Halloween---surreal...

 Going out at around 6 to get some food, I pass some teen-agers dressed in Halloween outfits. A surreal picture---is there actually a Halloween during this pandemic? The juxtaposition of the celebration and the demands of the pandemic seems strange. But there it is.

Interesting day today: began about 4 A. M. when I went to my grocery store, four blocks south, and ordered three slices of American cheese on a plain bagel. (I never order more then three slices---don't want to get stuffed). Why up so early? I had ordered an Accessoride car to take me to my voting place at 102nd and Amsterdam at 7:30. Thought that the bagel and cheese would keep me full until that, and that I would remain in my apartment until the ride came, but to my surprise, around 5, I felt an incredible need for coffee and something sweet. Took off again, this time to the 24 hour cart on 78th and Broadway and asked for some coffee and a donut. The coffee was not ready; the gentleman in the cart said it would be in a half hour,  so I simply bought the donut. That felt good, but about a half hour later the coffee urge returned, so I now made my third trip out---returning to the cart where the coffee was indeed ready. Finally sated, I awaited my ride to the school where the early voting was scheduled.

Arrived an found an enormous line---not moving. The venue was scheduled to open at 7, but I have a feeling that by the time I got there, around 7:40, it was still unprepared. Anyway, the line was endless---stacked around two blocks--and I knew I could not stay. I did not even bother to see if there was a special senior citizen line--it did not matter, I just got away from there. Took an 11 bus back to the apartment---bought some more food---yes, in spite of all the previous intakes, I was hungry again--and returned home. I did not order a ride for return---somehow I don't mind being taken somewhere, but once there, I like to make my own decision, create my own pace for returning. The "price" for this independence this morning was a freezing walk south on Columbus Avenue; it does not matter: somehow I feel my autonomy is worth it. 

I will try to vote early Tuesday morning at my regular voting place, two blocks away from my apartment. Will go early---last presidential election I was third on line---got there at 5:30---I will try to repeat that feat, but if what I have seen is any indication, I might hacantve a lot of company.

Rest of the day in the apartment--listened to most of Norma, the opera by Bellini, found the first act of a production of Les Mis, and watched that, and finally am waiting for an all Mozart concert by the Philharmonic at 8. It contains one my most favorite of Mozart's piano concertos, number 22---can't wait to hear it again. The Mozart piano concertos are very special to me---they really stand out in his work. At any rate that is the plan--tomorrow I have four bets going on NFL teams---we will see how that turns out.