Not again (kidney stone)

Woke up around 11:30pm with excruciating pain.  It took me a while but I figured it was another kidney stone.

I'm in Denver for work so got dressed and made it to the front desk.  Got a hospital recommendation and called a taxi.

CAT scan confirmed kidney stone.  Apparently there are two.  Back from hospital by 3:30am.  Now just have to see if they'll pass.

TSA doing a fantastic job

Going through security today at MSP, the courteous gentleman responsible for the metal detector said, "Come right through, young man."

I thought I detected sincere emphasis on the "young" part.  I did shave off my strawberry blonde beard last week.

Another one ready to go

Frankie's turn in the box.

History

Many of you know of my step-great aunt's first day of school/christening dress that I have set in a shadow box.  That same great aunt had a large handkerchief collection.

That same great aunt survived a direct hit by a tornado.  Her house was destroyed and her collection of kerchiefs were blown all over.  A few were found including this one that I finally got mounted and framed.

I do not know how old this is but I'm thinking it is at least 75 if not 100 years.

Boxed and ready to go

Nothing like a new and empty box to curl up in for Miss Uno.

Oops, not a watermelon

Obviously I couldn't remember what I had planted.  And it was so green.  But what I first thought was watermelon is pumpkin.  I did check the seed pack, too.

It certainly isn't very big and is shaped.like a watermelon but it is definitely turning pumpkin color.  There is also now another one and it is more traditional pumpkin shape.

My very athletic weekend

Friday was my usual workout session with my trainer.  Kaitlin always works me hard for an hour.  I was a sweaty mess.

Saturday, based on encouragement from my cheering squad last week, I decided to run further than I had done before.  I ended up running an un-official 10K.  Took 55 minutes.

Today (Sunday) was the Minneapolis Bike Tour - a 36 mile bike round around Minneapolis starting from Parade Stadium to the chain of lakes (Isles, Calhoun and Harris), to Lake Nakomis, Minnehaha Park, the Mississippi River, Victory Memorial Parkway, Theodore Worth,  around Cedar Lake, and back to Parade Stadium. 

Friends Kelly, Bud, and Justin also particpated.  That was a challenge.

Tonight (Sunday) is first night of Fall-Winter bowling league.

One in a million...

I was boarding the office elevator on the 9th floor and heard a little ping sound.  I looked down and my badge was gone.  It has fallen down the slit and into the elevator shaft!.  If I had tried, there is no way to do that in purpose.

Fortunately the elevator man was already on his way to the building.  Otherwise there is a $319 charge to have him come.  He was able to retrieve the badge along with the retractable belt hook - which was demolished in the nine floor fall.

The night the lights went out

Well, it wasn't really night.  I couldn't sleep so got up early.  It was still dark out.  There was a rare rain in Denver.  I was in the bathroom when the lights flickered.  Once.  Twice.  Out.

It was pitch black in the bathroom.  It was nearly just as dark in the rest of the room.  I couldn't really see much of anything and debated about going back to bed.  Instead I downloaded a flashlight app on my phone.

The flashlight app included a lightbulb feature.  I used that to shave, brush my teeth and the other tasks to get ready for work.

Backup systems meant the hallway and stairwelll lights were on.  Ibgot down the seven flights, grabbed a cab, and got to the office by 7am.

Three tries

Check the photo.  It took three attempts to get a room at the Doubletree Stapleton.

The first room had not been cleaned.  The second room had in industrial dehumidifier trying to dry out the soaked carpet.  Finally the third room was decent.

The hotel is not bad, however, it is nowhere near the office.  Everything downtown was booked this week.

Organizing my life?

Way overdue organizing effort.

Downtown Minneapolis

Thus is the office I work in in downtown Minneapolis. Those from around here will recognize the building as the former Federal Bank Building.

The cloud reflection was very pretty this.morning.

Minnesota State Fair

I wasn't originally thinking I would go to the fair this year buy friends were going and it is a nice day.

First Saturday Coffee

The gang at Gigi's on 36th for first Saturday coffee.