Runnin' in Green & Black

Just as we were getting into bed, Mindy shared that the power flickered earlier in the evening. The end result being a flashing bedroom clock. Crap! I was tired and comfy so that frustrated me. I had no choice but to get back up and reset my bedroom clock. Mindful of my quirkiness, I was certain that I reset it 2 hours and 10 minutes fast.

Well, come Thursday morning Mindy woke me telling me that it was 540am. At first, I wanted to debate/argue that it was really 330am, but I knew that Mindy was using her own clock. I decided I’d better get up and get moving. I could smell the coffee brewing, another sure sign that it was indeed time to get up. I brushed my teeth, grabbed my running clothes, and headed downstairs.

I quickly worked through sit-ups and push-ups then poured some coffee and sat down at the PC. There I checked a few emails, websites, and the weather. It was a balmy 67 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. No immediate threat of rain, however.

Quickly, I prepped and delivered Mindy’s coffee. I headed back downstairs where I meditated and stretched. I was ready for my run by 640am donning for the first time my brand new running shoes. I wore a short sleeved wicking shirt, which was just a tad overbearing, especially once I was well into the run. I worked up one heck of a sweat, but it is still summer. The new running shoes were very comfortable. Like medicine for the feet. I really taken a liking to Asics. They’re perfect for me.

I ran the full 4.1 mile track and was back home near 715am. I took a few minutes to water the grass between the walk and street. Still showing signs of stress. I headed inside where Mindy had my breakfast ready and waiting. Just before Mindy left for school, I let her know that I had a sales branch meeting in the late afternoon and then a social hour planned at Digger & Finch afterwards. I felt obligated to at least make a showing. However, I still planned to meet her at Bella’s 3^rd grade open house come 6pm.

I gave Eiknarf what was left of Tuesday’s scrambled eggs that I've kept refrigerated for two days. I then headed off to the shower during which Bella and Jacob, I later learned, were playing some sort of football in their bedrooms - think noisy.

It was just after 8am by the time I made it downstairs. Not sure where all the time went. Perhaps lost seeking out and replacing the batteries in my beard trimmer. It wasn’t long before the kids and I headed out. We wouldn’t be meeting Chrissy and the girls there. She was taking Jake & Lillian to the orthodontist early. She told Mindy to let me know.

By bus time, the early morning clouds had moved out completely. Nothing but beautiful blue skies overhead, just like one might expect in early September. In turn, I planned to drive the BM’er. I asked Bella to take hold of Eiknarf while I moved the Accord out of the BM’ers path and parked along the street. As soon as the kids were off on the bus I headed back home and gathered my gear for work and left for the office at roughly 821am.

It was already warm, but expected to get much warmer as the day wore on -  mid 90's.

Arrived at the office around 835am and was quickly settled in. Early on my boss stopped by to say hello and tell me how good a job I did the day before with my presentation. That was nice to hear.

I spent most of the morning pulling August data for September reports. Felt good to get an early jump on things.  I was able to do it because there were very few urgent emergency issues to contend with. The one that came up I dealt with promptly. I took a few minutes near 1pm to eat my packed lunch but didn’t go anywhere. The branch meeting was slated to begin at 330pm. I wasn't entirely sure how long that would last but got a sense that it wouldn’t go too long. The sentiment I gathered from the hallways was that the team was more eager to go for drinks and appetizers afterwards.

I headed down to the meeting near 325pm, my first such meeting with the entire sales branch. I know a majority of the folks but there were still a handful I’d only seen around. This is a far different crowd than my old work peeps. The meeting consisted of some relative stats and lots of props for the contributing sales folks. I wasn’t expecting it, but my boss had me stand and enjoy a little praise for doing such a good job in my first two months. That was nice!

The meeting concluded by 410pm. We were free to head directly to Digger & Finch. I had a few loose ends to tie up back in my office. I’m thinking that it was near 430 when I headed out. I called Mindy just to remind her of my intentions and that I still planned to make the open house.

It was a warm but nice drive up Riverside Dr to Digger & Finch. I thought I might be the first one there but that wasn’t the case. About 6 others. I worked my way around the bar to the peeps and eventually ordered a Great Lakes Burning River draft. I noticed this big guy sitting at a nearby table. He looked familiar but couldn’t quite put my finger on how/why or from where. I let it go and instead spent time socializing with my new team. On the side, I asked the senior sales manager to clarify what some of the abbreviations meant in the his presentation. He happily clarified.

