Hansel Eats at the Vaq

I was up at 530am feeling rested and ready for a new day. I started my morning routine, which now includes tending to my eyes by adding a series of eye drops. I sprinkled that in amongst my regular exercise regimen. Outside, there was a star filled sky and the temperature in the upper 30’s. I did my usual meditation and stretching before delivering Mindy’s coffee. It was just after 630am when I headed out for my run. I decided to run just three miles after doing four on Sunday and Tuesday. I had the benefit of the nearly full moon looming overhead through the run’s entirety, although darkness quickly gave way to daylight mid-run. It’s nice having the daylight back so soon. The kids were busy getting ready for school while Mindy was busy making my eggs. The weather was expected to be nice, highs in the 70s. Mindy reminded me about Jacob’s school play. I thought I might try to leave work and make it to the daytime performance at 1030am. She, Jimaken, and Gloria were already planning to go. We’d be going to the general performance later that evening, too. I saw the kids onto the bus at their usual time. Back home I prepped my gear for departure leaving in the BM’er around 815am. I talked with my boss early on about leaving for Jacob’s school play. He didn’t mind at all. Before heading out, I phoned Paul P., the backflow water meter inspection dude I used last year, to schedule an appointment. We agreed on April 17th. I want to have it out of the way, although I think that's a bit early. I left work destined for Jacob’s school play shortly after 10am. I ran into Jimaken in the school’s hallway. We weren’t exactly sure where to go but eventually found our way. Mindy, Gloria, and niece Lynn-Lynn were already there seated against the gymnasium wall. We joined them. I had trouble focusing on the stage – mid-distances. The fluorescent lighting gave me fits and caused my eyes to dry out quickly. The student body filed into the gymnasium one classroom at a time. They were quite orderly. Bella was happy to see us, but had to remain with her classmates. The principal's intro was loaded with over-the-top/manufactured joy. Soon the school play, Hansel & Gretel Eat Right, was underway. Jacob had the part of Hansel. He was obviously nervous, chewing on his jacket sleeve throughout and speaking his parts very softly. His face was red as an apple, too. I felt for him. And the truth is, I wouldn’t have done much better. To help ease his mind I stood up and shouted encouragement, but also orders for him to stand tall and proud and speak his parts loud and clear. The gymnasium quickly went silent. Jacob burst into tears running off stage. What? No – just kidding. :) The play lasted about 30 minutes. We hung out afterwards long enough to chat with Jacob and his teacher, Mrs. Anderson. Unbeknownst to me, Mindy offered to buy her lunch as well as Mrs. Valentine’, Bella’s teacher. She was going to Wendy’s for the kids already. I headed back to work. Mindy, Gloria, and Lynn-Lynn headed off to Wendy’s. Some time around noon Hugh White Honda’s internet sales guy called me on my office phone. He wanted to talk about the price he quoted me for a new CR-V days ago in an email. I took a few minutes to chat with him asking that he redo the price based on all the dealer installed options I wanted installed. Additionally, I asked for it to be priced two ways, with and without navigation system. I also threw in that I needed an update on our Pilot that was currently in their shop. He called back minutes later with the information. First, he said our Pilot would be ready by 5-6pm. Secondly, he gave me the numbers. I wrote them down without judgement. After we hung up I pulled up my spreadsheet to review his numbers against my own showing various discounts percentages and the overall price impact. Turns out, his newest quote was higher than his original. I don’t need a new car. I won’t pay top dollar – no way! I called Mindy to let her know what I learned about the Pilot. She really wanted it to be ready sooner. Later, that same afternoon Honda called Mindy to advise that they had received the wrong part and needed to reorder it. The Pilot would sit with its dash torn apart for yet another day. Oh dear! Mindy and I went back and forth a couple times late afternoon over how we’d deal with the evening play. We eventually agreed to meet there around 615pm. From my perspective, it made little sense for me to leave work at 530pm, drive home, and then turn right back around and drive back. The school is a just a mile or two from my office. With that agreement, we also collectively agreed, the kids included, to do dinner at El Vaquero afterwards. I stayed at work until 615pm then headed off to the kids' school. I was there by 625pm. I spotted Chrissy & Kenny, right away. Their daughter Lillian is in the play, too. Mindy was saving seats for me, Jimaken’s mom, and nephew Joe & Jerry. The play didn’t begin until 7pm. Bella took me to see some of her art work mounted for display in the school's hallways. I photo’d some of it. I also got a picture of Jacob’s weaving project. The play started at 7pm after another very fakey - over-the-top intro from the principal. Jacob did much better this go round, spoke his parts with more assertiveness. Seemed to go faster too, but that’s probably because we saw it once before. I was hungry. Lucky for me, Mindy had a baggie of Cheezits in her purse. She gave them to me. I ate them all. After the play, Mindy did her share of gabbing with the teachers and neighbors. Soon, however, we left for El Vaquero with Jacob choosing to ride with me in the BM’er. We arrived at El Vaquero at what had to be near 8pm. Driving in the twilight was difficult. Service was barely adequate, which is uncharacteristic of the Vaq. – slow and mistake prone. We overlooked the small troubles though. A guy doing balloon caricatures stopped by and asked the kids if they wanted a balloon. Then, after starting his creations, advised the two of us that he doesn’t charge for 'em but does accept tips. We tipped him $1. The only other option was $10 and that wasn’t going to happen. Our food was just OK. We headed for home around 845pm. Mindy got the kids ready for bed in a hurry. I checked email and a few other things on the PC, but didn’t dwell there. I did my eye drop regimen and then prepared for bed.