I knew Saturday night was going to be a long one. I knew even before I started doing anything I had on my schedule.

The Rangers were playing their final game at the Du Quoin Tournament, so I had to be in Perry County by 6:30 p.m. for the start. It was hard leaving the Bama game to get over there, but I have my priorities.

I decided to leave a little early, and I’m glad I did. I had just left West City when I got behind this SUV. Let me correct that, this slow-moving SUV.

I faunched a little because I usually stick to the speed limit and at this point I wasn’t even close to 55 miles per hour.

I thought the slow travel was kind of odd because this vehicle had a Harley-Davidson sticker on the rear window. I guess I associated that sticker with a more speedy trip. At the least, I figured, a sort of rebel was driving, but the only thing this SUV was rebelling against was a decent driving speed.

For the first time in my life I had to speed up when I got into Buckner.

Eventually, the vehicle turned off at Mulkeytown, giving me a free shot to Du Quoin.

Well, when I got to the tournament, my bad luck obviously transferred to the Benton basketball team. They were just a little bit off the entire game against Carterville.

The offense went cold from the field and the free throw line and the Lions took the win.

So I was set to start the trip home, where I planned to get my writing done Saturday night, so I could have a free Sunday to relax, watch some football and get to bed at a decent hour.

Well, it’s 1:42 a.m. Monday morning as I write this, so I guess things didn’t work out — again.

I decided to stop at a Du Quoin eatery and grab some takeout before I headed back. I got a fish dinner and it smelled so good on the ride home. I couldn’t wait to tear into it, because I had not eaten any lunch.

I got home and opened up the sack of food and it was all wrong. My two sides were not what I ordered. It wasn’t too bad, but I had this meal built up in my head for 25 miles, so it was a little letdown.

So I finished off my meal and then just laid back on my bed to rest my eyes for five minutes before I started writing.

Next thing I know, it’s 8:30 a.m. on Sunday and I had nothing done.

And I did nothing on Sunday, waiting until the last minute to start writing. And complaining.
I’m going to make a New Year’s resolution early this year. I will never let my time get away from me like this again.

In fact, I was talking to Andy Davis about it late Sunday night and he told me that these late nights would finally catch up to me someday.

But I don’t know. If it didn’t catch up with me this weekend it never will.

Because anything could have caught up with me between here and Mulkeytown Saturday night.

Question, comment? Email Phil at bensports@clearwave.com.
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phillyworld.wordpress.com