When Holidays Aren’t

While I wanted Rachel not to have to work both of her jobs today, her becoming markedly ill was not the method I envisioned. After seeing a doctor she ended up going to her second job regardless, leaving me to pick up her prescriptions.

Thus, I spent more time driving on Route 40 than is advisable for mental and cardiovascular health. I actually considered making the trip on foot, the 80-minute time requirement and 90-degree heat seeming preferable to traffic, incessant red lights, and clueless holiday drivers. In the end rationality and indolence won out, though it was helped by Sir Aire Conditioning.

Memorial Day and other “lesser holidays” have a difficult time realizing their beatific aspirations. The so-called long weekend is a natural time to take a vacation, except that everybody else has the same idea. It often works out better to simply work and take the trip some other time. It was, however, an appropriate time to attend a send-off party for my friend Amir, who is now officially a medical student in the US Army and will soon be headed to Texas for six weeks of training. Regret: We haven’t made music together yet (entirely my fault).