running the hamster wheel

there's an old analogy i came across at some point during college that compared journalism to running in front of a thrashing machine. you're constantly running running running, offering something to feed the machine while you have time to start creeping away. but the machine catches up and persues you until you come up with a new story and buy some extra time.

i've been running like the wind today. the day raced by, as i was busy focusing on three, sometimes four different stories at once. phone calls and messages left that needed to be recalled when the person returned my call. "oh yes, hello!!! how are you doing today?" as i scurry to find my notes.

but i've accomplished much. not as much as i wanted, but, then again, i never accomplish as much as i might like. i'm not crazy about the fact that i still feel as if i'm a monkey trying to speak in ambic pentameter, but i have a feeling that this will be a sensation i am likely to experience for the rest of my days. realize, accept, embrace.

i'm a lass of simple needs this evening. head home sometime in the (hopefully) near future, collect my gym gear and head out to work out. i have a feeling that an active body will help create an active mind. the part of me that whines about a good concert drought is pestering the rest of me to head to the o.a.r. show tonight but, even though i know i should, the week has already been too long and i would be dead to the world tomorrow. instead, i've promised myself to catch an o.a.r. show sometime soon (i know, i know, always promises. i've got a list a mile long.) some dinner, some relaxation time and then i'll be in a good mindset for the coming few days - all quite full of work but also visits from smiling faces and good times. cheer fever, yes (much to my chagrin), but hey, it's gotta pay the bills.

speaking of which, the whip's cracking behind me again. back to work ... it's a good thing i want to spend the next few decades of my life devoted to something along these lines, eh?

xoxoxoxo - koko