So, here I am about six weeks into this weekly journal/blog thing and the well has already run dry. It’s kind of embarrassing. My life is so dull that I’ve run out of topics in column number six, ouch! I don’t think my haircut today will fill up this page, although I did get the “MVP” treatment at Sports Clips.

On the flip side our beloved Carolina Traveler is sharing stories of his journey back to school with his son, bonding and the struggles to share his life lessons with the young man. It’s great knowing that my column follows an incredible writer sharing the most meaningful parts of his life with the readers. Me, well, I broke 90 for the first time on the links this week. Pretty shallow huh? Maybe not if you consider my short game is coming around!

It’s really hitting me though. At what point did my life become so dull? And even worse, at what point did I start enjoying that dull life? About the hippest thing I have going for me is that I watch “Entourage” on HBO.

I have a theory though. I’m lucky enough to have one of those rare jobs where I see fabulous places and meet crazy people all the time. I get paid to capture these moments and bring them to television life in a five/six minute segment. It’s very fulfilling. And while it’s fun, a lot of work does go into it. So when Mike and I are done with a CT show and I have down time, I guess I like the slower pace.

It’s really not a complaint, but it does make writing the weekly journal a bit of a challenge. This almost feels like a high school paper that has to be 500 words and I’m counting every last one.

Hopefully it’s just a summer lull. We’ve got some pretty interesting stories coming up including heading out to the Shackelford Banks to see the wild horses. The last time we were there I was literally charged by one of them. But I wasn’t writing this journal back then so it’s like it never happened. I could say just like Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life” but I want to be hipper so it’s like Kramer when he sold all his stories to Mr. Petermen and none of his experiences belonged to him anymore.

So we’re off again tomorrow on another story. Mike is in a parade in Conover, NC with the CT’s all-time favorite, the Gourd Lady. This should give me something to write about. Until then, I’ll just have to try harder on this journal during the slow weeks. I mean I really, really, really, really, really, really will have to try harder. There, that should be 500 words.

See you Saturdays at 7:30 pm.

Andy Benton
Carolina Traveler Sidekick