Presenting a 14 Hour Day

I’d forgotten how big a 5 minute head start is to my morning routine. I was up at 525am. I felt great, too, after getting 9+ hours of sleep. Not sure if there’s a direct correlation, but I’m sleeping so much better since I started my new role. Probably a contributor.

It was beautiful outside. For the first time in several days, I could actually see out the back door, and the sky was crystal clear. There was also a crescent moon in the eastern sky. Later I learned that it was only 70 degrees, a tad cooler than it’s been for the past several days.

I slipped into my dog walking shoes then began calisthenics. Not entirely sure why I passed on my exercise tennies. I guess the dog walkers were just easier to get on. I completed sit-ups then played online for a while. Checked email, the weather forecast, and read a few headlines. Expecting a high in the upper 80’s under sunny skies. It’s been 90 or above for several days running. Sports headlines said Donovan McNabb would be a Viking by day’s end. Nice!

On to push-ups. After push-ups I went to pour coffee but realized I hadn’t yet hit the go button. Crap! I had to wait. I ventured outside for a few and then returned to the PC where I read the Daily OM (lame) and then read a little more about all the Vikings possible free agency moves. I also read an email from my mom about brother Glenn’s knee. Apparently going to see a specialist on Thursday. About time!

Coffee was finally ready. I took a few minutes to sit at the kitchen table and savor the flavor. I was a little nervous about the presentation I’d be doing later in the day, not to mention working at the customer’s site all day. It was a healthy nervousness, though. I was about as prepared as one could be, which is key. Trying that on without being prepared. Yikes!

Moved on to meditation and stretching. Both went well. Found myself prepping for my run 5 minutes early and was out the door by 631am. It felt great without a shirt, and even slightly cool immediately out the door. That didn’t last, though. I was sweating in a hurry.

I ran the full 4.1 miles thinking mostly about my work day. Again, I was a little nervous about the entire day, but reminded myself how prepared I was and then how well it would go. I whole-heartedly believed it too. I ran a tad faster than usual, finding myself back home by 709am.

I started prepping breakfast and lunch right away. I made a spinach and cheese omelet and then packed a salad, banana, fruit medley and cheese. Wasn’t entirely sure if there was a fridge at the customer’s prem but assumed there would be. Because I wouldn’t have the luxury of having my salad dressing in the fridge, I doused the salad with Italian dressing before sealing it closed. The omelet was really good. Yum-yum.

Off to the shower, but not before pouring Mindy a cup of coffee. Like most mornings, she woke just as I set it on her night stand. After a hug and kiss, I was off to the shower.

I’ve been shaving everyday lately, but not to the skin. I’ve been using my battery powered trimmer. Shaves about as close as I would ever hope too. I don’t like to be shaven to the skin.

I wore blue dress slacks and a white button up dress shirt. I looked totally generic, but also very handsome. J Just ask me. I went to Mindy’s bedside. She opted to remain in bed. I asked of her plans. She wasn’t sure. Sounded like Zoombezi Bay was out.

I left for work at 805am after making sure I had my laptop mouse and power cord in my back pack along with my laptop. I’d need both to do the remote PPT presentation (my laptop battery is dead). Like I’ve been doing all along, I put my backpack in the trunk as I headed out. I took 70W to 670E to 270N. Ran into a traffic snarl mid-downtown at the 670 merge. That cleared somewhat quick.

Hit another traffic snarl on 270 near Easton, and actually took the wrong exit. Crap! I’ll know better next time. Ended up I had to get off at Rt 161 then do a little back tracking down Sunbury Rd. No worries. Got their just after 830am, which was earlier than I actually anticipated.

I struggled to find the right entrance, building, and lot (they all looks too similar) but guessed correctly. Not bad after only being there one other time. I got my temp badge and clearance then waited for my escort, Dan.

He showed quickly and guided me back to their center. They quickly showed me to an office, but were quick to point out that it wouldn’t be my permanent digs. They gave me several minutes to get settled which I much appreciated. I used the time to get logged on through a VPN connection.

I was waiting on the acct executive to ping me. I was supposed to meet her at the main door and help tote in 7 dozen donuts and 3 gallons of coffee. She pinged me right around 9am. I went to the front door to greet here. We carried in the donuts and coffee in one trip. Nothing like sweets and coffee to sweeten the initial meet & greet. I must’ve met 60-70 folks over the next 30 minutes.  Everyone was warm & friendly.

Karen, one of the mgrs, gave me the grand tour. I asked where I might find a fridge to store my lunch. She showed me two options – one a regular fridge, the other a commercial glass cooler/fridge.

We had our regular 10am meeting planned, only this time I would be there in person. We ended up doing the meeting in my make-shift office since I needed my laptop to provide real-time updates. We met for only about 25-30 minutes. They all left for lunch soon after with their director to celebrate his b-day and also his last day before vacation.

Meanwhile, I was getting a dull headache and my neck and back was aching, too - almost certainly all related.  Around noon, I took a walk outside in the sunshine where I called and talked with Mindy briefly. It was very nice- only 80 degrees. The walk did me some good. It helped my headache & back ache subsided to some extent. I wasn’t out there long, however, maybe 20 minutes.

I was hungry but didn’t really want to eat my lunch until after my presentation. That's just how I am. I was again a tad nervous, which only served to further my headache, I am sure. As 1pm neared, the leadership team sent me an email asking if we could delay by 15 minutes. Sure. Apparently their lunch outing was going long. No biggie!

I really wanted to get set-up ahead of time, but sometimes even the best laid plans go awry. I made my way to the assigned conference room but found it occupied. Great! I had no choice but to wait for the others. My peer, the Acct. executive, showed up at 1pm. We hung out for a while chatting until the leadership team returned ready.

The set-up and presentation went well, and honestly, better than I even expected. The customer heaped lots of praise my way, which felt really good. That in turn made the account exec. happy, too. For a while anyway,  I was golden!

I felt a huge sense of relief afterwards and was even hoping to get out of the office a little early. I went looking for the fridge where I stashed my lunch but couldn’t find it. I felt foolish when I had to ask someone for help finding it.

As luck would have it, around 3-330pm a mini crisis struck and the customer recruited my help getting the issue under control. That little issue kept me there until 1030pm and on a conference bridge for seven hours.

Mindy texted and emailed several times frustrated that I was working late, though she understood my dilemma. Turns out, she had made a special dinner and was eager for me to try it.

I eventually ate my banana, cheese and fruit. I didn’t have utensils to make use of my packed salad. I sent myself an email with the few things I'd need to bring next time out. That pesky headache and neck ache was back in full force, too. By the time I left for home I was toast, not to mention being incredibly sleepy & hungry.

Mindy came downstairs when she heard me come in. Jake & Makayla were there, too, apparently staying overnight to help Chrissy out with a morning appointment. Mindy asked if I wanted her to warm me dinner. I did not. Instead, I wanted something fast and easy. I ate a cheese stick and half a turkey and cheese sandwich. I drank some chocolate milk too.

Bella and Makayla came down to greet me as well. Bella ran up and hugged me, obviously happy that I was home. Asked if I was at work getting ready for NYC. We headed to bed as soon as I finished my meal. It was 1130pm.