I’m thinking this will be a pretty short post. I just returned to New Orleans late Monday night, after spending most of the prior week at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Another trade show. I had lofty thoughts of writing something about impermanence—the fleeting nature of both Las Vegas and trade shows—but I’m too tired for that now.

The trade show began on a Saturday. As I dressed myself in the designated team clothing early Saturday, one thought prevailed: I’m getting too old for this shit. I’m too permanent for this impermanence.

The stark contrast with the prior Saturday didn’t help my state of mind. Just one week before, I had finished my swim before 8am and spent the rest of the day on the beach.

If you’ve ever been to Las Vegas, you will know that six days is a long, long, time to spend there. Especially when you’re spending all your time between the Strip and one of the convention centers. When I lived in Los Angeles, I visited Las Vegas many times, for both work and fun. I learned then that three days was about the max I could handle.

Combined with working through the weekend, it’s fair to say I left there beyond weary. I am only just now beginning to feel my old chipper self resurface. Which is good, because I’m going to need my chipper self. The weeks ahead are filled with a big company event and another trade show.

Whenever things get as busy as they are right now, I always think of the saying “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” I worry about what I’m neglecting, or what I’m missing, while I’m consumed with making a living. Writing has been pushed out to the margins of my life right now, and that makes me uneasy.

The other persistent thought is this: I know there’s some lesson in this busy-ness. But I’m too harried to perceive what it might be. I think I have to wait for this impermanent busy-ness to pass.

Here’s the good news: with work and stuff, I missed the last presidential debate. From what I hear and read, I’m pretty happy about that. The bad news is: work doesn’t really let up until right after the election.

Wait, maybe that’s good news, too.