Clustering

Ever notice how problems and bad luck seem to cluster together. You never seem to get just one flat tire, you get three in a row, with three different wheels, on three different roads. Well, today has thus far been a prime example of such clustering.

I had every intention of getting out this morning for 25 miles or so before returning to work for the first time this year. I was even fully prepared, at least mentally, for the cold mid-30s temperature. Knee warmers went on underneath long tights, the vest over the Kodiak, and the Pearl shells over the DeFeet gloves. I thought I was ready, but there was one thing I hadn't factored into the equation. I rounded the first corner and got a face full of cold gusting wind that was far beyond anything I'd been expecting. I immediately thought how much worse that wind would be on the wide-open levee. I briefly considered heading over to the relatively protected park or even just St. Charles Avenue, but with plenty of miles in my legs from the last few days and the prospect of a brutal commute to work, I pulled the cord and stopped the train in its tracks, heading home to a warm shower and a hot coffee. After all, it was the first day back at work, so why not drive in early with The Wife and get a head start on all those postponed tasks I'd promised myself I'd do over the holidays?

So I arrived at work bright and early, Starbucks cup in one hand, cranberry scone in the other, messenger bag over my shoulder, and hit the "up" button for the main elevator on the 10th floor. The doors opened to reveal people pressed into the little box like sardines. I squeezed my way in and confirmed what I suspected. "How many elevators are broken?" I asked. "This is the only one working," was the reply. We're not exactly getting off to a good start this year, I thought. Ha! Little did I know.

So I unlock the office door and hit the light switch. Nothing happens. Bad sign. Our little office on the roof has always gotten its power via some sort of mashed up connection to the circuits associated with the elevators, so when those went south, so did our electricity. Without a functional computer, I fired up the PalmPilot to check email and contact the rest of the staff. One person had already conveniently sent an email saying she was sick. Our planned staff lunch at Commander's Palace, previously delayed due to the rush of work before the holidays, was already looking unlikely. I attended to a bunch of business, squinting at the handheld and poking awkwardly at the touch screen as my blissfully clear calendar began getting cluttered up with meetings and phone calls. Around 10:30 I was still in the dark and my feet were starting to get cold, and there was a group of maintenance guys having an impromptu conference in the hallway. They sounded confused about what to do, and when I pressed them for a prognosis all I got were shoulder shrugs. At 11:00 I bailed and headed home. At least the sky is clear as a bell, so maybe I'll sneak out around 4 pm for a quick spin. I'll probably get another flat.....