|
NOT A SAFARI
Friday Aug. 12, 2016
Something cathartic, preparing for any trip – frenetic plate-clearing, finishing, prioritizing, scheduling for ‘when I get back’ – not starting new things, they will almost all wait …
Nothing new about that, but mentally rolling my eyes a little, like watching myself, as a fly on my wall would.
No single thing or file gets much time or attention – flitting, file to file, call to call, email to email – like bees visit flowers, just long enough to move an issue along, punctuating but not penetrating everything ‘in progress’. I will inevitably drop the ball on something (small I hope), forget something (hopefully I can buy one), cause some scheduling nightmare for first days back (trying to protect my time those first few days) and, as seems to be my habit, I’ll take a couple files along (not to worry Ralph, Grant, Barry, Coreen and Marlis, it’s a short trip – not a safari) so you’ll hear from me while I’m gone. And hopefully, my luggage will take the same trip I do …
All that aside – there is time ahead on airplanes, in hotel rooms and sight-seeing for ‘letting my mind wander’, in part for the solitude of uninterrupted thought, partly to spend stretches of time watching clouds float by, or just wandering around among some fascinating history. The Smithsonian and all the ‘monument’s to see are on my agenda. As are places where history was made. Those fascinate me too – I’ll be, according to my Google map, a stone’s throw from many things. And no more than a half-day’s drive from so many others, oh boy!
And, always time for ‘something else happened instead’.
P.S.: a few years ago, I planned a great trip (Toronto for a few days, New York for a few days + see some plays, Washington, DC for a few days + attend a conference); taking the red-eye on the 12th. But, Sept. 11th changed all that – there was no trip, no conference’. Since then I’ve been to New York twice, Toronto twice but never got to DC. This year, a collision of circumstances collided – a conference (Toastmasters) in Washington, available, expiring ‘use them or lose them frequent flyer points, and a need for recharging my batteries. Little things – so many to take care of. I’ve made a list, ticking them off. Still, a table to ‘to-do’ items will fill today but I must admit I’m in serious vacation-mode in my head. Oh, and I guess I need to pack …
written / published from Calgary, AB
morning walk with Gusta: 14C/58F, light/cloudy, last night’s fierce downpour has left everything soggy – Gusta would love it (she checked into the kennel yesterday), my last Calgary walk for a while – feels strange not having a leash in hand and the creature-comfort-company; it felt so quiet, the magpies were silent … not sure if they notice an absent dog, wonder if they missed said dog …
Reader feedback:
OH MY MY
Hey Mark, Just wanted to also say thank you for the conversation about the “other side” of the line. I needed that reminder….had my pen and paper out today to start that list! , CB, Calgary, AB
TWO IS A TEAM
Has to be the right two. Wrong two ends up in constant conflict and no movement forward. Been there, attempted that and it wasn't pretty. The right two however can be quite victorious. Lots of examples in history to support picking the right team member(s). Still very much summer in southeast Texas. A little bit of stormy season starting to move in so it's ok! GW, Bon Wier, Tx.
|
|
