I got my first dose of the Moderna vaccine yesterday morning. Other than a bit of soreness at the injection site, I've felt no ill effects. April 19 will be injection #2; a few weeks after that, I should be good to go. I still plan on masking-up in appropriate situations, however; not so much for my own good as for the unvaccinated. There's been so much selfish politicization surrounding the pandemic. Kind of turns my stomach...

Today is my best friend's birthday. I'm going to pick up a pizza & we'll eat outside at his place since the temps are OK. Two years ago, my friend's wife passed away suddenly...gone in an instant. He still hasn't gotten over it -- the dude has lifted weights for decades & is as strong as an ox, but his emotions are still raw & he cries easily. When something like that happens to someone you're close to it makes you aware of how important the relationships in our lives are. It also makes me afriad of losing my partner. I would be lost without her.