The Playboy Channel

The new work week began at 5:15am. Somehow I got confused when glancing towards the clock and interpreted 730am (Jimmy-time) to be 530am. That happens on occasion. I didn’t catch the error until I had completed my sit-ups and was checking the temperature online. It was 57 degrees, by the way. Because I was up 15 minutes early, I was able to enjoy my alone time at a pace more leisurely than normal. I spent most of it reading stories about the Vikings impressive, last second victory. That alone added an extra bounce to my step. I shared my mistake with Mindy when I woke her with coffee at the usual time. I broke away from the PC at 6:10am and started meditation and stretching. By doing so, my meditation was much more beneficial and relaxing. I left for a run around 6:35am. I wore my new loose running pants and thick, long-sleeved wicking shirt to combat the slight chill. I was perfectly comfortable. As my run progressed my right knee began to bother me. It felt strange, almost like a catch, or perhaps some minor swelling. It didn’t hurt per se, but it did impact my stride significantly. But I wasn’t shocked. I’ve been having trouble with it for the past couple of weeks, but surprisingly, not so much when I am running but instead only when I am walking. Fear came over me, thinking that this might be the ‘thing’ that threatens my long standing streak, which currently stands at 12 years and 7 months 18 days. Although I hated doing it, I decided not to push it and cut my run back to just three miles. I told myself on the return I would do that as long as necessary to help preserve my streak, much like I did when I pulled the muscle in my ass. Now that was painful! I shared my fear and situation with Mindy when I got back home. Mindy listened but then unknowingly patronized me by saying that my life would simply have to take another course. I am sure she meant it to sound encouraging, but to my ears it wasn’t something I wanted to hear. As Eric Moore from the Godz says, “Gotta Keep a Runnin’”. :) Mindy had my eggs ready. She, Bella and I enjoyed a few minutes together having breakfast. As always, Jacob had already eaten and was off to his room to watch the Playboy channel. Mindy soon departed, and I headed off for a shower. The kids and I headed out for the bus stop at 7:55am. The morning was pleasant – sunny and about 60, although quite breezy. I was off to work by 8:10am. My work day started smoothly and remained that way pretty much throughout. I worked straight through not even taking a break to eat anything beyond my morning snack – mixed nuts. I talked with Mindy after she’d left school. She let me know that she made arrangements to take Tuesday off school. More than anything, she needed a ‘down day’, and asked if I would do the same. I didn’t think so. I left for home around 5:30pm. Not long after arriving home I readied Ykraps for his evening walk. I couldn’t help but notice how long, thick our grass was getting. I really needed to cut it over the weekend but didn’t have the opportunity. By far, this was the longest stretch of days I’ve gone all season without doing the deed – 8 days and counting. I was too tired and uninspired to start then. I shrugged it off. Inside, Mindy had dinner at the table – grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup. It was good but needed some spicing up. Her version of grilled cheese is just that, two slices of bread with a slice of cheese between. At a minimum, I wanted protein (meat) and mayonnaise on mine too. I went to add some sliced turkey but found it to be outdated – a month outdated at that. Taking no chances, I threw it out. We had more, but it was frozen – another Mindy-ism. She freezes everything, including buns. UGH! After dinner the kids headed outside to play with friends but returned home minutes later after encountering rejection at the trampoline. Before MNF, I did some writing and surfing. Bella and Mindy did some reading. Lately, I’ve been encouraging Bella to bring home readable books rather than her favorite “I Spy”. Let’s just say her desire to read isn’t nearly as voracious as Jacob’s. We watched all the pre-MNF hype before kick-off. Mindy deflated Jacob when proclaimed bedtime at 830pm, or the same time as kick-off. But I argued his case and won him an additional 15-30 minutes. He was pleased. The game matched the Cowboys and Carolina Panthers from the new, impressive Cowboy stadium. Mindy sent Jacob to bed after the first quarter ended. She headed up herself around 9:30pm claiming exhaustion. I stayed up a while longer until I fell asleep.