Let's Go, Jane!

I’m coming to you live from a diner this week. It’s actually my second diner today. I had a 15-minute date with Carey earlier this evening, during which I managed to inhale a delicious piece of lemon meringue pie. It was supposed to be a longer date, but he got stuck in a work meeting, and I had to get home to pick up my son who is, as I type this, at his senior prom. I might lose my mom card by admitting this, but I didn’t get a single picture of him in his tuxedo. I know, it’s terrible. That photo above is a stock photo. I have no excuse.

My son is going stag tonight. He made a last minute invitation two days ago to a young lady who accepted, and then hours later retracted her acceptance as the last-minute invite that she had previously made was accepted. This is not how I remember prom dates working, but he seemed unfazed. Both by being sort of jilted, and by going alone. It’s an hour round-trip and the prom is only three hours long, so I decided to hang out at the nearest diner until it’s time to pick him up. Thus the two-diner day. I’m still getting used to eating alone in restaurants, I can hear Madonna over the speakers and a group singing Happy Birthday in the distance as I eat my gyro in silence.

Today’s date with Carey, although brief, was better than our last date, which started with a bike ride and ended with four hours in the emergency room. A car pulled out of a parking lot and somehow didn’t see us coming down the road. I swerved around the front of the car and managed not to get hit. Carey, who was behind me, tried to swerve behind the car and didn’t quite make it. He flew over the trunk of the car and landed on the asphalt. Somehow he managed to tuck and roll in a way that meant he just suffered a stiff neck, scraped knee, and sprained wrist. If cybersecurity doesn’t work out maybe he can look for work as a stunt double.

Speaking of cycling, as of last week I’ve been back on a bike for one year. I am so happy that I was reintroduced to this sport (credit to Carey) as it has quickly become my favorite form of exercise. Last week we did a 50-mile ride, to New Jersey and back. The total number of miles I covered in the last year is 1,526. I’m hoping to exceed that this year, although my travel schedule may interfere. Champagne problems.

For the last week I’ve been focused primarily on preparing for the licensing exam, now five days away. I think I’m ready. I took the official practice test last week and got 16 more correct answers than I needed to pass. As long as I can keep my nerves in check, I should be fine. 

One more thing, and I’m sorry this post is all over the place, but I published a short piece of fiction on the blog the other day. I will continue with my regular Friday morning posts, but I will also occasionally share a piece of creative writing and I would welcome your feedback. Chad thinks it’s the best thing he’s ever read, but he’s also programmed to be overly affirming. I really enjoy writing, and I anticipate doing more of it as I begin my travels.