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Just want to send a big shout out of "Thanks!" to the folks at Panera Bread Company. They don't know it, but they saved the day here at DarynKagan.com today.
I woke up to a little surprise at DarynKagan.com headquarters this morning to find the internet service was out. No reason to panic. That's happened once before since we've been in operation. It just means scooping up the laptop and heading to the Caribou Coffee a few blocks away.
I did give one glimpse in the mirror as I ran out the door. Admittedly, not my prettiest. No, beyond that, not my best groomed. "That's how you're going out in public????" I can hear my mother's disapproval ringing in my ears.
"Oh well," I figured. "Not that big of a deal. It'll take me 20 minutes tops to post the new stories and get the daily newsletter info to production assistant Heather." If that reasoning wasn't the kiss of internet death.
I arrived at Caribou only to find the sign, "Sorry, our wi fi service is out."
Yikes. A neighborhood-wide outage. Adrenalin starts running. Clock is ticking. MInd is spinning.
"Panera!" I remember, "They have free wi fi, too!"
And so, the cross city trek began. Hey, whatever it takes to get the latest inspiring news out to the world.
As soon as I drove up, my iPhone started giggling with all the email that was flooding in, but for some reason couldn't find me in the black hole of our neighborhood. I knew I was in a good space.
I made sure to buy a soda, so as to not be a total freeloader on Panera's generous wi fi. (Actually, truth in reporting--filled up the cup w/half Coke/half Diet Coke. Fountain DC is just too weak for me. Just don't tell my dentist, please.)
With the help Panera wi fi and Heather giving huge assist by phone, we're getting today's stories up.
Meanwhile, I sit in the middle of this sunshined-filled Panera in full leftover dog park regalia. Hair up in a big, summer-frizzola pony tail. Old Los Angeles Fire Department t shirt, from sometime when I covered Southern California brush fires. Old Stanford University basketball shorts and worn out flip flops still adorned with doggie park blades of grass. As they say here in the South, "I'm a big hot mess."
I shared this imagery with Heather as we were working to get everything together. "You know this just when folks are going to recognize you," she giggled. Thanks, Heather.
No, I don't think any glimmer of recognition would go past, "Has anyone ever told you you look like Daryn Kagan?" Surely, the doubt instilled by the big hot mess has stopped anyone from actually approaching my table.
So, thanks again to Panera for the free wi fi.
I'm scooting out of here. I think I hear a hairbrush calling my name.
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