There's a blood drive going on today and it's been somewhat disorienting to see people walking around with gauze taped to their arms. At first it's a little startling and I want to say, "Oh my gosh, what happened to your arm?" But then I remember that there is a blood drive going on and that these little unsettling pieces of gauze are actually like signs that say "I did something nice".

The best part is, the blood drive is taking place right smack in the middle of the cafeteria so as you're waiting in line, you get to think about vials of blood being extracted from people's arms a mere few feet from where your food is being prepared.

The cafeteria worker who made my lunch inquired as to whether or not I was giving blood today. I explained that I can't because I am underweight for my height. He started laughing saying he was going to use that as his reason for not doing it either. Hey, I don't make these things up. Those are the blood giving rules. I'm not sure why exactly. Maybe if you are underweight then you don't have any extra blood to spare. I don't know. All I know is I took my lunch outside to eat, unlike some who apparently were not bothered by eating in the midst of disembodied blood.   ¶ 1:40 PM