Content-type: text/html Ray Manning

Monday, August 16, 1999 6:19 AM

A Changing Weekend


After a long day of Friday testing and after me asking "Can we do one more run?" only to have lab coats thrown at me (But I had to do it as EOS Project Stooge!), I grab a "Life in the Pitlane" book about Formula One and two chocolate chip cookies and head to my third favorite coffeehouse in Long Beach. (Because it is close to home and I am tired.) I order a nonfat milk.

I look up from the book and see the cutest smile on the planet asking the question. Fifteen seconds later I squeak out a "Yes". When I am asked for more money from the cutest smile on the planet, I take out a $100.

"Keep it. That's for you" I say.

I take the $100 back and give the Chi Chi (with the cutest smile on the planet and the clearest eyes, I might add) a dollar. And put the change from the dollar in the tip bowl.

On Saturday we finish the Z axis for EOS. At a reasonable hour. With the data to be delivered to my home door late on Saturday by the data acquisitions gentleman who lives near my house. But I know that nothing matters now.

Because we are finished with the axis, I get Sunday off. But it doesn't matter now. I consider what to say the next time that I see the Chi Chi (with the cutest smile on the planet). I settle on "My name is Ray. You have the cutest smile on the planet. Do you want to go for a bicycle ride?" or "My name is Ray. You have the cutest smile on the planet. Are you going to the Sunset Junction street festival this weekend with me?"