What Time is it Where You Are?

3:20 am at The Callaway House

I finished my 6 mile route for the first time in weeks this morning. I even pwnd (past) 3 n00bs (fellow runners) along the way. [I hope that this last sentence made you smile, Dave]. Even so, by the last mile my right knee was aching and there was no doubt (nor regret) in my mind that I was doing myself more harm than good.

As many of you know, I plan on working as much as possible this summer. Occasionally I become frustrated. During these times part of me is tempted to value the time I spend working no higher than my hourly wage. However, I am fighting to remain optimistic and so far I have not been entirely disappointed.

Things have really slowed down for us at Starbucks. Although this can make time drag a little, it gives us baristas an opportunity to interact with customers in a way that we normally would not be able to. Today, as I prepared his drink, I became engaged in a highly beneficial conversation with a customer. After inquiring about the state of his day and receiving a brief response, I went on to talk about my run this morning. I described it as AWESOME, with the exception of my knee problem. By the time his drink was ready, I had a list of symptoms, a diagnosis, and a prescription for stretches. The lady whose drink followed his also prescribed Bengay and shunned me for not stretching before and after my runs.

Due to College Station’s summer population deflation, I am needed less at Starbucks and have ended up working more at Callaway. Working nights severely affects my sleeping pattern and it isn’t until I’ve established a set schedule that things start to stabilize for me. Without sleep, I am a cranky, moody, caffeined up version of myself that can barely function, let alone talk or think. Fortunately, things have worked out well and I am getting close to 8 hours of sleep daily.

Working at The Callaway House is relatively effortless. During the summer, all I have to do is remain conscious, slowly converting oxygen into carbon dioxide behind the front desk. I have done quite a bit of reading here, however as 4:00 am approaches my brain shuts down and I usually resort to online episodes of The O.C. and Arrested Development.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you soon. Until then,

Love,
Greg