As I return up I-75 to Atlanta today I am reminded of the life I had the last time I did this back in October:
– I was dating someone, though deep inside I knew it was nearing an end.
– The Echostar office had recently closed.
– I received a call from a friend who asked me to be a personal reference for him to get a job at an Atlanta-based newsletter company, to which from here on I will refer to as the “Patriots”, since I don’t like them. 😉
Bingo Loser
Two nights of bingo, one winning game for me. However, the winnings didn’t cover my expenses.
The biggest thing I won was the respect of a guy on the first night who told me that I was doing a good thing by keeping my mother happy.
Beer Me
I *tried* to go to a brewery on Saturday, but there was no parking lot and I wasn’t about to force my [redacted] year-old mother, who broke her hip last year, to walk any distance. Besides, she’s not a beer drinker.
Before I hit the long road this morning I will be making a beer stop to pick up a case of cold ones that are not distributed in Georgia.
The Exercising Of Paulie
I *tried* to go to LA Fitness on Saturday morning only to find out that they do not open until 8:00am. Not wanting to wait another thirty minutes outside for the privilege to exercise, I gave up.
I did manage to use my bicycle once, getting in a 26-mile yesterday. I knew that I was going to be riding into a 10 mph headwind for the first thirteen miles, and received a bit of benefit from the resulting tailwind on the second half of the journey. Given that the elevation change was only 33 feet for the entire twenty-six miles, you can imagine that this rise is not much different than sitting on a trainer.
I was going to try to sneak in a workout at LA Fitness, which opens at 5:00am on weekdays, before I hit the road today. Was, but didn’t.
Make it a good Monday. Think about the fun I am having passing Tampa, Gainesville, Valdosta, and Macon before finally getting back inside the perimeter.
Paulie [dunedin/fl]
Been way too busy here at work.
Saturday went to a class at the Y, helped the in-laws build a god awful big wardrobe for their master bedroom – I think Mary will HATE it, and because Allan & I said it was too big & didn’t look right – she will keep it just to spite us. (and- it isn’t like you can return it to IKEA after its been built)
Saturday night was a 60th birthday party for my friend Becky – Allan skipped it because he had his test on Sunday morning. I’m sure he did fine, but they won’t know the results for a few weeks – so everyone just gets to wonder about it until then.
Sunday – decided to skip Wheelhopper & hang out with Felicia – since she isn’t staying with us anymore, we have to schedule time to catch up.
Here’s to hoping March will be a slower month for Dicks Sporting Goods – I can not handle this craziness much longer.
and- your signature of Dunedin made me laugh, because that is the town name where TLS & Cums moved to in New Zealand.
Somehow, another short 3 day weekend. I don’t know how that happens…
Friday, a meeting at the SunTrust in Stone Mountain Village where I put pen to signature cards so I can be a signatory on Games checks, if ever needed. A meeting with the rep from the Park was a bust, so I just went for a ride around the mountain. Feeling somewhat chipper, my second lap went “up the wall” by the lake. About halfway up, an odd noise started in the drivetrain. I discovered a chain link coming apart. Having no chain tool, I walked the rest of the way up the wall and gently pedaled the rest of the way… until the link decided to do a bad thing and get stuck in the derailleur, twisting it into a pretzel shape and rendering the bike a push bike. Walking up the hills and coasting down, it took me 20 minutes to get back to my car.
Saturday I spent 3 hours getting the Ben Hilton’s yard in shape. Someone drove a vehicle from the road onto the grass and dug in deep (the turf is very lush and thick) so had to do a bit of repair to that.
Sunday, a regular reader of this space enticed me to ride Wheelhopper. The ride had several confusing options, and apparently I chose the shortest possible, getting 5.5 official miles. Not great. I wasn’t interested in going out and finding trail again, certainly by myself. Blrg.
Phinney has been a bad boy and got remedial “tied to the trailer” lessons yesterday which included denting bot truck and trailer. Naughty, naughty boy.
-FP
I never said I was going to Wheelhopper- I just asked who was.
I was debating it, but then decided to do something more relaxing, a nice walk at a Roswell park, a pedicure & lunch. I honestly just wasn’t in the mood for hashers & all the shenanigans. Some days I’m just anti-social.
And I didn’t exactly call you out, but I was disappointed. Nothing special at the hash, except another Fagpipes from South Carolina!
Hello from Lake Park, GA. I am about halfway home and am stopping for lunch and gas. There is no Chinese buffet at exit 5, so I am eating Mexican instead.
Safe travels to you the rest of your journey, Paulie! I’m late in reading today in that I have the day off work (tomorrow too!) so I’m only getting online now. Had some clean up work around the house (finally took down the Christmas tree – no joke!) and a lovely lunch with ITP-reader Steve! Love these random days off work.
Ah, yes….car drives. They sure are a time for reflection, good or bad, are they not? I remember doing a 12-hour back to Milwaukee very shortly after a break-up (lordy, ages ago now)… all that time alone in the car gets strange things moving about your head. Hang in there. Blast some tunes and sing like no one’s listening (cause no one is!).
It was a good weekend here. Successfully completed two bartending shifts at the Fox Theater and had a lot of fun to boot. It was a crazy time to start: sold out Phantom of the Opera shows. And, man, do they throw you in: didn’t even get training on the register! (Thankfully it’s the simplest one I’ve ever seen in my life.) The other bartenders are really super nice, even right off the bat to a complete stranger like me. I think it’s going to be a fun little side gig. We get to choose our own shifts too which is super helpful when trying to be responsible to the day job.
Speaking of, I have a feeling you’re going to find one really soon. I have a few friends looking for work now and everyone’s coming upon some really great opportunities. I think it’s that time of year that places really hire now (Q4 can be impossible). So keep on keeping on! It’s coming!
What Stacy said. And on my drives last week, I enjoyed listening to podcasts I had downloaded. I’m so hip…
Home and unpacked…
Thanks to both of you.
I listened to podcasts all the way home, and because I didn’t listen to any on Fri, Sat, or Sun still have about four hours’ worth to plow through.