Although this week was effectively a three-day week, holiday followed by a surprise snow day, there was a full week's amount of work to be accomplished.
Work, it seems gets parsed out on a weekly basis. Just because the work week is shorted does not equate to less work. The same amount of stuff needs to get done, I just have less time to do it.
I can tell how my week is progressing by the newspaper I take along with me every morning. Most days, I get to read the paper over my lunch half-hour as I enjoy food at my desk. A busy day means that I hit the headlines and scan the sports section. Really busy days mean the paper never leaves the plastic sleeve that it is delivered in.
So far this week (all two days) the paper has not left the plastic sleeve. I'm not even reading the headlines, it seems that I am living the headlines. On top of that, I'm staying late to get the critical stuff done. Yesterday for example, I played racquetball at 5:30 am, but still was at my desk my 7:15. I checked out at 5:45 pm. Not too bad for an 8-hour day.
And I really want to get in to work early today so that I don't have to work too late tonight to get the weeks worth of stuff accomplished.
It is just funny how it all works out.
Is time off, then, really time off or just time reallocated?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Time Stands Still
It was about 5:17 pm on Wednesday afternoon. I was on Piney Orchard Boulevard headed home in my truck after E-day.
The day had been a fast moving day--broken up by a doctors appointment and work. I had been busy, but I always look forward to E-day.
I was daydreaming a bit about the evening at home with Chris and the events planned for the next day. I was doing about 50 mph in a 45 mph zone and beginning to get into the drive.
Then it happened. Time stood still for a short amount of time.
A green Mustang convertible with a white top, for some unexplained reason turned in front of me attempting to get onto Old Waugh Chapel Road.
Emergency stop!
Collision imminent!
The anti-lock brakes were shaking under my foot. The green Mustang loomed larger and larger in my windscreen and I began to think about the looming impact and wondering if the car in front of me would at least accelerate a bit.
I aimed for where the car was, but stayed in my lane and chose not to perform some heroic maneuver and potentially roll my truck. The truck held its line--straight as an arrow--so swerve, no hesitation.
I thought about how the airbag would feel exploding into my chest as the seatbelt secured me to the truck.
I heard the squealing of the tires of the Mustang as the driver recognized the impending collision and mashed the accelerator to begin moving ever so slowly from my path.
I wondered if the truck would be repairable.
I thought about the engine being in my lap when it was all over.
And then--it became clear that the vectors were going to miss each other. The Mustang cleared the intersection a hair breath before my truck got to where the car had just been, and I released the brake so the guy in back of me would not rear-end me.
I thought for a moment about chasing down the Mustang driver--and giving them a good tongue lashing. But decided against it.
I hit the accelerator and got back up to road speed, said a prayer of thanks and tried calling my wife.
I know time stands still in such situations. How else could I have done so much and thought of so much in what amounted to the blink of an eye? I was on a bit of an adrenalin high.
But I was unharmed and not involved in a serious accident--and continued on my way home reflecting on the circumstances and reactions of those short seconds.
And the traffic around me continued on unabated and probably unaware of my brush with disaster.
The day had been a fast moving day--broken up by a doctors appointment and work. I had been busy, but I always look forward to E-day.
I was daydreaming a bit about the evening at home with Chris and the events planned for the next day. I was doing about 50 mph in a 45 mph zone and beginning to get into the drive.
Then it happened. Time stood still for a short amount of time.
A green Mustang convertible with a white top, for some unexplained reason turned in front of me attempting to get onto Old Waugh Chapel Road.
Emergency stop!
Collision imminent!
The anti-lock brakes were shaking under my foot. The green Mustang loomed larger and larger in my windscreen and I began to think about the looming impact and wondering if the car in front of me would at least accelerate a bit.
I aimed for where the car was, but stayed in my lane and chose not to perform some heroic maneuver and potentially roll my truck. The truck held its line--straight as an arrow--so swerve, no hesitation.
I thought about how the airbag would feel exploding into my chest as the seatbelt secured me to the truck.
I heard the squealing of the tires of the Mustang as the driver recognized the impending collision and mashed the accelerator to begin moving ever so slowly from my path.
I wondered if the truck would be repairable.
I thought about the engine being in my lap when it was all over.
