An Exercise in Futility

There was a drive-thru Swine Flu clinic today at our local high school, and since our doctor's office has run out of their available vaccines and is waiting on a shipment (with no idea when that might arrive, or how much will be in it), I loaded up the kidlets and docked the minivan in the line.

An hour later we'd gone less than one block, with the high school still six or seven blocks away.

There were four directions feeding into the high school, so each time we moved forward in our line it was one car length's worth... or less. The biggest jumps came when someone did that complicated three-point turn and roared out of there, shaking their head and thinking ugly vaccination thoughts.

I know the thoughts, because I had them -- while wrenching the van out of line and turning it in the opposite direction.

I had promised the kids a "brave present" for the ordeal, and I figured the waiting patiently for a dreaded event counted... we went all through WalMart, including the bathroom, and still were home less than an hour after our minivan yanked out of line. I bet if we hadn't left we'd be at least a block closer... or maybe not.

Sigh.

Good thing we're still on the list at the pediatrician's office for the elusive shipment...

 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091024/articles/910249985&tc=yahoo