Waiting ..............

I don't like to wait unnecessarily. I understand that there are situations where waiting is required and I can accept them. It's the times where a wait occurs unexpectedly - or when the expected wait becomes too long - that I don't like.

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This past Saturday, I went out to run some errands. I had no specific plan but I was hoping to take the paper to the Mall and spend some quiet time there. Things were going well until I headed towards Menlo. That's where the traffic got backed up because of these people.

It seems that every Saturday and Sunday there's some group out at every intersection asking for money. These guys, I think, were asking for support for their sports/cheerleading squads at a school that's no where near this corner. I had to wait for the light to change twice before I got this close.

I was tempted but there was nothing I could do.

Sunday I stayed home and waited for it to stop raining.

Monday was a free day for me. School's were closed because of Columbus Day so I didn't have to Babysit. It was cold when I left the house and I actually had to do the "clear the windows" routine for the first time. I made a few stops, one of which was a local convenience store to get my Lottery tickets. When I came out, I saw this guy.

I think he was looking for something in his pocket and I waited a while, watching him. It annoyed me that he was out there in a sleeveless T and shorts and I was cold. I backed out, turned to the right, and drove around behind the building. As I passed him ...

Point, press, Flash.

I had everything I needed so I drove home.

Tuesday I Babysat. The only waiting I did was while my Granddaughter napped.

Yesterday, I was "off" again for a School Holiday. I slept in and then decided to get a haircut. They open at 8 but I've been going there for years and know that the early guy is always late. I got there at 8:10 and still had to wait 10 minutes before he showed up. Still, I was the first customer there.

I then drove to the Comcast office in Avenel. The TV box for my Living Room set died several weeks ago and, since I had some free time, I drove over to swap it out. On the way, I saw this guy.

Another one of those "right place, wrong time" things.

Point, press, Flash.

I got to Comcast early and had to wait about 10 minutes before they opened. There was one woman ahead of me. When they opened, there were 2 clerks at the desk so I didn't have to wait long. I got the replacement box and the guy wrote down the number I needed to call to activate it.

When I got home I connected the new box, called the number, and got the unit activated. My Living Room TV was working again.

Ironically, when I went to write this up and post it yesterday afternoon everything went dark.  There was a "service disruption" in the area and they expected that service would be restored by 9 PM.

I had to wait until today to post this.

Last One For Weeks ..............

The last couple of weeks in September were busy ones.

I Babysat 4 out of 5 of the weekdays, and we walked up to the Library or the Park when weather permitted.

I had doctor's appointments on both Thursdays and on one Saturday. No real bad news but one guy wants me to get an x-ray on my throat. The good news is that the MRI  results were in. There's no sign of herniation in the discs and no cancer in the bone. I have an exercise regimen and a follow-up appointment in 3 months.

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Saturday, October 1st, was the first day of a 4-day weekend for me (my Daughter is off today and tomorrow). I was up early and headed up to get an oil change. I cut through Avenel so that I would come down St. George and saw this guy up ahead.

Sometimes, this is how it happens.

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped at the oil change place and, since the price seemed reasonable, had my wipers replaced also.

It was still early so I drove up St. George and made a left on Inman. I stopped at the Foodtown in Colonia but didn't get anything. On the way out, I noticed this guy trimming the hedges in front of a nearby bank.

There was a light mist out there and I figured that he was miserable enough. I made the left back to St. George and stopped at Shoprite. I bought some fried chicken and a can of chili and drove home.

Sunday, October 2nd, was another dreary day. I was out a little later then usual and picked up the paper and my lottery tickets. I stopped at the Denny's on St. George for breakfast - an omelet, wheat toast, and unsweetened iced tea. Afterward, I cut through a Krauser's parking lot to get to Avenel Street. That's where I saw this guy.

Just another guy having to do a job on a Sunday in crappy weather.

I made the left on Avenel down to Rahway and headed home.

Two blocks away, I saw this guy.

I made the right into the parking lot as he turned the corner.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove around the building, made a left onto Freeman, a right onto Rahway, and headed home.

This morning, the 3rd, I slept in even later but I did have an appointment with my ENT at 10:30 so I was out around 8:15. I stopped at Shoprite and picked up a box of Honey Nut Cheerios on sale (my Granddaughter likes them). I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts and read my book while eating a Blueberry Muffin, toasted, with butter and a Medium Iced Tea, Black. I took the long way to the doctor's office and came up behind this guy.

I've said before that I don't like bike riders on major streets. I particularly don't like guys in spandex and helmets. They think that they own the road. I waited until I was very close.

Point, press, Flash.

I got to Parsonage Road and turned right. This becomes James Street in Edison. I took this to Grove and turned right again. I followed this up and turned right on Inman. Two blocks later, I made a left onto Progress and turned into the first lot on the right.

I waited 20 minutes past my appointment time before he saw me which is actually not too bad for him. Long story short, things are looking good and I don't have to go back for 6 months.

On the way out of the complex I noticed this guy.

The sun had broken through for a bit and I was in a good mood. I got to the corner and turned left on Inman.

I stopped at Subway's and picked up a 12-inch Pastrami on Italian with Swiss, Sweet Peppers, and Mustard.

I went home.

I'm "off" tomorrow and I'm "off" Monday and Wednesday next week. More importantly, I don't have anything medical scheduled for a while.

Today was the last one for weeks.