Second milestone of each year has been and passed, Homecoming 2015 is now in the books. This year also marked the 50th Anniversary of the organization that I work for. We had a small but extremely fun little shindig on the Saturday evening of homecoming for all past and present staff and volunteer alumni for our organization and probably about 100 attendees. It was a very fun evening, getting to meet some past execs, and reconnecting with some of the folks that I have had the chance to work with over my short time in my job.
It was great to hear some stories from years before, hear how full of spirit and enthusiasm those that worked here remember their time, the ups and downs, the events and the advancement they were trying to push on behalf of the students they were elected or hired to represent.
In all the lead up to this event it was tough to get the work outs in because i knew there was no way Sunday was going to be an option as a hang over in some form was definitely in my future. So i had to do a couple of double days to get everything in. The week went like dis:
Monday: 12 mile bike
Tuesday: 2km swim + 4mile run
Wednesday: 3.5mile run + 1.5km swim
Thursday: off
Friday: 3km swim
Saturday: 5mile run
Sunday: sleep, doritos, more sleep
I was planning on doing the Alumni 5km on the Saturday morning but elected to go to the treadmill in the gym. It was pouring down rain, and yes I am sugar so I will melt in the rain. Actually though, i have avoided the frosh week flu for a few weeks and didnt want to get soaked and cold in the rain, plus now that its fall I am way to clutzy to be running where wet leaves are on the ground. If I fall i would be taking as many people with me as possible, and no one needs that headline, "tragedy at homecoming fun run as large man twists ankle and takes out 20 other runners" okay that is too long for a headline but you get the point.
The other part of my day on Saturday was running around trying to buy 5$ and 10$ bills from local businesses as we ran very low after and uncharacteristic busy night in our pub the night before. I am not bragging but I am pretty good at doing this. Businesses never want to give up change, especially not to someone from the University, who most people blame for all the ills in the town, so if I am able to bargin a deal to get that change, its weird but i love it.
So a couple of quick emails to some of our local supports. 3 straight up no's and one yes. So off to the Yes and swap out about a third of what I was looking for, no fuss no muss.
Now the fun part - cold calling.
Off to Wally World. Now historically we have had success in the past in getting some money switched out from Wally World, but it does take patience and you have to deal with a few levels of permission before you get to talk to the person that make the decision. On this Saturday morning it was 3 people that I had to convince to sell me change. After about 30 minutes of explaining our "dire" situation, success! Another third of the money we needed swapped out.
Off to the next location, this place is almost next door to Wally World and typically we dont usually get lucky for a change swap from them as we have poached a few of their disgruntled staff over the years, but hopefully I'll catch a break. Walking in, not a good sign, the place is packed.
So after a few minutes waiting at the customer service desk, an out of breath staff person comes back, starts pounding on the keys to the computer and abruptly starts opening and shutting doors. About 2 minutes in she looks up and says 'Can I help you sir' in more of sneer then a question.
I launch into my spiel and ask to speak to a manager.
The discussion from this point is like a tennis match of aggression from her side, and i go with polite, calming and thankful returns. She agrees to bypass the manager after some match point sympathy by me for her obvious busy store today and she is on the phone to the bowels of the store and whoever is in charge of the change.
Within about 5 minutes I have swapped out my last third and have a connection in case we need more later. YES! The call back.
Back to work with my bounty of change, and load up again for a second round.
Just as I am leaving I get a call from an original 'No' that because the rain killed some of the activities they would now be able to help up. Double YES.
Another chunk swapped out and I think we are good to go for the night.
It is probably strange that I get that much joy out of something so silly, but i love it.
Anyway, the rest of the night went well, and even the Sunday wasnt too bad. Netflicks, burnt pizza and half a bag of doritos, couple naps and some water and I was ready for work later that night.
Food wise, maybe not the best week, but still trying to keep track with myFitnesspal, no stats this week though, because I have the dumb tonight and just cant push through.
Sean "BigBoyRunning" Ryan
It was great to hear some stories from years before, hear how full of spirit and enthusiasm those that worked here remember their time, the ups and downs, the events and the advancement they were trying to push on behalf of the students they were elected or hired to represent.
In all the lead up to this event it was tough to get the work outs in because i knew there was no way Sunday was going to be an option as a hang over in some form was definitely in my future. So i had to do a couple of double days to get everything in. The week went like dis:
Monday: 12 mile bike
Tuesday: 2km swim + 4mile run
Wednesday: 3.5mile run + 1.5km swim
Thursday: off
Friday: 3km swim
Saturday: 5mile run
Sunday: sleep, doritos, more sleep
I was planning on doing the Alumni 5km on the Saturday morning but elected to go to the treadmill in the gym. It was pouring down rain, and yes I am sugar so I will melt in the rain. Actually though, i have avoided the frosh week flu for a few weeks and didnt want to get soaked and cold in the rain, plus now that its fall I am way to clutzy to be running where wet leaves are on the ground. If I fall i would be taking as many people with me as possible, and no one needs that headline, "tragedy at homecoming fun run as large man twists ankle and takes out 20 other runners" okay that is too long for a headline but you get the point.
The other part of my day on Saturday was running around trying to buy 5$ and 10$ bills from local businesses as we ran very low after and uncharacteristic busy night in our pub the night before. I am not bragging but I am pretty good at doing this. Businesses never want to give up change, especially not to someone from the University, who most people blame for all the ills in the town, so if I am able to bargin a deal to get that change, its weird but i love it.
So a couple of quick emails to some of our local supports. 3 straight up no's and one yes. So off to the Yes and swap out about a third of what I was looking for, no fuss no muss.
Now the fun part - cold calling.
Off to Wally World. Now historically we have had success in the past in getting some money switched out from Wally World, but it does take patience and you have to deal with a few levels of permission before you get to talk to the person that make the decision. On this Saturday morning it was 3 people that I had to convince to sell me change. After about 30 minutes of explaining our "dire" situation, success! Another third of the money we needed swapped out.
Off to the next location, this place is almost next door to Wally World and typically we dont usually get lucky for a change swap from them as we have poached a few of their disgruntled staff over the years, but hopefully I'll catch a break. Walking in, not a good sign, the place is packed.
So after a few minutes waiting at the customer service desk, an out of breath staff person comes back, starts pounding on the keys to the computer and abruptly starts opening and shutting doors. About 2 minutes in she looks up and says 'Can I help you sir' in more of sneer then a question.
I launch into my spiel and ask to speak to a manager.
The discussion from this point is like a tennis match of aggression from her side, and i go with polite, calming and thankful returns. She agrees to bypass the manager after some match point sympathy by me for her obvious busy store today and she is on the phone to the bowels of the store and whoever is in charge of the change.
Within about 5 minutes I have swapped out my last third and have a connection in case we need more later. YES! The call back.
Back to work with my bounty of change, and load up again for a second round.
Just as I am leaving I get a call from an original 'No' that because the rain killed some of the activities they would now be able to help up. Double YES.
Another chunk swapped out and I think we are good to go for the night.
It is probably strange that I get that much joy out of something so silly, but i love it.
Anyway, the rest of the night went well, and even the Sunday wasnt too bad. Netflicks, burnt pizza and half a bag of doritos, couple naps and some water and I was ready for work later that night.
Food wise, maybe not the best week, but still trying to keep track with myFitnesspal, no stats this week though, because I have the dumb tonight and just cant push through.
Sean "BigBoyRunning" Ryan
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