Friday...

I hope this doesn't reflect poorly on me! And there's more to come... Friday began as so many others. It was gorgeous! I rose around 515am, and I felt rested and ready for a big day. Today was the final prep day for my Portland/Vancouver trip. I had to work, run, pack, shop (for a book), and play with Mindy. Not too big of a deal. I did the usual morning stuff. I exercised, walked Ykraps, coffee’d, meditated, made breakfast and packed my lunch. I had plenty of leisure time again this morning. I coulda/shoulda drove the BM’er to work, but it was awfully chilly. It was 18 degrees!!!! Work was good. Even if it weren’t, there was little that could’ve penetrated the wonderful, vacation mood that I was in. I had toyed with trying to run early to facilitate an early escape, but my presence was needed in the center so I didn’t run until my usual time. It was a good run too. It was an opportunity to review my to-do’s one last time without distraction. I take this shit too serious!!! J After a few bumps, the afternoon progressed smoothly, so much so that I was comfortable leaving at 3pm. It felt so good to leave work knowing I wouldn’t be back for 10 days. I headed directly to Barnes & Noble in hopes of finding the perfect new book. I didn’t have a title in mind but those that know my reading preferences should know it would have to be something that would foster outside of the box type thinking. And with little effort I found the perfect book, What the Bleep Do We Know. Next stop – home to finish packing. Once there the first thing I did was take Ykraps on a walk. He made the most of it, too. Now the time had come to get busy. For the next hour or so, I allowed stress to take over and spiral to the point where I was just short of insanity. I stopped myself, however, and refocused my attention and priorities accordingly. There was little reason to stress. I had plenty of time and few necessary things to do, all things considered. I made quick work of the task at hand and had everything pretty much done by the time that Mindy arrived around 615pm, which is far sooner than I had even imagined. Being the great lover and companion that she is, Mindy sensed the tension running through my veins and offered a back rub to help relax me. I graciously accepted, and I am glad that I did. What a difference it made. A half and hour later, I was a new man! Because I had accomplished everything I had planned, including even prepping some airplane snacks, I had a whole new view of the evening ahead. We both agreed that we should go to Barleys after all. So, at 730pm we took off for Barleys. I was excited because I knew they were tapping the Christmas Ale. And it was the first thing I ordered -Christmas Ale off the firkin. Mindy ordered a merlot. Too, we ordered some food. Mindy had honey chipotle wings, and I ordered gates of hell wings. To complement the wings, we shared an order of their famous sauerkraut balls. I thought that I’d have only one beer for fear of waking with a hangover, considering I had to get up at 430am to remain on track, But with several new brews on tap, I just couldn’t resist the temptation. I ordered a Winter Warmer. They only allow each patron to have one of those. They are very, very strong. Just about that time, Bob and Mary Ann showed up. I was very glad to see them given that I wouldn’t be n town next Friday night. They were at or hosting (can’t remember which) a chili cook off. And they smelt like chili too! We hung for about a half and hour then Mindy and I had to go. We left around 900pm. Back at my place, Mindy and I built a fire and then snuggled against its warmth. She had to be home by 11pm sharp if she were to remain in good standing with her babysitter. I spent the next half hour updating my blog and formatting my camera’s memory stick. I was in bed by 1135pm.