It’s been one of those weeks where my schedule has been completely thrown off. It generally happens this time of year with dance recitals, half days of school, and the school year wrap up. So, what does all this mean? It means my writing schedule is way out of whack. What we end up with is a week without a lot of columns from me. And I’m not sure what is going on with George, but with his illness, I don’t question it. Plus he occasionally surprises me with a bunch of movie reviews.
I’ve had lots of ideas for articles this week, but not a chance to write any of them. I have made little lists of ideas so writing at later dates. It is definitely harder to write in the summer months than it is any other time of the year. It’s not only the disruption in my schedule. It’s also that idea of sitting in front of a computer when the weather is so beautiful. We are seemingly stuck in the house for so long with the cold weather that it is almost criminal to not take in the sunshine and heat of summer.
What does all this mean for those of you who love reading the daily nonsense from Niagara’s Watercooler? It means that I have to change the way I write each day. I have a plan in place. It will not be easy, but it will be beneficial to both Wendy and I, as well as our loyal readers. It could very well end up meaning that I will be able to deliver more content to the website. It also will not be very easy.
Let me just say that I am not a morning person. Getting up before 9am can be tough for me. I am a night owl and get a lot of stuff done at night, whether it’s reading or writing. However, that means there is less time with the family since I get up so late. At the same time, both Wendy and I want to be able to exercise each day. She likes the morning. I don’t.
My new plan is to try to get on some sort of schedule. Now, I know it will not work all the time, but I’m willing to give it a try. None of this can happen before 7am. Why anyone would want to be up that early is beyond me. Seven is the earliest I can do, but Wendy is all about the mornings. My plan is for each of us to get up at that time, or shortly after. We will go down to the living room. Wendy will do her workout while I write. That gives me 40 minutes of writing time.
Forty minutes of writing each morning is actually quite a lot. I could get a bunch of writing done if I set my mind to it. Then once Wendy is done with her workout, I will get in 30 minutes of yoga to start my day. It’s amazing what yoga can do for you. It is awesome. Then we can eat breakfast and go for a quick walk around the block.
Getting up that early for me will mean an earlier bedtime than midnight or 1am. I’ll probably have to be in bed by 10. That still gives me enough time in the evening to do my workout. (Remember: I am not a morning person. I only do a workout at night.) Then I can shower and read until I fall asleep.
I am not one for scheduling much of anything. I’m a fly by the seat of your pants type of guy. This is going to be an adjustment -- a big adjustment. I’m willing to try it. It gives both Wendy and I that extra push to make sure we both achieve our goals -- she with her exercise and me with my writing. I’m going to try this week to head to bed just a little bit earlier to see if it make a difference on what time I wake up in the morning. I always have great intentions, but terrible follow through.
In the end, it should mean more consistent content being published, and being published early in the morning. It should probably be up by eight or nine each day. Next week, all the madness begins. Wendy will be done with school, as will the girls. And I will be getting up in the middle of the night at 7am to make the magic that is Niagara’s Watercooler happen.
Craig Bacon wrote this before 8am. At least he thinks he did. Maybe this is all just one of his dreams, even though he isn’t flying.