I think I Can...I Think I Can...

I'm the Little Engine That Could this week. There is no time for lazing about. No time for superfluous conversations with co-workers. No time, even, to grab a bite to eat. Or even if I find time, I am so overloaded with other stuff in my brain that I can't make a decision about what to eat. I am making so many decisions about so many other things, who has time to think about food. Hey, this could be the new diet craze! ;)

As the Director of Development for an AIDS organization, I am charged with the monumental task of raising money. And this isn't easy. I do love to organize things- from bookshelves to spice racks to filing systems to events. I would venture to say I have a knack for event organizing. I'm good with minutiae, of which there is plenty. I am good with people, and the interpersonal communication interactions abound. I excel at juggling multiple tasks at once. So much juggling is required in this job, you'd think I was in a circus, not a non-profit. Plus, from time time, I have bursts of creativity which really helps to keep things innovative and lively. And I have one hell of a sense of humor so when the shit hits the fan, I often just start laughing. Nobody needs to know I am laughing so I won't cry. Shhh. Let's keep that between us. Ok?

Sunday is the biggest event of the year for me. Myself and my co-chair have been planning this for, oh, practically a year but definitely for the greater part of 8 months. We've got about 600+ riders riding 3 different courses with 7 rest stops, 10 safety vans and about a half-dozen motorcyclists patrolling the route. We've probably got over 60 volunteers. There's a catered meal at the end, DJ music, massage. It's a logistical nightmare. But at least the chaos is organized chaos. AND the weather looks like it will be around 68 degrees- thank you Mother Nature! Last year it rained and the year before that it was 100 degrees in some spots. We ran out of water and ice and ran around like people lost in a desert searching for a mirage. It was awful. We weren't prepared for the rain either- papers were as soggy as the riders and we didn't have enough hot beverage to go around. This year, mark my words, will be different. This year, I'm in charge.

I'll own up to the fact that I am bossy. I could try to blame my Aries nature but that'd be me hiding behind astrology. I've always been bossy- ask my mom or my little sister (tell 'em mom and Dokey). I like to be in charge. I like to think I am a good leader- funny, fair and frank. The three F's. But I don't know about that- you'll have to ask my co-workers. And even then, they might opt out from telling you. (No pressure.) In the last few years, maybe it's being in my 30's, I've begun to own up to my strengths. It's good to know you are good at least a couple of things in life. Right?

Yesterday, I was on the radio at 6:45am. I worked until 9:45pm. I will work from 8am to probably 9pm today. Same for tomorrow. Sunday, event day, I will likely work from 4:00am to 8:00pm. I will not be able to walk or think come Monday. And yet, I will be working because there is a long list of post-event wrap up tasks I have to attend to. Then I will take three days off. Get a massage. Soak in a hot tub. Eat sushi. Go to a matinee. Go out for a couple of vodka tonics. And sleep in. I think I can make it.

I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...