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Routine check

As a police and public safety reporter, most of my work days are wildly unpredictable. One day I could just be working on a humble profile of a top cop, and another day I'd have to cover a botched robbery and shootout.

That's why it's important for me to maintain routine when I'm off work. I absolutely despise changes made in my after-work plans, because things are always morphing during my work hours.

It probably makes me a predictable person outside of the office, and I think it irks my girlfriend to a certaine extent. But I really treasure my days home where nothing really happens, which is exactly what I expect and want. Everything is in its right place when after a long day of chasing ambulances and crime victims, I can come home, crack open a beer, loosen my belt and worsen my posture by reclining back on my couch.

Sorry guys. Just needed to write out my thoughts on why my girlfriend sometimes wishes for more excitement on my time off.
Published Wednesday, May 09, 2007 8:59 PM by GenePark
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Comments

# re: Routine check

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 9:59 PM by ElysseJames
I can sympathize. My work schedule is so irratic and (when I was reporting) so stressful that I know I lean on my boyfriend to keep things calm and relaxing once I'm off.
It can be hard on a 'significant other' with a less-stressful day to understand the need to veg for a while, to let one's mind relax. I'm lucky in that my boyfriend is great about wanting to just sit around and wind down at the day's end.

# re: Routine check

Thursday, May 10, 2007 2:08 PM by Dale Denwalt II
I spend so much time in the newsroom that I sometimes don't know what to do when I get home. It worsens when I have vacation.

# re: Routine check

Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:05 PM by GenePark
See you're lucky Elysse. I know a lot of guys who just want to sit around and do nothing at home. I'm one of them. :) But my girlfriend is very young, still in her early years of college, which is supposed to be her most active and exciting years. That's why it makes me feel like such an old fart whenever she wants to go shopping with friends and I don't feel like tagging along. Of course, it's not like I never indulge in other activities. We often go hiking and try our best to go to the gym or the beach every once in a while.

Yeah Dale. If anything, I probably spent more time working in my college newsroom than I have on a regular basis at my current and former newsroom. Back then, and even now, I'd just crack open a cold one and sit down with a good, mindless and probably violent videogame. :)
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