ComFest '13

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was up at 615am and promptly downstairs eager to start my Friday. I prepped coffee then whipped out calisthenics. Was already logged onto my work laptop after finishing my workday from home Thursday. For the next 90 minutes I balanced work and play before heading out on a run. It was cloudy and 67 degrees. It’s rained every day this week and the near term forecast promises more of the same.

I ran 4.1 miles like most other work days. Went without a hitch. Back home around 845am, I poured a 2nd cup of coffee then got busy with work. Mindy and the kids slept pretty late. Jacob had a guest spend the night. They were completely quiet. I don’t think they were up until 1030-11am. The sun came in spurts. Checking out the radar, appears we’re stuck in one of those spinny weather systems with intermittent sun and thunderstorms. I still hoped to cut our lawn at lunch time weather permitting.

Mindy left to run a couple errands and to get a haircut mid to late morning. The kids still weren’t up when she left. She planned to drop off our tax returns to the City taxation department and have a growler filled with Bodhi at CBC. I wasn’t expecting her home for a while.

Work kept me busy through 1pm and a couple brief rain showers. Not sure what time it was when Mindy returned, but not only did she picked up a jug of Bodhi, but she also brought home 20 CBC wings. Finally, with a break in the action at work, I headed out to cut the lawn near 2pm. The grass was a little wet but not wet enough to prevent careful mowing. The sun was in and out of the clouds and it was very humid, so once again, I mowed shirtless. I headed inside after push and tractor mowing close to 3pm. I had a couple more calls I absolutely had to join, including one that didn’t start until 4pm. Jacob’s over- night guest left while I was mowing out front. I wrapped up my work week somewhere close to 530pm. I headed out to finish the yard work, including trimming, edging and blowing. That took until almost 6pm.

I headed inside for a shower, but not before checking the radar. We planned to visit Comfest. I wanted to make sure we weren’t walking into a severe thunderstorm. The potential was there but nothing imminent. We left the house with the kids near 630pm. Neither kid was particularly fond of heading to Comfest, but assured them a cultural experience. I told the kids I’d give them a dollar for every B they spotted.

Parking near Comfest requires patience. Sure enough, after patrolling numerous nearby streets we finally got a spot someone was vacation right behind the Thurber Giant Eagle. Not bad! Jacob began bellyaching as soon as we pierced the entrance gate. And of course Jacob’s negative outlook and attitude eventually poured over to Bella. I was a little surprised with Jacob’s social intolerance. He asked to leave several times. We largely ignored his complaints.

I bought four beer tokens initially, but had to exchange them for three microbrew tokens. It wasn’t until redemption time that I realized there were different tokens for beer types. I opted for CBC Pale ale. Mindy opted for wine but didn’t care for it at all. She eventually went for a CBC Pale ale, too. We cruised the street fair section the kids still complaining almost constantly. I heard someone call my name. She soon approached and asked if I was Jimmy. It was a young blonde girl with big sun glasses. Yes. Who are you? It was LeAnn Chillcote, my good friend Dennis Chillcote’s oldest daughter. She was there with her husband as well as another couple. Cute! Works as a dental hygienist. I introduced Mindy and the kids. She went on and on about how I still look the same as I did so many years ago. Thanks for the compliment! Said her mom was volunteering at a booth off of Goodale somewhere. Dennis didn’t come but she thought he might like it.

Once we got a little fair food in the kids their behavior improved slightly. Still whined about wanting to leave. They both earned a handful of cash for spotting Bs.  They kept their distance when Mindy and I ducked into a small stage to watch a band perform. We saw two songs performed by Bella Ruse.

As the sun began to set in the west, we wound our way through the middle of the park. I talked Mindy into visiting the volunteer booth to try and buy a t-shirt. Can only get the official t-shirts by volunteering. She returned empty handed but did get directions to a booth supposedly selling commemorative shirts, though not with the official Comfest 2013 logo.

We found the booth, and I bought a shirt for $10. What the heck. A bit earlier in our visit, Mindy bought some jewelry from a place called Twisted Tines. They use old silverware to make bracelets. They have a brick and mortar presence in Yellow Springs.

We headed across the street to the Fresh Water house to pay a brief visit to Tom & Brett, who are friends of Craig & Jeff. We stayed only long enough to say hello and goodbye. The kids, especially Jacob, were chomping at the bit to head home. We stopped at a vendor booth just outside the main park where Bella redeemed her cash winnings for a $20 LED lighted hoola-hoop. I joked about stopping at Barley’s on the way home. My ill-timed overture was met with a resounding no! We headed for home. 

At home, I enjoyed a third beer while Mindy headed to bed within 20 minutes of our return. Bella and I stayed up. Actually, Bella was still up when I headed for bed at 1030pm.