Key Distraction

For the past few weeks Dan has been preoccupied with work. Employee reviews, trying to spend capitol dollars before year-end, wrapping up several big projects, etc. So preoccupied that his usual "Holy Cow--Key West is XXX days away!" e-mails I'd get every day last year vanished months ago. But his mood is lifting in fits and starts. The costumes are ready, the condo key will be in the lock box when we get there, our roomies will do the grocery shopping on the way down so food, beer and wine will be ready on arrival. I just need Dan to focus on the Keys. Just think about the Keys. The work stuff will pass. The Keys are right around the corner.

This morning I got another snarly cell phone call as Dan left one meeting on the road to another. I continued to type, interjecting a "Yes dear" and "I understand" and "That's terrible" as appropriate. "Dan, think about the Keys!" 

That rant finished, I went back to work. 30 minutes later he called back, apologetic, and with a better tone. The first night in Key West is a little black dress party. I have several, and I asked Dan to look through my closet, and if he didn't find exactly what he was looking for, we'd go shopping tonight. (He won't find the perfect dress, of course, because I'll reject them all.) His mood brightened noticeably at that prospect (Dan loves to act as my personal shopper). "Well, I just pulled into work--gotta go!" he announced. I hung up. 

Two minutes later my phone rang again. "Um, guess what?" a sheepish Dan asked.

It took me almost two hours to drive from Glendale to Waukesha and back to Glendale today. I had to unlock Dan's car. Clearly he was not thinking about the keys when he got out and locked the door. But based on where I know his mind was, I think he's moving into full-on Keys vacation mode.

Roller Coaster

I happen to love roller coasters. I like standing in the line and chatting with the captive group that surrounds you. I like hearing the enthusiasm of people anticipating the thrill of the upcoming ride. I like climbing into the car, securing myself into the seat, getting a good grip and listening to the click-click-click as the train climbs the first big hill. I love the building anxiety of wondering what that first drop is going to feel like. I love the pause as you crest the top of the hill and then the sudden rush as you plummet to the bottom, only to hit another incline and experience the next high speed thrill. And I love getting back in line and riding the coaster, again and again.

This last week I had the opportunity to attend a professional conference at Disney World. For a theme park/roller coaster junkie like me the icing on the cake was also being asked to present information about a major work project I manage. I was asked and happily got in the line. I agonized over the story I would tell and how I would visually present it. I practiced in front of Dan at home and a friendly audience at work. I arrived at the conference and checked out the room. I was introduced, got up and delivered the content to an audience of 50+ strangers.  I experienced the thrill of a solid performance and strong finish. I felt the rush of applause and the excitement of answering questions. And I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Roller coasters are a great metaphor for my life. For years I sat back and watched as world went by, enjoying the stories told by others and looking at pictures of their adventures.  I hit my late 30’s and found myself looking back with regret at what I had missed and the chances I hadn’t taken. Somewhere, between then and now, I’ve come to realize that a good personal stretch is worth the effort. The commitment to get in line and take the steps needed to reach the goal, the thrilling payback, is absolutely a critical part of the ride.

I know that life isn’t easy, or always fun. Sometime the amount of time you have to spend in the line for the roller coaster makes you doubt the potential payback. But wow, when the train comes to a stop and I’m feeling that zip of conquering a fear, I’m so glad I invested the energy.

So, stay tuned, next up – some daily accounts of fun and sun from Key West and … Fantasy Fest!


Music that resonates:
Life is a Roller Coaster -- Ronan Keating