remember to breathe
OK it was 10 a.m. (just over an hour ago) Monday and I walk into the lobby of the YMCA in Riverside and the guy behind the counter (membership coordinator James Fashauer) goes, "you're in the paper today."
Say what?
"Yeah, you're picture's in the paper today."
He seemed confused that I was confused. I was confused because it was New Year's Day morning, which means the night before was New Year's Eve and . . .
. . . and so I was confused, like I said.
But then it dawned on me that tomorrow is THE day that Ryan and I actually hit the road for this monster road trip, this Desert Dash, this pigskin pilgrimage (I cover religion for the Times-Union; like I'm not going to work religion references in everywhere).
Anyway, I'm one of those people who gets kinda worked up before trips. Nervous, agitated. It ain't pretty. Packing is a nightmare. I make lists and lists of lists. Get to the airport two hours before a domestic flight? Try two days. You never know if you're gonna have a flat tire or maybe have the urge stop at the mall to buy a whole new wardrobe on the way to the airport.
So I have to keep reminding myself to breathe. To relax. I may have to write it on the back of my hand with a felt pen.
Going to the gym helped. I ran a couple miles on the treadmill then did some weights. Everything was good until I ran into Times-Union Assistant Managing Editor John Burr, who reminded me what a great job Ryan and I are going to do and how much fun we're going to have.
Like that's not pressure. Nor is having your goofy mug on the front page, etc etc. (For the record: Burr was bench pressing 500 pounds when I saw him and he kept doing his reps as he spoke. There, I can cross "brown-nose one editor" off my to-do list).
So I'm just reminding myself to breathe as I start preparing for lift off. Anyone who wants to e-mail me and share night-before-long-trips relaxation techniques please send them to desertdash@jacksonville.com. And tune in later tonight when Times-Union food editor Dan MacDonald yells at me about the grub I'm taking with me on this trip.
Jeff
Say what?
"Yeah, you're picture's in the paper today."
He seemed confused that I was confused. I was confused because it was New Year's Day morning, which means the night before was New Year's Eve and . . .
. . . and so I was confused, like I said.
But then it dawned on me that tomorrow is THE day that Ryan and I actually hit the road for this monster road trip, this Desert Dash, this pigskin pilgrimage (I cover religion for the Times-Union; like I'm not going to work religion references in everywhere).
Anyway, I'm one of those people who gets kinda worked up before trips. Nervous, agitated. It ain't pretty. Packing is a nightmare. I make lists and lists of lists. Get to the airport two hours before a domestic flight? Try two days. You never know if you're gonna have a flat tire or maybe have the urge stop at the mall to buy a whole new wardrobe on the way to the airport.
So I have to keep reminding myself to breathe. To relax. I may have to write it on the back of my hand with a felt pen.
Going to the gym helped. I ran a couple miles on the treadmill then did some weights. Everything was good until I ran into Times-Union Assistant Managing Editor John Burr, who reminded me what a great job Ryan and I are going to do and how much fun we're going to have.
Like that's not pressure. Nor is having your goofy mug on the front page, etc etc. (For the record: Burr was bench pressing 500 pounds when I saw him and he kept doing his reps as he spoke. There, I can cross "brown-nose one editor" off my to-do list).
So I'm just reminding myself to breathe as I start preparing for lift off. Anyone who wants to e-mail me and share night-before-long-trips relaxation techniques please send them to desertdash@jacksonville.com. And tune in later tonight when Times-Union food editor Dan MacDonald yells at me about the grub I'm taking with me on this trip.
Jeff
posted by Jeff at
11:18 AM
1 Comments:
Hey Jeff, great talkiing to you on the phone this morning. I know you are a couple days away from Las Cruces NM, but there is a great Mexican restaurant there called "La Posta". It's been there since 1939 (hopefully it's still there, it's been a few years since I was there).
Have a great trip!!!
Love you Son,
Dad
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