Monday, September 18, 2000

 

2:09 p.m. Well, that's all the vacation I can stand. That's it! I can't take any more.

I miss my little moment here in the full glare of the moment and my life seems empty without you. Yes. Otherwise, it's just me ... talking to the walls ... and how healthy is that?

So, I'm back. Strong and ready for action, thank you. A little rusty here and there, but I've gotten enough sleep and I've learned a few valuable things in the past week.

1. Vacation is a state of mind.

Although I didn't go anywhere exotic or even anywhere out the door, I still tried to stop pushing myself around most of each day. If I didn't want to do something, I didn't do it because: I was on vacation. If I didn't want to worry, I didn't, because: I was on vacation. So, even though I was basically still at my desk, I was (in my mind) on vacation.

2. People who post every day should have their heads examined.

Yeah, but I can't help it. I must continue.

3. I've not going to get everything done.

This is a big one -- and it's one of the reasons I felt I needed a little break. I've noticed a tendency of the days, these days, to become shorter. What's with that? And all the while, I find myself promising more and delivering less. What to do about that? It's so simple, once you've been on vacation.

4. Promise less.

It is, as they say in the computer biz, an elegant solution.

5. So, how about shorter entries?

(See above.)

6. Is anybody happy? Is this a midlife crisis? A PMS thing? A SAD thing?

For the last week or so, was it me -- or were most of the women on the planet going off their game?

7. About those lines in the sand ...

As many astute readers have noticed, I've drawn myself into perhaps too tight a circle of intrigue here. Things aren't always as peachy-keen as I'd like them to be and sometimes I don't like to complain and everything, but sometimes the people who pay us ... don't.

So, sometimes we get fussy with worry about the basics: roof, electricity, food, electricity.

I haven't wanted to embarrass myself or my hard-working spouse, but really.

And that rat better not come back, or he's a ka-bob.

8. And speaking of astute readers ...

I was reluctant to do it, but now I'm glad I did. Having a notify list can mean there's a little safety valve if I want to talk about something in a less formal way, and it will also let me show my appreciation to the astute among you by posting valuable free recipes.

My experiment to try Topica is sort of working, sort of not. I posted some emails that never got through, and folks have written that they've tried to sign up, but can't. If such a horrible thing has happened to you, write to me and I will put your name in at this end, from my super-advanced list administrator's central control board.

Want to join? Press here. If that doesn't work, let me know and we can wring our hands in unison and wonder what's what's wrong with the world when such a simple little thing can't function properly.

9. More study is needed.

Yes, after twenty years, I'm thinking about going back. So. Help me. Graduate school. Really, I haven't lost my mind, but I am thinking about pickling it.

10. Go to bed. Go to bed. Go to bed.

When the going gets rough, go to bed. When there's no light at the end of the tunnel, go to bed. When you run out of things to say ... you got it.

See you tomorrow! Yay!