Out of the ORDinary.

For me, I have been travelling a lot lately.  I like to think I'm a good traveler -- packing is just a matter of grabbing my 3-1-1 ziplock bag, adding a suit and some workout clothes.  Everything else just lives in my suitcase and carry-on.  I like to think I'm fast through security (considering that I'm not pre-check -- I'm still slowed down by others in front of me).  And, I like the airport.  

I had a flight late this afternoon.  I left on the early side as I never know what the traffic is going to be like getting out to O'Hare and don't mind being early.  As a reward for my early bird status, I got selected for random extra security screening as I went through TSA screening.  That was no big deal -- just swabbing my hands and waiting for the results to come back clean.  But, in the three minutes it took for that to happen, when I got back to pick up my stuff, I realized my laptop was gone.  In its place was another Dell laptop but one that was obviously not mine.  Obvious, you ask?  Well, yes -- this laptop had a huge sticker on its top while mine does not.  So, obvious to me, less so to the person who took the wrong laptop.

It may not surprise you to learn that the TSA was not particularly helpful.  They first told me that this happened more often than you'd think but then had to conference among themselves three times on what they should do.  As they reviewed the security tapes to try to figure out who pulled the switcheroo, I was on the phone, waiting to get through to work to determine what the proper procedure was as it was my work laptop.  It seemed prudent while waiting to fill out a police report, which as it turns out is part of the proper procedure.  The Chicago police officer did not seem particularly interested, enthusiastic or optimistic about the whole thing but said she would take a walk through the terminal to see if she could find the unknowing culprit.

Since I was early, I decided to just sit and wait and see.  Incredibly, the CPD actually found the girl!  When she returned to security, she apologized immediately ("I'm so sorry, I'm sure this has been stressful for you") and handed over my laptop.  

I will not take this as a bad sign for the week ahead -- just out of the ordinary.

Left Turns.

Work has been extremely busy lately as we lead up to a trial in three weeks.  Even with that, there was no way I was going to say no when my friend KWW told me he was going to be in town to do the NASCAR race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet and asked if I would like to attend.  I can't call myself a NASCAR fan or even knowledgeable about the sport -- I think I can name, at most, 5 NASCAR drivers -- but the answer to that is always going to be yes.  And, because KWW would be working the race and not really able to hang out, I got M and K to go with me.

When K decided she would skip her brunch plans and come to NASCAR, she immediately burst into a chorus of Proud to be an American.  Honestly, we expected to hear it everywhere we turned once we arrived at the track.  In that, we were disappointed.  But we did have some stereotypes met, including: confederate flags; lots of beer; and, bad clothes:

Seen on two separate people, the assault rifle motif was popular, even more jarring to me considering the Aurora shootings not three days ago.

It was awesome.  Part state fair midway, part sporting event, part People of Walmart.  So much fun to be had between the planned diversions and people watching.

We suspected it was going to be great when we were starting our hike from our parking spot and flagged down a golf cart to ask where Will Call was.  The driver told us but said he couldn't give us a ride (before we even asked) because it was only for people with disabilities.  Out of sheer laziness, I told the man that I had rheumatoid arthritis.  For the first time, I'm happy to have it as we were told to climb on it.  K and I sat in the back while M had a fairly detailed conversation about twinkies and their history.

Our twinkie-loving driver dropped us off at the midway where we quickly obtained a margarita and a lot of free swag.  Sunglasses, hats, collapsible water bottles, bottle openers, koozies, fans, stress balls, crayons, pens, coloring books and more.

I refuse to heed the advice of the tire stress ball.

Yes, this is a bad picture with my nose looking even more broken than it is and the child-sized frames but they are cute right?  At least, the Geico gecko in the upper left corner is cute.

K would oblige me to point out that while it is a cute motif it is not a great insurance company -- go State Farm!

We started playing the various games and KWW was able to join us briefly.  The three of us got to take this picture.  Don't we make convincing mini-drivers?

In case the whole law thing doesn't work out for us.

