had cleared. I saw this guy just up ahead.

As near as I could tell, this area backed up against a small park. There were no houses nearby, and no one else.

Point, press, Flash.

I got to the library just after they opened and picked up 2 books at $.50 apiece - one by James Patterson and one by Pete Hamill. They both have good track records with me and the price is right.

I headed up to the Thrift Store that I like in South Plainfield. I rummaged around but didn't find anything.

I took Oak Tree Road to New Dover and headed back. It's a nice, winding, peaceful drive and I was feeling good. I even had the radio going. As I got to the Edison/Woodbridge border, I came up behind this guy.

He didn't seem to hear me as I came up behind him. Maybe he was wearing headphones.

Point, press, Flash.

I continued on until I reached St. George's Avenue. I made a left, and stopped at the Pathmark strip mall. This was Plan B.

I picked up a 12-inch Tuna sub on wheat with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers, and mayonnaise.

I headed home.

I wasn't going to worry about what I'd do if Gordon showed up. After all, that could be any time  -

Any Day.