Day 354 Time Is So Precious and Strategic Maneuvering of This Crazy Wonderful Life

Day 354

Time Is So Precious and Strategic Maneuvering of This Crazy Wonderful Life

It feels very strange sitting down to the computer to write in the middle of the afternoon. I much prefer writing at the end of the day and recounting that day and evenings thoughts, emotions, triumphs, struggles and happenings. It'll be hard to get use to this way, but certainly workable. And it's not like I'll be missing anything. It's simply a shift in my frame of reference. I imagine many of my afternoon written blogs will start with “Last night as we...” And that's cool. It's a must considering my schedule now. My schedule was already booked pretty tight before accepting the responsibility and commitment of a stage production. Some close family and friends think I'm crazy, but hear me out: Maybe what I needed to really learn valuable time management skills was this amped up schedule. Like 1500 calories forcing me to make better “calorie value” choices throughout a day, this schedule forces me to make wise “time value” decisions. The great thing about this schedule is, it's not going to be this way forever. After the final curtain on this play, I'll come away having accomplished something I've always dreamed of, and I'll have learned valuable lessons in time management.

Yesterday did not go as planned. First off, let me mention that I'm sick. Yes, the typical head and chest congestion, sluggish, yuk-yuk kind of stuff. I've been drinking Theraflu like an addict, using hand sanitizer like crazy, and amping up my water consumption. I didn't mention the sick thing last night because I didn't want to focus on that. It'll pass. It certainly isn't holding me back.

We were short one person at the studio, they were out for a funeral. So my schedule required that I stay late. Probably would have had to anyway because of the production requirements of the day. I left the studio by 4:30pm and quickly set out to do some errands. I ran into the house long enough to visit for ten minutes with Irene before she left for work, then I was out the door for the bank and another errand that couldn't wait another day. I arrived back to our driveway just as Irene was pulling out into the street. I still had dinner and some kind of a workout to consider before rehearsal at 7pm. And rehearsal takes place in a town fifteen minutes away, so that means leaving by at least 6:35 or so to ensure I'm not late. Keep in mind I had less than four hours of sleep the night before and no nap. I decided to refresh myself with a shower and a change of clothes and it didn't take long to realize that dinner would have to wait---as well as the workout. I was simply running out of time. I did fix a pita cheese pizza for 145 calories, just enough to hold me over until after rehearsal.

I left rehearsal not too long after 9pm and all the way home thought about my plan of attack. I knew that I promised Courtney I'd help her with a big school project as soon as I returned. I also needed dinner. Courtney had already had her dinner, so it was just me. I don't even remember what I fixed. I'm sure it was good. After eating, I reported to the dining room table to help Courtney with the project. The time was after 10pm already and I had even started writing my blog. At around 10:30, Amber called from school requesting some help on an essay. She wanted to e-mail me the essay and have me suggest changes and corrections then give it an overall evaluation and “Dad, it's due in the morning!” OK! This is getting interesting my friends. I finished the project with Courtney (she did all of the work, I just kind of supervised) then it was off to open this e-mailed essay from Amber. It was a really good, rather lengthy essay on her first experience in the 'game of love.' The entire essay was wonderfully written with comparisons to modern games we all know and enjoy, it was clever indeed. I studied the essay, made some changes, offered some suggestions, then e-mailed it back to her. Before I knew it we were facing midnight without one word of my blog written.

I really wanted it to be as monumental a blog last night as the weigh-in that inspired it. It became what it was, and it was fine, but not what I had hoped for. Maybe I'm too critical of myself. Oh, and did you notice? No workout-and as sick as I felt, and as late as it was---It just wasn't happening. I knew the alarm was set for 5am and another busy day was bucking to be released. I had to get as much sleep as possible, knowing that it wasn't going to be enough, and knowing that it isn't good for my metabolism and horrible for my immune system fighting this crud that's made itself at home inside me.

I'm really struggling with not being able to read as many blogs as I normally do, in fact none today already, and very few the last couple of days, let alone comment on any. I feel horrible about this. Completely horrible. If you've missed me around your blog lately, please understand that I miss you and as soon as I can get this schedule leveled out and into a groove, I'll be able to get back to reading and writing my always supportive blogging friends. I can't thank you enough for the outpouring of support and congratulations you've given me. But remember, you certainly do not need to feel obligated to comment me---I'm having a tough time with this situation. The circle of support that has been created around weight loss blogdom is incredible. I pride myself on being apart of that. And I still am and I will continue to be. Hang in there with me. You with me? I never forget that what I write is my therapy, this is my therapeutic mental conditioning that I would write regardless if anyone reads it or not. Encouragement and support feels so wonderful, and it's a very important part of this weight loss equation, but we mustn't allow it to become consuming. Our words of how we feel, what we're doing, and the magnificent transformation we're cultivating---this is the most important thing---these writings we all create have incredible power to help us change and understand change. Your support is always appreciated in the form of comments, but I certainly understand if you don't. I hope you'll afford me that same consideration for the time being.

Irene just arrived after a (brace yourself) after working a nearly twenty-four hour day. Well, technically she worked a twelve, but they had meetings scheduled all day today that she was required to attend and offer her input. I'm ready to cook dinner and then workout, before showering and heading off to play rehearsal. I should have a much earlier bedtime tonight, and that will be good! I desperately need the rest to get over this sickness.

Thanks to everyone that offered prayers and thoughts for Irene's dad. He was released from the hospital today and told me “I feel better than ever—they've been shooting me up with a cocktail of antibiotics and morphine---never felt better!” Very nice. He's going to make it, I just have a wonderful feeling about that.

One very important note: The interview with Tony “The Anti-Jared” Posnanski isn't ready for “air.” I haven't had time to edit. I had planned on posting that tonight, but that would require a late night editing session---and I can't do that tonight. I look forward to holding my wife as we drift off to sleep at a responsible and reasonable hour. I miss her. We must make the most of the time we have together. I can't wait for you to hear the interview. I'm hoping to edit during my lunch hour tomorrow and then I'll preview it to Tony and release it after he has a chance to listen. Thank you for your patience. My best always. I mean those words my friend. My best always. Goodnight and...

Good Choices,
Sean