Not your typical Friday

(5/11/2012, I think...)

For me, at least, today was not typical, considering how lazy and busy (strange combination) I've been on every other red Friday (I work a 9/80 schedule where I get every other Friday off).

It began with an early wake-up (7:30AM after 9 hours of sleep, complete fair trade) and quickly transitioned into another Becker chapter in preparation for my exam in less than three weeks.  I couldn't help but feel accomplished when I wrapped it up and caught up on my study schedule.

Earlier in the week, I informed my work buddy that I had a treat for us to do in the gym on Friday: an all-body workout that I was introduced to by this super athletic chick that works with us. Hey, if I can do it, anybody can!
Perhaps I should rephrase that statement: Hey, if I can do it mostly successfully, then surely others can moderately match me!

And mostly successful we were! We only tipped over a few times, and collapsed to the mats a few others. But triumph we did and we've got something new to do on occasion in the gym to mix things up a bit.

After such a challenging workout it only made sense to imbibe in some deeply satisfying Starbucks coffee and good conversation. The weather was perfect: the sun was shining bright, the wind was light, cool and playful and I could order a hot drink and not start sweating just thinking about it. We discussed movies and television (everyone should see Temple Grandin and Extras, respectively) and cash diet logic, which is as follows:

When you return an item and get money back, it's considered free money.
As in, feel free to use it as you see fit, it's money back in your pocket!

I exercised this logic not but a few minutes after we'd split from coffee. I returned an item, I purchased a bike helmet. Boom, logicked. I think I should mention I saved two dollars during this process.  It was while I was at Academy that I decided to venture to the shoe arena and find a pair of bowling shoes.

Yes, bowling shoes. I have found cheap bowling, therefore I will buy bowling shoes to better my game. I walked the aisles and finally found my quarry...and was thoroughly disappointed in the selection. However, I persevered and grabbed a box of the black and hot pink (trust me, not as cute as you would think) and the grey and black men's shoe (because the other ladies' shoe option looked like an old woman's walking shoe; I may act old, but I refuse to dress it.) My vanity grew more pronounced with each shoe and I finally closed both boxes with a defeated sigh and moved to return them before being stopped by two guys I had seen wandering the aisles a few minutes before.  Turns out they work for Academy and happen to have bowling as their realm of marketing/logistics.

What are the odds? At least, that's what they said to me when they chatted me up about their shoes.

I was so excited that my opinion was impacting someone! I told them they needed more options for ladies and that the breadth of brand was paltry as to what I would expect at an Academy. They probably regretted initiating a conversation with me as I was very liberal with my opinions. :-D
After informing them I'd be buying nothing from the bowling arena of Academy, I sallied forth from their and made my way to the grocery store. If there's anything I'd ever recommend it's never go to the grocery store hungry...or right after working out. But, to give myself credit, I walked out with vegetables and milk, eggs and basic ingredients and only one pack of organic Oreo cookies.

And maybe a pint of ice cream.

And it was delicious.