Just Passed The Half-way Point ..........

For the first time in more years then I care to admit to, I get to enjoy Spring Break. My Daughter is a teacher and she's off so I don't have to babysit. This started last Thursday and I've been able to stretch out the things I need to get done and still have time for myself.

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Even though I can, now, I still wake up around the same time every day - some time between 6 and 6:30  - because it's become routine. I take my vitals and then some pills. I've tried to go back to sleep but, as I lie there, I start to think about what to do for the day. I wind up checking my e-mail and several other sites  for about an hour and I'm out of the house between 7:30 and 8.

Last Thursday, I started out by stopping at Shoprite. In the lot I came across this truck.

This is the first time that I've seen a pick-up truck park like this but it's still one of my pet peeves. As I passed it on my way inside ..

Point, press, Flash.

I hope he bought something to eat while he waits for road-side service.

Friday, I had a follow-up with my Oncologist down in New Brunswick. These always annoy me because, although I'm always early, he's always very late so I wind up waiting in the examination room for about 1/2 an hour.

I went down early figuring on getting a spot in the garage across the street and then having breakfast in the cafeteria. I took my usual route and wound up on Route 27. That's where I saw this guy.

It was overcast and it looked like he'd have a long way to go. I figured that he was miserable enough so I passed him by.

My appointment was at 8:45. The tech took me on time, the doc showed up quickly, and I was out of the office by 9:05. And I don't have to go back again. Excellent.

Saturday - for the first time in months - after having breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts, I took my coffee and the paper and spent some relaxing time at the Menlo Park Mall. Afterward, I drove up into South Plainfield to the thrift store I frequent. After I parked, I noticed this guy.

I couldn't tell if he was on the phone or not so I just went into the store. I didn't get anything.

Sunday was Easter and the weather was changeable. The family had planned to get together around 2:30 for dinner so I had a lot of time to kill. Most stores were closed and I spent a lot of time just driving around. Somewhere in Edison, I came up behind this guy.

I was bored.

Point, press, Flash.

We had a nice meal at an Italian buffet in Avenel.

Monday, I had to pick up a prescription at Walmart and, since I was early, took the long way. On Woodbridge Avenue, I came up on this guy.

Another pet peeve of mine.

Point, press, Flash.

I wound up getting there early and had to wait for the Pharmacy to open. I was OK with that.

Tuesday, there was some road work being done on my side street (which was annoying) so I had to drive around the block in order to get on my way. When I got to the corner of Green Street and Rahway, I saw this guy.

He's a regular in the neighborhood and used to live in my building. I've always thought that he had a problem. I drove on by.

Yesterday, I went to do my wash at the place in the Shoprite strip mall. They've lowered the price to $1.99 and they use a "debit card" kinda system so I don't have to have a pocket-full of quarters. When I was done, I drove around the back and saw this guy just sitting there.

Some things you just can't resist.

Point, press, Flash.

This morning, I drove up to the local KMart. I need a new pair of sneakers and I've been pretty lucky with the choices there. I thought that they opened at 8 but it turned out that it wouldn't be until 9. As I sat in the car, this woman walked by.

Some things you can't resist and some things you can.

I didn't wait, just went about my business. Like I said, I'm enjoying my Spring Break and I just passed the half-way point.

Smooth Sailing ............

Another Thursday, another doctor's appointment. Actually, just some blood work but I go down to my Cardiologist's office in New Brunswick because I get the results quickly. I like to get there early so I was on the road by 6:45. I had on a long-sleeved T-shirt, a sweatshirt, a light jacket, and my Cleveland Indian's cap.

I took Main to Amboy then got onto Route 27. Surprisingly, there was very little traffic and I was making good time. Up ahead, I saw this guy.

It was too nice a day. I passed him by.

I got a great spot in the attached parking structure, left my cap and jacket in the car, and wound up 1/2 an hour early for my appointment. They took me right away and I was back at my car in 15 minutes.

Doyle was waiting there.

