Friday, August 10, 2007

Tired...

...even though I didn't really do anything today.

And it's not because I got next to no sleep last night, waking up (for some unknown reason) roughly every 15 minutes. I finally gave up and crawled out of the rack at 4:00.

I'm tired, I suspect, simply because I didn't do anything.

In many instances -- today would have been one of them if things had worked out -- I have to be both a reporter/observer and something of an entertainer. I go out and almost inevitably do something strenuous (and on occasion, slightly dangerous) in front of interested strangers.

When I finish my little turn on "stage," I must talk to the bystanders, seem enthusiastic even if I have just had a rotten time, never getting comfortable in my environment and -- it happens -- scaring the bejeebers out of myself.

Even when the planets are in alignment and I impress the hell out of me and the "audience," what I immediately wish to do is find a corner and write pages of notes while the experience is fresh. I want to do that every time, frankly. That's what I'm there for.

Instead, I get to answer those "what's it like out there?" questions, make nice to whoever made the whole thing possible and assure him (almost inevitably a "him") that I haven't had as much fun since the last time I got...well..for a long time, let's say.

The reason I mention this is that I realized something on the angry drive home this morning: it wasn't so much that I was angry at D. for screwing up and wasting my day as I was coming down harshly from having unconsciously prepared myself in advance for the experience.

I've never been aware of it before, but before I get to whatever place this happens, I start sharpening my nerve endings, concentrating on the task ahead, and preparing myself to do my thing in public. I wouldn't be surprised if my vision and hearing improve slightly; I know I sense more of what's going on around me.

Ninety-nine times out of 100, I do the thing, then sit back and relax after. I feel tired, but not that tired.

Getting ready and then not doing it is even more tiring.

D'you suppose this is how a bullfighter feels if that oversize chunk o' beef he's to face keels over before it even gets out of the gate?

Probably not. But I'm exhausted anyway.

And I'm still pig-biting mad.

5 comments:

John0 Juanderlust said...

I think it is probably how the bullfighter would feel, especially if the bull master or whatever it is called knew he was sending a dead bull into the ring. Oops, sorry El Gato, we forget to get a live animal for the performance.

Anytime you are pumped for a performance or battle and nothing happens, it leaves one at loose ends.

Anonymous said...

That would be a huge let-down all right.

Anonymous said...

A good night's sleep does a body good. Hope you get some good sleep, MrScribbler. I have almost forgotten what that was like!

Anonymous said...

I'm with Sunny. I hope you get a good nights sleep and everything goes smoothly. :)

Anonymous said...

Yes, getting ready and not doing it is much more tiring than doing it...seems to me at least.