Buffalo Gal

I find myself driving more frequently with the orange low fuel light beaconing. Refilling is inevitable, but at $3+ a gallon I avoid it until the very last possible limit.
I've always been a deadliner, which works well for daily newspaper work but not much else in life. As it has been a decade since the last news-go-round, I've tried to learn to pace myself more appropriately. For the last several weeks I've had a monstrous deadline hanging over me and literally, through no fault of my own (for once) could not find enough hours in the day to pull it out.
This was kharma, the ultimate payback for all those years of doing it to myself and pulling it out. The spell was broken. The magic gone. It's a bitch to be mortal.
Night after night I'd stay at the office until my eyes refused focus, and come home exhausted - not from the work, but the knowlege that I was still not caught up. I ducked friends and fun and half-heartedly attended to family commitments.
Last weekend, I literally took a pen and paper with me into the bathroom at Little Bobby's communion party to untwist a paragraph of copy that had been gnarled for days.
I knew Melissa, my professional sidekick, was amazing long before this project, but on this one she kicked in to spectacular. We delivered the last our "our part" on Friday. I know have only one smaller writing project for another client to finish tomorrow and will be - drum roll here please -- caught up.
Guilt has been my constant weekend companion for months now, there is a strange lonliness without it. "Normalcy" seems like an undeserved present that could be easily snatched back when the mix up on the gift tags is discovered.
I've been running on empty so long, I'm not sure I remember now to refuel. I'd like to think this has been a life-changing experience and I will never cut it to the last minute again...
But I know better.
I'm leaving for brunch with a friend now, walking the mile or so to the restaurant -- not for the exercise, but because I can avoid having to put gas in the car again for that much longer.

Copyright 2006 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
:: HOME :: The New Buffalo Gal :: Buffalo Rising :: The Buffalo Bloviator :: Buffalo NPR Station :: SABAH :: More Buffalo Weather Reality :: West Village :: Mary's Blog :: The Truth About Snow in Buffalo :: EMAIL ::
Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (1) Share on Facebook		2006-05-07 10:08 AM Running on empty I find myself driving more frequently with the orange low fuel light beaconing. Refilling is inevitable, but at $3+ a gallon I avoid it until the very last possible limit. I've always been a deadliner, which works well for daily newspaper work but not much else in life. As it has been a decade since the last news-go-round, I've tried to learn to pace myself more appropriately. For the last several weeks I've had a monstrous deadline hanging over me and literally, through no fault of my own (for once) could not find enough hours in the day to pull it out. This was kharma, the ultimate payback for all those years of doing it to myself and pulling it out. The spell was broken. The magic gone. It's a bitch to be mortal. Night after night I'd stay at the office until my eyes refused focus, and come home exhausted - not from the work, but the knowlege that I was still not caught up. I ducked friends and fun and half-heartedly attended to family commitments. Last weekend, I literally took a pen and paper with me into the bathroom at Little Bobby's communion party to untwist a paragraph of copy that had been gnarled for days. I knew Melissa, my professional sidekick, was amazing long before this project, but on this one she kicked in to spectacular. We delivered the last our "our part" on Friday. I know have only one smaller writing project for another client to finish tomorrow and will be - drum roll here please -- caught up. Guilt has been my constant weekend companion for months now, there is a strange lonliness without it. "Normalcy" seems like an undeserved present that could be easily snatched back when the mix up on the gift tags is discovered. I've been running on empty so long, I'm not sure I remember now to refuel. I'd like to think this has been a life-changing experience and I will never cut it to the last minute again... But I know better. I'm leaving for brunch with a friend now, walking the mile or so to the restaurant -- not for the exercise, but because I can avoid having to put gas in the car again for that much longer. Copyright 2006 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (1) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top