"Hiya, Denny. Good to see you."
"Hey, Doyle. Same here."
We shook hands.
"I heard that the throat cancer you had is all gone, right?"
I was no longer surprised by what he knew about me.
"Yeah. Just a little scar tissue and my throat's gonna be sore for quite a while but it certainly was good news. Now I just gotta wait on the next PSA test before making a decision there."
"What are your options?"
"The new Doctor says we might consider radiation or the Cyberknife. We'll make that call when we get the results."
"New Doctor? I thought you were at the office in Avenel."
"Yeah, but that guy is out dealing with Chemo himself so this new guy is covering. Get this - his name is Doctor Noh."
"Seriously?"
"I didn't catch it at first because he introduced himself as Robert Noh, but I got it when his office called to set up the follow-up PSA test."
"When will that be?"
"May the 5th at 10:30, so I have a couple of months."
"I'll check into this guy and let you know."
Thanks. So .... is my health the reason for this visit?"

He paused. I got the feeling that he was a little embarrassed now.
"Partly. I .. you know ... just wanted to know how things were going with your Granddaughter."

I had to stifle a smile.
"Everything is great. Thanks for asking, Doyle. She's got a tooth now and is starting to walk. It's just amazing watching her develop."

He paused again, awkwardly.
"I .. ah .. remembered that her First Birthday was coming up and I just wanted to .. you know .. congratulate you."
"Ah, thanks." This felt like the right time to change the subject.
"So ... any word on Gordon? Is he still laying low?"
He looked relieved. "Actually, he's popped up again in a couple of places over the last several weeks. He hasn't done anything, just his tracer pinging on for a couple of minutes."
"Where?"
"Strangely, outside of what we thought was his "Comfort Zone". He's been id'd in several locations in Massachusetts, but we don't know why."
"But you do know that he's still out there."
"True." His phone chimed and he checked it out.
"Duty calls, Denny. Gotta go. I'm happy to know things are well with you."
"Thanks again. Be careful out there."
"HAH!  A 'Hillstreet Blues' reference I like it."
We shook hands again and he walked down the row of cars to where a black SUV roared into life. He got in and drove away. I got in my car and reviewed the conversation. What struck me this time was that Doyle really was interested in my life and I didn't know anything about his.

I headed back up Route 27 to Amboy to Main and then down St. George's Avenue. It was still early and I decided to get an oil change. I cut through Avenel so that I could get to the garage when I came up on this guy.

Maybe Doyle's visit put it into my mind.

Point, press, Flash.

Going early on a weekday, there was no one else waiting. I was in and out in 10 minutes. I stopped at Shoprite and picked up some stuff. They have a Dunkin' Donuts inside and I picked up a Wake Up Wrap and my first Medium Iced Tea of the year.

I headed for the Barnes & Noble's in Menlo Park. St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and my Granddaughter's First Birthday were coming up soon and I was looking for anything that I thought she'd like. I left the sweatshirt in the car.

I didn't find anything interesting so I thought that I'd try Babies R Us on Route 1. When I got back in my car and started out I saw this truck driver block an entire lane and then walk away.

I'm not a big fan of truck divers who park wherever they like.

Point, press, Flash.

Instead of getting back on Route 1, I took the back roads. It was still a nice day and I had the radio on.

A left here, a right there, and I wound up on a small road that winds it's way through a cemetery. The day had clouded over but it was still warm. As I made my way through I saw this guy.

I had no idea what he was doing but, at least, he wasn't riding his bike in front of me. I drove by.

I stopped at Babies R Us and found a flip-up book for Easter that I think my Granddaughter will like. (I also picked up one of those bubble-blowers. I'm not sure how that's going to go over but we'll see.) I took the back roads, again, towards a Subways on St. George's Avenue. That's when I saw this guy.

It was a perfect opportunity but I passed it by.

I stopped at Subways and picked up a sandwich.

I headed home.

The whole day was like one thing led easily into another. In nautical terms, it was smooth sailing.