Middle America

So I spent a few days last week out in Omaha. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see any of the downtown bits. I drove around it, sure, but didn't get out of the car (it was late, I was tired.) I went there for three days for work at a certain cereal plant that I've worked for before in Lancaster.

The days started at about 5:45 when I met the other two guys (boss, coworker) for breakfast at the hotel. Then a short drive to the plant, and a fun 6:30-5:30 with an hour for lunch kind of day. The interesting part was having to do work all day! Dang. I actually learned a lot and got to know the process of the plant well, so I'm stoked about that. Anyway, the project we're working on is in the several millions and could go on for at least a year or more, so it's going to be one hell of a ride for me. I will have to go back out again a few times, and the next is looking like the first week in August or thereabouts.

My boss and I flew home via Chicago together, and our flight was delayed for an hour at O'Hare. That put us in Indy at near midnight Thursday night. I told Nick that I was interested in biking into work on Friday, so we should meet at 6 a.m. Well, when I finally got to bed at about 2 a.m. Friday morning, I had left him a voicemail saying that well, I'm tired, might not go into work, see you later.

6 a.m., I hear a knocking on the door. It's Nick.

He had misplaced his cell phone.

Half an hour later, (on something like, 3ish hours of sleep) I'm trudging along on the bike path, enjoying the morning and wondering what kind of comfiness the underbelly of my cubicle has to offer.

Friday's a short day for us -- worked four hours -- so we had a midday ride back. I didn't have the computer either time on the ride, but I'm reckoning it took an hour. I wasn't too interested in hammering away, although I wanted to at least keep myself going home to my comfy bed and really cute baby.

This weekend we did a bit of shopping here and there. Maria did some more driving. She's getting better every day, I think. I think her permit is expiring soon, and although you can renew it, it might be fun to see if she can pass the test on what she knows. I think the last major hurdle is the parallel parking bit. Oh boy!