Monday, September 3, 2012

Labor Day Lookout

I didn't make a single blog entry in August.  It was probably one of the more emotional and physical challenges I've dealt with recently, that silly month of August.  And yet somehow, despite my uncertainties and self doubt at points throughout the process, here we are at Labor Day Eve.  And I'm happy.



It's a pleasant afternoon, just after a much anticipated rainstorm, around 2pm and I'm sitting in my favorite room in the entire big blue house listening to my entire iPod on shuffle [currently Devotchka].  I call it the Downtown Room because it overlooks the skyline of Downtown and Midtown Omaha. It's a great sunrise room.  Every time I sit here I think about how I'm going to make a t-shirt (I know, I know...another damn t-shirt that you definitely don't need but still contemplate purchasing) that has this same skyline but every building is transformed into either a presta or schrader valve.  I can see it now.  It's a good thinking room and was designed to be just that.

The point is that it's Labor Day.  I enjoyed it and still am.  Vince, Matt and I rode from our houses to Whole Foods since Vince actually did have to labor today.  Then Matt and I took the scenic route home exploring some newly opened trails which certainly isn't the norm for me since I'm generally in the street on my bicycle.  It was totally enjoyable!

Crossed that bridge when I came to it, if you know what I mean.
Boys in the park


Metro stop in the back.  (B)US stop?

Purdy flowers along the South O Trail

South O Trail almost to 48th(ish)
I am taking today as one last little chance to ride my bike with friends, enjoy a lazy afternoon and not worry too much about the shop.  We may even have a few folks over to BBQ tonight.  That's the makins for a nice day, isn't it?

It's funny how real things get when you're about to sign your name on something.  Tomorrow I'm signing a lease and getting the keys to a building in Benson where I'm starting a business.  Holy buckets, that's crazy.  Crazy awesome.  I'm super excited.  I've opened 2 other shops with 2 vastly different, yet shockingly similar partners, and have left both of those shops on rather unpleasant terms (divorced my first partner who turned into my husband briefly; the other ended with being unexpectedly fired).  That's why it's unique this time: the only name on the LLC is mine.  I now have something of my own that I'm proud of and excited about and have to look out for.  This may be the last day to lounge in quite some time. [now the White Stripes] So I've enjoyed it and hope you have too. 

Look for an exciting announcement about the shop (the location, clearly) tomorrow.  I'll be there cleaning and laughing from about noon on tomorrow.  Swing by any time, I'll probably be there.  Bring a good record and/or good beverage.

Good afternoon,
SJ

5 comments:

  1. So proud of you and all you've done. It's going to be awesome!

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  2. I wish I was still in town to help out and see progress with the new shop. It'll be great to come back in a few months and celebrate it then! Best of luck, Sarah!

    p.s. I would most certainly purchase that skyline/valve shirt!

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. So good to know where you will be, Sarah. I was going to visit you at that other place after the CWS and then they posted you left and so I just figured I'd wait till I saw you again at ModeShift...except I've been out of town or otherwise occupied during almost all the events lately... Anyway! I will be excited to visit you in Benson once you're up and running... Good luck with this new adventure!

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  5. Sarah- I had to hunt you down online when I found out today that you were no longer at the old place. I did not know of your departure, but I want you to know that I was sad when I went in to find out you were not there to help me. When I was shopping doing my initial research for a bike, you spoke to me in a very polite manner and actually took the time to explain all I wanted to know. Then you even went above the call when you realized that, though your "shop" didn't have what I was looking for, you practically offered to arrange to sell your personal bike setup just to make a customer happy. (I couldn't do that to you,but want you to know it made a lasting impression). It was right there that I decided, at some point, I would buy my bike where you were working and I just wanted to personally thank you for the impeccable customer service. I went in today to pick up my bike that I did order (and put a down payment on, over the phone unfortunately, unbeknownst to me you weren't there any more!). Yet another time that the "business" of shops get to take advantage of the indivual.:( But I do want you to know that you made my sale! Though it did not work out for this situation, I want you to know that I think you are a fine genuine professional and I want you to keep up the great work because your going to be very sucessful that way in your new shop in Benson. I'll be following you there and will encourage everyone I know to do the same!

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