Happy Easter

Unable to attend my church's regular Easter service at 10, I went hunting for an Episcopal sunrise service. The nearest was the Church of the Epiphany in San Carlos, where we had once been members from 1988 to 2003. The outdoor mass began at 6:30 a.m. and finished in under an hour. Music was furnished by a parishioner with a guitar.

I recognized a few old timers, but none of them recognized me. Well, it has been 22 years and we've all changed a bit.

Besides, if you show up to see and be seen, you're in the wrong place. Easter Sunday is a day to give thanks and praise for the gift of eternal life, regardless of whether two, three, or hundreds are gathered together.

Riskless Jab (for me)

COVID-19 immunization is completely covered by my health plan, so I got another booster earlier today.

I know that the vaccine's efficacy in questionable, but the mild side effects from experience only last 1-2 days. Even if there was a 1% chance it would prevent me from catching the virus, or just lessen its symptoms, it would be worth the trip to the clinic.

What I'm really fearful of is brain fog from long COVID. In my dotage the brain has become foggy enough already.

I Got the Jab Anyway

Three years after the government locked down everything, fear of the coronavirus has largely dissipated. Outside of hospitals and doctors' offices few people wear masks.

While mRNA vaccines appear to provide some benefit, their protection against COVID-19 isn't foolproof. Also, scientists and government officials now confirm that there can be side effects, including myocarditis and pericarditis.

Despite the apparent lessening of the COVID-19 danger, and the now-documented potential side effects of the vaccine, I got the jab anyway.

We'll be traveling next month to visit family in Hawaii, and I don't want it on my conscience should an elderly person get sick.

And yes, I'll wear a mask, too.

Reducing the Risk

Chipping away at the doctor's seven-point to-do list, I took care of #6, flu vaccine, on Tuesday.

It was at the same location, the Sutter San Carlos Health Center, as the COVID booster. The adjacent line for the COVID immunization was ten-deep, but there was no waiting for the flu shot, before or after.

There are no guarantees, but it pays to reduce the risk of incurring or carrying an infectious disease on the trip to the Islands next week.

Injection No. 4: A Minor Inconvenience

Getting the second booster shot (coronavirus injection #4) was no trouble at all. I made an appointment for yesterday morning at Sutter Health's $200 million facility in San Carlos, five miles from Foster City.

Parking was free at the uncrowded 8-year-old multistory garage.

There was no waiting at the separate structure (picture) next to the main building. Flu and COVID shots were allotted four stations each, and at the moment I was the only customer.

After the injection, there was no requirement to wait. From parking the car to getting back on the freeway the whole process took 15 minutes, an infinitesimal imposition compared to spending an entire afternoon at the Moscone Center 18 months ago.

I'm not particularly worried about dying from the coronavirus, but if I didn't spend less than an hour reducing the risks of long-haul COVID to myself and giving the virus to the vulnerable 70-to-100 crowd, whom I mingle with frequently, then for me the benefits so far outweighed the costs that I would be a dunderhead not to get the booster.

Another cost, however, that shouldn't be overlooked: 24 hours later my arm hurts, and I feel like the flu is coming on. Nevertheless, this reaction is milder than those experienced with earlier shots, and the minor inconveniences will soon be forgotten.

Full of Grace

At Grace Cathedral in 2011
the Rev. Whitney Roberson & friend

The last time I saw Whitney she greeted me with a smile and a hug. Though sick with the cancer that would eventually end her life, she asked about the health of each of us. That's one of the reasons she was beloved; she was always turning the subject away from herself.

At yesterday's memorial service, Whitney's daughter Sarah reflected upon the life of the single mother who raised three daughters, went through seminary, and became an ordained minister late in life. We met Whitney when she was in San Carlos. She had that light in her eyes that invited us to return every Sunday, and so we did. Rest in peace, dear friend.

The Meaning of Epiphany

(Image from Stellar House Publishing)

(Updated from two years ago)

Today, January 6th, Epiphany, marks the official end of the Christmas season. Not too long ago Catholics, Episcopalians, and other Christians observed not only the twelve days of Christmas but also the eight days of Epiphany. ("The Octave of Epiphany" sounds like the title of Dan Brown's next book.) In the Internet age we can barely concentrate twelve minutes, much less eight or twelve days, on any endeavor.

Epiphany is not one of the three major feasts (Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost) of Christianity, but it is sufficiently important that some churches are named after it. Nearly 40 years ago we were married at one Church of the Epiphany. We attended another for 15 years. [Here's a positive review from a non-member.]

