I was both excited and happy to see stars over head for the first time since the week before. There were still plenty of scattered clouds, too, though. Feeling good about the weather I went about completing calisthenics before getting online and checking weather and the final score of the Thursday night NFL opener. It was chilly, only 57 degrees. The Packer won the NFL opener 42-34 with a goal line stop as time expired. I figured it would be nip and tuck by game's end.
After push-ups I enjoyed coffee at the PC until 600am. That's when I headed to the family room for meditation. Spent about 10 minutes doing that, and had to constantly stop my mind from wandering, heading down what-if wormholes. It was a challenge but still fruitful.
Delivered Mindy's coffee next. Must've been about 615am when I got back downstairs. I stretched really well, and for the second day in a row my back, neck and shoulders felt really good and loose. I took three Advil before bed. I am sure that played a large role in the pain free morning.
Headed out for my run around just before 630am. I wore a winter weight wicking shirt and long running pants. Warmth-wise, the choice was ideal. I could've done without the mock, though. I ran the full 4.1 miles and felt good and finished strong. Mindy would be taking the Accord since the Pilot was in the shop. I squeegeed the moisture off all the windows before heading in for breakfast. I'd be driving the BM'er.
Mindy was busy frying my eggs and packing her own lunch. Jacob was slow t motivate. Seemed to be grunting, mumbling instead of talking. That irritated Mindy. She asked him to walk Eiknarf, something neither kids did Wednesday or Thursday. He eventually did as he was asked, but only after she insisted. Mindy shared that she had to establish specific roles while I was in NYC. Jacob walks her every morning and Bella as soon as she gets home from school. Jacob does it again before bedtime.
My eggs were good. I woofed them down in a hurry. Eiknarf was watching carefully, hoping for my leftovers. Unfortunately, there were none. But not to worry. I fried one specifically for her just before heading up for a shower.
I was very efficient with my time, back downstairs by 750am. I played some iTunes music while doing a little surfing. Before heading out to the bus stop, I pulled the battery from my camera and placed it in the charger. The kids and I headed out at 810am. The sky was mostly cloudy, but the clouds were thin and scattered. Could see the sun shining behind them. There was a bit of blue visible as well. I was encouraged.
The bus pulled up at 815am on the nose. Chrissy and I chatted only briefly before heading our separate ways. I walked Eiknarf out front of the house for a minute or two but she didn't go. We headed inside where I started the dishwasher then headed to the garage and to the BM'er. It was 824am as I backed out of the driveway.
It was a enjoyable drive in. My mood was much improved, no doubt a byproduct of the weather. Parked in the visitor lot up front. And with the threat of scattered showers still a possibility, I put the top up before heading inside.
While stowing my lunch and then heading to fill my water pitcher, I came across my boss and a peer having a hallway meeting. They pulled me into the discussion. I stopped and chatted with the two of them for about ten minutes. Headed to fill my water pitcher then made my way back to my office.
Spent at least 1/2 my day learning how to use a new reporting tool, reading the associated doco, and then actually running some adhoc reports. I also got a reply from some folks in the UK I reached out to way back in early July about yet another homespun reporting tool that my boss asked me to take the lead on learning. The owner of the tool and I agreed to meet via conference call next Monday to review its use. Cool!
Got an email that my third and last NYC expense report was fully approved. I say last, but I also saw that a late receipt just came in for the laundry service I used. I'll either need to complete yet another expense report or simply eat the cost and pay it myself. It's about $19. I should complete yet another expense report. $19 is, well, $19.
Once again, I did a working lunch. A couple times I went to a window to glance out at the weather. Each time, it was mostly cloudy. No rain, however. Mindy and I exchanged texts around noon. Honda called. The problem is the left front wheel bearing. They need to order the part and it won't be in until Monday at the earliest. The plan was for me to leave work a little early and then take Mindy to get it. We'd then take it back once the part's in. Said it won't hurt it to be driven. I suggested they replace both.
Mindy called about the time I was leaving work to share that her friend Kerianne was at Tuttle Mall and was going to stop by and take her to get the Pilot. It would pretty much be on her way home, anyway. Cool. And as it turned out, I was home before Keri arrived, but not for long. Mindy soon left with Keri.
Jacob already gone with his dad, but Bella was still at home and was going to Emily's roller skating birthday party. Jimaken planned to pick her up there after. Bella headed down to Makayla's. I worked on my blog. Mindy was home after a short while. She immediately changed for a night out at Barleys.
I didn't plan to change clothes, opting to wear what I had on. Mindy invited many to join us celebrating my birthday, but didn't know for sure who would or wouldn't make it. However, many responded that they had other plans. We also had reservations for Saturday evening at the new Shadowbox Theatre in the Brewery District.
Mindy and I left for Barley’s around 700pm and arrived a short time later. We got the first parking spot in the lot. We backed in for a fast and easy exit later. Immediately in the door folks wished me a happy 40th birthday. Thank you!
I ordered an Indie Pale Ale, which isn’t quite as good as their Centennial but still pretty flavorful and perhaps a tad more bitter. It wasn’t long before Steve Wonn showed up, and as he often does, he brought me a beer gift, a Southern Tier Pumpkin Ale, which is one of the better one’s out there.
As the evening moved along more of our peeps showed up to help celebrate my birthday. Doug H. showed up even though Mindy didn’t think he could make it. And then, I hadn’t seen Jeff Garren since last winter at MRM. He showed up around 8pm. Later, Jennifer Criquie, one of Mindy’s teacher pals, arrived as did Bob & Mary Ann, Tom Clark, nephew Joe and Chris, and brother Tommy. A bit later Grandpa Tom and Steve made an appearance. Hadn’t seen those two for a long while. Also making late appearances was Thad and Monica, Josh Tulley, without a beard J, and Rick C.
By the way, Katy sang me the happy birthday song, a rendition much like Marylyn Monroe sang it to Jack Kennedy. Very cute! I had a super good time. Little Rick left early but bought me a shot of Jamieson Irish whisky just before he left. I appreciated the gesture but didn’t plan to drink it or any shots for that matter. Didn’t want to screw up my Saturday. That wouldn’t be pretty. I gave it to another to enjoy, but can’t recall who.
As usual, we had a super good time hanging with all of our friends. And to all my friends out there, thanks for making the evening fun and special.
All totaled, I drank 5 beers that night. And I think it's fair to say that I would’ve been smarter to stop after # 4, but, hey, I was having fun. Mindy drove us home and I’m thinking we got there around 1145pm. We took Eiknarf out for a quick walk. It was nice evening. Mindy and I were soon off to bed. Good night moon!
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