How to Survive a Dull Day At Work

Yes, we were dead today. We were dead right up until 3PM. Even then, it wasn't THAT busy. It was nothing like last weekend. First, we're between holidays again. Second, it's the last week of the month. People will probably be getting their money later this week or early next week. Third, a lot of people just paid off taxes. Fourth, some folks may still be on spring break.

Once again, it was a beautiful day when I got home. Some clouds in the morning were quickly replaced by sunshine, wind, and mid-70s temperatures. I changed into shorts and tank top and went for a walk to run some errands.

My first stop was the PNC Bank on the White Horse Pike to deposit that $50 Mom and Dad gave me into the ATM machine. (I moved it to my savings account later in the evening.) I strolled down the White Horse Pike next, stopping at WaWa for a pretzel and a bottle of water.

Not surprisingly, everyone was out enjoying the day. It's so gorgeous here. Though it remains hot above the average, the wind kept it from feeling as sweltering as it did on Sunday. Kids rode their bikes and scooters. Parents pushed toddlers in strollers or walked dogs. Teenagers wandered in groups or sat at picnic tables and texted their buddies.

I had leftover chicken and carrots with spinach salad for dinner while I ran How to Train Your Dragon. Hiccup, a Viking teenager, is a bit of a joke in his village due to his clumsiness and seemingly crazy inventions. At first, he wants to be a great dragon-killer, like his father the Chief, but he changes his mind when he realizes there's a lot more to dragons than meets the eye. It's too late by that point; the village is desperately recruiting anyone who can fight the fire-breathing beasts, including kids. Hiccup joins a group of goofy fellow teenagers (including two very intense female Viking warriors) mostly against his will. He really changes his point of view when he encounters a black dragon who is said to be the fastest and most fearsome of the breed...and can't bring himself to kill it. The two become fast friends, and in doing so teach Vikings and dragons alike a lesson in harmony.

This was a very touching action tale with some phenomenal animation (love the dragon in the air - no wonder Hiccup was thrilled). I especially love that the two female Viking dragon fighters are a lot more intense and intelligent than any of their fellow gentlemen; Hiccup lets one he has a crush on, Astrid, in on his secret friendship.

Oh, and congratulations to the Philadelphia Flyers for their do-or-die 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres tonight! Next up, they take on the Washington Capitols for the Eastern Conference Finals!