Celestial mechanics mean that sometimes the planets 'line up' in ways that get the media going in frenzies of apocalyptic fears. I inhabit three rotas at my local church so I supposed I shouldn't be surprised when they 'line up' in an unusual conjunction. In fact, I'm surprised it hasn't happened before now.

Yesterday I was drumming at the 9.30 service, running the AV at the 11.10 service and then down to preach at the 6.30 service. (Though in fact, we're on a short series of really excellent John Ortberg teaching DVDs at present, so all I had to do was host the session and organize the discussion and follow up afterwards). Just to cap it all, there was an extended family get together for lunch and afternoon celebrating my brother's firstborn's first birthday (and my brother's new job). I couldn't really miss it!

More usually the rotas are just in conflict with each other so I have to arrange a swap or something. I can preach and drum (not simultaneously!) and even preach and run the AV, but I can't drum and run the AV. [1]

I'd seen this line up coming and thought about doing something about it. But inertia set in. Often it can be as much hassle to arrange a swap as just to somehow manage. And I've decided that this will be a 'last time' as I've come to the conclusion I must remove myself from at least two of the rotas. [2] Also, I knew there was Bank Holiday today so I could collapse.

But I can't help wonder if the other reason I didn't make the effort was because the other week when I was off for two days, the only "reason" that might have caused the blip was the fact that I'd happened to be drumming on the Sunday morning and had family round for my own birthday lunch later. I didn't think it was too much, but it was all I could point to. So this seemed the 'ultimate' test as it were. And in fact, although I've been very glad of today to sit and do nothing but read, I could have gone to work and don't feel too bad considering the stupidity of yesterday.

Now I know that this is hardly scientific and that CFS is exactly that variable so it's hard to determine anything about cause and effect and limitations and so on, but at least it means I don't have to fear either continuing to drum or having family around, or - rarely - both.




[1] Well, if I could find someone who knew how to connect an electronic drum pad to the PC, I reckon I could do both. Might not be wise, but would be interesting! I have the cable but can't persuade the bits of software to talk to each other.

[2] Which two is the interesting question!