I have been listening to Christmas music non-stop, but haven’t overloaded yet. The easy listening station in Houston has been playing all Christmas music, all the time since the beginning of the month. I find that my favorites are the “sacred” music, as Carter was talking about yesterday, and I also like bopping in my car to the tune of “classics” like Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and Sleigh Ride. It’s the newer stuff that annoys me, like some sappy song I keep hearing about shoes. I’d rather they skip those, and just play extra versions of Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
Yesterday was weird. I got up early so I could be at work by 8:00 (need to make sure I get in enough hours this week to both go running this afternoon at 4 and take a 4 hour lunch break for “Return of the King” tomorrow), and was really groggy most of the morning. At 11, we went out to lunch in honor of Kara, our departing co-op, and I finally started to wake up. It was a pretty productive afternoon, but I started feeling crappy around 4. I stayed at work until 6:30, at which point I hurried home to change clothes and run to Target before going to the rock gym. By this time I was feeling better, and I happily told the guy behind the counter that this was the last week I’d have to pay them to rent shoes, as I am getting them for Christmas. Woohoo!
Climbing was rough; I can already tell I am going to be sore tonight. At the end of the night when we were bouldering a la Simon Says, a handlebar hold was really doing a number on my hand. Felt like I was about to rip a layer of skin off. Lovely. I think there is also something seriously wrong with my middle toe on my left foot. When I try to curl my toes, the middle one just stays straight. It is very strange, because it doesn’t really hurt (except when I try to curl it) and doesn’t affect my climbing or walking or even running…it just doesn’t want to bend. Bizarre.
Rich, Gavin, Becca and I were pleasantly surprised yesterday when Greg gave us (collectively) the DM4 Up-Front Parking Award. I must say, every time I think I’m about to explode out of frustration with this stupid simulation code we use, someone turns around and gives me an award. They are really good at recognizing when I’ve had it up to my ears with SORT (that’s the code) and need some added motivation.
Anyway, Rich got the usual K-70 spot, while I, Gavin, and Becca were given K-44, K-45, and K-46, respectively. The caveat, gGeg said, was that those three spots don’t officially belong to anyone at the moment, so we’d have to get to work before the people who have been illegally parking there. This morning I overslept a tad and when I got here, my K-44 spot was already taken, Gavin was in K-45…but K-46 was open. So I parked in K-46. I figured if Becca is the last one to work, she can be the one who has to park across the road. I don’t think she liked that solution, but if nothing else, it’ll make her get to work earlier tomorrow. Plus, she gets to park in the spot all next week, while I will be gone, so in the end she’ll get to use it more than me anyway!
I felt sort of guilty, but not that guilty. Rich said she should have me towed, but I counter that you can’t have someone towed from a spot that’s not technically yours to begin with. Anyway. Gavin just shook his head, and Becca said “Dude! You took my spot! That’s so wrong!” Amusing.
Oh, you must go read Becca’s idea for a footprint informercial. It is very funny. That’s us, the late-night TV debris footprint specialists.
I am so excited for tomorrow. Lord of the Rings, and then I go home!
Home home home home home home home.