Monday. Noticed the blood pressure was up - where did that come from? - Googled “Tylenol blood pressure” thinking there could be a connection since I've been gobbling them down for the last couple of weeks. The various web sites said there's a correlation, unless there wasn't, particularly for women, who are more likely to become hypertensive if they've been on it for a long time. So maybe that's it, probably it isn't, but rationalization helps keep the (aching) head on straight and the outlook bright.

Two in the afternoon and for the first time in a couple of days the blood pressure reads closer to normal. Exciting stuff, I suppose, but I'd rather read about it than experience it. No more Tylenol. Next they'll be into my sake cabinet (yes, yes; I know, I know). Same with processed foods. Get rid of the salt. I don't salt anything, don't keep salt in the house, but you look at anything that comes in a can or a box and you'll see they're all shot full of salt. Next they'll be telling me to give up eggs to keep my cholesterol down. Mumble.

I did go online this morning and apply for Social Security starting next March and signed up for Medicare. This complicated schedule D drug mess doesn't apply to me yet as I'm keeping my somewhat less expensive old company health plan through COBRA, although I've got to read the instructions again to be sure. Getting it done online is something of a miracle given my miserable track record of late. My lack of a track record. Thank god I can do it over the Internet and I don't actually have to go outside into the sunlight and journey off to some mean distant downtown office. Mumble.

There was something about bringing them a birth certificate. Something about your military discharge papers too. You still have your discharge papers?

The birth certificate, yes (thank god). The military papers, probably not. I don't think they care all that much about the fact I served for a couple of years after college. But we'll see. I guess that does mean I have to eventually leave the apartment. Mumble.