The original meaning of "Epiphany" was religious--the manifestation of the Divine (Jesus) to the Gentiles (Magi)--but it has come to mean the revelation of an essential, not necessarily religious, truth. Like other words where the meaning is subtle and the use is infrequent, it is apt to be cheapened through over-application, as in, "when I heard the politician's speech/saw the movie/heard the song, I had an epiphany." Let's hope that, like a well-crafted tool, "epiphany" is used when the circumstances are appropriate. © 2014 Stephen Yuen

The Question at the Center of Everything

Nearly 50 people showed up for the PARCA session on independent housing. (The Parents' Association for Retarded Children and Adults was formed 62 years ago and is now known by the acronym rather than its original name. The session was entitled "Transition toward Independence: Independent Housing for People with Developmental Disabilities.") They heard speakers from the Golden Gate Regional Center, the San Mateo Department of Housing, HIP Housing, West Bay Housing, and PARCA.

Many of the faces in the audience have become familiar over the years. The welfare of loved ones who will never truly be "independent" is a lifelong task. There rarely are solutions given in these sessions; but maybe they'll learn of organizations, laws, and people who can help solve some of the problems.

Their charges have differing medical conditions, the government classifications are different (e.g., Social Security Disability, GGRC client), and the caregivers have differing degrees of financial resources and expertise. But even those who can bequeath a house and other assets to their loved one know that someone will need to make sure that the bills are paid, the faucets are fixed, and the prescriptions are filled.

Everyone is tormented by the question at the center of everything: who will look after our loved one after we're gone? For most of the people there are years, even decades, to answer the question, but answer it everyone must. © 2013 Stephen Yuen

Epiphany

Today, January 6th, Epiphany, marks the official end of the Christmas season. Not too long ago Catholics, Episcopalians, and other Christians observed not only the twelve days of Christmas but also the eight days of Epiphany. ("The Octave of Epiphany" sounds like the title of Dan Brown's next book.) In the Internet age we can barely concentrate twelve minutes, much less eight or twelve days, on any endeavor.

Epiphany is not one of the three major feasts (Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost) of Christianity, but it is sufficiently important that some churches are named after it. Over 30 years ago we were married at one Church of the Epiphany. We attended another for 15 years.

The original meaning of "Epiphany" was religious--the manifestation of the Divine (Jesus) to the Gentiles (Magi)--but it has come to mean the revelation of an essential, not necessarily religious, truth. Like other words where the meaning is subtle and the use is infrequent, it is apt to be cheapened through over-application, as in, "when I heard the politician's speech/saw the movie/heard the song, I had an epiphany." Let's hope that, like a well-crafted tool, "epiphany" is used when the circumstance is exactly right.

Laboring but not Working

Oracle HQ. (For front view in 2004, see here.)

The needle passed 90 degrees as we biked south to Redwood Shores. Sweat soaked through our shirts as we approached the Burger King. That was far enough for this weekend warrior. Air conditioning, a cold drink, and lunch, just the ticket on a hot day.

We watched a few planes and helicopters take off from the nearby San Carlos airport. Traffic, both auto and air, was light this holiday weekend. On the return I had to stop due to dust particles in my eye. A passing cyclist asked if everything was okay, which it soon was. Nice of him to ask, though.

We arrived home in short order. A shower, a nap and a toast to the American labor movement, without whom this long weekend would not be possible.

The Belmont Slough, with Foster City houses on the left.

Sunday in Redwood Shores

A warm and sunny day, and I felt the sap rising. We got on the bike and headed down to Redwood Shores along the Bay shoreline bike path. Oracle Systems' cylindrical towers gleamed brightly, and it was difficult to remember, or even believe, that a large animal-themed amusement park once resided here. The lions' nighttime roar and the barks of the seals, like the fruit orchards in Silicon Valley, are but a fading memory.

Oracle HQ at 2 p.m. today; photo taken by my Canon S50.

We continued past the BFI recycling center and stopped for lunch at the San Carlos Burger King, just East off Highway 101. This is my favorite Burger King on the Peninsula. It’s clean, well-lit, and decorated with aviation memorabilia. At the entrance is a helicopter shell, donated by the Hiller Aviation Museum nearby. Traffic to the San Carlos Airport and the museum is light, and this BK is rarely crowded on weekends.


The temperature was approaching 80 degrees, so we stopped at the Hiller Museum and cooled off in the gift shop. We turned around and cycled through the Redwood Shores business parks and shopping centers, making a mental note to visit some non-chain Asian and Mexican restaurants that sprouted to serve the Electronic Arts, Oracle, and law firm employees during the week. An hour later, and we were home.