Call me Mike...

Yesterday we were told of the passing of our company's owner and the best boss I've had to date and maybe ever will. Truly a shock but sadly and honestly not a complete surprise with all the medical issues he's been through and the company drama over the last couple of years.
I met Mike for the first time in April or May of 1998 when I had my interview for employment as a CADD tech at the High Tech lane building. Mondo met me at the front, interviewed me and showed me around. The last stop before we were done was with Mike. I was surprised that the owner was going to meet w/ me and was quite nervous as one could imagine. I walked in, sat down and this is kinda how it went...
"Hello Mr. Muth"
"Call me Mike"
"OK"
"So you're fresh out of school looking for job?"
"Yes"
Finding it hard to gain experience when no one will hire you to get it?"
"Yes"
"Just need to get your foot in the door to prove yourself?"
He had this weird way of making you feel comfortable as if you were siting w/ someone you've gone to school w/ or hung out with. At least this was the case for me as I remember feeling not so nervous leaving and thinking I just might get this position. Maybe the fact that I left Madison to live back in my hometown of Sheboygan had something to do w/ this I'm not sure.
I started in June of 98 as a temp to direct hire. January of 99 it was official. Somewhere in between those dates I had one of those no one will ever forget or let you down moments. This is was the infamous Nate getting arrested at work incident. I was in my cube CADD'n away when I heard LMcCabe's voice, "Nate are you here?" "Yes" I replied "You have a visitor" she said. I popped up to see who the heck was here and sure enough it was a Sheboygan County Sheriff. I was like shit! and ducked back down. WTF! I was thinking...I'm gonna get shit canned for sure! Dam it.
He came around and asked me to come with him outside. It was a really nice day out and he told me that I had a warrant out for my arrest regarding unpaid fines I believe. So me and Sheriff are outside and he's parked right in front of Mike's office windows. I'm now hand cuffed and freaking out saying "can we just go please!" He was like "in a minute...I have to call something in." We were literally there for several minutes and was totally nervous. I'm handcuffed in the parking lot leaning against a squad car in the middle of the morning! Then all of a sudden MDM comes walking out towards us in his white pants,international flag belt and golden tan and asks me "What's going on? Is there anything I can do?" I said "no no...I'm so sorry for this...this is over unpaid fines that I have not taken care of yet" He chatted w/ the Sheriff and a couple of minutes later we were on our way to jail. I get out of jail several hours later after my dad bails me out and head right back to HT Lane to talk w/ the Pres and MDM. I tell the short version of the whole story and all Mike said "Get it straighten out and don't let it happen again, we'll see you on Monday"
Needless to say it never did happen again. I have other story's and many memories but the point is that I lost probably the best boss I'll ever had and in my eye's a good friend. RIP MDM...I'll see ya on the other side. I'll think of you often.
Last night's Cardio work out:
Warm Up - Biked for 13 min 100 Cals
Ab Routine and Runners Stretch
Treadmill
Walk 5 Run 5 Walk 5 Run 10 walk 5 400 Cals
Cool Down - Bike 13 min 100 cals
Big Ball Push ups
Really good work out again