Control Z

Wouldn’t it be great if we could hit the “Control” key followed by the “Z” key on our computer keyboards when we make a mistake in everyday life?

“Control Z” and we’re right back to where we were without incident.

I use the “Control Z” option often in my line of work, especially when designing the pages of the Journal. It’s a handy little tool, I will say, and saves me precious time – especially under deadline –  whenever I decide to change things up, like enlarging a photo or adding a pull quote, and then for whatever reason, it doesn’t pan out the way I had envisioned.

“Control Z” and it’s right back to where it was without pulling my hair out.

Without a doubt, there’s been hundreds – probably thousands – of instances in my life – and probably yours, too, that the handy “Control Z” tool would’ve been helpful.

Like at the state track meet a few weeks back.

It was Friday morning and I had just finished clicking away on my trusty Nikon – mind you, my brand-spanking-new-trusty Nikon – the start of the prelims of one of a varieity of relays the Lynx were competing in. Just as I have so many times before, after the start of a race, l headed over toward the finish line to join the lineup of other photographers. What I failed to do, however, was pay attention.

If you’ve ever been down on the track or the field of Howard Wood Stadium, you’ll quickly take notice of the metal rail that lines the track. I’ve stumbled over that rail before over the last 20 years, but at the state track meet, I completely biffed it. Apparently, I was in my own little world and not paying attention to what lied before me.

As one would anticipate, I hit the pavement hard, but I kept I the camera from smacking the ground, and in the process, I gained a “raspberry” on my left knee. What hurt worse though, was my pride because I was sure that a lot of people were witness to my “own little world” clumsiness. I heard their “sympathy” in a chorus of “ooh’s and aah’s as I began the very slow process of getting back onto my feet. It was about that time one of the event workers came running over. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I am,” I mustered, doing my best to believe I actually was “alright.”

As I hobbled around the stadium from one event to another that day, I got to thinking if “Control Z” was an option in everyday life, those two keys would more than likely be worn out by this stage of my life, and maybe yours, too.