Small order of nerves
Friday, May the 7th at 5:02 AM
in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Ten (2 years ago)
I
had a pretty great birthday yesterday. It started before the birthday even arrived, in fact, and it really hasn't ended yet because I haven't gone to sleep. My parents and Sally's parents sent nice cards and gifts earlier in the week, and I need to write a thank you before I head out on my trip. I had lunch with my Dad and talked to my Mom & Grandma. I got a card and some dessert at work. Shep & Heather & other luminaries from my past & present showed up via text message or e-mail. Sally went over the top - she ran some errands for me during the day, ate some Thai food in the evening, and lavished me with gifts all day long.
Not just any gifts either - we're talking some of Etsy's finest products. Sarah Palin & Twilight: New Moon themed products. I must have been really good this last year. Plus, she had tiny little cakes and less-tiny ice cream. She even went to see a midnight showing of Iron Man 2 with me.
It was my birthday though, so I got a little edgy... I got the mower tuned up for the summer, new tires put on the miata, and even met with the vet to discuss our newly diabetic cat, Diabeddie. We think the condition has been caught early, and are hopeful we can get it under control. We give him insulin shots twice a day and will test him in about a week to see if it's working. He seems to be pretty active and eating and not drinking gallons of water every day, so that's a positive sign. Diabeddie - don't laugh.
The best moment of the evening was during our drive to pick up our Thai dinner. I was driving the miata, clad in its new shoes, when we passed a cop on a side road, looking to turn and go our way. No beeps on the radar detector, so I play things cool. I passed him going the speed limit (45) and saw him pull out about a quarter mile behind us. We had two lanes in our direction, and the cop got in the opposite lane from us. He then proceeded to close the distance really quickly, as I continued at the speed limit, and then passed us - no lights flashing, no indication of emergency, just speeding - the way none of us civilians can.
So I honked at him.
The reaction was swift - brake lights, red & blue flashing lights, pulling over on my birthday to explain to a cop that I honked at him because I see cops speeding, rolling through stops, and even rolling through red lights, with no lights flashing and it ticks me off. He explained his reason for the excessive speed (wanted to catch some potential speeders but didn't want to "spook them" with lights), ran my driver's license, and explained that it was illegal to use horns when there isn't an emergency. He was quite friendly about the whole thing, when by rights he could have taken a very self-righteous stance. He let me off. I was lucky that it was this cop and not the ones that came to our office with guns drawn one night (It only took five patrol cars to handle that one).
Sally said she was glad he "called me out." I saw it a little differently - I got a chance to remind a cop that when he breaks the law, people notice. I was lucky my petty act didn't have harsher consequences other than having to re-heat our lukewarm carryout.
So it's 4:40am now, and I'm done packing for tomorrow's journey. I was having a little nervousness, but doing a bit of typing settled that. My bag is ready, clothes for tomorrow are ready, and I think I'm ready...Diabeddie.
I checked the weather of the place we'll be (San Sebastian, Spain), and it looks like cooler weather and rain on many of the days. Maybe I won't have to feel quite as guilty about hanging out on Spanish beaches while my poor wife toils under the Illinois sun if the weather isn't quite so exotic.
Iberia Flight 6274 from ORD to MAD is the first and longest leg. I'll try and post something on arrival. Thanks again to everyone who made my birthday such a nice one - I don't think I've thought fondly about a birthday in quite some time.
PS I love my wifers, she is the best!
4 Comments
2
2 years ago
Dude, you left the admin settings active on my computer, which means I can edit your site at my pleasure. MUHAHAHAHA. I think this post might get turned into a list of the Top 1000 reasons why your wife is AWESOME.
Hope you're back on terra firma by the time you read this. Eddie misses your gentle touch during his insulin injections.
Hope you're back on terra firma by the time you read this. Eddie misses your gentle touch during his insulin injections.
3
2 years ago
Andrew, In reference to your misspent youth. You are going to travel half way around the world to witness your basketball prowess to the Basques with the likes of a team (Redbird Women) that went to the "big dance"? Now you will know how misspent your time as a youth really was.
Who, I say who, spent hours of his time trying to help you play defense, block out on rebounds, dribble with your head up, look for the open man, and, not bring shame on the shop?
No, you wanted to spend hours in the basement in your pajamas playing with your Commodore64. Yeah, it may have gotten you a good job, but when you step on the court remember who is crying. You may be from Washington, but you're no Maggie Krick. Please don't shoot! Just look for the open man and try not to bring shame........ Who, I say who, loves you?
Who, I say who, spent hours of his time trying to help you play defense, block out on rebounds, dribble with your head up, look for the open man, and, not bring shame on the shop?
No, you wanted to spend hours in the basement in your pajamas playing with your Commodore64. Yeah, it may have gotten you a good job, but when you step on the court remember who is crying. You may be from Washington, but you're no Maggie Krick. Please don't shoot! Just look for the open man and try not to bring shame........ Who, I say who, loves you?
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Momster