Friday, January 15, 2010

Before the Music Starts

(This image originally uploaded to flickr by Hector Alza)

Some days I feel as if I'm twirling uncontrollably in a mad game of musical chairs, spinning from one task to another, never quite completing anything. The music starts as soon as I open my eyes, even before the sun has lightened the sky in the east, and I begin to twirl. A classical tune plays as the coffee brews, turns into a splashy melody that signifies the shower and morphs into a fast-paced almost hysterical song that seems to repeat one single word as I get dressed and head out the door for work - "go, go, go". For a moment, in the car, the music has stopped and I can take a moment to breathe as I sit my seat, knowing that I have won the chair for this round.
I pull into the parking lot at work, pop open the car door and the music starts again. Rushing up the stairs, I again twirl to the music, changing places with the other players in the game. We spin, smiling and laughing at one another as we go. Hours pass, the music starts. Stops. Starts. Time and time again. In each chair that I've won for the moment I try to complete the task given - counting Racor filters for inventory control - answering the phone, "Yes sir, we do carry bilge pumps. Let me transfer you to someone who can answer your questions." - checking in a shipment of gillnet from Japan - shooting off an email to a supplier - calling the radio station to check on our monthly ad's - climbing to the tip-top of a ladder in the chilly warehouse to pull something off that top shelf - on and on the music plays, switching songs before any task is quite complete.
Now I must hurry and finish typing this, before the music starts again....

9 comments:

mtnchild said...

You know Paula, I've always liked to watch people in open spaces. If you can look at a crowd from a third or fourth story balcony - it is a dance. Every one swirls around not touching, just swaying out of the way of someone else. Smoothly side stepping so they won't get in the way.

I have always thought that "Life's a Dance" ...

What do you think?
Yvette

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

Whoa....It sounds like life is stressing you out a bit. I think there will always be a chair for you. It may not be where you thought you would sit sometimes, but that's okay.

Take it slowly and try to enjoy the music.

Adrienne said...

I know what you mean. Don't worry though - even when the song stops and you try to get a seat ... remember that you can always sit on someones lap ;-)

I love your new header - he's (she?) a cutie pie!

Mimi said...

Oh my goodness you just described my life for the many many years that I worked...never quite catching up with myself..until finally I was able to retire....

still busy...but spending more time in the chair, knowing that I have won this round...
and can skip (instead of run) to the next chair...

Jeni said...

Don't know for sure if you received it or not, but I sent you an e-mail late last night -something that might add more stress to your life maybe, or perhaps it's an idea that you might also find a bit relaxing. Who knows? Let me know.

Twisted Fencepost said...

Boy, can I relate to this!
Wonder what would happen if I just sat down and didn't get up?

Shelby said...

slow down as much as you can.. sit, breathe, take it all in.. choose 1 thing to focus on.. go with that as much as you can..blur out the rest.

Unknown said...

You be carefull on the tip top of that ladder young lady!

Susan said...

Oh my goodness, you described it all so well and put what can be so stressful into a positive light. Next time while I am answering both phones, typing an e-mail, and someone is standing behind me also waiting for my attention, I will remember it is a dance and I will smile. Or will it be hysterical laughter as I twirl uncontrollably in my chair .. .