Too Much Time

Had an interesting weekend, with what could have been a potentially serious issue on Saturday. Let me elaborate...

So I was scheduled to be Master of Ceremonies for an Eagle Scout Court of Honor Saturday. Now, to put this in perspective, this is probably one of the biggest events in most boy's lives to this point. Grandparents fly in, friends take off from work, and the family digs through years of scout memorabilia to make a display. There are usually snacks and such (sorry, don't know how to spell hors d'oeuvre) at a small reception. So this is pretty major. And whenever I'm asked to MC one (I've done two in the last few weeks and I'm scheduled for two more next month), I always try to answer as "I'd be honored" (and I am, really.)

Anyway, I had to work Saturday (I know, what a shock, huh?) and I was scheduled off at 1:30. So that's ok, even if a bit tight. I figure 20 minutes to get home, a few minutes to clean up and change, a minute or two of prep work, and I can be there at 2:30, no sweat. I told a couple of semi-supervisors at work that no matter what was going on, I HAD to leave at 1:30. Period. I didn't have a car, DJ had to work, so Monica was coming to pick me up. "Don't be late, I have to be there on time."

So I'm working hard. The schedule was a little messed up so I was by myself most of the shift (again, I know you're shocked). So I look at my watch, and the hands show 12:50. "Cool", thinks I. "I've got time to do this and that and so forth." I work hard, get a few more things done, look at my watch, it says 1:10. "Wow," says I. "That didn't take as long as I expected. Good, now I can do this real quick and then book on out of here." So I rock on a bit more, and I'm feeling pretty good. I'm really going to be able to leave things in better shape than I thought. I check my watch, it shows 1:22, and I'm heading to the time clock. I get to the break room, pull out my time badge, and the clock's digital read-out shows

1:55

"Is it really almost two o'clock?" I yell. "Yep," someone answers. "Holy S*%@!" I go running out the door,looking at my phone. There are 3 text messages from Monica. "I'm here" "Hello? I'm waiting" "Where are you?" So I call, tell her I'm coming, and go running out the door.

We made it on time, basically. At least, close enough to 2:30 that no one noticed.

See? Here I am.

The only thing I can figure is that, at some point there around 1PM, I must have hit the watch stem on the side of a box and pushed it in just enough to slow the watch down, not stop it. That's why time kept running and fooled me. And I can't STAND being late. But that's a subject for another post.

Notice how I didn't say ONE WORD about the obligatory "I can't believe it's been so long since my last post". Aren't you proud of me?