Looks Like It’s Going To Be A Full Fall

Over the past couple of weeks my schedule has gone from fairly open to being a cluster of conflicting meetings. When you factor in the whole vacation situation that man of us are facing at the office with just under a month to go until renewal along with the anticipated uptick in the work load, it really isn’t much of a surprise that the office calendar is filled with countless scribbles. However, my personal calendar is leaving me with few options and nearly no flexibility when it comes to finding time to partake in some of my more relaxing activities.

Today was a particularly interesting day as I was the only person on a couple of accounts that was actually in the office slamming away at the keyboard. While one project got cancelled a number of other items almost immediately filled my inbox. Albeit delayed since my email was acting up again. This, as many of you know, completely stuffs the rest of the week full of catching up and trying to make headway on projects that, for one reason or another, were not completed previously. Needless to say, I am going to be exhausted by the end of the week.

I don’t expect things to move any smoother as the days flip past as there are countless emails seemingly hanging in suspended animation just waiting to be returned to me with some unknown list of things that need to be done right away. Unfortunately, these personal correspondences requiring my attention will have to be written about in a future post as there are items in there not ready for dissemination.

On top of all this I am bouncing back and forth with lodge communications. Many of these I have fallen behind on but others are just the natural result of another stated meeting. This has actually been the fun stuff as of late since they are relatively easy to answer and require just a little effort to check another item off my list. Hopefully, they don’t stall on the other end or next month will simply be a repeat.

And finally we have the other fun things that I enjoy on a daily basis one of which you are reading now. This is the time when I can vent all of the aforementioned frustrations and also have a little fun in the process. By writing and researching without deadlines or expectations beyond those that I have personally set for myself, I am able to relax while remaining productive. Odd when you think about it but very gratifying at the end of the day. Unlike previous years, I always make the time to write. So, with a few things left to do and a list that it slowly getting paired down, I end this post knowing that tomorrow I will begin the process all over again.

Measured Communication

Most work days I am on the phone, writing emails, and scanning the recent trade and general news sources constantly from the time I arrive to the time I depart the office. Occasionally, I will switch things up and work on something different but that seems to be a rare occurrence recently. However, there are moments when I am able to take a break, relax, and just have a casual moment.

In fact, those times just before a phone interview or when I am reaching out to a reporter/editor that I know particularly well are some of the best times of the day for me because we are able to talk, see how things are going, and today talk about any plans that they might have for the weekend. It is a glimpse into life rather than a constant focus on work. Heck, I am downright pleasant during those brief interludes.

Of course, there are certain days, like earlier this week, when I have to just keep to the business at hand. Not because of the long list of things to do that is hanging over my head, although that does have an impact, it is simply because there are certain days when I am not in a good mood. I might even be downright pissed on some days. Those days, while sometimes difficult, I have to work to remain positive. Obviously something had previously gone awry but I can’t let that come across to those with which I am corresponding.

The other part of those task oriented days and communications is the fact that I takes a considerable amount of effort to remain even keeled. Those are the days when I find myself exhausted when I shut down the computer and struggling to get just about anything done at night when I get home. It’s a simply fact that being negative and/or angry just takes too much effort. I know some people that are always negative regardless of the situation and I honestly don't know how they get out of bed every day.

While I am certain that weeks like this one will come and go and there will be times when my stress levels will gain force me to that angry and loud place, they are just moments in life and none of those inconveniences will last forever. After all, things could always be worse (the leak could have been above or bed) and there are much better things to focus our energy on and be positive about (our little, probably will become a big and hairy, baby). So I may have a few bad days here and there and different stresses may pop up now and again, I really can’t complain about much (but you have to give me some leeway on that).

Changing Things Up For The Holiday

It was an odd feeling today not going to work today. The past couple of years have always been ones that I knew I would have to be working in order to get the holiday pay. This year it was a great feeling to be back on a salary system. It was nice to get up and out of the apartment knowing that we could be out all day and not have to worry about getting back for a shift. Today made it clear how important it is to have the day off in order to really relax and enjoy the time with family.

While we changed up the usual annual plans, it was a good day all around and one that carried some extra importance as was mentioned in my previous post. Although, I admit it was a strange feeling knowing that I had gifts for my wife for Thanksgiving. Nothing much but still not something I am used to.

There were great moments during the holiday including some texts from my coworkers who seemed to be having a good time cleaning their plates. There were also some moments that I could have done without including a particular “conversation” with my mother-in-law that required some firm language and a courtesy warning for the future. Lastly, toward the end of the night, we heard that my nephew, who we usually see during the holiday, was looking for me all night. I kind of wish we were there for him.

But, good and bad, it was nice to change things up this year. It is a different year to begin with and one that has seen a lot of changes in our lives so why should this holiday be any different. While we have been thankful in the past it would take us a few extra seconds to pinpoint our gratitude. This year we have plenty to be thankful for and much to look forward to in the year to come. Maybe not as much as the friends on Facebook who have announced their pregnancy but great things to come nevertheless.

By the time we got home tonight I was exhausted. Actually, I was yawning for about half the drive back. So, I am going to close this post rather quickly and get to bed. No shopping for me this year just a slow trip to bed and a night full of snoring and not working while I enjoy being full, grateful, and hopeful for the future.