Zero-Dark-What?

[ehowton]

It's not that I can't sleep. It's that so rarely do I get the opportunity.

Yesterday - great day at work. Cool and high of 77-degrees, work was steady without being slow or overwhelming. In a word, perfect. But I get a call from my boss. When he's in town, he's the the go-to man to get things fixed. Which sometimes involves me driving to downtown St. Louis in the midst of rush-hour traffic.

The good news is that this ain't Dallas. St. Louis is tiny comparatively. But by the time I get get to actual 'downtown' what with traffic and all, I sit through 5 conncurrent lights 8 cycles each - that's annoying. I wanted to scream. I have galinda822 guiding me in on my cell phone, as I'm trying to get to an unfamiliar hotel. "Where are you now?" she asks, wanting to precisely manuver me to my destination. "The same place I was five minutes ago."

There were two senior-VP's at this meeting, and countless other VIP's. Now I wouldn't say I was 'hobknobing' but I did run into a few people I hadn't seen in six years or so, and did take advantage of that and meet some new people. I was there until 1900. Screaming down the interstate on my way out, I'm home in something like 15 minutes. Change clothes, dinner, kids to bed, I'm not even on the computer before I'm in bed at 2130. I remember opening my eyes at 2300 and thinking, fsck, but it was a fleeting thought as I was down for the count. Which would have been a great story - except I have a 0600 conference call the next day! People, I don't even get out of bed until after 0700!

Then, at 0400, I am filled with thunderous fury as my wife's wristwatch alarm clock goes off...and beeps...for a full 30 seconds. I want to choke her in her sleep. But alas, I'm too tired to even roll over.

I have my alarm set for 0530, but am awoken seven minutes early by my cell phone. Woe is me! What fresh hell is this? Apparently, the early girl forgot her keys, could she swing by my house this morning and get mine? "Of course." I tell her. She feels bad for waking me, but she shouldn't - it was that asshole and his 0600 conference call. Only the early girl has the dial-in information, and I'm impressed that she actually stopped at the "STOP" sign at the end of my road, as she was driving backwards down the road, Hooper-style. Then reversed out into the other lane and continued on her way.

I never heard from her again.

I never made the call.

Comments

"St. Louis is tiny comparatively"

[chrisbarrett77.livejournal.com]

Not sure tiny is the word I'd use. St. Louis is tiny compared to L.A. or New York. So is Dallas...

My hometown of KC is tiny compared to Dallas...

Just had to stick up for my adopted hometown...WooHoo, go Cards! :-)

However, there ARE too many uncoordinated stop lights downtown and I don;t think they have ever heard of street sensors!!

Re: "St. Louis is tiny comparatively"

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

I usually avoid downtown at all cost! I tend to get lost driving down there.

Re: "St. Louis is tiny comparatively"

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

You were, however, a fantastic navigator!

Re: "St. Louis is tiny comparatively"

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

The greater Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the fifth largest metropolitan area in the nation. The Greater St. Louis area is ranked 18th. Seems tiny to me.

Re: "St. Louis is tiny comparatively"

[(Anonymous)]

Being twice as big didn't seem like that big of a difference to me. 5+mil. vs. 2.6mil. Neither are itsy bitsy cities. I was coming from the perspective that St. Louis is twice the size of KC in pop., but I wouldn't call KC tiny compared to STL. Well, its a subjective thing I guess. Looks like we both paid a visit to the census website...:-)

And yes, I like to avoid congested areas too, Carly...That's half the reason we've never been to Chicago. Neither John or I want to drive in that mess! If we do get around to that Ikea(sp.?) trip, you drive!!! :-)

Re: "St. Louis is tiny comparatively"

[chrisbarrett77.livejournal.com]

Ooops, that last one was me, just forgot to sign in...

Re: "St. Louis is tiny comparatively"

[chrisbarrett77.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I didn't mean to offend either...

Damn, typing, you can't hear the jest in my voice...

Re: "St. Louis is tiny comparatively"

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I like downtown St. Louis because it's small. You can park one place and walk almost everywhere. Haven't spent a lot of time in KC but it's a nightmare compared to STL...Downtown STL has a lot of personality, and the people are friendly.

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

I was suprised that I made my way around Chattanooga so well. I guess we all have downtown stories. Btw, how does Birmingham, AL rank in city sizes?


I never heard from her again.
Did you get your keys back?


I never made the call.
Did you roll over and go back to sleep or something? Did the call get cancled? Did you get in trouble?


I want to choke her in her sleep.
If you do that, you'll be in jail for murder and Swimfan and I will inherit your sex dungeon and a portion of the walk-in humidor and wine cellar.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

...how does Birmingham, AL rank in city sizes?
I couldn't determine that.

Did you get your keys back?
Yes.

Did you roll over and go back to sleep or something? Did the call get cancled? Did you get in trouble?
No.

[ex-crowy.livejournal.com]

I sense you were in the Military. Perhaps if I checked your usr info, this would be confirmed.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Perhaps.