The Wasted Day...
The Wasted Day I often lament there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to, nor enough time to see the people I’d like to. In any given week, each day is compartmentalized into tasks, projects, and sleep. This system works out for the most part, but when it fails, it fails horribly, leading to unproductive days and/or wasted time with nothing to show for it. So, let me describe my Easter weekend. When I got off work Friday morning, I was trying to figure out how to create time on Saturday, because Saturday’s schedule was full and overflowing. So, instead of going to sleep for eight hours, waking up, and taking my wife on a surprise date, I borrowed from Saturday’s schedule, in order to be able to do everything I said I would. I had planned on barbecuing for a friend’s Easter celebration on Saturday, but with decent conditions outside on Good Friday, I decided to make it happen on Friday. I seasoned the meat, let it marinate, and took a two hour nap, scared to let the sunshine get away on what I knew would be a four or five hour job. I woke up and went to work. It probably would have been easier to use two grills, but my charcoal supply was low. I used my trusty Weber, and I got everything going. No worries. When I talk to friends and family while barbecuing, the same question is always asked; “How long will the grills be open?” I always give an honest answer because I do love to barbecue, and I don’t mind grilling something for my people, whether it’s a dozen burgers, jerked chicken, hot links, whatever. Just get it here. My buddy showed up with a dozen or so burgers, hot dogs… and a twelve pack. My wife had also brought home a twelve pack for me, and I was well fortified with beer and Irish whiskey. It had all the makings for a memorable evening. Another friend showed up, and suddenly, my back yard was alive with the sounds of music and laughter, the delicious aroma of barbecue, and I was still being productive. Good times indeed. I finished all of the barbecuing and I let the good times roll. There was only one problem. Usually, when I’m cooking, I nibble and munch most of the time, and at some point, I’ll actually eat a meal. Friday? I didn’t eat anything from the time I woke up that morning. I forgot to eat. Combined with a lack of sleep, beer, and whiskey, I lost the battle, which resulted in the world’s worst hangover on Saturday. I was forced to miss my book club meeting, plus bowling, and the worst part wasn’t the headache, my flushed face, or my sore diaphragm.
The worse thing was the feeling of letting people down, because they’d counted on me for one thing or another on Saturday. My apologies to one and all. I’m trying to do better with compartmentalizing my time, but alas, there are only so many hours in the day. By the way, the next two weekends are full as well, which means once again I’ll be crunching time. Yes, it sucks to let people down, but it’s even worse to let myself down. No more wasted days…
