It’s now been a full week since we returned from Thailand, and I’m still Out Of Sync (OOS). Yesterday, I couldn’t get out of bed after nearly 11 hours of sleep and trying to run was additionally challenging. I’ve felt like I’ve had a hangover all week despite only one night of wine consumption. Sit-ups, stretching, and push-ups are exhausting while thoughts of even simple tasks are paralyzing. My mind is numb and my body sore and stiff, even despite a trip to the chiropractor. It’s also been a busy week of evening activity including Aladdin, Dumbo, and a Lines for Life fundraiser. This continues into next week with a Pink concert and Portland Trailblazers game before we get on another plane to Chicago. It’s almost more than an old man can take!

I haven’t had any trouble getting to sleep at night but getting up is a struggle. I’ve also nodded off a couple of times in the afternoon. It’s like I’m walking around in a fog and my body doesn’t move when I want it to. My running pace is embarrassing slow, as even those taking a stroll seem to be moving faster. My mind is barely functioning in a heavy molasses and there is little sense of urgency or hunger. Everything is working badly together and out of agreement as OOS is commonly defined. By the time my jet lag finally passes, my aging mind and body will be even more confused when we get to Chicago and drive into Indiana.

I was definitely OOS in trying to hook-up with UPS last week. They were in one world and I was in another – UPST (Delivery Trauma) for me. I missed a package delivery and arranged for a re-delivery that never arrived. More phone calls led to assurances that it would be there the next day. I waited again all day for nothing and additional phone calls indicated that the driver never picked it up as instructed. Talk about Out of Sync – OMG. On Saturday, my wife and I made the long, inconvenient drive out to the distribution center. Unbelievably, the package was now on the truck and headed to our door where no one was home to provide a signature. I was about to lose it when a supervisor waved the signature requirement. Thankfully, it was waiting for us when we got to the house. This is at least something I won’t have to deal with next week.

We have cleaning people coming next week, an overnight guest, and an appointment to get an estimate for wooden floor restoration. I’ll meet some friends at Buffalo Wild Wings for the Cubs opener, take the dogs to the spa, pick out some new eyeglasses, and get a hair cut, but otherwise I’ll be stuck at home to coordinate these afternoon tasks. Hopefully, my morning runs will be easier than last week and there won’t be the airline delays that we dealt with getting home from Phuket. It will also be my turn to cook, as well. Overall, it doesn’t sound like much with respect to those days when I was on the job, but it will be a hectic week of retirement as I strive to achieve a normal rhythm. SOS – I’m OOS.