What the Mind Expects, It Finds

The Power of Staying Positive.      Good, sound advice ...
http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2011/28980.html

I slept really well, and didn’t even try to get up at my usual 530am rise time. Instead, I figured I would sleep in until at least 630am, and that’s exactly what I did. I was still a tad tired but didn’t want to be too far behind schedule, either. I headed downstairs and started my exercise routine. The headache I carried with me pretty much all day Wednesday was completely gone, and so was that knot in my back.

Mindy was kind enough to prep coffee since I worked so late the night before. All I had to do was hit the go button on the maker thingy. After sit-ups, push-ups, and a little online time, I poured a cup of coffee. It was so delicious. I read the Daily OM and for the first time in quite a while was inspired with the topic, Words to Live By".

It was in the mid 70s again and clear. Of course the sun was much further along in its ascent relative to where I stood with my morning routine. It was 7am when I started meditation and stretching.

I planned to send my boss an email letting him know that I would be in around 930am, but thought I’d wait until I had a much better idea what time I might arrive. I left for my run around 730am.

I ran the full 4.1 miles and felt good doing it. I rehashed in my mind all the praise I received the day before but then turned my attention to Thursday’s presentation. That’s right, I’d be doing another presentation at the customer’s location, only this time in front of a much larger group, but doing it as a team this time. Still, I might’ve been a little more nervous about this one since I’d presenting to folks I hadn’t yet met. I planned to rehearse the few slides I’d be presenting once I got into the office.

The run went well. I was back at home just a little after 8am. I quickly went about packing my lunch and making my breakfast. I made another spinach and cheese omelet. This one turned out real nice.

 I headed upstairs with coffee for Mindy. This time she was already awake when I opened the door. After a shave and a shower I dressed exceptionally nice in black dress slacks and a new light purple santeen dress shirt. I looked really good in that color!

Mindy was already downstairs sitting in front of her laptop. She asked if I cared to head out on the deck for coffee. I rejected the notion not wanting to risk working up a sweat in my sporty new shirt. I was ready to head into the office by 9am and left shortly thereafter.

I arrived at work around 915am and got myself situated pretty quickly. Something seemed strange with my email account. Hadn’t received anything since 530am. Suddenly I remembered that this was my migration day. Uh-oh! I knew it was scheduled but I wasn’t fully prepared for the impact. I found myself scrambling to get my Outlook account converted and then my pst folders moved in a hurry. I needed to convert my blackberry too. Oh boy! Just the day before I had backed up all my personal folders (smart).

I did good by getting my Outlook converted on my laptop before I needed to bolt for my customer’s location. I was reviewing the blackberry conversion process when my boss stopped in to see if I was ready and if I wanted to ride with him. Good thing I didn’t start the blackberry conversion right then. The only problem with that was, I wouldn’t receive any new emails. But at least the calendar, contacts, and phone were still good.

We stopped at a Wendy’s near the customer’s location. We ate inside.  I had a double stack and fresh squeezed lemonade. Good stuff.

We arrived at the customer location about a minute behind schedule. Today’s meeting was in a much larger, nicer building. We walked into a meeting room already near capacity. I took a seat by the acct exec. After a brief intro and then a few kudos from a couple of their execs for sticking around the night before, we started the presentation. My piece wasn’t until slides 13-16, but it went pretty fast. I went through a couple stages of nervousness while waiting my turn. I hate sitting, stewing on it. I’ve found over the years that I’m far better off going first when given the chance thus avoiding swimming in panic. J

When it came my time I did just fine presenting my 4 slides with confidence yet with a humble, ready to serve demeanor. Was over like that. I felt great when it was all said and done. Afterward the presentation was completely over, I asked to be introduced to some of the key players, including a couple that I was on a conference call with the night before.  We had to go find one of them.

We hung out talking with some of those folks for about 20-30 minutes tops. Before my boss and I left we got caught up in one heck of an all-employee ‘meeting’ taking place. Let’s just say it’s the type of meeting almost any guy would love. We watched for a couple minutes but then departed for our own office. It was hot outside – about 93 degrees.

We got back to the office around 230pm, and much sooner than planned. I was able to finish my email conversion on my blackberry and then a handful of other important, yet non-pressing matters. I talked with Mindy at some point. During our brief conversation we made plans to visit Barley’s since it was date night. We tossed around Milestone 229 but both agreed that it was too hot to sit outside – again 93 degrees. Mindy also shared the estimate she got that afternoon to have the small dent fixed on the Pilot. Despite its small size, and because the paint cracked, it’ll require real body work. They want $521. I wasn’t too surprised, though I think Mindy was. By the way, the dent was caused by her backing into our trash can last winter on a snowy day. So much for having the back-up camera. At least she could watch. :)

I left the office for home at 525pm and arrived about 20 minutes later. The house was quiet and picked up, and Mindy was all spruced up in a sundress. I decided not to change but brushed my teeth before we headed out. We took the Accord and left for Barley’s right away. Mindy shared her frustration with Lindsey for calling her about taking the kids to the zoo, almost like it's an expectation – things Lindsey should be doing for her kids. That’s Lindsey, though. She’s more like a needy teenager than a mommy.

There in no time. I debated where to park but ended up in the front row of the main lot. There was plenty of room between cars so not to bump doors. There wasn’t two stools side by side when we first arrived, but a couple pointed out that they were just about to leave and offered us their seats within five minutes. By then Janet had already served us our favorite beers, me a Centennial, which was just recently back on the tower, and a nitro Pint-of-Joe for Mindy.

Not a lot of regulars at first, but the twins, Kurt and Kent eventually arrived and took a booth near the bar. One of them had their son with them. Pretty quickly, we ordered food. I ordered the smoked reuben special, and Mindy ordered the pita & hummus platter.

The reuben was perhaps the best ever. Absolutely scrumptious. I eventually ordered a 2^nd beer, only this time a Belgian IPA. Love that stuff. Mindy abstained from having another since she figured to be driving. She got the check too. We visited some with Calvin, who came in when we were about half way through our meal. We left for home around 740pm to make sure we would beat the kids home. Mindy ordered gates of hell wings to-go for Jacob. They were ready quickly.

Mindy drove home. We weren’t home long before Mindy asked if we could walk Eiknarf together. The kids weren’t yet back from dinner with dad. We walked down towards Kenny & Chrissy’s. We stopped to chat. They were both out washing their cars. Soon neighbor Teri stopped down as well. Then, Jason,  a guy I’ve seen walking his dog numerous times but had never formally met, stopped by with his new Doberman pincher, Deacon. Said his old dog, Scout, passed away. He stuck around for a while. Nice guy.

Kids spotted us as soon as they pulled up with Jimaken and came running down to hang out with us. Eventually the kids all ran off together. Must’ve talked for about 45 minutes. Mindy eventually went after one of her Stouts in the garage fridge. I wanted only water since Friday would be another work day.

Headed home just before 9pm. In fact, it was 855pm. I remember Mindy informing the kids of the time and that they needed to be in by 9pm for showers. They gave a little push back but that went no where.  She wanted well rested kids for the morning since they were getting up fairly early to go have breakfast with my dad, and then going water skiing again with Tara and Doug. What a life, huh?

While the kids showered, I updated my blog for Tuesday. Didn’t take too long. Jacob enjoyed his gates of hell wings before bed. Speaking of bed, we all headed to bed at roughly the same time – 930pm. Good night to all the new dogs in the neighborhood.