When my two older girls were playing club volleyball we would travel three plus hours to get to some of the venues. For the girls, it was exciting, yet exhausting because they played hard all day. The better they did, the longer they played. The teams the girls played on were very good, so many nights we were the last to leave.
For the parents, definitely exciting, yet exhausting in the sense that we just sat there all day and did nothing but be a spectator, from 7 a.m to sometimes 7 p.m. or later. I sometimes felt I was more exhausted than the girls...but ya know what the kicker was? They got to fall asleep on the way home and I, after a long day of cheering and physical nothingness, had to drive back the three plus hours to get home, and that was a big bummer!
On several occasions we would stop for a bite, because they ate like birds all day and as their bodies and minds started to relax, their stomachs were moaning with hunger. (Tack on another 30 minutes to get home). Once, we stopped at a Cracker Barrel soon after leaving an event. It was okay with me because there was nothing around that was immediately off the highway and I desperately needed a cup of coffee before I faced a long, dark road home. Now, if you have not frequented a Cracker Barrel, it can be described as a step back in time to some country cooking, nostalgic memorabilia hanging from every part of their walls and a gift shop filled with all the retro candies from the past. Waiting for our table I perused the knick-knacks in the gift shop and came across a display of old radio shows on cd. I purchased a few hoping that it would be something that would help keep my brain active for the drive.
Back to the car. We're not on the road for too long before I hit play. 'War of the Worlds' was the selection. This radio show was originally broadcast on October 30, 1938 was directed and narrated by Orson Welles and is an adaption of an H.G. Wells novel. The show was performed as a radio news broadcast, the setting being New Jersey. For the listeners who tuned in after the introduction where it clearly states it is a play, it caused wide-spread panic and I completely understand why! It's brilliant!
For that particular ride home, not one person in that car had the least bit of exhaustion displayed in their minds or limbs. Every part of our being was tuned in. Listening to this show was riveting!! If you have never heard the actual radio broadcast, it is probably something you should add to your bucket list.
So, here's a fun idea. Find a copy of this original broadcast; on cd, mp3, whatever. Get your family (those who are old enough) in a comfy room. Turn off all electronic devices. Make popcorn. Turn the lights low...and listen. You will have an unforgettable evening and you will have the time of your life!!!!
*Here is an Amazon link to get a 99 cent mp3 download...Or search the web for a free one.
http://www.amazon.com/The-War-Of-Worlds/dp/B001BFJ266
Check out this copy of an actual New York Times article about the broadcast. The small text is hard to read but the headline says it all!
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