Before entering the track, we got snacks.  For me, I had one of my favorite things: a hot dog at a sport event.  It was the oddest bun I've had (essentially a thick piece of bread with a slit down the middle) but still good.

Once we entered the track, we made our ascent to our seats.  The seats were awesome -- we could see everything -- but man, were they steep:

Section 121, Row 58, Seat 1.  It is a long way up (and down). NASCAR seats are not for the unfit.

KWW was able to join us for the prayer/pledge of allegiance/national anthem/fly-over and the beginning of the race.  He had warned us -- and even provided ear plugs -- that it was loud but it is hard to understand just how loud until you experience it:

This was coming off a caution about twenty-five laps in.  VROOM!  That's a lot of left turns.  My favorite part was watching the pit crews.  They are so impressive.

Cars lined up in front of pit row before the start.

We had to leave a bit early and apparently we missed the perfect race ending: two laps under a caution, two under white and the checkered flag.  Honestly though, even with missing the "perfect ending," it could not have been more fun.  AND, on the way home, I got to fill up on cheap suburbs gas and get a desperately-needed car wash.

By far, my best Sunday in a long, long time.  Thanks, KWW!

Preach.

I saw this on BuzzFeed today.  It was part of a promotional post by Political Animals ("9 Inspirational Quote from Independent Women Who  Kick Butt").  Normally, I avoid promoted posts but I'm a real sucker for some good quotes.  And, all I can say about this one is: PREACH.

 "Maybe what bothers me the most is that people say that Hillary is a bitch. Let me say something about that: Yeah, she is. And so am I and so is this one. (Points to Amy Poehler) Know what? Bitches get stuff done!"  

Beware of Sharp Objects.

As I was riding to the gym this morning, I thought back to a few months ago when I had my first ever flat.  I was thinking that while it had been quite an unfortunate and not inexpensive start to the week, that I just loved riding my bike and how much easier, cheaper and fun it is than driving.

And then, I heard a hissing.  I thought at first that I was just hearing things, maybe a sprinkler nearby or something but no, I was at commercial street corner with no sprinklers nearby.  So, I hopped off my bike and listened closer.  Sure enough, my bike was hissing.  Upon a close inspection, I found a small piece of glass stuck in the front tire.  And, of course, I still don't have the necessary components or confidence to be able to change a flat on my own.  So, I walked my bike back home, stuck it in my car and drove to the gym.

And then, I was getting dressed this morning after my spin class, I managed to stab myself in the neck with a pin I didn't realize was in my dress.

I'm hoping that this morning is not the start of a repeat of my bad week back in March that began with a flat. Instead, I have my fingers crossed that it is just a bad day for me and sharp objects.

Puppy Time!

I took advantage of last week's holiday lull to head back to Colorado to visit my family and get some puppy time.

My "puppy" is almost nine.  I had forgotten just how sharp those little puppy teeth are.  Just how funny puppies are when they get excited and tumble over themselves.  And, just how cute they are.

Chewing on something appropriate while trying to look innocent.

I thought Belle was great.  Unfortunately, Shelby does not yet agree.  I can't say I blame her -- she is bald in spots because of Belle's constant chewing (and Shelby is a well-trained dog who knows better than to bite another, even if the other dog is gnawing on her).  Similarly, Sam, one of my mom's cats, is none-too-pleased with Belle and her ongoing ambushes that result in pouncing, swatting, and hissing.  

Temporary pet detente between Shelby, Sam and Belle.

Belle is a smart little doglet.  Hopefully, sooner rather than later, she will decide she wants to pay attention when my parents try to train her so she is a smart, well-behaved little doglet.  My mom has trained plenty of dogs in her time.  But, I received "51 Puppy Tricks" as a puppy time present and shared it with my mom.  I'm pretty sure she will be teaching the new dog new tricks, including teaching Belle to ring a bell when she needs to go outside.  

One other thing that I forgot about puppies: just how fast they become dogs.  Not a week later since I saw her, my mom sent me this picture:

In part, it is the angle and perspective but I already think she looks more like a small dog than a puppy.  Pretty soon she will no longer fit in her favorite hiding place: