A Chronicle of my Changing Times.

Quick update since it's been about a week since I've last posted and then a story... Been busy with volunteering, work and school. I crashed this past weekend and completely missed out on a phenomenal weekend. I must've slept close to half the weekend. It was much needed. Working the Room in the Inn on Thursday completely wiped me out. I also became so preoccupied with getting through the last week and a half I felt like I lost a bit of focus on my long range goals. I'm working my tail off to get back on track (ie, spend less money, focus on work, finishing up the PC app - my albatross - and doing well in class). Good news is that I've revamped one essay and am over two paragraphs into the second one (taking a break from it now). I've also started working out in the morning. MUST GET IN SHAPE.

I unfortunately picked up smoking this past week as well. My demon is back. I actually bought a pack, and then a second one. My goal is to nip it in the bud right now and be done when the last 5-6 are gone. Smoking does not fit into my plans.

I also got film developed from my trip out west and need to set up a Ofoto acct so I can post some here. Apparently pics have to be from a linked site. So I'm working on that. And finally - not so much of a status report:

I woke up and had an absolutely horrible morning. It all started off when I realized half way to work that I'd forgotten to set up someone to switch shifts with me so I could attend class tonight. A big ol' "D'oh" but not that major... Since I've begun to work out in the morning I knew I had plenty of time to shower early and get up to make the necessary arrangements. So I get to work and grab my workout bag out of my backseat only to realize that my dress shirt for work was still hanging on my closet door. And home is an hour each way. It was only fated to get much worse. I call my father to see if he can grab it and bring it to me at work. I get the answering machine. Again. And again. I can't get reception in my building so I'm standing outside calling. Of course I've got nothing to do but call and call so I start smoking. A lot. 20 minutes pass and I decide to break down and grab a bite to eat to kill time. Grab a Twenty out of the ATM and grab a couple of donuts or three and some Orange Juice to drink. As I'm outside calling over and over still I realize that instead of running on a treadmill I'm sitting on my fat arse eating donuts and smoking a cigarette. Finally I realize I need to go take a shower if I'm going to get up to work in time to find somebody (hopefully) to switch shifts. So I toss my donut wrappers and grab my OJ and head inside - letting my voice messages to the fates...

As I scan in, I pass the rather annoying older man, Jim, (who could totally kick my arse - he leads the cycling class 5 times a week) comment to me "It's great to see you finally back in here, Mike. I know treadmills are call your name." I grumble a "Hi" and head to the locker rooms to shower. Now I don't have a lock for the locker I use so I always try to hide my more valuable items like my watch and cell phone. So I bury my watch in a shoe and my cell phone in the bottom of my bag as I head into the showers. I come out and am doing the quick drop the towel as I grab my underwear out of my bag when I realize I'd put my OJ in the bag. And it'd tipped over. And spilled. Everywhere. By some divine grace my underwear, socks and t-shirt were spared. But almost all my other clothes were marinating in that sweet orange nectar of life. And as I pulled them out I saw my cell phone, buried beneath my clothes, submerged. Yes, submerged. And then it rang. Really - it did. By some miracle not only was the phone still working, but I was suddenly getting reception in the bowels of my building. Dad was on his way with a shirt. So I cleaned up as best as I could using 3 towels (which theoretically would have more than soaked up the contents of the bottle in any normal world). I got dressed, putting on my t-shirt (which of course was full of holes), zipped up my windbreaker and headed upstairs. Of course Jim had a comment for me on how good it was of me to try working out again. I didn't even bother to point out I'd been in the gym for less than 20 min - and had only walked to the locker room and back.

I asked the first person I saw if they'd switch. It happened to be the guy I normally switch with. Of course he's made plans with his wife since I hadn't asked before and can't work it. I mention this to my supervisor, who sorta chides me whilst chuckling at the same time. I don't think he quite gets why I'm taking classes - but then I haven't told him either. I was down to one person who luckily was able to come through for me - but not without a fair amount of arse kissing. So I sit down at 8:29 to sign in and begin work. My coworker who graciously switched with me comes down with a big smile on her face she was unsuccessfully trying to surpress. "You won't believe this. You have to come in early to work for me tomorrow." Apparently my supervisor thought I need to do a bit of penance for my scheduling flub and I'm to work 30 minutes for her on Wednesday. I muttered a curse, laughed a bit at the absurdity that had been my morning, and turned to my computer in time to see the clock change to 8:30.

And so my day began....

Posted by: mjmarble at March 30, 2004 22:32 | link | comments

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