The traveling timecard begins

So this is the beginning of the Traveling Timecard.

This story begins long before Jeff, by boss, reminded me that my timecard needed to be turned in before I headed for stumptown (Portland, Ore.) on Friday for the NPPA flying short course.  The reminder was absolutely warranted.  You see, I am a habitual ‘last minute timecard turn-er-in-er.

I mean I go beyond average when it comes to neglecting the essential task to secure my hourly wage.  But at least I am consistent with anti-timeliness.

So this particular Thursday rolled on where shootings occurred, photos were taken, designs happened and many other things got done… well almost.  The timecard sat blank at my upstairs desk with a few other materials that I needed to bring for the conference — until 4 a.m. Friday.

Once I got going toward the bridge city in the pre-dawn hours, I stopped to fill that thing out at the office — and ya know what — it complained.  The timecard screamed out to me saying ‘I want to see the world beyond the walls of the Yakima Herald – take me!’  Barring the pleadings of bleached paper I folded.   I sympathized that its existence was only marred by xerox ink.

This sheet, began blank, but its time before ‘turning in’ will be marked by more than a ball point, but by the people and places it encounters on this weekend journey.

-TJ Mullinax