Milestones

by Mark T. Shirey

Sunday is Sammy's.

Sammy's was named one of the "50 best pubs on the planet Earth" in a national poll and the sign out front says "Sammy's Pub - Go Underground". I'm always there at about the same time, sit at the same table, and drink the same beer. The time is Sunday at 5:30, the table is the first rectangular one off to the right, and the beer is Hop Devil on cask. You can get 50 beers on tap at Sammy's, but I know what I like, and it's the special on Sunday. I think they made it the special after I ordered it 20-some Sundays in a row.

It's almost time to walk there. The occasional glance at the clock keeps me on track. Time to wrap up what I'm doing, time to get ready, time to collect a few magazines to read in case no one shows up. The closer I get to 5:15, the faster the pace of my preparations. "A deadline has a wonderful power to concentrate the mind," as Professor Moriarity said. I walk briskly. I want to be there first, don't want to be late.

I "go underground" and get a pitcher. Hop Devil, of course. Bob comes in.

"Hey, how ya doin?"

"I'm hangin' in there, and you?"

"Good. Grab a glass."

Bob fetches a glass from the bar and I fill it from my pitcher.

"I didn't get my daily walk in yesterday - I blame the World Cup."

"Ya."

"Didja hear the headline? 'USA Wins 1-1'."

"Yup. Go team."

Bob says, "I worked on the bankruptcy paperwork most of the day. I'm still wrestling with 'replacement value'. Do they want the cost of getting the exact same crappy car or a new one?"

I say, "You know, it might cost millions of dollars to replace your car with an exact duplicate - I don't think we even have the technology! Some of the subatomic particles could never be... you know."

He says, "Right! And should I put down a dollar for my coffee maker, because that's what I paid for it at a yard sale? Or look it up on eBay to see what it would cost me to get another one?"

I nod.

He says, "The submission is due tomorrow, the creditors meeting is scheduled. Amendments are due later. You can keep amending it."

I say, "It all sounds so formal and methodical, not like the big, emotional milestone it is for most people."

He says, "Milestones used to be rocks they put by the side of the road every mile."

I say, "Like those mile markers on the highway."

He nods and says, "I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. Douglas Adams said that."

"I think it was Duke Ellington who said, 'Without a deadline, I wouldn't do nothing.' That reminds me, I logged in to work this morning and there was an e-mail from one guy dated Friday night and another e-mail from Saturday. I can't tell whether they're working late and working weekends to impress people or to get things done. I guess you need to find a balance - I'd rather just get things done."

"At least you all have jobs," Bob says.

"Ya, sorry. Anyway, that e-mail - the guy says, 'I don't understand this file you sent. It's not what I expected.' In my hurry to leave work Friday, I think I uploaded the wrong version. First thing in the morning, I'll upload the right one. I'm still going to claim it was done on schedule, on Friday, which it was."

I say, "I might be late tomorrow, I have a telecon til 5."

Bob says, "I might be late, too."

MexCal is a nice Tex-Mex-Cal restaurant with a great bar. I think it looks fun and funky - primitive-Mexican art, lots of murals, cacti logos everywhere. I like it so much, I went to all six MexCal restaurants in Pittsburgh in three days. This one has cheap "veggie tacos" at 5pm and a surprisingly good beer selection. But I always order Hop Devil, of course, or maybe Stone IPA if it's on.

Monday is MexCal.