Yipee!!

Last day at work! Woo hoo! I’ve handed in my letter of resignation and my checks to continue my insurance through my employer’s plan; I’ve removed my photos from my cubicle walls; I’ve cleaned out my file on the network. All that’s left to do is delete my Internet history and walk out the door!

Am I excited? Yes, I am. I can now take naps in the afternoon. I can now accomplish things in the middle of the day when I feel best. I can now travel any time I want for any length of time. I can now begin to pack up the house. I can now eat whenever I’m hungry. I am now free!

It does feel a little odd to be facing a final day (ever?). There’s been a certain routine to life. For a long time. When I interviewed here and they told me most people last 3 months . . . well here I am at 3.5 years. Will I ever read a book the same way again?

Am I worried about what I will do with myself and how I’ll adjust to a new and unknown routine? No way! Last day! Woo hoo!

Fun Run

Saturday was the first annual Illinois Marathon (and half marathon and 5K and youth run) here in Chambana, which was pretty exciting to us. We thought we might be moved away by now, so we didn’t enter to run, but the course went right by our house so we were out on the corner in the morning to cheer.

The first wheelchair racers arrived at about 8:35.

The first runners were about 5 to 10 minutes after that. (These first guys were half marathoners; the first marathoner was the fifth runner to pass.)

We were at mile 6.5, approximately. That meant that mostly people were still cheerful but grateful for some encouragement. We got to see lots of proud smiles — about 9,000 of them. And a banana.


And some Easter bunnies.

It was a perfect day — sunny and 52 — for a race. I’m sure there were lots of people who reached their goal of qualifying for the Boston marathon. And lots more who reached the equally admirable goal of finishing a major road race. Congratulations to all!

Amendment

Thank you to Mr. S. Jacobsen for working his hard math number-crunching magic. The odds of receiving a five-card QuiddIer hand of only I’s:

1 in 3.1 million

In hind sight, that should have been worth a bonus. So a retroactive 10 points, Mr. Collins, for your very unique hand.