FOUND - ROUTINE

My process is the same every morning. I get up early so I don’t feel rushed out of the house. I start in the bathroom. I spend more time in here than is necessary, that’s the benefit of getting up early. I check mail and play games. I get it out of the way so I don’t waste time during the rest of the day. I head downstairs to make coffee. While I wait, I head to the basement, my office. I prep what I need for the day. It could be the podcast equipment or I might need to finish an edit of an episode that should post today. I go back for the coffee. One hour before work starts, I hit the shower. I’m in and out in 15 minutes. I get dressed, kiss my babes a few times. I pack my bag for the day. iPad, RepRadio bag, snacks. Pockets, lip balm, AirPods charging case, wallet and keys, iPhone. 

When I leave, I take one of three routes, to keep stalkers on their toes. I pass the same people on every route. I have markers on the routes that determine next steps. Like, do I have time for breakfast or the company lottery? I walk along the traffic on some routes, against on others. When traffic is backed up, I’m relieved I didn’t take the bus. That would have been a wasted fare. Eye candy. Two routes pass a gym. So, there’s that. Some people are nice to follow for a block or two. For the view. My vape pens. They make appearances along the route. One pull for a pillow of comfort. 

It’s not complete bliss. News podcasts. Love and sex advice. Nerdy conversations. And my own voice. On one route, a man drinks coffee out of an ITMFA mug. He wants us to know. We make a connection. These routes have guided me to work for the last four years. One year, I took a train from the suburbs. Another story for another time. 

I’ve supervised construction projects along these routes. I’m getting good at it. But, some of these projects have to be milking. My smart watch acknowledges an outdoor workout. Yes, I want credit for this, thanks. I approach my place of employment. I survey the perimeter by default. 

I wait for the elevator. After that hike, I earned a lift. I’m on three. It’s a slow boat. I hate when another floor is called. The waiting. I selfie in the elevator. 

Through the stacks to my hallway. I’m all access. I get to my desk and for the first hour, I download. Blogs of tech, theatre, self-care, productivity, marketing, life hacks. More email, not as much as earlier. I never answer the phone unless my team calls, Executive and Operations, the rest can wait until my lap around the site. FaceTime, allows people to remember whether they needed me or not. 

My schedule, my work day is mine. This day, I have a podcast interview on my lunch break. An empty space in the building becomes a studio with a quick look at the master calendar and a notice. 1 hour block. It is the hope that nothing comes up on days when I have a podcast interview but, wishing that is the same as asking for it.

All of this is sorted out before 10:00am. Now, for a lap around the building.