Walt the Balloonist

I slept in until 6am, just moments before Mindy's alarm blared. Not sure how she can stand that thing. I brushed my teeth then slipped out of the room and downstairs. Coffee was already finished brewing. I slipped into my exercise shoes then out on the deck to scope out the day's weather. Cloudy but also warmer than I expected. After calisthenics that included push-ups, I headed to the PC with coffee. Surprised to learn that it was a balmy 63 degrees. It wasn't expected to get any warmer through the day. however. The high was actually during the overnight.

I played on the PC until 620am then headed back upstairs to wake Mindy. She asked that I turn-off the window fan on my way downstairs. I almost talked myself into holding off on a run until after bus time thinking I could join my weekly customer call from home and then headed NE, but in the end I made the right call and got out the door around 650am, or just after a stretch and meditation. With the warmer temps, I skipped a jacket.

Ran the full 4.1 miles. Felt really good - strong even. Mindy was gone by the time I got back to the house. I'm guessing that she had just left. It had just started to rain. Inside, Bella was already upstairs. I found the pug and headed out on our walk. She wasn't too keen on the rain but I left her little choice. She made quick work of her business then quickly lead us back home. The rain started coming down heavier. We got the downpour I was hoping for over the next half hour. Now I won't have to water the recently planted grass seed.

I woofed down a plate of cheesy scrambled eggs then took a 2nd cup of coffee to the PC where I played until it was time to head out with Bella. She declared it a garage day. We haven't had one of those since last school year. While hanging out in the garage, I used the idle time to collapse the boxes from her TV for recycling. Used a razor knife to cut straight slices to make compacting and folding much easier. Worked like a charm. By then the rain had let up some, now just a sprinkle. The bus showed up around 805am. With Bella now gone, I headed back inside and eventually to the shower. I was downstairs again and ready to go by 840am.

Headed south to the 70/670 ramp but noticed that it was at a complete stand still. No way! Not me. I turned around in the BP lot just past the onramp and headed north to the 70/270N onramp. Figured I'd take the long way around. Traffic was a little tight from the 70/270 onramp to about Roberts but then loosened up considerably. I listened to WOSU again, once again joining the annoying fall membership drive, but also enjoying the special guest, Tom Burns - Perkins Observatory dude. He's a hoot on the radio. I get the impression that the DJ has to keep his/her finger on the bleep button, just in case.

I got so wrapped up in the radio conversation that I carelessly switched lanes to get off at Easton rather than Morse like normal. Not sure what I was thinking. Obviously I wasn't. Had to circle through Easton to get back out onto Morse and then head east. It was already 920am when I got parked and started walking for the building. I was in jeopardy of being late for our 930am call. That caused me a little stress. I scurried to get unpacked, set-up, pee and then join our scheduled bridge. Wires were crossed. Two different groups were using the same conference bridge (not mine). Oh boy! Customer had to sort it out then send another alternative. Joined with everyone else. The call was a pretty quick but also a little tense, but happy to report that it ended reasonably well.

My boss, who had also joined the call, pinged right after asking me to join another call. It was all internal folks. This call was a little more intense than the one earlier. I didn't hold too much back. Been having issues with a peer, and I use that term loosely, for a while now. It got even more intense after my boss dropped, or at least we both though he had dropped. I know I was a little surprised when he chimed in after another 5 minutes or so. I was very pleased that he supported my position.

From that point forward, my day went far better. I had quite a bit on my day's agenda, cognizant of my being off this coming Friday I had just Wednesday and Thursday to complete all of my weekly to-do list. which was already ambitious without having Friday off. I made significant progress on my list by 1215pm. Around 1230pm I called Saturday's to try their call ahead appointment process for the first time. It's a process they implored me to try, sharing that it would assure that I get sat down for a cut as soon as I arrive. Shared that I would be in about 25 minutes. At first the girl on the phone seemed unsure but then conceded. Yes, that work just fine. Cool!

I grabbed my phone, keys and backpack and headed for my car. While driving to the Saturday's I contemplated the rest of my afternoon at work and what I might be able to knock off my list. I felt great about what remained.
Arrived at Saturday 7 minutes ahead of schedule. And sure enough, I had to wait about that long too. That, however, I expected. Vicky came to fetch me soon thereafter.

Like most stylists, Vicky immediately made small talk, sharing her weekend plans to attend the pumpkin show in Circleville, and then went on about an OSU football party, too. She asked about my plans. Shared that I planned to become a millionaire and then possibly watch the OSU game. :) She made quick work of my hair, cutting it a bit shorter than the last go round, which I appreciated. I'm not cheap, but don't want to feel a haircut is necessary every 3 or 4 weeks either. 6 weeks is about right for me. This one should last that long, which by my calculations will put me back in the seat near Thanksgiving. I told her not necessary to attempt to style or gel. I would address from the car. I tipped her well - $5. I think that's fair.

Headed across the street to Home Depot as much for decompression than anything else. I didn't have anything specific I needed to pick-up. I browsed the aisles for about 20 minutes or so. Nope, nothing I needed. I headed back to the office arriving near 145pm. I spent the next couple hours taking care of my one of the bigger rocks still on my to-do list. Near 4pm my focus was redirected to an urgent matter brought to my attention by the customer. That's what I do. Shifted gears immediately.

