Fun on a school night

You know that girl. The one that is involved in everything. Every time you see her, she’s got her hands in something else and she runs with it full speed. She’s on the board for this organization. She volunteers for that organization. She juggles work and professional events while still maintaining her home life and hobbies. She’s always busy and you get tired just imagining the looks of her daily planner. She jams cocktails with friends between a charity golf outing, softball practice, and making designer cupcakes for work. She runs marathons on the side. And she has the gull to make it all look like it’s no big deal. Like anyone can do it. She probably even feels a little bit guilty that she’s not doing enough… that the ball is falling somewhere.

Maybe you’re impressed with her ability to organize her life that way. Maybe you’re annoyed with her but can’t quite explain why her choice to do everything bothers you. Maybe you just shake your head, call her crazy, and smile.

You know that girl? It’s me.

 I like being extra-involved and over-stretched. I like having a million things to do and lots of people to be with. I like filling my life with things that make me happy. I guess I just have a lot of things that make me happy.

I know why I am like this but we won’t get into the psychology of it now. While the reasons for my tendencies aren’t awesome, I do love the dividends this lifestyle has provided me. I am very fulfilled right now, thanks to the events I attend, committees I engage in, and people I converse with.

What I don’t like is having to leave one event/party/gathering to get to another. I hate leaving. I hate missing out on anything. We’ll talk about this more someday too.

But for now, let’s focus on the positive. Yesterday was not my definition of busy (others would disagree), but it was my definition of full.

 

Work was normal up until I left early to make it to a client’s office to deliver the final report for a project I’ve completed. Meeting with the client is always a good time to strengthen the relationship, which helps get more work for myself and the company. This is good. This is how I can increase my chances of staying gainfully employed.

Following that I drove across town to a board meeting with my main professional organization, ASCE. We get work done at these meetings, which feels good, but I really enjoy the time to be with these other professionals and share my energy for something good.

A quick change-a-roo in Daisy (my car) and I was on my way to the Portage Lakes Running Club. My husband thinks the idea of a running group is silly. Why do you need to join a group of strangers to run in a place they tell you at a time of their choosing? Why not get your own ass out to the trail and get your workout done? I’ll tell you why.

a.)   Because it’s much easier to bail on yourself than your group.

b.)   You don’t have to do the planning. Just put PLX at 6pm on your calendar every Tuesday, check in to see to which local trail you should drive, and be there.

c.)   To meet people, silly! This is where you find people with the common interest of exercise, running, and Akron! There’s probably someone else that runs your speed (we’ve got everything from 6 minute milers to 12 minute walk-and-run milers) and you already have something to talk about. Plus, like Mom always says: safety in numbers!

d.)   Cookies! This group brings cookies to enjoy during the post-run, endorphin-enhanced, totally optional chit-chat.

Five easy miles with some self-initiated Tabata Training at the end. Perfect for the kick I needed to keep going with the night. Because it still wasn’t over.

Dinner and a shower later, I was on my way to Annabells, the rugby bar. Every city with a rugby team has a rugby bar and you know it right away when you walk in. I can’t wait to tell you about ours some day. Our season may be over, but the team is year round. This time the women’s team gathered to celebrate a rookie’s 21st birthday! It was everything you could expect from a 21st birthday: shots, vodka drinks, dancing on structures not meant for dancing, strangers becoming friends for the occasion, and yes, puking. Welcome to Akron Rugby, girlie. ;)

Home at 11pm, thankful for the 8am work start time that I usually complain is too late. And here we are today.