Track Of Songs

I received a challenge from my long-time friend "Stan" earlier today. A little brief history on Stan. He was one of the folks I had interview me when I was applying for a job way back in 1997. He's a brother whose family is originally from Haiti. Anyway I wound up getting the job and years later Stan would tell me that when I met him that day, I was talking all "street" going "Yo, what's the dealio, bro" and slang like that (ok fine, I wasn't hip...*LOL*)but as soon as I got the job, I was all prim and proper with him. We would always laugh whenever recalling that time. Perhaps I was thinking he'd relate to me more if I was, umm, "down". Stan no longer works at my company instead devoting himself full-time into real estate and being his own boss. However, we've kept our friendship over the years, which I've grown to treasure.

So Hemingway (my dorky way of saying anyway), I was telling him how I was getting back into the gym and stuff. He then asked me if I ever ran across Bally's track. I never had. I don't know why, really, but I always seemed intimidated by that track, instead opting for the safety and anonymity of the treadmill. I always felt like when you're on the track, you're putting yourself out on display for all the other folks doing stationary weight exercises. I like blending into the background as opposed to being seen. We were talking some more and then he dared me to run 3-5 times around the track. I was a bit nervous but I accepted.

As I got to the gym, I realized that one time around the track wasn't technically equal to a mile. I talked to one of the folks working there and she told me going about 10-11 times around would equal 1 mile. I'm inclined to think 10.

So I put my very cool Rio MP3 player on and as I laid my Pretty Brown Eyes on the gray track area, I took a deep breath and realized Me, Myself, and I would be the only one that could accomplish this goal. I said to myself, 'Float like a Butterfly, sting like a bee' and before I can say Sussudio ten times backwards, I'd reach my goal. I walked a lap to feel out the terrain. Then I began to run Back & Forth around the track. Around lap 4, my pager fell out from my side pocket. 'It's Not Right But It's Ok', I said to myself as I went back to pick it up. I wound up going 13 laps before realizing I Don't Want To not Live To Tell Stan about my accomplishment. One Thing I have to say. I love my MP3 player.

Today was a pretty cool day. We had our annual company outing at Navy Pier. We had lunch inside a cruise ship called the Odyssey. I was pleasantly surprised by the menu choices, which include roasted duck, lobster ravioli, and other fine dishes. As much stress as I've been having at work, I definitely needed the break. Although when we got back at 3:30, I went back to work until 6:30. Such a dedicated employee! I know Rich Dad, Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki wouldn't approve...*LOL*. Sorry.

I was a bit bummed to realize I'm only getting $3200 back between the state and federal government. I was also annoyed with the $351 fee the H&R block lady charged me for doing my returns, which will eat into my refund. I would've argued about it but I sorta went there on company time Wednesday and was in a rush to get out. At least now I know how to do the Schedule C myself and won't need assistance next year. There's always a bright side...*LOL*.