August 2003 Archives

Outside of the office here in Milwaukee, there is a slow and steady rumble off in the distance, much like the rumble of an evening summer storm. Rumor has it that 500,000+ Harleys are in town and boy are they loud.

A co-worker lives five miles from county fairgrounds that are hosting a party. He could step outside the door and hear the rumble. I myself saw 10 or so on my drive over. A few were rolling up sleeping bags in a rest area. The best part; BMW offered congratulations, but thought they couldn't hear it.

It's the small things that keep you going from day to day, the weekends keep you going from week to week, the seasons that keep you going from month to month, and the family that keep you going from year to year. It all starts with the small things.

Two small things happened this week:

1. The first was the results of a blood test. Total cholesterol has dropped to 160, triglycerides are at 112, HDL is at 38, and LDL is at 100. All are way below normal levels.
2. Colorworks.com sent an e-mail notifying me of an overcharge for shipping and handling on an order placed last year before the wedding. They are going to refund my account $20.95 and apologize for the inconvenience.

Being in the shadow of this reporter's summit, I know the majesty he saw. But someday I will return.

In all my years of driving, I can count the number of times I've been pulled over, including this morning, on one hand. In each and every one, I've received a ticket and fine for the speeding violation. Only once did the officer knock it down to the lowest amount possible. Never, ever did I receive a "warning" telling me to slow it down. Not once. I am beginning to think that they don't exist, or are reserved for women.

Part of the pleasures of moving into a new place is finding things the previous tenants leave behind. Aside from the rendering of some old dude on my closet shelf (scan to come later), we inherited life with mice.

Our first introduction was with the innocuous mouse-poops left behind in curious corners. Then, my sister met face-to-face with mouse one, as he darted across the floor. She did the best should could to show him respect with a shriek of acknowledgement and quickly move out of the way and scramble atop the counter.

So far, one is down, and there's another out there. Unfortunately this one is a bit craftier than the previous. The spring loaded trap is there only to provide him with a twice-daily helping of delicious, store brand creamy peanut butter. He is starting now to eat it in separate helpings, but each time cleans the trap entirely. Little did he know that the little blue pellets of desert were really raspberry flavored D-Con mouse poison. He taste-testing approach to the trap has frustrated me. So much so that last night I dreamt about catching the mouse.

Have you ever noticed that every toll-free support line always starts with "pay attention, as our menu has recently changed..."

What do they say when they don't change it for a while? Maybe; "We've had our menu the same way for a while. You should know what numbers to press, so we're not even going to bother with repeating them to you. Have a nice day."

Only the computer and lots of dust remain in the old apartment. Thankfully it's almost done. I could write about how moving sucks and a big pain in the ass it is, but I won't. We all know it's not fun.

But, through all the sweat and days of heavy lifting, (A big shout out to Derek and Jason for their muscles.) I started to feel like I was getting something back. I started to take the three flights of stairs two at a time, something I couldn't do on the first day. My arms weren't shaking after a heavy load. I didn't have to rest as long between trips. After only three days of above average activity (read: getting off the couch), my stamina improved dramatically. I have to keep this momentum going and see where it takes me.

At home, we are busy packing, moving, and unpacking. It's a lot of effort for one measly block. But, the new place has a dishwasher and hookups for a clothes washer and dryer. In addition to the garbage disposal, the new appliances increase in the standard of living we are accustomed to in downtown renting.

At work, responsibilities increase with the departure of two colleagues and an executive directives to work more per week. Ugh.

All of the above and our weekends are packed with multiple weddings. Four in August alone. When 2003 is over, we will have attended nine wedding/receptions, with three more already planned for 2004. Throw in a beer festival, fantasy football, and house warming parties and you've got no time left to relax.