I walked into the office just after 9 a.m. and had a seat at my desk.

I have 12 unread emails and a voicemail. Bossman scurries in.

“Did you see that email I sent you?”

Ring ring. Ring ring ring.

“The Post-Searchlight, this is Shelby.”

Ring ring. Ring ring ring.

“Hold on one second, and I can transfer you.”

Next thing I know, it’s 11 a.m.

I’ve got 20 unread emails, and my voicemail light is still blinking.

“Hi, can you help me?”

“Of course! One paper will be 50 cents.”

Ring ring. Ring ring ring.

Bossman comes back with a story idea for me.

Then it’s 2 p.m. I missed lunch.

Buzz buzz. Buzz buzz.

I get a text message from a friend asking if I have weekend plans.

Buzz buzz. Buzz buzz. Buzz buzz. Buzz buzz.

I take an email response break.

“Do you need help with anything else before I go?”

It’s already 5 p.m. I somehow have 11 unread emails again, and that blue voicemail light on my phone is still steadily blinking.

It’s been one of those days. I’m writing this on Friday afternoon around 6 p.m.

We were a few men short on staff today, and it was noticeable – manageable – but noticeable nonetheless.

Everyone has one of those days from time to time – those days you don’t stop until you realize you can’t exactly see straight because you’ve been staring at a computer screen for three hours; those days not even a bizarre cramp in you left thumb can break your focus; those days you see your cellphone light up and think, “oh they’re not work or in peril; they can wait.”

Personally, I’m thankful for these days, the busy days. I sleep better if I’ve had a busy day.

I probably won’t clean my kitchen or tackle that pile of laundry or go for a run, but I’ll sleep. I can clean tomorrow.