Up On the Roof

Can you tell that the kis didn't really want to do Barley's?

Waking this week has come fairly easy.  I was up before 530am again. It was another nice summer morning with temps near 70 under clear skies. Just a hint of daybreak in the sky. I completed sit-ups then checked the weather. Supposed to stay relatively clear with temps in the mid 80’s.

I completed push-ups then enjoyed some coffee. I found an email from the Honda internet sales in my spam folder. Came in last night around 11pm. Said he thought he could do the deal I wanted but needed to work with his manager and would call me sometime Friday with a definitive answer. I sent a reply basically acknowledging receipt of his email.

I did meditation and stretching next, finishing up both around 615am. Like every other day that week, I headed out for my run early. The sun was just starting its ascent as I began my run. During my run I mulled over the idea of attending RWB later than night, though both Mindy and I didn’t think we’d be going. Too much fuss for so little value.

I ran the full 4.1 miles track feeling pretty good. I was still battling that nagging cough after more than 3 weeks. I passed the trash truck a few times during the course of my run. Ours was already emptied once I got back home.

I started breakfast and lunch prep as soon as I was settled in the kitchen. I still had fruit and tuna at the office. All I needed to pack was some cheese and a banana. I fried two eggs. They were very tasty. I had a couple slices of watermelon too.

Off to the shower near 725am. I wore jeans for the first time all week. In my new role, jeans are acceptable attire on Friday’s only. I wore a golf polo as well. Mindy got up and joined me downstairs while I made last minute preparations. We were expecting my mom to arrive sometime around noon. She’d be staying with us for the weekend. At the time wasn’t sure if that meant until Sunday or Monday given the holiday weekend.

Mindy and I sat on the deck talking for about 10 minutes prior to my departure. It was a gorgeous morning. I left for work at 750am. I drove the BM’er.

Work was calm, and certainly no where near the type of Friday that I’d grown accustom to in my old role. I spent the morning working with a tool for which my boss asked that I learn and become our department SME.

Mindy texted sometime during the late morning asking if I wanted/needed anything from the store. Said my mom was already there and staying with the kids while she ran to the grocery store. I asked that she pick-up some CBC IPA.

Around 1230pm I took lunch and headed to the Tuttle Mall Macy’s. I was still looking for a few new golf shirts that I can wear for work. Once again, I found none that I liked enough to buy and subsequently left empty handed. Fairly warm afternoon. Felt like 90 degrees to me.

I stayed busy all afternoon long. We had a staff meeting at 3pm. It was originally set up as a conference call, but ended up being a face to face in a conference room, and my first such meeting with my new peers. Half the new team was out on vacation, however.

My new manager lead the meeting, basically sharing news he’d already shared in some fashion. I like the meeting format – open for all to contribute. He’ll be out on vacation again next week. Shared who his back-up will be. A peer made it a point to share that the former manager always let the staff leave early on the day before a holiday. He quickly shared that all were free to go after meeting. Cool!

I headed back to my office and tied up several loose ends. I certainly didn’t want to dash immediately out giving the impression that I didn’t want to be there. I think it was near 430pm when I packed up my gear and headed for home.

It was still sunny and toasty. As I wound my way towards the outer belt, I glanced over the downtown skyline looking for any signs of RWB. There it was, the first tell-tale sign of a downtown event – an airplane banner flying directly over downtown. During my drive home I pondered how every year I think I’ll attend the Boom, but once the day arrives my tune typically changes. Like most years, it came up fast.

I was largely indifferent. If I got home and Mindy and the kids were insistent on going, I would’ve. Mindy, however, sounded fairly adamant when we last discussed it. 

My mom and dad pulled up in front of the house just as I was pulling into the garage. They’d been to Modlich monuments pricing a tombstone for aunt Linda’s grave site. I greeted both after entering the house. Hadn’t seen my mom since Xmas, I think.

