Last week, I got a flat tire on my morning commute. I was within walking distance from the office, so even though I was going to be late, I decided to walk the rest of the way. As I was heading along a stretch of road with a particularly busy and fast bike lane, I saw a bicycle suddenly slow down and jump the curb onto the sidewalk. A kid around 16 turns around, coasts over to me and asks, "Flat tire?" "Yes," I reply. And then I suddenly find myself on a receiving end of more kindness than I feel appropriate for one person in such a short amount of time. "Want a tube? I have a few. 700?," and he points to his back pack. I had to turn down his offer because I was pretty sure I had debris in the tire and would just ruin another tube unless I took my time with it, plus I was already so close to my destination. He smiled and rode away.

Ever since that incident, I'd been on the look-out for misfortune around every corner. I am not a particularly superstitious person, but this was just too nice an act for this awful city. Something has to happen to me this month to even it out. I had stomachache this weekend. Hopefully that did it.