Getting used to it all

This is week two of back to work.  I'm slowly getting used to it.  After 9 1/2 years of doing what I want, when I want, it's still hard to think about giving up that freedom.  However, what I get in return is pretty appealing.  A paycheck!  I get my first one tomorrow.  I'll be able to sign on to my bank account and see the money that I earned in there.  The first line of most property insurance policies say something like this..."In exchange for a premium we will provide the following coverage...."  That's kinda how a job is.  In exchange for your time and labor, we'll provide you with some money.

The first week of work was orientation:  This is USAA and this is who we are and how we operate and why we do it this way and for whom we do it.  We're a great organization, we're proud of what we do; if we chose you to work here you must be pretty terrific, too.  We expect a lot out of you, but we'll give you a lot in return.

This week is licensing.  I've got to get some sort of FL Insurance License.  USAA pays for this contractor to teach us to pass the test.  All personal lines.  I've had a license in the past, but I didn't keep up with my Continuing Education requirements, so my license has lapsed.  I've got to sit through this class.  It's all very dry stuff.  And I know most of it already.  To the other 13 folks in the class, these are all new concepts.  I know the terms but admit to not knowing/remembering the minutiae. So half the time I'm trying to not fall asleep, and the rest of the time I'm trying to cram some stuff into my head.  I've found games to play so it looks like I'm paying attention and taking notes.   I'll start with a word and change one letter in it and see how far I can go.  It goes something like this:

SHARE
STARE
START
STARE
SPARE
SPARS
STARS
STIRS

ETC...

OK, that one ended quickly, but today I filled up pages of my notebook doing this.  Gotta keep that brain engaged!

I've encountered some unexpected kindness, too, along the way.  I rode my bike in yesterday for the second time.  (Last Thursday was the first, didn't ride my bike to work on Friday because I had an off road ride planned for after work ((Can I make an acronym for it?  BRAW?  Bike Ride After Work?  With A Friend.  BRAWWAF.  OK.  That's it!))

Didn't commute Monday because I'd ridden Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Yesterday (Tuesday) I got going late.  My plan is to leave the house at 6:50 to be at my desk by 8 and have enough time to shower beforehand.  Of course, I didn't get out of the house until 7.  The first part of the ride was no problem.  I was flying.  Looking down at my speedometer, I was hitting 20+ mph on the flats and got over 25 mph on the slight downhill on 50th.  Woo hoo.  Then I have to stop for a light.  It's like doing a half hour of interval training. I arrive at work sweaty and feeling strong.

Yesterday I got caught at the light on Bruce B. Downs.  I'm crossing BBD and it's a really, really long light.  I'd say at least three minutes between green lights for my lane.  I was sitting at the front of the traffic lane and a motorcycle pulled up next to me (a loud Mfing Harley.  I know some people love them but I hate them!) There's a Suburban behind us, but the driver is hanging back about 30 feet, not sure what to make of the bicyclist and motorcyclist side by side in the lane ahead of her.  I exchange a few words with the guy on the motorcycle, complaining about the length of the light.  The turn signal finally switches green for the left hand lane, the signal that we get to go next.  After the left hand turn has their run, the light switches over and goes to giving the left hand turn on BBD.  They missed me and motorcycle man.  We weren't heavy enough to trip the signal, so we had to sit through another light cycle.  Not a fast prospect!  I turned around and gestured for Suburban lady to please come forward, and she finally did and tripped the signal and we got the next light.

I got into the building, stinky and sweaty and was due at my desk in 10 minutes.  I got to the gym and did a quick PTA shower (was first introduced to this term when I was 18 and me and my best friend took our senior cruise and were roommates with two aging blondes from Miami who were both hoots..it means 'Pussy Tits and Armpits' but you can make up any variation that fits your body parts!) and was trying get dressed and was bemoaning to myself about my blouse, that I'd planned to press.  This woman, whom I've never seen before, took my blouse and ironed it for me.  I was just flabbergasted.  I was trying to get dressed, still trying to dry off, put my eye make up on....gather my stuff up...and I was just floored.  I thanked her and she said, "The morning crew'll do it for you!"  Again, I'm impressed about the place where I'm working.  I made it to my desk, one floor up and 3/4 of the way across the building, only a few minutes late.

On the way home I got passed by 2 guys from the USF Cycling Team.  They passed me at a light.  I caught up and said, "Hey, if you don't mind, I'll draft off you guys!"  They said, sure, but we're turning off at 42nd.  I said Me too! so I followed them for the short time before the turn off.  When we finally got to 42nd they took off like I was standing still.  I glanced at my speedometer and I was doing 18-20 mph, but these were 2 young skinny fit cyclist dudes.  They left me like I was standing at a bus stop.  But it was fun, for the few minutes we were riding together, feathering through the crowded intersections with an (albeit small) group.  The three of us were more noticeable together than any one of us would have been alone.

Didn't commute today because I had another
BRAWWAF.  And I hope to have another BRAWWAF on Friday.  Tomorrow, if all goes to plan, I'll ride my bike to work.

I still am worried about what I'll do if/when/when I get a flat.  I got a flat on my mountain bike over the weekend, and I was gonna change it myself.  My friend Nancy ended up doing most of it.  I need to learn to do this stuff.  Or I'll stick my thumb out on BBD and beg for a ride to work.

OK, bed time.  Thanks for reading.