There's a little panic setting in around the Iaconelli household. Becky still hasn't had the baby. She was due last Thursday. We're starting to get worried. We both want it to happen — now! But, that's up to the baby. I guess that's what controls it anyway. I've always believed that everything happens for a reason. I'm confident everything will work out for the best. Besides, we have a plan.
If the baby doesn't come by Thursday, I'm going to fly to New Orleans and do the first three days of practice. Like I said in an earlier blog, those are critical to my strategy. I absolutely have to know what areas I'm going to fish and how I'm going to divide my time between them.
Then I'll fly back as soon as I'm done on the third day. I already have a flight booked, so I can leave immediately and arrive home that same night. I'll stay with Becky all of Classic week and then return — again, I have a flight booked — on Thursday so I can compete on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
If I'm with Becky during Classic week, I'll be excused from the pre-Classic activities thanks to Trip Weldon (B.A.S.S. Tournament Director) and B.A.S.S. That was really good of them to work with me on this. The baby and the Classic are both important. I want to be there for both, if possible.
If the baby's born during the actual Classic, I'll be able to participate somewhat thanks to modern technology. I won't be able to watch the actual birth, but I'll be able to see everything else and talk to Becky. That's the second best option, you know — next to being there. That'll be a killer, though, watching everything but not being in the room with them.
While all this is going on, I'm trying to get products shipped for the Expo. I'm teaming up with Berkley on a project that's really neat. We'll have a box of baits with some of the stuff autographed. I can't tell you how many times I've signed my name over the past few days.
And, I have a new book out with Steve Price — Finesse Fishing with Mike Iacconelli. It'll be at the Expo, too. I have to get about 1,500 copies of it signed during all this. While I'm talking about the book, let me say it's a must have for any angler wanting to increase his skills with finesse tackle and techniques. Check it out if you make it to the show.
There's no telling what I'll be writing about next… It might be our new baby with a little about practice. Or, it might be nothing about the new baby and a lot about practice. We'll just have to see what happens. I'm telling you guys, if I just knew what was going to happen….
