Ski Night @ MRM - Data Breach

 

I was up and out of bed just before 8am. It was work day so I felt at least somewhat behind the eight ball. Quickly downstairs, I started coffee then calisthenics. Mom was up too, and it sounded like she was in the shower. By the time she joined me downstairs I'd already finished calisthenics and was enjoying coffee at my work station. Took Mindy some coffee around 845am, which is something she requested just before I headed downstairs earlier.

She asked that I open the front door just in case my dad came by. Sure enough, not even 3 minutes passed after I opened the front door dad walked up. We were expecting him. I offered him coffee. He accepted then prepped a cup himself. As expected, he watered it down some. Not only do I make it strong, but it was one of Starbuck's boldest roasts, too. While he and mom chit-chatted in the family room, I excused myself to my desk to continue working. Mindy was downstairs a few minutes later.

Once I had work under control, which was somewhere close to 10am, I readied and left for a run. It was 30 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Felt good. Nice three mile run. Kenny was out putting the Thule atop the Jeep. He said he was taking all the kids to MRM. I shared that Mindy talked about taking the kids up too. I went on to share that even I might head up around 4pm, or once my work day was complete.

Back at the house near 1030am, mom and dad had all their gear near the door. Apparently arrangements were made for my dad to run my mom out near Tommy's. Tommy would then take Mom to approximately Lake Logan where Ronald was supposed to meet her and then drive her the rest of the way home. While got busy with work, Jacob carried Mom's luggage to her car. What a good boy!

I stayed busy with work through rest of the morning and early afternoon. Dealt with one significant issue most of the day. At the same time, Mindy worked on laundry and putting away the Xmas clutter. Mindy shared that she was exhausted and definitely not going skiing. Said she needed a day of rest at home after a couple weeks of go, go, go leading up to Xmas. I worked hard through about 230pm. By then things got really quiet. I made plans to go skiing at MRM that evening. Sent Bob I. a text asking if he wanted to meet there. Responded that he was working until 6pm. Maybe next time.

I asked Bella if she wanted to go along. Thought for certain that she would, especially since her bff, Makayla was there. But no, she didn't want to go either. And actually, she sounded congested and sick. She lounged around the house the entire day. By the time I had a shower and was ready to go it was 320pm. Put the back seat down in the Accord to accommodate my skis. Left the house a few minutes later, just me.

Easy drive up 270 and 33. Got a call from Kenny just as I was passing through Marysville sharing that his security system company called and said there was a breach or alarm. He wanted me to check it out, but also shared that the cops were already on their way. When I shared that I was more than half way to MRM we worked out plan 'B'. I offered to call Mindy and have her casually check it out. I got a hold of Mindy who agreed to walk down and check it out. She would either call me or Kenny.

My bluetooth calling was boogered up again due to a conflict between my work and personal phones. As a consequence, I missed a callback from Mindy. Earlier, I asked that she approach Kenny's house with caution. After all, didn't want her to surprise or scare a would-be burglar. After about 5 minutes, I finally got through. Said there was a strange car with a strange man sitting in it outside of Kenny's house. She was across the street and called 911. Turns out, it was a plain clothes detective waiting for the CPD to arrive. Once the cruiser showed up, Mindy talked with them both. Apparently just a false alarm.

Arrived at MRM near 415pm. Didn't take long at all to gear up, get my lift ticket, and head up the Four Star. Did 3 or 4 runs before I spotted Kenny, though I saw Lillian and Emily on my first ride up. The snow was in decent shape though a little icy here and there. For that reason, I was a little tentative on my edges. Better to be cautious rather than overzealous.

Finally hooked up with Kenny in line. We did several runs together. Also ran into work peep, Chris and his daughter, Sydney. After another 4 or 5 runs Kenny & I headed in for a beer break, but just one for me. I can't take credit for it, but did send the GM a note suggesting that having a few good microbrews on tap would only make an already great place better. I was very pleased to find that they now have a few on tap, including an Elevator IPA and a creamy stout. Can't recall the brewer, but it was sure good. That made my day.

All the kids came inside too: Lillian. Makayla, Emily, Evan and big Jake. Good to see them all there having fun. Kenny is a good man. Kenny had a 2nd beer, I stuck with just the one. I think my stout was more potent than his Labatt. :) While enjoying my beer I received a call from my bank suggesting that my card had been compromised. Asked if I had been in Dayton and made a purchase there. No, I wasn't. He went on to ask several other questions, including a request for lots of personal info. Concerned that I could be getting duped even then, I suggested that I call my bank back myself once at home. He agreed. Shared the nature of the call with Kenny. We headed out for a few more runs. My goal was 3 or 4 more runs then head home.

Two weeks later ...

At home I called my bank. Waited on hold for at least 20 minutes. Ugh! Transferred me to the fraud department. Left me feeling like a criminal. I threatened to pull all of my money and go elsewhere should they not address the issue promptly and courteously. Bottomline, they said they couldn't do much beyond cancelling my card until the fraudulent purchase actually posted to my account (moved from pending). I found that to be B.S.

Mindy and the kids walked down to the neighbors, Kenny and Chrissy's delivering the Xmas gift basket we made for them. Not sure what we did for the remainder of the evening. Relax, I guess.