So I got a flu shot for the first time. I was at the doctor's for a call back on some tests and she mentioned I could get one while I was there. I've always resisted but in the past 4 years I've caught really bad viruses that knocked me flat for weeks and then lingered on for months. The most recent was 6 weeks ago and that was the final straw for me. Still, I asked her opinion and she said that since it has a reported 56% effectiveness it offered better odds than not getting one. The clincher was when she said she gave all her children the shots. She did ask me an odd question - was I allergic to eggs. Apparently the vaccine contains egg protein so that's a concern (but not for me). Done. I'll let you know how it goes.

My sister called last night but because my phone was buried somewhere in my purse, I didn't know until this morning. I'd been waiting for a call from her because my Dad has experienced some unexplained bruises and scrapes at the nursing home so she was going to talk to the director of care. Laurel suspects the night psw is not careful when moving him around and is demanding they replace them. I pointed out that complaining about a staff member, having them disciplined and reassigned is similar to sending food back at a restaurant. You're just inviting the chef to spit in your soup (or worse). Don't put your parents in nursing homes if you can help it. It's horrible.

Anyway, she left a message but it was basically her saying "Hi it's me, (laughing) I'm at a friend's birthday party" and then just loud music. I figured she had stuck the phone in her pocket, thinking she'd disconnected. I texted her to find out what's up - she texted back that she left the line open intentionally so I could hear Sting who was performing for her friend at the party. I was just like "oh. durr, that's awesome." Like I didn't know how great her life is already. Her husband purchased a 2012 Aston Martin Virage while he was in Europe earlier this year and had it shipped to Toronto. Currently the only one in Canada. I'll just go back to my shitty government job now.

Hey, 7 billion people on earth today. The U.N. recognized a number of "symbolic" 7 billionth babies born around the world. As I noted on fb, according to a world population calculator on the BBC website, my birth order puts me at number 2,978,458,194.