Hard Headed NFL Execs

Was up and out of bed around 540am. I know it might sound a little silly but I was proud of myself for getting out of bed at my preferred rise time. The house was chilly. Downstairs, I slipped into my exercise shoes then onto the deck. Nothing but clear skies over head with oodles of stars glimmering overhead. I didn’t stay out long. Back inside for exercise.

At 555am I headed to my PC with a hot cup of coffee. Just as I do any other morning, I considered the day’s agenda. Anymore I need to remember where and what office I’ll be working from: main, customer, or home. And while Tuesday’s are generally reserved for a customer day, this time I’d be working at the main office so I could partake in Customer Service Week festivities.

I played around online until 620am. I read a few article about the Vikings recent signing of Josh Freeman, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently disposed QB. Verdict’s out on whether it was a sound move and then what that means for Ponder. Delivered Mindy’s coffee minutes later. She asked that I crank up the heat a notch or two. Downstairs I bumped the thermostat up to 70. It was set on 68 for the overnight. We spent all the money on a nice programmable thermostat and her I am doing it manually. 

Moved on to meditation and stretching. Again, wanting to get out the door for a run before 650am, which is the latest I can leave and still get back before Mindy leaves. I did good. Was out the door for a run around 745am. Jacob and his peeps were anywhere to be seen as I finished my warm-up lap. Ran the full 4.1 miles. It was chilly, about 45 degrees, but I was comfortable in my autumn running attire. Still not frost or a freeze on the horizon. Not uncommon, though. We’ve gone through November without a killing frost before. But I’ll take cold far any day ahead of 40s/50s and rain.

Finished my run strong. Body’s feeling really good, and for that I consider myself blessed. Mindy’s Pilot was warming in the driveway. The pugs leash was just inside the door. I confirmed no one had walked her. They hadn’t. She came running when she heard me. Eiknarf and I headed out just as Mindy was about to back out. 8 minutes later the pug and I were back inside. All I have to do is say the word “eggs” and she turns for home in a hurry. 

My eggs were waiting in the microwave. The pug’s were waiting in the frying pan. I asked Bella to fill her bowl with chow first. She did, but put in way too much. Rather than dump any out, I simply topped the bowl with scrambled eggs. There was a bowl of fresh strawberries at my place setting too. I ate them all.

Already 742am, I didn’t plan to shower until after bus time. I used the time to pack a lunch. Bella came downstairs with her hair still a mess, but told me she’d be grooming on the bus or later on at school. Uh -no! Do it here, I said. She complied. I took a glance at her teeth too. Didn’t appear brushed, but when asked she said they were. I let her slide on her word alone. Not doing the sniff test. She and I headed out at 755am.

Beautiful morning. I took my camera along hoping to snap a couple photos of the changing leaves. There was a kid’s bike left behind at the corner. Wasn’t sure whose it was or if I should move it to our driveway. I didn’t want it to be stolen. I opted to leave it there. The bus showed up around 805am. As the morning’s get cooler, we may move our departure time to 8am sharp.

Back home, I didn’t waste much time at all before heading off to the shower. Was actually downstairs again ready to go by 827am. I was in a cranky mood just like a lot of mornings of late. Decided to drive the BM’er so to improve the mood a bit. It was the perfect day, really. OK, it was a little cool, but nothing that a warm fleece jacket couldn’t overcome. The idea worked like a charm. Fun drive into the office and by the time I arrived my mood was way better.

The hallways were quiet. I quickly got myself settled, logged on and busy. Immersed myself in work in short order. Had a lot I wanted to accomplish. Stayed focused for the first few hours until a friend popped in. It was buddy Chris, who was eager to share details surrounding the Mt Bachelor trip he and his friends booked for mid-March. He loves Bends and Bachelor! He asked if I bought those new skis yet. Nope, not yet. While we talked, my boss poked his head in and shared that the pizza was in and that they were waiting for me in the conference room. I headed that way.

There were 7 of us. We spent about an hour together enjoying pizza and one another’s company. We broke it off just before 1pm. Me and another needed to join a recurring 1pm call. The call was fast and easier than usual. Stayed busy through the midafternoon. Joined our weekly team call at 415pm. That call rarely lasts more than 15 minutes. Always efficient.

Wrapped up my day around 510pm then headed for home. Almost forgot I’d driven the BM’er. Like the morning drive in, that always elevates my mood. I called Mindy just before pulling off, confirming that she still needed me to stop and pick-up Bella’s prescription. She did. I didn’t hang on the cell long at all. Don’t like to drive and talk in the BM’er – standard shift an all.

Stopped at CVS and headed inside. I was shocked that the co-pay was $50. Yikes! The BM’er was low on gas. Headed across the street to the Mill Run Shell for a fill-up, and unless I’m mistaken, the first fill-up all year. Maybe put 200 miles on it so far this year.

In lieu of 270, decided to take Old Dublin Rd home. More often than not, that’s a much more pleasant drive, especially now that they’ve repaved Old Dublin between Scioto Darby and Trabue. Fun drive, just as I expected. Arrived home just before Mindy and Bella were preparing to leave for gymnastics.

I could see right away what Mindy had been working on. Most of our fall decoration were out. I often joke that from Oct 1 – Jan 7 our house is decorated for one holiday or another. Ski season cant’ be far off now! Jacob was at soccer, so I had the house all to myself. I played on my computer but then made the mistake of checking work email. Dang it! Felt obligated to address and escalation after hours. Worked on that for a while and then did some blogging. Exchanged a couple emails with David, too.

Mindy was home near 615pm and offered to heat me up some dinner. We had lots of leftover options including rotisserie chicken, tortellini, and sub. I declined citing that I would wait and eat after picking up Bella. Mindy left for a walk/run around 7pm. I left to fetch the peanut 10 minutes later. I set the security system just as Mindy suggested.

Arrived at the gym a few minutes early. Got to see Bella make more than a few passes on the double-mini, I guess she does the trampoline and the floor early now. Headed for home. I was more than a little surprised that she didn’t even ask me to stop for fast food. I didn’t want to anyhow, though I was getting a little hungry. Got home just as Mindy was walking up from her run/walk. Jacob, meanwhile, was already home from soccer practice and sitting at the island counter as if he was waiting on food. Too funny! Said he was hoping I’d bring home fast food. Nope, not tonight.

I suggested he tear into the leftover Michael Angelo sub. Apparently he liked the idea. I no sooner turned around and he was woofing it down. I ended up using rotisserie chicken to put together a wrap with lettuce and cheese. Yum! That proved plenty. I played around online a while longer but then grabbed my Kindle and headed to the family room to do some reading. I need to spend a little more time on the functionality of the Kindle Fire as a reader. Found I had several pages bookmarked. Reread several pages before I realized I’d already read that stuff. We left How It’s Made whirl with the volume muted. I took several breaks from reading to watch how the make aluminum baseballs bats, stained glass, and boat props. Cool stuff!

My plan all along was to catch a PBS documentary on NFL head trauma. I didn’t think it started until 9pm but once I joined I got the impression that it had been whirling for a while. Gripping documentary. Very sad. Like a lot of Americans, I love football, but watching this made me consider if I should. The terrible consequences many players are subjecting themselves too is – pardon the pun – mind numbing! And what might’ve been most eye opening is the fact that simply the repeated casual jarrings - not the super hits – are just as dangerous. The program went until 11pm. I watched it all. And if one takes it on face value, the NFL has been working hard to cover up any knowledge of linked damage for two decades. Congress likened their handling of concussions to that of the tobacco industry. It was that jab that helped get at least some action on behalf of the NFL figure heads.