It was date night, which I often try to be home by 530pm so we can make the most of out alone time. That wasn't happening this time. In fact, for a while there. I wasn't sure if I was going to get out of the office anytime soon. However, things got to a place where I felt comfortable heading for home around 535pm, though I planned to log back into work from home later, after going to dinner. Prior to that, I would stay plugged in via blackberry.

Called Mindy but got her VM. Called my dad to see what's been going on and also to see if he planned on picking up Glenn at the airport Friday AM. I know that he likes to do that. We talked for a while, a little about the trees we had cut down at the beginning of the month, his arthritis treatment infusion, and finally his recent and planned casino trips. Going tomorrow (Thursday) in fact. He also shared that he talked with mom a week or so ago. Wanted to know if I'd heard anything from her. Nope. Said she was having a nodule on her lung scanned. I've come to the conclusion that my mom and Lindsey are very much alike. I'll leave it at that. Dad shared that he wanted to pick-up Glenn but didn't have all the details either, though mom apparently shared that he was landing near 9am coming in on Alaskan Airlines. I didn't have his itinerary in front of me so I couldn't confirm with 100% certainty, but I didn't think Alaska Airlines flew into Columbus. We left it that I would call or text by Thursday evening with the specifics. I agreed to let Glenn know to phone dad once he landed since Dad usually waits in the nearby cell phone lot for the pick-up call.

Mindy called back while I was talking with dad. I called her back as soon as he and I finished talking. She confirmed our plans to go out still. By then it was after 6pm. She didn't seem too thrilled that my choice was Barley's, but I just didn't feel like CBC - no offense. I could tell that's where she wanted to go. We'll almost certainly find ourselves there over the weekend.

Mindy was upstairs freshening up when I arrived home. All I wanted/needed to do was brush my teeth and then change shirts. I also toweled off my neck since it was itching from the haircut. Ahh - 100% better. Off to Barley's. We arrived near 630pm. Had to park in the back 40, which is more often the case anymore. Happily, there were a few barstools open for us to grab right where I like to sit. Right away we started talking with a couple familiar faces, though we didn't know their names prior (Chris, Josh, and Walt). Walt is from Wadsworth just like Bob & Mary Ann. Doesn't know them, however. Mindy and I both ordered Barley's own seasonal - the Punkt, but she went with the nitro version. I went with one off the tower. Still really good. Saw that they still have Creeper on tap. Wahoo!

It was a while before we ordered food. Holding to tradition, we didn't order food until my first beer was gone. I opted to go with the tried and true Cuban with bacon. Mindy opted for a burger. And we both ordered 2nd beers. I ordered a Creeper, which I was sure that Mindy would too. However, Janet blew the keg serving me. I kindly passed it off to Mindy and ordered another Punkt instead. Mindy was appreciative.

We chatted it up with Walt, who we learned is a balloonist (think hot air), though he has a real career too. Don't think we ever learned exactly what that is. He must be about 60, though. Real nice. Said he and his wife work the Macy's TG day parade each year as Big balloon guides. He insisted that should we want, he could get us a gig doing the same. Wow, now that would be fun!

Bartender Katie, who works maybe only one day a week anymore, came in with a couple other off duty Barley servers. I just love Katie. She's been with Barley's since the very beginning. She's cute, funny, and entertaining. Endeared herself to Mindy as well. While the girls yucked it up, I spotted another familiar face that I hadn't seen at Barley's for more than a year, paver Mark. He owns his own asphalt business. Grew up in Arlington. I like talking with him. Talked kids, work and skiing. He was in to pick-up a takeout order. When he left, the girls shared how much they dislike him. Said he's rude to all servers and never tips. That started a whole new conversation about other regulars who they despise - the common thread, rude and non-tippers. Time was slipping away. It was 830pm by the time we settled our tab and walked out. In true form, Mindy took an extra five minutes talking with Katie and company about her new Ava Anderson gig. They all seemed interested. Hmm?

I drove us home. The kids called as we neared out exit off 70W. Bella said she figured we would be angry that they were late, but was shocked to find us not home yet. :) Jacob asked about our leftovers immediately in the door. I knew he wouldn't be happy, though we both had half of our sandwiches in tow. If we had had more time I would've ordered wings for take home. Sorry!

Once I was settled and changed into comfy clothes, I logged onto work via my laptop to check on the issue from earlier. There were some fresh emails still flying around. I jumped in but was a serious disadvantage do to systems issues. Seems my Java client somehow disappeared. Had to get that fixed. Took about an hour. I wasn't about to give up. My persistence paid off and I eventually got my issue corrected and was able to get fully engaged. It was 1015pm by then, and I was getting really tired. I sent a final email then headed for bed. I checked on Bella, who was supposed to be in bed with lights out at 930pm sharp. Wild guess - she was up grooming her hair in front of a full length bedroom mirror. Oh boy! I only suggested she get to bed then closed her door. Part of me understands. If she can't sleep, what's she to do? Once in bed, it didn't take me long to fall asleep. Certainly no more than 10 minutes.