Set up day in +90F…just think of all the calories being burned! Thankfully, at Mermet, we’re never short on help to get things done, and today was no exception. We actually managed to get done a bit early and get in a quick swim before heading back into bustling downtown Metropolis, IL. Since the viz was so great, it wasn’t long before Quincy and I were making breath-hold dives down the float lines toward the 85 foot platform. The thermocline made it a tad more challenging as temperatures dropped to the upper 40s just below the 30-foot bar. Once back at the hotel, I managed to track down Christine and Scott (Divers Alert Network). Silly me, whenever there’s a major sporting event, Christine will be watching (with the intensity of one of the actual team players). I’m thinking there must be some bets riding on these games. <hmmm?>

So now it’s off to Paducah, KY to relieve the local Super Walmart of their BBQ type meat units, condiments, and bottled water. Scott and Christine (Divers Alert Network) offered to help with the shopping, so Scott was tasked with 80 lbs of ice and 40 gallons of water. Christine…250 hamburgers, and 150 hot dogs. Anyway…you get the point…we attract a lot of attention rolling out with 4 over-flowing carts. Needless to say, we cleaned them out of the good burgers (non-recalled) and the good hot dogs…although there was some mild protesting from Christine, insisting that the Ballpark’s, although not terribly impressive in the package, really do “plump when you cook them”. We may need a taste test, or some other means to quantify hot dog ranking.

Wow, considering everything going on in the world today, does that last sentence sound as silly as it was to type? Mmmm…yup, but sadly these are the details that can make or break a demo day. Suddenly, I feel the need to do some volunteer work for a worthwhile cause. Better look into that, right away.