We are approaching 4 years in LA . Could we have chosen a more turbulent time to live in the US ? I don’t need to rehash everything that’s happened over here when I know full well Australia is always well informed on US happenings . I don’t know how many mass shootings have occurred in our time here but the last one in Boulder struck a chord. Sometimes newsworthy events can be remembered by where you were on that particular day or maybe it’s a place or person you know . Recently I was an hour late to running into the Tiger Woods crash scene on my regular commute . The Boulder massacre was different on a personal level . That supermarket , that town , that State ? I think I’ve been there . I think I was in that very supermarket looking for food and beer for our vacation to Estes Park , 3 years earlier . It’s not about ticking a box or taking some type of glory note , it’s more a reminder that this happens here and you never know when you might be in the wrong place at the wrong time . I know the odds are extremely low but we live in a country where this is unfortunately the norm . It can happen . It’s easy to sigh and just say “ of course it happens here .” Yesterday’s events reminded me of my paranoia when we first moved here . On any visit to a major mall I had the exits scoped out . I knew where I needed to run to . Every year when the kids are in school they do an ‘ active shooter drill ‘ . Yep it’s crazy , but it’s the US .
Talking of things that could’ve happened or might’ve been . It’s Covid and our life living in a place that has been in the middle of it . Tuesday it was our turn . Once again Emma’s know how had put us in line to get our 1st shot of the Pfizer vaccination. I wasn’t nervous at all , even after we went to the wrong address and then realised we had 3 minutes to make our appointment even though google maps told us we were 6 minutes away . It’s fair to say Emma was very anxious when she realised I was behind the wheel . It was only once we got there that I quickly started to feel glass half empty . That lack of confidence that things could go smoothly and that gnawing feeling that I’d be questioned on my eligibility ( I’m eligible) started to creep in .Of course it would be me that would have to line up in a different line to consult with the pharmacist and Emma that went straight into to see the nurse . 15 minutes later I get to the front just as Emma leaves the nurses station , first shot delivered . Sure enough the pharmacist looks at my insurance card and tells me it isn’t eligible . I’m told it’s only for pharmacy and I must produce a doctors card . I tell him I don’t know what he’s talking about . All the while this conversation is stunted , paused and repeated multiple times as my accent is almost unintelligible to the pharmacist, especially with a mask on . I stand at the counter in silence as he punches information into the computer . The body language of the pharmacist tells me that I’m about to be rejected and told to rebook at a later time . Of course he would …..”You’re right to go sir . Just line up at the nurses station and receive your shot .” ……There it is , despite my feeling of inevitable rejection the 1st shot is received . The ensuing 2 days we both had sore arms and were slightly fatigued . Today , I’m happy that we took the first step , and I’m happy to trust science . You can chose to say yes or no to vaccination but I think we’re obligated to protect those that are or more vulnerable than ourselves . …….This week is one of the few times I’m happy to be in the right p,ace at the right time .
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