#winning in February

Someone told me over the weekend that the day after the Superbowl marks the single highest percentage of employees calling in sick. I haven't verified this statement but it does make sense. If you suddenly came down with the "flu" this morning you are definitely not alone.

Yesterday was an amazing day considering 1) it's 50degrees in February and 2) we've been in a deep freeze for at least a month. If you were out on the bike (as you should have been!) and saw some chick in Colavita colors with an obnoxiously giddy smile, that would have been me. Maybe you waved or maybe you looked away so as to not stare at this "special" kid. Either way I was one happy camper.

With my recent change in status as a short-timer at work my level of stress has decreased, like a thousand percent. I'm not exactly sure what to do with myself. Riding is my comfort zone - a little more uncomfortable than I'd like it to be right now but definitely my go-to.  Thanks to Bicycle Pro Shop in Alexandria, my BMC was spiffed up and ready to tackle the challenge; both my lack of fitness and the sh*t-show of our roads. I know it's been a while since I've had the pleasure of riding out-of-doors but ... damn.

It was even warmer today than yesterday and yes(!) I rode outside. TWO DAYS IN A ROW! I know that's no-big for most of my cycling brethren and I'll hopefully look back on this post and ask myself why I wrote that in all caps, as though it was a BFD. Right now, it is!

Another appreciation point: I took myself for a walk around the neighborhood last night. It was cool but not cold, crisp but in a good way. These pics are from a park on the edge of the community. Not a bad way to enjoy the evening.

Partially Frozen lake - Ducks finding the warmer weather

Ducks

Water Features in Ben Brenman Park

Ice and Snow on the Lake at night

Enjoy one last day of unseasonably warm temperatures. As I've heard and often repeated: It's the Mid- Atlantic, if you don't like the weather - just wait a minute.

The End of an Era

I've been consumed by work over the past 3 years. I sacrificed sleep and time with those I care about. My dear friends and loved ones continually heard about it and too often heard the words "I can't, I have to work".  I like to think I'm dedicated to my commitments and push myself pretty hard trying to do the right thing but this was beyond the pale .

life is better on two wheels

I was too busy or too tired to train which means I essentially missed out on three training seasons which translated to missing two race seasons. As many of you can relate, the bike is therapy, I'm a better person when I can ride and train. I'm an even better person when I am fast and can hang with the big girls and boys.  

Why do we do this to ourselves, placing work ahead of living life? Some of it is sheer obstinance. I don't like to fail. (As an aside this has been an issue in relationships that clearly weren't healthy. I digress).

Much of it was trying to maintain and protect my accounting/contracts team. We have been working together for years like a well oiled machine, taking on anything we needed to do by successfully conquering constant obstacles. We laughed together and cried together but we always looked out for each other.  It was my job to fight for our team.

Leadership in the company failed us and as of last Thursday our company was acquired. The new owners said nothing would change Day 1 and they didn't *technically* lie. The changes began on Day 3. They have a thousand managers of managers in the accounting department. Lack of communication and instability abound. Our merry band wasn't going to survive as a team.  They're going to shut down our office in Shirlington. My right hand guy found a new opportunity. Three of the others are being relocated to Chantilly (!).

I chose to make a clean break after 6 years on this road show. I finally realize I need to put on the oxygen mask first before helping others put on theirs.



Change is hard. The upside is this chapter is done. I'm blessed to have built long-lasting relationships with some amazing people. Now I have the opportunity to change my world view, to find and rediscover life outside of work. 


Thankfully I will have a few weeks to reset. I want to ride my bike - Jim Gross, I'm looking at you in AZ! I want to go diving (not on my bike). I want to catch up with friends, catch up on sleep and generally catch up with life outside of work.

I hear there really is life outside of work. I plan on coming for it like a spider monkey.

New Year, Irony and Whipped Cream

Welcome to 2019 and the latest edition of the Month of Wendy!

I had you at Whipped Cream, didn't I?

I've been inspired to get back to writing this blog for various reasons, not the least of which is that I just miss writing. I often find myself in funny, ironic or otherwise noteworthy situations and I think - I should share this with someone! So, here I am sharing.

Unfortunately I can't share much about cycling these days. Life kinda got in the way of training these past two years. Not in any particular order: bought a house, lost Cassius the Cat, ended a roller coaster relationship last year, rescued two adorable kittens, went on a road trip, worked the Tour of California, almost quit my job, got promoted at my company and spent the last 6-8months trying to sell the company.

That's just the highlights.

I find humor in irony and I've witnessed plenty of that in both work and personal life. My most recent venture could be viewed as ironic: as of last week I completed my entry level Diving Certification. Yes, you read that right. I even completed the coursework for the Advanced Certification. The instructor noted at the end of that course that I need to work on getting streamlined- he said it looks like I'm trying to ride a bicycle underwater.

Apparently it's a thing.

I need another 15 dives to get the official certification so in the unlikely case someone reading this blog is interested in entertaining a noob, please feel free to reach out. 

Maybe not irony but just bad luck - I woke up the Friday before the New Year Holiday without a voice. Literally, no voice. Laryngitis. I've never had it, it's really weird not being able to talk. My kittens - in the "no", "stop that", "no claws", "get down from there" phase- were perplexed that I was clapping or banging the table to get their attention. They looked at me quizzically before deciding to stay the course of whatever they were doing.

Meet Cato and Marcel

I ordered some Bourbon from overseas (Blanton's - really hard to get unless you're standing at the loading dock at the liquor store when it's delivered. People judge you on that kind of move.) Anyway, it came in the day before and needed a signature, there was no way I was going to risk losing it.

They're super cute when they do things like this

I grabbed a notebook and wrote down my situation:

Hi, my name is Wendy Ulmer. 

I lost my voice yesterday. I have a package (tracking # here) that needs signature. They said they tried to deliver yesterday but I was home all day and no one rang. 

Thank you for your help.



The lady at Fedex greeted me and asked how she could help me. I laid the notebook on the counter and stood there with a stupid smile because I felt like an idiot. She looked at the notebook and says "what is this?". At that time I realized a common MO for robberies is handing the front desk person a note.

I quickly pointed out the first sentence and pulled out my ID. She responded by whispering "Oh, okay, I can get that for you". I laughed to myself thinking " I'M THE ONE WHO LOST MY VOICE, MY EARS ARE JUST FINE". 

Given my luck I needed to make sure the lost voice wasn't something worse. Also, WEBMD told me there can be two types of Laryngitis, viral (not a big deal) and bacterial (kinda big deal). Again, given my luck ... so I walked into Urgent Care with another note. I figured they didn't have a strong history of being held up with a note. Her response was the same - whispered "The doctor will be right with you". I would have laughed out loud if I could.

Finally, for your amusement I've added a couple of pictures from my birthday dinner with the
family. Yes, for my birthday I got a surprise plate of whip-cream in the face.

We love our family, don't we?

Happy 2019!