Chris arrived yesterday back home fresh off of finals at UNCG. He brought a friend with him as well (and it wasn't Sharene). The friend is named Hailey and is a mixed husky/lab not yet 6 months old. So now I have gone from being able to hear myself think in my 2200 square feet to sharing my space with 2 additional living creatures. Hailey is a cute pup. While she doesn't stray far from Chris, at any point in time, she seems to have adjusted well to me so it is all good. Yesterday, Chris said that she took a run at a deer in the back yard :-) When that pup is all grown, she is going to be a handful.
We are all creatures of habit to a certain degree and I am no different. My cycle or routine is not entirely synchronized with Chris' whose pattern is probably typical for a 20 year old - so there is a little adjustment on both sides.
I'll get up generally around 5:30 each morning and like to get my exercise out of the way. My equipment is in the formal living room (on padding on the hardwoods) and when working out, I like to crank the receiver (in the great room) loud enough to listen to the digital music channels on cable or pop a CD in.
One of the benefits of living in a development with decent sized lots (mine is 1.35 acres) is that I can do this at 5:30 in the morning without perturbing the neighbors.
That really wouldn't have worked at 1521 Ninth Street in Altoona where my bedroom (inherited from Steve and Rich when they went off to college and then their careers) was separated from 1523 by about a 3-4 foot buffer. From the summer of 1975 (before my 8th grade at McNelis), I have vivid memories of hearing Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John played over and over and over again one hot July evening. (I think the Shannon's really liked that song.)
When Chris or one of the other guys is home, I usually compromise - I keep my workout typically in the morning, but no music. The rhythm of the treadmill once it gets moving is easy to sleep over upstairs, however it makes for a pretty boring run.
I hear that there is this thing called digital music and these gadgets called iPods. Hint. Either that or a nice flat screen to wall mount within viewing distance of the equipment so I can get the updates for the Tiger bimbo count on the Sportscenter ticker. Yo Santa - get to work on it!
The other big difference with Chris back is the need to restock the food supply - both quantity and variety. Chris mentioned that he has gained 15 pounds since summer (the "Sophomore 15"?) And of course, I now feel obligated to (egads) prepare real meals.
It is great to have Chris back now for the holidays and looking forward to Joe,Jr and Tony joining us later in the week.