And then--it became clear that the vectors were going to miss each other. The Mustang cleared the intersection a hair breath before my truck got to where the car had just been, and I released the brake so the guy in back of me would not rear-end me.
I thought for a moment about chasing down the Mustang driver--and giving them a good tongue lashing. But decided against it.
I hit the accelerator and got back up to road speed, said a prayer of thanks and tried calling my wife.
I know time stands still in such situations. How else could I have done so much and thought of so much in what amounted to the blink of an eye? I was on a bit of an adrenalin high.
But I was unharmed and not involved in a serious accident--and continued on my way home reflecting on the circumstances and reactions of those short seconds.
And the traffic around me continued on unabated and probably unaware of my brush with disaster.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Chasing the Elusive Winning Season
Even though it is like the third coldest morning of the winter--Orioles fans have a warm spot in their hearts for the team that has entered Spring Training in Sarasota, Florida.
We believe that this is the year!
The year of what? You might ask.
Well for one, a winning season--the first in 13 seasons. To post more wins than losses would be a truly great accomplishment for a club that has dramatically underperformed and resides in a division the the Yankees, the Red Sox, and the Rays.
We get excited when we read in Peter Schmuck's article:
SARASOTA, Fla. — How’s this for one of the biggest problems facing manager Buck Showalter this spring?
The Baltimore Orioles are hitting the ball too far.
Showalter had to move batting practice from the northeast practice field to the southwest field that mirrors the dimensions of Orioles Park after several unhappy spring training spectators came to the O’s administrative office hoping to be reimbursed for damage to cars parked beyond the left field fence.
We believe there is hope for our team.
But wait, there is more. Being the the American League East Divison, we want more!
We want our downtrodden Orioles to not just have a winning season--but to finish ahead of the over-rated Yankees and their millions of dollars, and ahead of the Red Sox, and the Rays, and the Blue Jays.
We want a playoff team again!
I remember going to playoff games so many years ago here in Baltimore. I find it hard to believe that I have actually lived my adult life in one place long enough to actually have attended playoff games in a city where the home team has 13 straight losing seasons. But I have and this crazy place called Baltimore has become my home.
In a few short weeks, I will be in Sarasota for my first ever trip to Spring Training. I have my tickets and I am more than ready.
I hope I like what I see.
But Springtime is in the air and it is filled with baseballs and visions of winning seasons and playoff games.
Oriole Magic lives.
We believe that this is the year!
The year of what? You might ask.
Well for one, a winning season--the first in 13 seasons. To post more wins than losses would be a truly great accomplishment for a club that has dramatically underperformed and resides in a division the the Yankees, the Red Sox, and the Rays.
We get excited when we read in Peter Schmuck's article:
SARASOTA, Fla. — How’s this for one of the biggest problems facing manager Buck Showalter this spring?
The Baltimore Orioles are hitting the ball too far.
Showalter had to move batting practice from the northeast practice field to the southwest field that mirrors the dimensions of Orioles Park after several unhappy spring training spectators came to the O’s administrative office hoping to be reimbursed for damage to cars parked beyond the left field fence.
We believe there is hope for our team.
But wait, there is more. Being the the American League East Divison, we want more!
We want our downtrodden Orioles to not just have a winning season--but to finish ahead of the over-rated Yankees and their millions of dollars, and ahead of the Red Sox, and the Rays, and the Blue Jays.
We want a playoff team again!
I remember going to playoff games so many years ago here in Baltimore. I find it hard to believe that I have actually lived my adult life in one place long enough to actually have attended playoff games in a city where the home team has 13 straight losing seasons. But I have and this crazy place called Baltimore has become my home.
In a few short weeks, I will be in Sarasota for my first ever trip to Spring Training. I have my tickets and I am more than ready.
I hope I like what I see.
But Springtime is in the air and it is filled with baseballs and visions of winning seasons and playoff games.
Oriole Magic lives.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Back for more fun
I could have done without it.
But the driveway is cleared. The temperature crawled over freezing and we are on the road to Springtime.
But really? We were at 75 degrees on Friday and then we had snow this morning. And not just a little. A significant amount.
Spring is coming. Hold on to that thought.
Winter's Revenge
Yesterday morning as I was watching snow fall on the Today Show hosts, I laughed to myself about how nice it was to be in Maryland and not be part of the oncoming storm.
Yes, everyone ,this morning's mess is my fault.
I thought we were safe. I put away the remainder of the salt and started thinking about Spring.
But as yesterday continued--the weather report got more ominous--and it became apparent that Winter had heard me joke about it being all but over and decided to make a return appearance.
Ugh!
By 9:30 last night the snow was falling--not just a little bit--but in significant amounts.
I had to put the cinder blocks back into the bed of my truck for a bit of added traction. And the snow was falling and laughing at me. I could hear the laughing as the flakes slammed into the ground and on my head at an ever increasing speed.
I have to deal with it at least one more time.
But I am up for the challenge. Again.
Deal with it!
Yes, everyone ,this morning's mess is my fault.
I thought we were safe. I put away the remainder of the salt and started thinking about Spring.
But as yesterday continued--the weather report got more ominous--and it became apparent that Winter had heard me joke about it being all but over and decided to make a return appearance.
Ugh!
By 9:30 last night the snow was falling--not just a little bit--but in significant amounts.
I had to put the cinder blocks back into the bed of my truck for a bit of added traction. And the snow was falling and laughing at me. I could hear the laughing as the flakes slammed into the ground and on my head at an ever increasing speed.
I have to deal with it at least one more time.
But I am up for the challenge. Again.
Deal with it!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday Musings - February 21, 2011
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1. It is amazing how out of touch legislators in various states are--Wisconsin, for example. Wow--what a way to mismanage a situation, revoking the rights of government employees to participate in unions. Sounds like the early-1900's all over again.
2. The Arab world is aflame with demands for freedom--too bad democracy is so slow to respond to be a viable answer.
3. Geese are wild animals--but they sure get close sometimes.
4. Baseball is back in the news with Spring Training shifting into gear--and the NFL is preparing to self-destruct with a lock out by the owners.
5. Wild variations in weather and temperature--snow melting, green beginning to be seen in the bushes--must be Springtime.
6. We talked about "aha" and "oh-my" moments in church yesterday. Who knew they are different?
7. Brinksmanship has taken on a new form--threatening a government shutdown. And you think we have problems now? Wait until it totally stops working.
8. BTW--it is definitely Springtime--the Daytona 500 has already been run. I totally missed it.
9. In honor of President's Day and in recognition of the spreading unrest in the Arab world, I was reminded of this statement made by George Washington: "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
1. It is amazing how out of touch legislators in various states are--Wisconsin, for example. Wow--what a way to mismanage a situation, revoking the rights of government employees to participate in unions. Sounds like the early-1900's all over again.
2. The Arab world is aflame with demands for freedom--too bad democracy is so slow to respond to be a viable answer.
3. Geese are wild animals--but they sure get close sometimes.
4. Baseball is back in the news with Spring Training shifting into gear--and the NFL is preparing to self-destruct with a lock out by the owners.
5. Wild variations in weather and temperature--snow melting, green beginning to be seen in the bushes--must be Springtime.
6. We talked about "aha" and "oh-my" moments in church yesterday. Who knew they are different?
7. Brinksmanship has taken on a new form--threatening a government shutdown. And you think we have problems now? Wait until it totally stops working.
8. BTW--it is definitely Springtime--the Daytona 500 has already been run. I totally missed it.
9. In honor of President's Day and in recognition of the spreading unrest in the Arab world, I was reminded of this statement made by George Washington: "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Out with the Boys
Last evening was the night the grandparents get to spend uninterrupted time with the grandsons. It is a gift we are giving to their parents in the form of free baby sitting so they can do dinner and/or a movie without the added bite associated with childcare.And while this is only the second time we've done it (so far this year), it is shaping up to be an adventure filled night which always seems to include making smores in the fireplace.
Last evening, we took the boys out to Centennial Lake to feed the waterfowl. We had hoped for ducks, we got geese as well.
There was some ice on the water in places which made for some comical situations with the geese--slipping and flying on the ice.The boys had fun and so did grandma and grandpa.
Sadly--it was very cool--so we could not stay long and enjoy the scene.