Mom shared the tombstone pricing ($850). It was a little more than I expected, but I suppose not too ridiculous. We planned to contribute towards its purchase since all of Linda’s insurance money was taken by her husband’s family.

Bella wasn’t in too good a mood after learning that all her friends were gone elsewhere for the evening. Both kids claimed being bored. Mom & dad made it clear right away that they would be going to dinner separate from us allowing us the opportunity to go to Barley’s as we typically do on Friday’s. We offered that they could simply join us but they declined.  They were heading to Red Lobster.

I think they left around 530pm. We didn’t plan to leave for Barley’s for at least an hour. Before heading out, I watered flowers. I spent time on the computer too. Got an email from the Honda guy sharing their progress. Said they were willing to the deal I proposed but for about $250 more, which was still a very good number. However, said there were only a total of 7 black/black V6 Accord EX-L’s in all of Ohio and that they’d have to try and trade for one by Tuesday to do the deal we discussed, which included dealer cash and .9% financing. Once again, I responded to his email asking that he keep me apprised of their progress in finding me one.

It was after 645pm by the time we left for Barley’s. The parking lot was near capacity but not full. We got a spot in the main lot. Inside, however, there were few if any regulars there. No worries.

Katy was working the bar and quickly made sure I had a beer.  I started with a Centennial, but sampled the new Galaxy hopped Belgian IPA from the firkin. Should be on the tower next week. It was good – better than expected.  Mindy ordered the kids some loaded fries right away and then diner entrees a few minutes later. I decided to skip a dinner entrée. The few loaded fries I ate were plenty to curb my hunger. I commented that my primary reason for being there was for the beer.

Scott and Linda P. showed up just after we ordered food. Kurt (one of the twins) arrived about the same time, too. He invited us to his brother’s July 4^th party on Sunday. Mindy programmed his number and address into her Droid. My 2^nd beer was a Troeg’s Nugget Nectar. It was quite enjoyable. And even though the kids and Mindy preferred that I not, I ordered a 3^rd beer, a Breckenridge 471 IPA. It was good. We had Katy fill a jug with Centennial just before we left. I picked up the tab. Mindy drove us home.

Mom and dad were back at home ahead of us. The entrance hallway stunk to high heaven. Mom quickly commented that the Red Lobster was going right through her. Oh boy! Too much info!

The kids were quick to request we let off some fireworks. Jacob and I brought the large tub of fireworks down even before we left for Barley’s. We headed out on the deck to light sparklers and bottle rockets. Every body headed out, including mom and dad.

We used an empty wine bottle for launching bottle rockets, and then used scrap decking to create a mini launching pad for the numerous small fireworks I had. Included in the repertoire were snakes, bees, helicopters, and M-88s. The kids had a good time with the fireworks.

As darkness approached, the kids asked about seeing RWB. I shared that back in the day I used to watch them from the roof top. I got out the aluminum extension ladder and carried it around to the deck and climbed up. Jacob soon joined. About the same time, mom and dad headed inside to watch them on the TV. Soon Mindy joined Jacob and I up on the roof’s pinnacle. Then, a few minutes later Bella joined us too, although she was scared stiff. I taught all of them how to navigate safely on the roof by doing the spider crawl. I had Mindy and Jacob straddling the peak. We could see most of RWB, but couldn't hear any of the explosions. Funny thing is, this was supposed to be the loudest RWB ever!

I'm only guessing that all the growing trees and perhaps the thick atmosphere were drowning out the percussive sounds. There were other visible firework displays going on  about town too. Like always, it seemed they were over no sooner than they started. At the conclusion we were thankful that we weren’t down there fighting through the crowd.

Dad left shortly after the fireworks ended. We’d see him again Saturday at our family holiday get together. The kids and Mom headed for bed. Mom was staying in the spare room.

Mindy and I weren’t far behind the others. Ladies & gentlemen, this concludes this year’s Red, White & Boom. Please drive safely!