Monday, July 14, 2008

Negligence and Why Does This Bug Me So?

Okay, I know, I know! It's been a while since I've even looked at my blog let alone thought of something to write. We were in Houston for the week of July 4th and spent a day in Memphis (walking, of course) and I still don't have a computer of my own so I only look at the internet when I can get on Dave's which is about one hour a day which I spend looking at drudge, newsbusters, and more fascinating blogs then my own. Then I'm either kicked off by my husband or son or daughter or limp my tired body into bed. So, I know...blogging isn't on the top of my to-do list and I feel like I've neglected it. Something I enjoy I've neglected.

But it's not the only thing I enjoy I'm neglecting, so it stands in good company. I've stopped exercising! Yeap, and I'm sad and ashamed. I had a week about a month ago when my right knee was incredibly painful. I chalk it up to hormones but needless to say during that week I gave up on Leslie Sansone. After that it was VBS, then travel to Houston and now my nephews here and, well...I can come up with a plethora of excuses. But the funny, haha, odd thing is I'm neglecting something I really enjoy doing. Why not just jump back onto the wagon????

Next week the fam is going to mission camp, for the week, and I'm anticipating the time to re-start those things I love - blogging, reading to Liam, paying attention to him (He and I will be home alone for the week), exercising and eating right.  Like I've said previously, Summer-time seems to bust up my beloved routine and next week is my first attempt to lay hold of that which I need to maintain my sanity.

Now, onto what is bugging me...last Saturday Emma had a swim meet in a town 1 1/2 hours away. I was hoping the meet would have been rained out, but, to no avail, the sun shone brightly and I have the burn on my shoulders to prove it. 

Now when there's a swim meet the parents are asked to do a variety of tasks: time, ribbon-write, stroke-judge, bull-pen-parent. I typically time. It keeps me doing something, chatting with  parents and the kids. Swim meets usually run 2, 3, sometimes 4 hours so you get kind of desperate for activity. 

When timing you begin your stop-watch to 2 signals: either the light or the horn, which go off simultaneously. I have always timed to the horn because sometimes it's difficult to see the light, folks moving around getting in the way or the sun is too bright during a day meet. Now why am I bugged?

At the meet this past Saturday the announcer told us plebeon timers to time to the light, not the horn. Being in the 5th lane, behind the diving board I chose the horn, not being able to see the light. At event 68 (there are 78 events in a swim meet) the announcer reminds us timers to use the light, not the horn. I guffawed to the other timers (2) in my lane and said I've always timed to the horn since the light is not always visible. I was quickly reprimanded for this. 
"What difference does it make?" I answered. 
"Well  light travels faster than sound and..."
But we're 10 yards away! Does that really matter?"
"Yes, if there's wind, the sound will be distorted and..."

That was Saturday. It's now Monday morning and I'm still bugged. Does it really make a difference? Any scientists out there?