A Day to Forget

Day 261:

Wow Boy'O.  Talk about a rough 24 hours... Beginning last night with a flight from Washington Dulles at 10:00pm - a flight that didn't get in until after 1:00am, it's been a busy, busy day, Boy'O.  The purpose behind the effort was to get in front of the would-be customer and see to it that they got the deal done before close of business (5:00pm) on the last day of the month.  Didn't happen.  And unfortunately it was because my company was to rigid with it's terms.  SO much so it saw the customer walking away from the deal.

Empty handed, I left my customer's offices both angry and frustrated.  Not only that, but I had 40 minutes to make my flight and I was 20 minutes away.  When I got to the airport and checked in with the United crew, they'd given away my 1st class upgrade and stuck me in a middle seat.  What's more?  I was literally the last person on the plane and in fact, they were holding it for me!  Lucky for me, the folks at United were really interested to see me at least make that plane.  I owe them for that.

On the other side of things, you and Mommy, your Grandpa K9, and MeMeow all packed up our Tahoe and rolled out to the Jersey Shore for the Labor Day weekend.  Unfortunately for them, a 3 hour drive turned into a 6 hour drive and, when cruising with an 8 month old, that means you're going to have a few moments of cranky-Conor!

So there it is... Everybody is having a less than memorable day.  I was at least able to finish the day with a steak and a friend at a favorite restaurant of mine, and not only that but on the Harley and with the beautiful blue moon.  Gorgeous night for riding, and I can't remember needing it more.

I also need some sleep, Boy'O.  And that's where I'm headed now...

I love you,
-Dad

Up in the Air

Day 260:

Wow Conor...  It's been a really trying week.  Starting out the week in Florida, getting home only yesterday afternoon, and now turning around to fly back to Tampa on a 10:00pm flight... That is the PITS!  And the only reason it bothers me at all, is just because I have to be away from you, Son.  I truly don't want to miss a thing, but sometimes, life just gets in the way.

Still, I'm optimistic as to the reason why I'm traveling...  I'm doing what I do, Boy'O.  I'm getting business done...  I should be in Tampa around midnight and my head should hit the pillow around 1:00am.  My meeting starts at 9:30am and will likely take the better part of the day, but if all goes well I'll be on the 6:00pm flight home, and running First Class at that!  The benefit to traveling often is the recognition by the airlines for using their services, and so they'reupgrading me on both legs for free... Not so bad I guess...

In other news, you're teething like baby shark, Son!  And with the teething comes a lot of drool... Seems as though you're ALWAYS drooling!  It's as though we gotta keep you in a bib full time!

Short post, Son...  It's almost 2:00am and I'm just getting to the room after an accidental midnight drive to Clearwater under a perfect full moon.

I love you, Conor.
-Dad

Thanks be to Grandparents

Day 259:

Well Conor, I'm finally home.  After almost three days on the road, tons of rain and gusty winds, driving from coast to coast in the great state of Florida, I came home to Virginia.  I was only able to peek in on you while you were napping upon arrival, but that would have to be enough.

Needless to say I had tons of work to do, Son, so sitting at the house in the afternoon wasn't even an option.  I had to drop off my gear, grab my keys, and head into the office.  Arriving around 1:00pm I was weary from travel (and even more so now) but determined to get some things done ahead of the 3 day weekend...  Still, as determined and as focussed as I could be, it was hard not to think about getting home in the evening to hang out with you...

As mentioned before, this week is the week that your Nanny, Ms Zeny, takes off for the week and so we've been hodgepodging daycare for you all week.  Mommy on Monday, Breanna on Tuesday, and today, your Grandparents!  In fact, todays' picture is in tribute to your Grandpa K9 and his service to our United States Marine Corps.  Your MeMeow bought you this bib and I just had to put it on you!  Though here's the deal, Son.  With all due respect to Marines everywhere, if you're joining the corps, Son, you're doing it with a degree and then heading through OCS.  No conversations, no arguments.  I'd be so proud should you serve the country, Son.  But you'll do it as an educated man and an officer.

Tangent, sorry...  Anyhow, you were in good hands today, as you will be tomorrow, and then you're mine all mine on Friday!  Though now, I'm just done, Conor. Wiped out and in need of a good night's sleep.  And so off I go.

Until tomorrow, Boy'O.  I love you...
-Dad

On the Road and Dreaming

Day 258:

Well Conor, it's a been a long couple of days.  Aside from the emptiness I feel being away from you, I've put a ton of work in and made several meetings all over Central Florida - from Orlando to Clearwater.  Each meeting gets a little bit tougher, but I'm good for it, Son.  Though still, in between these meetings, and considering how much I've been driving, it's given me a LOT of time to think.   A lot of time to think about you...

I like having time to think, Conor.  It's a luxury not otherwise afforded in the day to day life of work, home, responsibilities, errands, chores.  When you do finally get some down time, all you wanna do is turn your mind OFF.  Get numb to some groovy tunes or a mindless movie.  But that's the real reason I've always loved the road, Son.  It gives me time to consider.  It gives me time to appreciate.  It gives me time to day dream.  

Being alone with your thoughts can be both liberating and dangerous.  In my case, I have a tendancy to over think things and then I become frustrated.  When I become frustrated I become unclear.  It's a Catch 22 it seems, but necessary.  At least for me.  Still, I love thinking of the endless possibilities I have with you, Boy'O.  I love thinking about what will be, where to go, and how to get there.  And so the road alone offers that opportunity.  For that I'm thankful.

The other side of it is though, I'm away from you...  That part I don't like.  Not one bit.  Selfishly I could spend every living moment with you, but that would mean we would both be a couple of the most maladjusted human beings on Earth!  So instead, this will have to do.  But I swear to you, Conor, no matter how far away I am, you're always on my mind.

