Amazon delivery leaves packages on the first flight of steps, which is a hazard when going down a stairway. Then somebody leaves a doorstop by the door, which has the door open 6 inches, which is quite a stupid way to start my day, on top of my allergies attacking.

And those allergies are kicking my ass. Woke up at 6:25, so incredibly weak after a fitful night. I was so weak, and it was so dark out that I immediately sat down and sent an email to the fruit stand superiors that I would not be coming in today.

When I’m in my apartment, and the window is open, it’s really bad. Right now. I am on the street, and it is not bad at all. I am thinking that the level of pollen rises up to the fifth floor, whereas on the street, it’s not as bad. I can see buds on the trees coming forth due to the suddenly warm temperatures. Maybe my body would be better acclimated if things were ‘normal,’ but I do not think we will be ‘normal’ again.

I have just opened the window, so we shall see if that theory about pollen levels on the fifth floor is true. Odder things have happened. I walked to the big supermarket to buy tissues, Benadryl, and some other things. As I walked, I was talking to Mike on the phone. Mike was surprised that I was walking and talking on the phone since that is something I am not fond of doing.

Mike said that his beloved is feeling very much the same way as I am with allergies in Northern California, as well as Mike’s ‘Pops’ in the Bronx. We’re all in the same age group, all going through the same thing. I am thinking about taking a nap, but I am wary about any changes to my sleep schedule at night. I’m not sick, I don’t feel feverish, just a head full of mucus.

And with the window open for a few minutes, my right eye and behind it, start to react. Watery eyes and a runny nose. It is definitely a fifth floor thing. The window is closed, and the TV is on. Good Times. Bill naps as I type.

I will be going to work tomorrow, I’m certain of it. No unlimited sick days. It is all ‘Personal Time Off,’ and those days need to be earned. That means I will have to put in more time to get time off. Lex Luthor, the former coworker, an alcoholic on dialysis, mentioned that the agency that placed him & me at the fruit stand was compassionate enough to afford him extra sick days.

I’m sure this was before his alcoholism was revealed, that his water bottle did not contain water. The fruit stand let him go, and the agency will place him somewhere else. Whether or not his extra days off were true, I do not know.

He also told tales of blowing various coworkers at the fruit stand. That was an odd confession, not just to me, but Janis and Kimberley told me the stories they heard as well. Wednesday, March 11, 2026.