We eventually made our way to the patio where the servers brought a giant tray of veggies and several baskets of varied appetizers. I only partook in the assorted veggies – mostly baby carrots and celery.  Again, I made it a point to talk to people whom I wouldn’t normally, which I think is the whole idea. Was nice to bond. As I expected it might, time was moving fast. My drop dead time to fly was 540p – originally 530pm. My boss got their late, or about 525pm. I knew I wanted to be there when he arrived.

He joined us out on the patio and said he’d been inside for a handful of minutes talking with an old pal, Jim Karsatos, former OSU quarterback. Instantly I remembered that was guy I spotted sitting off to the side at a table. Now 540pm, after a little more chit-chat I begged out sharing that I needed to head off to a school function. A couple others did the same thing.

Because I was in the BM’er and my phone stowed in the trunk, I didn’t bother calling Mindy during my drive. I made better time than I expected arriving at Bella’s school by 605pm. I got a premo parking spot, and the last one in the main lot. Someone must’ve just left.

I headed in where I greeted Mindy already sitting in the gymnasium listening to the opening spiel about the upcoming school levy. I wasn’t too pleased about it, feeling like a sucker listening to a sales pitch. That's not why I came. But, from their perspective, they had a captive audience, why not take advantage?  Soon they moved beyond the levy sales pitch and on to the 3^rd grade presentation. Each of the four  3^rd grade teachers going over a piece.

They were well organized and quick. After the general presentation we were released to our child’s individual classroom where we would meet and talk with the teacher, in our case, Mrs Anderson. Jacob had her two years ago, so we know her fairly well. She seems like a good teacher, and Mindy really likes her.

As everyone was gathering, Mrs Anderson talked to Mindy and I specifically about Bella and then sharing a funny story. Seems they were reading a story that involved a law suit. And when Mrs Anderson asked the students if anyone knew what a law suit was, Bella quickly raised her hand to share her insight. Bella went on to tell the class that her daddy is a lawyer and that he wears a law suit to work everyday. Too cute!

The meeting lasted longer than it needed to, but it still went fast enough. We left for home around 7pm. I offered that Bella could ride in the BM’er with me, but she declined thinking there a far better chance that Mindy would make a stop at McDonald’s. Mindy pressed me for a dining out option, even suggesting the Big Fat. But I wasn’t really hungry and declined.  I wanted to go home.

I headed straight home expecting Mindy & Bella to stop somewhere along the way for food.  Jacob, by the way, was at Thursday soccer practice. I was home in a hurry. I quickly sorted my back pack and put my dirty lunch containers in the dishwasher. Mindy and Bella were home before too long. They had no food in tow. I was a little surprised. Bella wasn't too thrilled about it, either. We ended up having hot dogs. Well, Mindy and I actually had Johnsonville turkey brats. I microwaved some Hormel chili to top mine. I made two but ate only one. I was full.

In the back of my mind was NFL preseason football, this already being the last week.. Regular season begins next Sunday on my birthday. Wahoo! All but one remaining preseason game would be played Thursday night. And I was hopeful that the Vikings game might be on TV. I searched the on screen program guide only to be disappointed. There were two games on - Bengals vs. Colts and Browns vs Bears. I started watching the Bengals versus the Colts until Jacob got home. He wanted to watch the Browns, his favorite team. I honored his request, not having much vested in either team. We bounced back and forth during TV time outs.

I eventually went to my PC to pull up NFL updates on Yahoo sports. The Vikings were holding at 0-0 against the Texans after 1 quarter, which would be the last time I checked the score.

While the kids showered, Mindy and I tuned once again to Rising, on the Discovery Channel. This episode focused on the new transportation hub being built underneath the new WTC. And let me just say, nothing short of amazing, both in the design and the construction. I can't wait until it's fully completed in 2014. They're likening it to what a marvel Grand Central Terminal was in its heyday, only now in the 21st century.

After the show, Mindy peeled off to bed. I wasn't far behind. It was 10pm and I was feeling really sleepy. I needed a good night of sleep. I checked the kids on my way to our room. Both were out cold. Rare for Bella.