The first time. Cash in my life is short, so I go to Aventis Biomedical Services on University Avenue at Lexington Parkway. I had done this four summers ago with a buddy of mine from work, but then it was called Centeon.

Had to endure the first-time donor stuff, which means having my picture taken and having a file assembled and -- worst of all -- having a physical examination. I've had worse exams in my life, I suppose, but it's still not a lot of fun. Peeing in a cup, all that. But I managed to survive the ordeal and soon enough they had me hooked up to a machine which sucked my blood. More on this later.