As I ponder how I’m going to get my family fed, kids to their activities and perhaps some rest inserted into my daily schedule, I can’t help but wonder what surprises that band is going to throw at us this year. It’s funny how just two weeks ago I couldn’t wait to hear what was coming next from them, and now as reality is sinking in I’m almost dreading the news of more US dates or whatever else they have coming our way. It’s really a double edged sword at times. I wish I could drop everything, but at least for me – that’s not really an appropriate option, even if I *could* consider anything and everything I do for the band to be “research” and/or “work”. (I hear my husband laughing….hmm….) I know as I type that there’s someone out there amongst you that cannot wait to remind me how lucky we are to even have the option available to go and see them. Of course that is true, and I’m not about to argue otherwise, no worries there. I’m just trying to describe how it really IS to be a Duran fan in my every day life. I always feel as though when it comes to the band and something they’re doing – an appearance, a show, or even taking time for myself to listen to an album, a webcast, see a DVD that a friend has made, or whatever else is going on, I’m having to rob Peter to pay Paul. Even when it comes to writing the blog, in order to give the blog time it means taking the time away from doing something else to get it done. Some days, I have no trouble justifying the time, and others….*sigh*
I’m sure I must not be the only one out there with this trouble. If it’s not the time, it’s the money, am I right? I try to remind myself that I consistently give my kids everything I have to offer. They come first, and I never forget that. Except, my husband reminds me, when I go to shows or have gone “on tour”. I’m not sure he’s being honest about that because when I’m gone, I’m still checking in as best as possible – and I’ve even had to call home literally while at a show waiting for the band to come on stage so that I could give my darling husband instructions as to where to drive in order to pick one of the kids up or where to take them to the doctor for a scheduled appointment. (never mind that I’d already left those directions for him on the counter at home before I left…) Its always something!
The give and take of being a Duran fan along with everything else I am to be for everyone else is not an easy balance. Sometimes I feel as though it all flows smoothly, and other times, it’s a very bumpy ride. I have to learn how to create more of a balance in my life for myself, and once again I am sure that I’m not alone with those feelings. That doesn’t mean that I’ll be attending every single Duran Duran show (Um, no.), but I need to stop feeling guilty just because I want to take a day to work on the blog site or work on the book rather than say, do laundry or dust my furniture. I want to treat the book as my work – just because I happen to dearly love writing doesn’t mean it’s just a guilty pleasure, and I also need to train my family to respect my time as well.
Famous last words, right???
-R
