I went to the Red Cross ^[1] today for my bi-monthly blood donation. Unfortunately, since the last time that I gave, they changed the schedule so that now you can only give blood downtown every other Saturday. Needless to say, I was highly disappointed that I wasn’t notified that I could not give blood today in advance. The earliest I could get another appointment is unfortunately on December 3.

I started giving blood when I was 17 and still in high school. I gave fairly regularly. Then I stopped for some 10 years. I don’t know why. Laziness, alcohol and drug induced stupor, not making time for it, I could give a million reasons why I didn’t. Then, about a year or so ago, I went to a blood drive at work and started giving again. I’m almost up to a gallon since I started again. I should be up to about 10 gallons now, but I can’t change what has happened. I can only change what I do today, and going forward.

Obligatory Gratuitous Plug: if you do not currently have an appointment to give blood, you should sign up today.

^[2]