On my way to the forum

So, here's a rather pathetic although somewhat funny story about my weekend with the kids. I was scrambling all weekend. And when you are scrambling, you sometimes make stupid mistakes. Here's one of mine.

So, on Thursday night, I had to do interviews with potential Young Professional Manager candidates. Coach a soccer practice. Host a start-up drinks evening. Get home by 9pm. I did this almost (I was about 25 minutes late) - all with the gas light on in my car. I knew it was on - but I calculated that I had 40 miles until I would be out of gas. When I reached home, I had already traveled 47 miles - but I had internally calculated 30.

At 8:52am on my way to Big Omaha, I discovered that my calculations were wrong. I ran out of gas about 1/2 mile from the Martha Street exit in Omaha. Oops. Big Omaha started at 9am, and I had been hoping to get downtown and get gas at the Cubby's in the Old Market. I was about 2 miles short. Oops.

So, I walked to the BP at 24th and Martha. It took me about 20 minutes. During this walk, I climbed a fence, walked through a vacant lot with very high grass, and discovered that my short cut actually led me to virtually the exact spot where I started it - thanks to railroad tracks and a winding road. Way to go me. At the BP, I performed the walk of shame by walking in without a car and purchasing a gas can. The lady who was the assistant attendant said, "I hate it when I run out of gas. But, luckily it doesn't happen that often." I said, "my first time." She laughed and revealed that she had no teeth. I was already late for the conference (this is kind of a big conference for me professionally - I was already a little embarrassed that I wasn't there early - but the nanny could not get in until 8:30) really embarrassed and all sorts of stories were running through my head as to why I was late...my nanny was late, I had something to do at work, etc.

Anyway, I proceeded outside to fill up my newly purchase fire engine red gas tank, and BAM - the gas erupted off the floor of the tank and splattered everywhere - including my shirt, pants, shoes, and hands. I knew it was bad but hoped that in my anxious state, I was just being paranoid. I walked back to my car - arriving at 9:28am. I put the gas in the tank. I got in and drove to the same BP on 24th and Martha. I filled the tank.

I smelled like gas but I was not sure how strongly. I stopped at the Starbucks on 15th to get Pickles her second caramel latte because the first had grown cold when I ran out of gas and had to spend roughly an hour resolving the issue. As I walked in - there were three people in line. When she ordered, the woman directly in front of me, a young woman wearing a white shirt and dark skirt (black or a very dark navy) said to the barista - do you smell gas. I think you might have a gas thing going on. Oops. So, I got my latte. Didn't need another coffee since I had already had one and walked 2 miles that morning. Got in the car. 9:43.

Decided that I had to suck it up and go home and shower. So, I did. I called my nanny and asked her to put the only other jeans that I could account for in the drying machine. Basically, I had been doing laundry the night before and had considered staying up late to ensure that I would have this pair for the conference. I did not dry them, but I did put them in the wash. Lucky.

Got home 9:59. Stripped. Showered. Changed. Grabbed the new jeans - wet behind the knee, but overall pretty dry. Put on last year's BigOmaha shirt because it seemed like I needed to legitimize my credibility after arriving so late.

Out the door 10:08. Pretty solid transition. Drove down and decided to park at the Chamber. 10:26. Walked very fast to Aroma's where I got Pickles her third caramel latte of the day. For which she thanked me and told me how good it tasted. I really hope it did because it cost about 12 bucks all in.

As I walked out, who should be standing at the corner but Dusty D and Danny S (who I know well) - two of the three hosts of the conference. Oops. They said something like - hey how's it going. I said, Great - Super good conference or some such. And they said, you just getting here. I looked sheepish and admitted that I was. I had a bit of a gas problem...you see. They looked at me like I was the biggest idiot in history. And it is possible that I am.