Seattle Running Suit

I jerked awake this morning at quarter to five with my face shoved down in my pillow and had a moment of lucidity. "Alarm's not set," I realized. "And you're dehydrated."

I stumbled down the hall to the bathroom for a pee and several long gulps of water from the faucet---am I the only person who thinks bathroom sink water tastes way better than kitchen sink water? I stumbled back to bed and used my iPhone to set two (2) alarms and check my e-mail. Who knows what could have come through between midnight and 5 AM?

A bit over two hours later I yanked myself out of warmth for fast cereal and an even faster shower. No time was wasted considering wardrobe: clients are in town and we, NeonGecko, are heading back to the Columbia Tower Club for dinner with them. Today is a suit day, sans tie, and I snazzed up right quick. Watch on the wrist, pockets full, laptop bag---wait, what did my watch say? 7:36?

That means my bus is leaving the stop, what, right now?

I sprinted out the door and down the street towards 40th, seeing a car stopped, presumably behind the bus. The car started to pull away and, rounding the corner from Eastern to 40th, I caught a glimpse of the 26 Express heading up the hill. DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION.

I picked up the pace, knowing there would be a line of commuters at the next stop just two blocks up. The bus stopped, and I saw them start to board. One block to go. "Hold the bus! Hold the bus!"  Heads turned, and I knew I was safe.

I hopped onto the bus, thanking the bus driver and smiling at him despite his look of obvious impatience. The passengers wore mostly amused expressions as I found a seat in the back and fell down into it with a satisfied sigh. Victory.