The ticking clock

~A journey inside the creative process

~You know, I only have approximately 30 to 31 days to come up with a column idea and put it in writing. If you take into account my day job, bike riding, my boyfriend, friends, the Cardinals, pool, Top Chef, family obligations, cleaning, cooking, laundry, social activities -- I mean, no wonder I don't get started until a week before it is due. Now, while the latter fact is true, it is most certainly not purposeful. However, since it seems that is becoming the norm, I'm going to go ahead and say, essentially, I only have a week to get my column in.

~With that! I utter a choice expletive realizing my deadline is a mere 168 hours away.

168 hours until DL: Before I begin my day, I brood over various news websites hoping something will jump out at me as a viable column topic. I happen upon a rare article detailing Paris Hilton's stay in jail. My stomach is in knots so I ask for the afternoon off. As far as writing goes, the day is lost. How could I possibly? This afternoon is to be used in mourning for the unfortunate debutantes who are simply trying to live their lives. Upset at the trials and tribulations of dear Paris, I lay on the couch in the dark with a cool towel on my forehead. I then think of Lindsay Lohan spending her 21st birthday in a Malibu rehab facility, which depresses me further. Paris, Lindsay, Brit-Brit, I'm with you girls. We'll get through this.

144 hours until DL: I wake up feeling refreshed. Feeling bad for the celebs was tiring, so I got a pretty good night's sleep. It's a decently busy day, and I've got plenty of time left to write. I'll do it later. After work, I bike for a strenuous 60 minutes. Well, more like an easy 20. Approximately 40 minutes of the workout is watching my beau attach the bikes to the bike rack, check the bike rack at least 5 times, pull over on the way to the trail to check the bike rack ... anyway post ride I'm hot, hungry and the Cards play in 20 minutes. I think it's best to start writing tomorrow.

120 hours until DL: It's Friday! My best friend is in from out of town. Enough said.

96 hours until DL: I'm grumpy, sweaty and tired. Had to get up early and work all day though nonetheless, saddle up on the couch with my laptop. Finding myself immediately dozing off, I set the old HP aside and take a little snooze. I wouldn't want to impair my column content by being only semi-alert.

72 hours until DL: I've thought of a topic, but was on the way to see the movie "1408", so I forgot. I'm so sleepy in the theater I doze through the previews, only to find myself paralyzed throughout the feature presentation with my fingers shoved in my ears. The muffled sounds help lessen the scare factor. With my adrenaline pumping, now would be a great time to write! However, half-price appetizers were calling as I drove past Applebees. I'll definitely work on it tomorrow.

48 hours until DL: Again seated on the couch, armed with my HP, I stare at the blank screen getting more and more agitated at the blinking cursor mocking my lack of thought. Type a few sentences, hold down the delete button, a process that goes on for several minutes. Frustrated, I finally get up to check a persistent dripping noise somewhere in my apartment I'd been ignoring for a few hours. Apparently my upstairs neighbor was dripping water into my apartment. Taking my frustration out on the drip, I storm about my apartment collecting old towels to mop up the mess and to prevent further damage. Not 20 minutes later, there is a knock on my door. My estranged upstairs neighbor explaining that my ceiling might be wet. Why yes, it certainly is. The unexpected knock turned into a 30 minute visit. Screw the column. I'm going to bed.

24 hours until DL: Finished! After dinner, I reboot the PC to proofread, only to find that technology has failed me once again. The column is no where to be found.

1 hour until DL: I throw something together hoping for a semi-positive reception from the masses. Pass it along to my editor who seems surprised that it's not late. I'm relieved to have it out of my hands. I know I've got plenty of time to come up with something better for next month.