Its been brewing for about a month now and I gotta let it out somehow. So I chose here. Apologies to those of you who hate complaining in writing. Until a recent string of events, my life lately has pretty much been total chaos this past couple of weeks, and prolly will be bad again by Saturday. I got a call last week at work. It was Eric telling me he might miss the next month of work. Let me tell you a little about what has been going on. Eric has been sick for a solid 3 months now. It first was pneumonia that lingered and he had trouble breathing. Then he got a bad cold, and was having these panic like attacks, and had to call in from time to time. It has now been determined that he has some sort of case of The Asthma, and he cannot go back to work until it passes. Doctors orders….. Every year Eric is in the top 3 at Erik’s for top mechanic’s(labor dollars). So as soon as I heard this, I knew I was going to be working a lot and my emotions were going to be tested. And they have been already. This past Sunday we were very busy, a line of bikes waiting to be checked in. I was doing the best I could. This guy had this kids bike that needed a new tire. He sat there and waited his turn, then his wife came in asking whats taking him so long. He made a comment along the lines of “well I didn’t realize it takes 20 minutes to check in a flat tire.” I heard it and he knew I heard it. Ya know, I’m doing the best I can to get these people in and out as quickly as possible. But he had to be “at a party”. Another guy came in to get some service done, and parts installed. When I told him it will be $7.99 to install the saddle, he started laughing at me and asked me if I was serious. With a straight face, and fumes rising inside I said “yup”. I don’t have time for this shit when the shop is already bonkers. People are so rude sometimes. I honestly was so stressed at that point, I could have gone out back and had a cry.
Then came yesterday morning. Salvation. A ray of hope. Theodore Wirth Park was now open for mt. biking. Thank God. Kyle and I found path to ride to and from the park. We did a solid 2 1/2 hours of riding. Ahhhhh, the Salsa was flawless. I love that bicycle. Perfect riding conditions for sure. We both have trouble with that rock garden at Theo for some reason, and decided the first person to bail on it buys the first round of beers at Old Chicago when we get back. We both made it, so next was if we both make it again, SHOTS!!!. An hour later, we were sitting on the patio at Old Chicago on Hennepin, drinking shots, beers, nachos, in spandex. After that was dinner at the rents. What a day. Sanity returns, and all is good for now.
As I was driving home last night down Johnson(I took the long way). I was sitting at a stoplight and this women with two kids starts to cross the street. One is an infant in a stroller, and the other on a little trike with a handle on it so she can direct him. It was quite a sight. Then she looked at me, gave me this “this is what you get to look foward to buddy” look. It was a smile, but a stressed out smile. Like she had been with the kids all day. Where was dad I wondered? I smiled back. I kinda quivered. Am I ready for that? I dunno. Today is another beautiful day and I’m off to to some intervals on the trainer then off to work. The allergies are in full swing and the biker tan has returned so summer is here………………..
daily quote – “It shows that a guy like Brad May has no respect, so he deserves no respect from anybody” -Derek Boogard after Brad May’s cheap shot on Kim Johnsson after the Wild beat the Ducks in game 4. Watch out Aneheim, the “Boogeyman” is angry.
