Driving a Rental

I hoped after more than 10 hours of sleep that I would wake early and completely energized. That unfortunately wasn’t the case. Instead, I woke near 530am groggy and tired, convincing myself that another 30 minutes of sleep was what was in my best interests. But then over the next 30 minutes I must’ve woken at least three times to check the clock. Each time I closed my eyes for just a little more precious sleep. In the end, I wasn’t out of bed until 615am.

I wasn’t too worried about it. I’d be working across town at a customer’s location and didn’t have any meetings scheduled until an 11:30am conference call. I figured I could easily be on site by 930am.
I headed downstairs where I started some coffee then completed Tuesday calisthenics, which includes curls in lieu of push-ups. Knocked out exercise in short order, and by then the grogginess had faded.

Coffee was delicious and just what the doctor ordered. Enjoyed coffee and internet for more than 30 minutes. Stretching and meditation were up next. Knocked both of those out in all of about 15 minutes. Dressed for a run next, which was the maiden voyage for my brand new running shoes. And just as I do with all new running shoes, I tied them a bit looser than usual to help aid the break-in process. I was out the door somewhere close to 730am. It was a few degrees warmer than the morning before and the sky a bit clearer. Quite comfortable, really.

What a difference new running shoes makes. The cushioning was like medicine for my feet. I ran at least a month longer than perhaps I should have on my old pair. And while the look fine on the outside, the sole is beaten down and there are even holes in the soles. In fact, they were to a point where they were sucking water. I tend to do that time after time. I ran the full 4.1 miles getting back to the house near 810am.

Like most work days this summer, I immediately began preparing breakfast and packing lunch. Enjoyed a fresh peach with my breakfast. We don’t but them too often. It was very good – sweet & juicy! Headed up for a shower also taking a cup of coffee along for Mindy. Was showered and dressed by just before 9am. Mindy got out of bed and joined me downstairs. Agreed to walk the pug with me. She reminded me that Tuesday would be a date night. Jimaken coming to get the kids after work. She planned on taking Jacob to Saturday’s for a haircut after the Orkin guy shows up.

It was a pleasant morning for a walk with the pug. We walked to the west. Eiknarf pooped twice. Before leaving the house in the Nissan Altima for the first time, I made sure that I knew where the gas tank door was. It came with just a ¼ tank. I left for work near 920am stopping for gas at the nearby Circle K. Put only $15 in the tank since we only need to return it with a ¼ tank. Drove across town to New Albany arriving near 955am.

Quickly settled into my Tuesday cube in a campus building different from the one I work in on Wednesday’s. Stayed busy with several tasks leading up to our 1130am call. The call went well. Lasted no more than 15 minutes. Stayed busy this time until out 1pm meeting upstairs in a conference room. That meeting lasted the entire hour and was very beneficial.

While others headed to lunch, I headed back to my cube and back to work. Much earlier, Mindy sent a text letting me know that the Orkin guy was at the house. She sent another letting me know that they were at Saturday’s. I stayed busy until just after 5pm. I could only remember the general vicinity of where I parked. Plus, I didn’t have the benefit of knowing in great detail what my rental car looks like. I simply haven’t paid too much attention to it. Turned out, I found it with little trouble.

With no handsfree Bluetooth on board, I didn’t’ bother calling Mindy on the drive home. Decided to be a risk taker and took 670W. The few times I taken that path home, I’ve made excellent time crossing town until I hit the 670/70 merge. The slowdown struck early, but unlike the last two times, traffic never slowed to the crawl I expected. Was home by 535pm. The drive left me feeling extra sleepy.

The kids were already off with Jimaken. Mindy was in a good mood sharing how their day unfolded. They lunched at Sonic in Grove City. The kids hadn’t eaten there before. Mindy, I think, only one other time. Sadly, she didn’t give it high marks. Said they were all disappointed with the quality. Figures!

Speaking of food, Mindy & I planned to do happy hour at CBC. I hadn’t been there for a while, though Mindy was there with her teacher pals last Thursday. We both freshened up then left for CBC driving the Pilot. Arrived near 6pm.

The bar was full, the restaurant seating almost empty. We stood around the bar sipping our first beers, me a Bodhi and Mindy their newest, a Beerfest. I tasted it. Very malty. Tastes a lot like their Octoberfest, which I am certain will be on the taps soon.

We stood for at least 15 minutes, which I didn’t mind at all after sitting all day. Soon a couple stools freed up near where we stood. We took ‘em. Mindful of the work day ahead of me Wednesday, I was happy having just the one beer, not to mention beer simply not tasting as good as it should. I kept it to just the one while Mindy eventually invited in another, this time a Bodhi. I was extra hungry, though, and couldn’t wait to order some food. Someone near us ordered wings. The smell was over the top. I ordered some of my own. Mindy went with the walleye dinner. Even though I ordered ice water rather than a 2nd beer, Kate slipped two samples my way, the Beerfest and Ingenuity. The Ingenuity tastes an awful lot like North High Brewing’s ales.

We stuck around CBC until 8pm or so. I picked up the tab and left Kate a nice tip. I drove home too. Mindy shared that after two beers, there wasn’t any way she could drive. Light weight!

Arrived home expecting that the kids might be there waiting. That wasn’t the case. In fact, they weren’t home until somewhere closer to 9pm. By then, I had gone horizontal on the living room floor flat on my back while Mindy played on Facebook via her phone in one of our new recliners. I fell asleep easily and didn’t wake until the kids came in. The first thing out of Bella’s mouth was that they met Molly, their dad’s new girlfriend. Jacob predictably asked about CBC leftovers.

I woke feeling refreshed and perhaps even a little hungry again. I ate only 7 of my wings earlier. While playing on my PC, Mindy declared it her bedtime and headed upstairs. It was only 930pm. I stayed up enjoying a few handfuls of Life cereal while playing around online. I joined Mindy & Bella in our bed right at 10pm. They were watching Big Bang. I fell asleep less than 10 minutes later.