free at last (sort of)

Today is two weeks out from my second vaccine. I should now have about 94% protection against getting COVID-19, and 100% protection against getting a very serious case of it. After a year of living in varying states of fear, it certainly feels good.

Yes, I will still wear a mask outside. And I will still avoid very crowded places. But now I can finally start looking at a calendar that isn't totally blank except for physical therapy appointments (my frozen left shoulder is very much improved).

A while ago I made a list, and now I can finally start acting on it.

Medical:

• Get annual check-up.
• See podiatrist.
• Make appointment for eye doctor.
• Have teeth cleaned.

Beauty:

• Get a much-needed manicure and pedicure.
• Use almost-expired Groupons to get a facial and massage.
• Have eyebrows shaped.
• Get hair-cut.
• Use one of two credits for Korean body scrub at the Tribecca Spa of Tranquility.

Boring stuff:

• Get enhanced REAL ID.
• Apply for SCRIE (unimportant what it is, but it involves going downtown to a state agency).

For fun:

• Invite friends over for movies, TV, dinner, anything.
• Eat outside at a restaurant.
• See photography exhibit at the American Folk Museum that I read about in the NY Times.
• Go places/do things unmasked, with fully-vaccinated friends.
• Maybe travel with other vaccinated friends.
• See my son more.

Not on my list, but something I can now feel more comfortable doing, is taking the subway or even a VIA. I keep track of my spending, and —not surprising, I spent $1,251 on local transportation in 2019, compared to $80 in 2020. That alone speaks volumes on how localized my life has been.

I may not do everything on my list, but the possibility of it all is empowering.