Third Base.

We've reached third base this week. One week from tomorrow, we will have our fifteen minute presentations in an all-day conference at the Newberry. That evening, we will have our end-of-the-semester party. The next day, most of us will be gone.

I can only speak for myself, but I cannot think too much about next Thursday, until I think about next Tuesday at noon. Our papers are now due Tuesday at noon, giving us an extra twelve hours to do more polishing and proofreading, I suspect. I do not plan to steal home plate, and score a run (something that I always did when I played softball). I will wait patiently until it's safe for me to go. That way, a run will be a promise as opposed to a hope. But I will get to home plate. And I won't even have to slide and dirty my uniform.

This week, I'm letting music carry me through. Well, mostly. If I had to describe the paper-writing process in two words, I'd call it "oddly invigorating." This week, if I could summarize my feelings in a song, I would sing the chorus of  "Try a Little Tenderness"(don't watch the video, just listen to the music). I definitely appreciate Otis Redding's original singing and performance, but Chris Brown's rendition has me this week. 

Songs of the week: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough  and Try a Little Tenderness

Phrase of the week for paper-related conversations: "Hi. Tell me that I can do this, please."

Phrase of the week for other conversations: "Hey, I'll talk to you next week. I have to finish my paper."

So, if you know and/or love me, try a little tenderness with me this week. I'm not too far from normal these days, but I will be all the way back soon. And once I'm back, I'll celebrate by singing  Whitney Houston's Greatest Love of All.