This morning, Lauren and I were up bright and early to go vote before work.  According to federal law, an employer cannot penalize you for missing work to vote.  Not only that, but we both had informed our offices that we’d be a little late.  Yet I was still not quite prepared for what happened this morning.  Voters were out in record number, and when we got in line at 7:08am, we were already behind at least 1,000 people!  By the time we had voted, it was 9:20.  No surprises on our ballots, except my write-in votes for me and Lauren for district judges.

As Lauren can attest to, I enjoy being early for everything, and I was a bit worked up that I was walking into work at 10.  I try to be super early for everything.  When I DJ’d, I would arrive at least an hour ahead of schedule.  When I drove to school back in the day, we arrived 40 minutes early (much to the chagrin of Jordan).  When I took tests in college I was almost always the first one done.  I don’t mind getting up early, and I enjoy going to bed a little earlier than most.  And I was also fast to rush home after work or school, only to later ask myself why I hurried so much to sit around in front of the TV.

I think I have an explanation for my early bird behavior, which dates back to grade school when I rode the bus to school.  The Carpenter bus route took well over an hour—sometimes two, three, or even four hours—to complete, if we even were able to complete it.  I’d always walk into class late, and everyone would crank their heads to turn and gawk as I made my way to my seat.  The bus was always very late on such a regular basis.  We’d all miss at least the first hour of the school day every single day for years, guaranteed.  I vowed that once I was in control, I’d never be late again.  And I’ll be damned if I ever was!

The Weight Loss Challenge continued today, with Lauren and I joining Jeff at his gym.  Jeff, the Anytime Fitness member of the month, got us in for free and hoped we would consider joining.  There are lots of those Anytime Fitness locations all over the metro, and I highly preferred it to fitness giant Lifetime.

Lastly, be sure to check out this awesome hearing aid video from the late 90s.  That guy used to crack me up.  If you don’t want to watch the whole thing, skip to 1:10 where the man overhears what he’s getting for his birthday!