Time to get into character, Boy'O... I've got business to do!

I love you, Conor.
-Dad

The Eye of the Storm

Day 257:

On the go again, Boy'O.  Back in Florida...  A rough night (another blasted headache) in conjunction with an early start, heavy traffic to the airport, extraordinarily long security lines at Dulles, running to my gate, a delayed flight, and a monsoon when I finally touched down in Florida... I've been tested today, Son.  Still, I have great hopes for the meetings I'm here for, Boy'O.  Three companies and back on Wednesday.  And not a moment to soon because I miss you like crazy already!

Traveling is something I've typically enjoyed, Son.  Even for work. It's merely a change of pace.  Seeing new things, having new experiences.  I most enjoy traveling with friends or colleagues, but am just fine to go it alone, too.  This day will see me running things solo while tomorrow I'll be joined by my boss and another colleague as the meetings we're in town for are bringing in the brass to play with... That's to say, people who make decisions, Son.  In my current profession, when you can meet with C-Suite executives of companies valued at North of $100m in revenue, never go it alone.  

Yes, Hurricane Isaac is making a mess of a few things in the Central Florida region and so traveling, alone no less, isn't as much fun as it could be.  Especially considering how much I miss being home with my family.  You, Mommy, and even those darned dogs, Son.  It's hard being away these days, even in the grandest conditions.  Though I put on a determined face and tell myself that in the end, I'm only doing any of this for one reason  - You.

I was born for the road, Conor.  I love it like few ever will and I'll travel absolutely anywhere without giving it much of a second thought.  But I'd really prefer to do all that traveling with you, Son.  And maybe, just maybe, someday we will.  Because no matter the reason; be it work, fun, or other, there's a great big World out there just waiting to be seen, Son.  It's just waiting...

Wish me luck in my meetings, Boy'O.  I'll let you know how I did tomorrow...

I love you, Son.
-Dad

 

The Day of Nothing

Day 256:

What a slow and sleepy Sunday, Boy'O...  The day began with a heavy, albeit steady, rain that persisted into the late hours of the morning.  This was just perfect for you and Mommy as after you'd finished your morning bottle the two of you were all to happy to get back to sleep... Me?  Well, when I'm up, I'm up, and all I can think about when my eyes open is that first draw from a mug full of hot, steamy coffee...

I rather enjoy a rainy Sunday morning, Conor.  There's something cleansing about it.  Relaxing.  The house is quiet and still, and even your dogs aren't so inclined to mill about.  And so I sat at the dining room table, my very favorite spot in the whole house, coffee in my cup, some mellow music to fill the room, and my trusty computer.  In these moments I find clarity, Son.  You see, I'm constantly afflicted with an abundance of thoughts floating around in my head that simply need to get out.  When I get these thoughts on the page, I feel accomplished; even if not another soul ever reads them... And so on this easy Sunday morning I decided to get back to my "Red Wine, Big Whiskey" blog, and even started a new blog following an early morning run in with a raven while walking the dogs...

To spend a few hours just punching away on my machine, well, let's just say there's a sense of both satisfaction and relief after.  And what's more, I generally write about things I want to learn more about because it provides me the opportunity to research and reinforce what I already know while filling out the details.  Today, for example, I wrote about my love and appreciation of bourbon, and in so doing affirmed much of what I already knew while better understanding the distillation details.  I suppose it sounds a bit like an oxymoron... Why would I be writing about something I don't yet know about?  Because putting things in black and white is something I love to do, and once I've written it down, I don't forget it...

By the time you and Mommy eventually decided to start your day, I was famished, Boy'O!  We pulled ourselves together, grabbed some lunch, ran an errand or two, and then back to the house.  And while the day was still threatening rain, both you and Mommy once again retreated to the bedroom whilst I flipped between our Washington Nationals and pre-season football.  In fact, it was a perfect day to relax, and so I did...

That all comes to an end tomorrow morning though, Conor.  For tomorrow I'm flying into the eye of the hurricane, literally... I have business in Florida over the next few days, and so I'm flying into Orlando for a meeting, and then on to Tampa for several more on Tuesday. Here's to hoping my flight leaves on time, Son!  And that your old man doesn't get swept away in the storm...

I love you, Conor.
-Dad

Ride a Motorcycle, Give Blood...

Day 255:

... though never at the same time, Son.  That's the trick.  Three to four times a year I give blood, Boy'O.  I had an appointment with the American Red Cross today, and so I took the Harley for a spin on the way.

I do this because I'd like to think it could help somebody, and I love nothing more than helping people, Conor.  But I also do it in the hopes that another would do the same, and in the event I'm ever so badly injured that I need blood, there'll be plenty of Type O on hand to get the job done.  We call this "paying it forward", Boy'O.

Giving blood helps civilians and soldiers alike, Son.  And for all it is to give blood, which is to say a minor inconvenience of time and just a quick pinch in the arm, I feel as though it's the very least I can do.  In fact, lately I've been thinking of ways to do more for others, Son.  Doing more for those in need gives a great sense of fulfillment I find.  And for an able bodied, moderately skilled, hard working and determined individual like me, be it giving blood, welcoming home returning service men and women with the USO, or building a house - all things I've considered - I can do more, and will...

 I now only one job above all others which requires I be exceptional doing it; being your father.  To be a good example, a good steward of minding manners, tempering life's many frustrations, and showing above all that doing the right thing isn't because it's what somebody told you to do or what somebody else expects of you, but because YOU believe it's right.  I believe giving blood every now and again is the right thing to do...

Speaking of giving blood, our Redskins are on, Son!  I gotta watch the game!  Because right now, supporting our football team is definitely the right thing to do!

I love you, Conor.
-Dad