Extreme IPA

It was Wednesday. Like most days, I was out of bed by 5:30am and soon flying through my exercise routine, walking Ykraps, and sipping some heavenly coffee. I was anxious for the day on a number of fronts. One, this was expected to be the last of a four day stretch of dreary spring weather, and two, it represented the halfway point of a long work week that’s effectively been two melded into one for me. The sky was hit or miss in that one minute we were socked in under clouds and the next under a clearing patch. However, according to the forecast, more rain was guaranteed. My run went easily after another one of those brief naps on the sofa after PC time. I’ve got to be careful that it doesn’t become habit. Yikes! Mindy had a big pile of eggs waiting my return. They were really tasty. She asked about the possibility of golf. I didn’t think we would but I offered that the possibility still existed, especially if the weather turned more favorable. If not, we’d have a dinner date since this was a ‘daddy night’ for the kids. Either way, I couldn’t lose. Work kept me on edge. I worked via my Blackberry even before leaving the house. But that’s been the case all week, really. I am so looking forward to the weekend. Let’s just leave it at that. I blazed through my day and skipped a formal lunch hour. I did eat at my desk, however. Rarely do I allow myself to go hungry. I sent Bob Imber an email asking about golf mid-afternoon. It was about 52 degrees under partly cloudy skies, and there hadn’t been any appreciable rain for hours. He responded relatively quickly that they were shooting for Thursday evening instead as more rain was moving in from the west. Just as well. I really wanted to get out of work a tad early but didn’t. My day in the office ended at 530pm. But just like I have all week, I remained involved via my tether (the Blackberry). Mindy and I dashed off to Barley’s for happy hour. There wasn’t a big crowd, and for that I was pleased. Janet was working the bar. She immediately put a sample of the new Barley’s Extreme IPA in front of me. It was very bitter and hoppy – perfect. I ordered a pint! Mindy ordered a St Joan’s. Our pals Calvin & Dan were there. We chatted it up with them for a while. I kept checking in with work until Mindy asked that I put my Blackberry away and relax. Just then it rang. It was my boss calling from Myrtle Beach. I stepped outside on the patio to talk. He was curious how things were going. I gave him the scoop. Hurry back!!! He took his Blackberry on vacation and was reading email. That’s something he shouldn’t have done because it was obviously preventing him from letting go. Note to self. Mindy & I shared an order of sauerkraut balls and a Barley burger. Both were superb – unmatched anywhere else. Mindy picked up the tab and we left for home at 7:25pm. Jimaken and the kids were waiting out front. Jacob was on his bike and had his new plastic ramp on the sidewalk. Jimaken took him to Toys R Us this evening to spend his birthday money. He bought the ramp, an inexpensive video camera, and some other stuff. He was going over his new ramp but doing it more like a hill than a ramp. No balls! I thought about role modeling how one should pull up on the handle bars just as you head up the ramp but thought better of it. What good could come of it? None. And worst case, I’d hurt myself. I need to remember that I’m not 18 anymore. The kids didn’t play too long. After all, Jacob was leaving with his daddy – spending the night. Tomorrow was take=your-kid to work day. Jacob was going to work with his daddy. They left around 8pm. We wouldn’t see Jacob until late Thursday night since they were also going to the Blue Jackets playoff game Thursday evening. Mindy got Bella ready for bed. After tucking her in, I updated my blog and then watched Idol elimination night. Two were sent packing: Lil & Anoop. No big surprise. Mindy & I headed to bed after - 10pm.