But that was not really a problem either since we were there as the sun was setting--so it would soon be dark anyway.
The promise of Spring makes us do crazy things, I guess.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Blue Skies and High Wind
 |
| Ready for the Growing Season |
The grasses around the pool are cut and the debris of winter has been removed from the lawn.
The lawn service even paid its initial visit to get the first load of chemicals down in the lawn in preparation for the Springtime growing season.
In a few months, the grasses will be 6 feet tall and the summer sun will be beating down on us as we lounge in the pool.
But yesterday was the day to get it done. It was warm and we actually enjoyed being outside doing yard work--the first of the emerging season. I had some broken branches to cut out of one of the plum trees and we even had the tractor out with the mower cleaning up leaves and debris--although I am sure the wind will blow a lot more in today.
Memories like yesterday will keep me going strong until the weather changes over for good.
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Smell of Spring
It hit me as I opened the door to let the dog out early this morning.
The damp, earthy smell that confirmed to me that although it is only February, Springtime was in the air.
It is the smell of wet earth and it hangs in the air, rich and full of promise after the sterile smell of the frozen snow covered lawns.
As I surveyed the wet, brown grass covered lawn which had a smattering of leaves and other assorted treats brought in by the winds of the past few days, I imagined a green carpet of uniformly cut blades of grass which will soon replace the current view.
Springtime.
I am already getting ads for discounted pool supplies and for pool opening assistance.
Even the birds have ramped up their activity of late.
The grasses around the pool have served their purpose and must be trimmed to prepare for a new season of growing.
There is so much to do.
I imagine it like a prisoner being released--a bright sunny day, full of hope and promise. So much that the senses are overloaded.
And right about noon--I will be free to enjoy the day. Carpe diem.
The damp, earthy smell that confirmed to me that although it is only February, Springtime was in the air.
It is the smell of wet earth and it hangs in the air, rich and full of promise after the sterile smell of the frozen snow covered lawns.
As I surveyed the wet, brown grass covered lawn which had a smattering of leaves and other assorted treats brought in by the winds of the past few days, I imagined a green carpet of uniformly cut blades of grass which will soon replace the current view.
Springtime.
I am already getting ads for discounted pool supplies and for pool opening assistance.
Even the birds have ramped up their activity of late.
The grasses around the pool have served their purpose and must be trimmed to prepare for a new season of growing.
There is so much to do.
I imagine it like a prisoner being released--a bright sunny day, full of hope and promise. So much that the senses are overloaded.
And right about noon--I will be free to enjoy the day. Carpe diem.
February Paradox
Yesterday the temperatures were awesome and warm even. Remember, it was the 17th of February. In one month I'll be heading to Florida for Orioles Spring Training--the tickets are on my desk as I type this.
Last evening I drove home in Cat with the top down and the wind (cool but not cold) whistling through my ever thinning hair.
I was the envy of so many other drivers on the road. (Maybe they thought I was crazy)
Although I felt a bit weird putting the top down on a convertible in February in Maryland--that is why I bought the car--so I could! I took this image just before I put Cat into the garage for the night.
And that is why the top was down last evening--because I could!
Today is supposed to be even nicer!
I felt as if the freakishly cold snap was finally over. But, I know there are still 30 days until Spring officially begins.
Here's the paradox part--just up the driveway--there is still a huge pile of snow.
If I don't see anymore snow until January 2012, it will be too soon!
I just hope this pile goes away soon.
I am getting itchy to open the pool. And there is still ice in it.
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| Cat on the First Day of Top Down Driving Feb 17, 2011 |
I was the envy of so many other drivers on the road. (Maybe they thought I was crazy)
Although I felt a bit weird putting the top down on a convertible in February in Maryland--that is why I bought the car--so I could! I took this image just before I put Cat into the garage for the night.
And that is why the top was down last evening--because I could!
Today is supposed to be even nicer!
 |
| The Snow that Won't Quit |
I felt as if the freakishly cold snap was finally over. But, I know there are still 30 days until Spring officially begins.
Here's the paradox part--just up the driveway--there is still a huge pile of snow.
If I don't see anymore snow until January 2012, it will be too soon!
I just hope this pile goes away soon.
I am getting itchy to open the pool. And there is still ice in it.
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