I need

I seem to be getting a bad reputation, and I am not sure it is deserved

I told the person working with me yesterday at swimming that I needed a break. He looked at and said, "You never pace yourself. Why start now?"

A few weeks my older sister was mocking me for doing things just to see if I can. I forget what she was talking about, but she is wrong. Everything I do is one very important cog in the existence that is Matt Trott.

I need to tilt my chair backward to see just how far it will go.

I need to fall to see how to get up.

I need to push myself in the pool.

I also need to buy lots more toys.

I want to go to Machu Pichu

I am reading Turn Right at Machu Pichu, about an editor who at 41 decides he wants to do something adventurous.  He decides to follow the trails of some explorer who found Machu Pichu.

The book tell his story as well as that of the original adventurer. It is pretty fun. When telling is story, the author reminds me of A.J. Jacobs (although his wife's no Julie).

Of course, it also makes me a little sad that I can't have a super adventure.

I have been mulling a train trip out west to see some of our most amazing landmarks. I have the money, the vacation time. But ....


I'd have to take someone with me. Even assuming I can find  someone  (which I am sure I can), it doesn't seem so adventurous or like much of a vacation for some reason.

So sad

Claren is 11 years old. I think she qualifies as geriatric on the  poster about age at the vet.

She not ready to retire, I don't think -- her job is pretty cushy -- but I do think about it and about getting a new dog.

A few weeks ago, I was thinking about it and a really sad and morbid thought popped into my head.

It scared me so much I had to tell Mom. I told her when we were walking Claren on the bike trail. She listened closely, stopped walking AND ... laughed. Totally cracked up and mocked me and  said she couldn't wait to tell the friends she was seeing that night.

My thought: My successor dog might outlive Mom and Dad.ser

Lift the seat!

I went to the restroom at work today and found three gents in there washing up. I didn't recognize them but  assumed they had come from the same meeting because they were all chatting.

A minute before, they must have monopolized the hardware because we have one urinal and two toilets, so my timing seemed solid.

I went to the wheelchair stall and was closing the door when I noticed one of them eyeing me.

I figured he was watching to make sure I got the door closed OK, and for that moment I was grateful. Like I have said, it is not needed but appreciated.

As I glanced at the toilet seat and saw the pee all over, my gratitude faded. The $#@!$% peed on the seat, and my entrance forced him to think about what he did, I am sure.

I wiped it off but could not bring myself to sit down. I told myself I should. But instead, I stood ... until my right knee buckled and I sat back on my chair and peed on my pants leg.

But really, bitch, as long as you peed quickly and didn't have to touch the seat, I'm good. Ass.

Do I look like I need help?

I find it interesting to watch how people respond to me.

Taking off my coat looks like a struggle. I am always surprised no one offers to help when they are in my office when I de-cloak.

Surprised but happy. I don't need help with my coat.

Or the bathroom at work: Sometimes when I am closing the stall door, I lose hold of the door and it swings all the way open. I have to stretch to grab it. This has happened several times when other guys are nearby, and they mostly swing it shut so it is easier to grab.

Mostly. Not always.The guy today just ignored it completely. Not a big deal but why.