Out of Sorts

I spent a few minutes this afternoon driving through a Greenville fog, listening to John Gorka, and looking at the sky. It’s not the thing one wants to do if one is looking to get all rowdy. I’m a bit out of sorts, off-kilter…sideways…if you will.

I dropped off my Blockbuster movies (note: “Following”=good, “Made”=bad, with the exception of a good performance by Vince Vaughn) and headed toward the office (little work to do before a lot of work to do).

I saw that damned seagull again. He had come another 48 miles north from Greenwood to Greenville.

And then I saw it…it wasn’t just Wayward Seagull. It was a whole flock of seagulls. Seriously.

It appears I’ve been spending the last few years with my headed buried deeply in southern red clay. In three years, I don’t think I’ve seen a seagull farther north than Columbia. Now, I’m seeing full flocks in the dead of winter. Seagulls…flying north for the winter. I can’t imagine this is a unique phenomenon. I have to guess…I’ve just not been paying attention.

And the seagulls are the least of my ignorance.

I looked up today and realized that I have no idea where I will be in one year. My contract with the ol’ TV thing is up in four months. My friends are having babies. Brother Beaker is getting married.

None of these is a bad thing. In fact, most are really, really good. It’s just this: After three years of getting really comfortable, my life is about to change again.

I used to like it a lot. That’s why I got into this business in the first place. Constant change and manhunts. I never knew where and when I was going to be.

Now…well, now I sort of like knowing I’m going to go to bed on Mt. Willis and knowing that when I wake up there, I’ll know who I can call for whatever I need.

I’m not down…I’m just nervous. Sometimes that can be a good thing. Sometimes it can eat your stomach lining like a fanged bacteria.

Incidentally, I won’t be around for a few days. I’m getting shipped off to our state capital/capitol for the kickoff of the new South Carolina Education Lottery (hrumph) and the first day of our General Assembly’s session. Two nights and three days in downtown Columbia. I should’ve looked into that for my honeymoon…

So, if you happen to see a plan for the next three years of my life floating around anywhere, slip it in my e-mail box and I’ll look it over when I get back.

I’m going in search of more seagulls.