Take Heed Dear Friends

FYI-

If you lose your immunization record, you're screwed.

Many moons ago when I first registered for college I had to show proof of my immunizations, like so many of us do. So my mom whipped out a little white card and entrusted my 18-yr-old self with keeping it safe. I promptly lost it. I never thought much of it, it's information not being asked for for many years.
Back in August when I was hired to be an Assistant Nursery School Teacher I had to get a physical and was nervous about that huge chart on the back that asked for my immunization history. I felt a sigh of relief when the assistant at the Doctor's office took a big black Sharpie to it pretty much telling the receiver of the document "F off". I was thrilled. Surely a doctor's office blacking out the section was official.
Recently we were visited by the Board of Health and wha'd'ya know? The inspector picks me from a pile of paperwork and demands that I show proof of my immunization history STAT. I guess that whole working with little kids makes them really cautious. And while not being able to go to work would be sorta awesome that whole not getting paid thing doesn't really work for me.

I was lucky enough to have a number of days off and so I went to task. I was told by my head teacher that there was a clinic her college sent people to who needed shots. A few clicks and I found an immunization clinic run by the City of New York.
But first I did try emailing my college who last had that information and I emailed AmeriCorps who last gave me a tetanus shot. I even called the Board of Health in Englewood, NJ where my very first pediatrician was located. The two big organizations didn't have even the decency to get back to me and the BoH, NJ was kind enough to call and wish me luck on my doomed search, for they were unable to help me.

So here I am, a little tipsy on wine (I'll explain), and I have a really sore left arm. While I'm pissed off at the Board of Health for demanding I show proof of my immunization history, I am thankful that they have that whole immunization clinic thing that hooked me up with some free shots. For that was the whole 'painful' thing about all this. I have to show I've been immunized by November 9th but my insurance doesn't kick in until the end of November. Paying for something I've already had was really pissing me off. So thanks taxpayers of NYC (myself included)!

Earlier today when Mark was heading off to work I gave him a big, sad hug and said "See you next weekend." This is what our life is like now. Between our schedules I never see him. If we're home at the same time he's asleep when I'm awake and vice versa. We usually see each other on Sunday only and Mark sleeps in until Noon because he's so exhausted, so I barely get to spend any time with him.
As I was hugging him I made the joke that it's like I'm dating an off-shore fisherman. I see him for 1 maybe 2ish days, then he packs up and leaves again. The next time I see him he's fully bearded and smelly. He pointed out the ironic fact that his employer has a nautical theme...sigh.

So it's Tuesday: The Mom is at her night class and The Pops is at work. This means I sit around and stare at my bird and dog. I get pretty lonely. So instead of sitting around and talking to animals that can't reply I went out, bought yet another sandwich for dinner, and a bottle of wine!
I was really excited to open the bottle because I've never opened a wine bottle myself. While it took me 6 minutes to open I must say I'm proud that I didn't get any cork in the wine.
So here I am. Listening to iPod shuffle, working on a blog post, and drunk.

Now we'll see if those damn animals will talk back!

Two Complaints

What? Did you think it was going to be all roses and daisies when I reappeared on my own blog?

1. I often get upset at myself because even though my few friends think of me as adventurous, I'm not. I'm a big scaredy cat. Mark would be happy to confirm. One of the hurdles I'm trying to jump is ordering the same food over and over at places I frequent.
There is a newer cafe in my neighborhood that I'm starting to visit more in order to avoid an old demon. I'm a huge fan of their variation of The Cuban Sandwich. A delicious concoction that I would happily suggest to my friends who are interested in such foods. But-I always order the Cuban sandwich.
Today, headed home to two animals and no humans I went in to order and forced myself to order The Thanksgiving. Turkey, cranberry mayo, stuffing. How can any lover of holiday meals not try this sandwich?

IT SUCKED.

Some old, shredded turkey sprinkled on top of a sad excuse of homemade stuffing. It was basically mushed bread served on a hero with some turkey shreds thrown on top. I would never go back there if the Cubans weren't so tasty and the coffee delicious. Sigh.

2. For some reason I have a need to trust commercials. I want to believe! I'm not talking about the late night basic cable commercials that are so ridiculous that anyone who orders that crap from some PO Box in New Jersey plus shipping and handling deserves whatever bull-crap product they get. I'm talking about commercials like the new Scotts Turf Builder commercial.
You know...the one where some good ol' average suburban white guys and one woman thrown in for good measure are talking about how they never thought about feeding their lawn in the fall, but hey! It turns out to be the greatest idea for your lawn EVER. Wow, Scotts, thank you.
I want to believe that the plaid t-shirt wearing men who love Sunday football, drive a Chevy Tahoe, and love to barbecue on their expansive, over watered emerald lawns really do spend their free time feeding their lawns in the fall. I'm totally ready to believe that these are real, happy customers.

BUT SUDDENLY the red-headed dude who plays the cable installation man in the Verizon FiOS commercials shows up and my bubble bursts. Dude! You messed it all up. Now I know it's all just a big corporate fib. I'm glad you are having a successful commercial acting career (I saw you trying to pay a restaurant tab with pennies too) but you're really starting to mess up the believable factor for me.

There...I'm done.