Sometime during the first mile of my run this morning, a bug flew into my mouth.
A real bug. I tried everything one does to get rid of it.
Nevertheless, it lodged itself in my throat. You know that feeling where it’s probably moved on, but there’s a tickly feeling that makes one think there’s an actual bug lodged there.
It was flying, so had wings. It probably had six legs. You know, I’m in DC today, so should refer to it by the proper designation of “insect” rather than the more pejorative “bug.” In fact, it probably deserves a name. “Bill?” No. “Barney?” No.
This isn’t the first time a b– … er … insect has flown into my mouth, and won’t be the last. The annoying part is that usually my running or swimming or biking time is when I either mentally work through challenges or preview my day. Now I was distracted by this insect.
Have to call Sam quickly as soon as I’m done running. (“Sam?” nah, not a good bug name). Then breakfast with Rodney (not quite right, the 1/2 second I saw it, the insect didn’t look like a “Rodney”). Then back to the office to talk to Kris. (Wait! Kris – that could be a female or a Scandinavian male. Nah, too cool of a name for an insect).
Right, Kris and I will discuss a talk I have to give at a thing next week. I probably need to think about that for a few minutes. Anything insect-related I can use in the talk? Crud. There’s that insect in my thoughts again.
None of this thought process has to do with the people I’m naming. It has everything to do with a name that fits the creature in my throat. To be clear, no one is being compared to an insect. If I told people about this, would they think I think they are insect-like? That would be a shame.
After Kris, a weekly with Julie (not a good insect name), followed by a group meeting with Nicole (no), Alex (no), and Cliff (no). Have to edit something Alison (definitely not an insect name) sent, then call her. Diana (hmm. maybe) will come in to brief me before my call with Ridhika (maybe an international insect name? No, sounds more like a dragonfly), who will meet me to walk up to the embassy for our meeting with Sandhu (now that is a cool, praying mantis name, but not a garden variety insect-by-the-reflecting-pool insect).
Speaking of praying mantis, yesterday at the airport, the two TSA guys at my concourse exit were completely distracted by one of those fine green beasts that was sitting on the outside of the airport window. They left their seats to analyze and discuss. Aha, just occurred to me — Maybe they were naming it.
I looked at my running watch. 4 miles. How did that happen? I’m not even halfway through my schedule for the day and haven’t rolled an issue around in my head that I had filed away for consideration this morning.
Wait, running watch. That reminds me, I need to Google that thing – what was it, a “Shine?” that someone showed me at dinner last night.
Still a lot to think through in my calendar after the Sandhu meeting and before my flight at the end of the day. Need to focus.
Meena is coming up to present her project, which needs to be done by Friday. (Meena? No, Not an insect name). I have a ton of feedback on that one. Where to even start. Structure is just about there, but not quite. Content looked pretty good last week. What can be ready to show Emilio next week? (Now that’s a good insect name, but I really can’t see an “Emilio” being the insect that flies into a guy’s mouth while he’s running).
5.8 miles by the way. Almost done.
Wait! Albert. Now that’s an insect that would fly into a guy’s mouth.
I wonder if Albert likes coffee.
