Pause for Dramatic Effect

There have been a host of new game shows to hit the television market in the last couple of years, and even though I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of any particular one, I do catch an episode on occasion. Through random viewing of shows like Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader and Deal or No Deal, there is one thing that they and other shows have in common, and that is what I call the "Pause for Dramatic Effect."

If you have watched even one episode, you know what I am talking about. This phenomenon happens every time an answer is about to be revealed, or a shiny silver suitcase is ready to be opened. First the contestant gives their answer, or makes their choice, and then the host waits and waits to reveal the consequence of that decision. My guess is that it is supposed to make everyone giddy with anticipation, when in reality, it simply stretches out the show so they don't have to give away as much money.

Here at Girls Gone Racin' it feels as if we have had or own dramatic pause which has lasted so long that whatever audience we might have reached has probably fallen asleep on us. The lapse in new material on the web site, the unavailability of photos that were taken at Pike County Speedway and the general slowdown of activity have definitely not been done for dramatic effect. Oh, how I wish that were really the case!

In reality, this season has been a rather nightmarish few months for my pal Spring, and though I don't want to get into details because that's her medical business, I will tell you that I have never seen anyone go through so much pain, and just keep pushing through day after day. It all started with that near head-on collision almost a year ago, and it has culminated in a drastic lifestyle change which consists of visits to doctors, therapists and lawyers. The whole thing is crazy, and despite it all, Spring still has an amazing positive attitude that is a testament to her faith and her zest of living.

Now that I've made it sound like all of these delays are totally Spring's fault, let me tell you that it's certainly not just her! My own life has been completely crazy, with a daughter graduating from high school, my son's baseball team starting up a again, and just life in general. The past month has been absolutely nuts for me, and now that my kids are both off to church camp for the week, I'm ready to release a long pent-up sigh of relief! (Of course I miss them, but every parent needs a break now and then, right?) I'm also ready to charge the batteries in my camera, put in a fresh memory card, and get out to the track to shoot some race cars!

This week we are supposed to be headed off to several nights of Winged Sprint Car racing with our hubbies and other friends and family. We kick off the week on NASCAR Night at I-55 Raceway for the All Stars Sprint Series, POWRi Midgets and Late Models. Hopefully, Spring will be able to not only survive it but to enjoy herself and take some fun pictures as well. If that works out, and she's not too exhausted, we will follow it up with a World of Outlaws make up event at Tri-City Speedway. The week is supposed to wrap up with back-to-back nights of racing at Saint Francois County Raceway, but it is all going to depend on how the first two nights play out.

So, please check back to see how things go, and if you wouldn't mind, say a prayer for Spring. It's been a rough road, and it is far from over, but I know she is going to try her hardest to ignore the pain and have a good time. And if you are looking for the Pike County photos, she was working on them yesterday and will hopefully have that batch narrowed down enough to get up on her web site in a very short while.

To those of you who have stuck with us this far, we thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at our local race tracks this week!