Monday, June 15, 2009

If I Don't Get Some Shelter, Oh Yeah, I'm Gonna Fade Away

Here is my friend G. and I doing a cheesy-ass pose for the camera with a camera. Yes, we do have issues, why do you ask?

Well, I only have two days left in the week to work before I start my 5 day weekend. Yeah, I said 5 day weekend. What about it? Holy shit, dude! 5 days in a row. I can't think about that now. I'll think about that tomorrow...

My goal this week is to just try to get shit done and be mellow and less social than I was last week. I went to 4 cookout'ish things in 5 days. Don't get me wrong, they were all great and saved me tons of money on food and I saw a lot of people I haven't seen in a long, long time. I'm just socialed-out for a bit and I'm taking it down a notch.

My plan is to replace a lot of that socializing with cleaning my house, playing video games, reading things in addition to blogs and to take some new pics, so that I have something other than party photos to post on my blog. Won't that be nice?

After how nutty the office was today, I'm glad I only have two days of work left. We got a letter sent to our school by someone on the wrong side of crazy. They were part of one of those whacked-out animal rights groups, and since we had a building severely vandalized a few years back, we are very, very careful about those things. There was all kinds of nutjob writing all over the envelope, so we called campus security to take care of it for us. The guy they sent was pretty cool and was making just as many "anthrax spores" and "bomb tripping" jokes (albeit nervously) as we were. In the end, they just sent us an article about some bullshit that was so boring and anti-climactic, that we threw it away and no one remembers what it was.

I also led some parents around for orientation. One of the women was from Iowa City and her daughter went to school with my girls. She told me this was her last kid. I said I bet it was kind of sad to see the last one go. She said, "Eh, the one thing I've learned as my kids have become adults, is that they don't really leave. You'll never be completely alone..." I'm still not sure if that was more comforting or disconcerting.

12 comments:

Ananda girl said...

I'm glad you're going to have a nice long weekend. Sounds like a rest will be welcome.

Had to laugh at the parent... she is right of course. But to tell you the truth, I am glad. I miss those who have moved out and am always thrilled to spend time with them. It is all quality time now. I think she forgot to tell you that part.

rel said...

Churlita,
Good for you! a looongg weekend. Like a mini vacay just when you need it.
And yes, your kids do always come home and really, that's a good thing.
rel

Tara said...

That picture reminds me of the ones they have in store ads, where the people are enthusiastically pointing to something on either a camera, TV screen or computer monitor. :D

I envy your long weekend - enjoy it (the weekend, not my envying it)!

DJSassafrass said...

My last day at the good old UI is Friday. Shoot me a text if you feel like being social for a bit. Totally understand just laying low though!

NoRegrets said...

We'll see if you actually have a slow weekend. Never seems to happen with you!

Poptart said...

You're taking so much time off, it means you must HAVE a ton to expend. That is awesome!! Ours caps off at 4 weeks, and for me that was 6 years ago. It's not like I can go anywhere, but cleaning the house, reading, doing fun nesting/mellow stuff is what I crave too. I hope you enjoy the 5-day staycation!

Poptart said...

also do you think it's funny when an Iowa City parent takes a campus tour? It's not like it's huge and separated from town there...

em for mighty said...

yah--after seeing "mama's boy" with jon heder as a 30 year old still at home--i made a mental note to kick 'em out at 21 if they're still lurking about. i love my boys, but how am i going to travel the world if they don't go explore theirs??
enjoy your weekend (can it still be called a weekend??)

booda baby said...

Cooool. You have JUST enough time to hop on one of these super inexpensive airfares and spend a day or two on the coast of california.

Actually, your plans sound wonderful. Lately, though, when I see five days in a row - in a ROW!! - that's all I can think of: how to get out of here and do nothing at all.

PS. I thought what Poptart thought and THEN thought maybe you want to consider the source on that wisdom she dispensed.

laura b. said...

I found it hard to read past "5 day weekend". I got all lost in a jealous haze.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait until I get a job and work for a while so that I can remember what it's like to experience a 5 day weekend. Have a fun time off doing all sorts of fun and unfun stuff.

Churlita said...

Ananda,

I'm sure you're right. I bet it will be a hard transition for me when they leave.

Rel,

As long as they are independent and have their own lives...

Tara,

I will enjoy my weekend very much, thank you.

Dj,

I have the girls on Friday, so I'm at the mercy of their schedules. If they're busy doing their own things, I'd be happy to hang with you for a beer. If that doesn't work out, there's always Saturday night.

Nor,

I know, but I'd love it if it did happen. One of these days...

Poptart,

We don't have a cap here. If i convert my sick time, I get about 18 hours a month. I usually save it all for the Summer when the girls are out of school and it's nice out.

For orientation, even Iowa City parents have to walk around campus. Basically, I was leading them from the general info session, to the more major specific info session. But I agree, it is weird when townies do tours of the college.

Mighty Jo,

I'm calling it heaven, but I think it can still be called a weekend, because it's built around one, right?

Booda Baby,

If there was any way I could come out and hang with you in your awesome town, I would. That would be so wonderful.

LauraB.,

I hope you get some vacation time soon too. WE all deserve it and need it.

AlienCG,

I suppose you're fairly blase' about time off at this point, huh? I hope you get a job soon too, and I hope that job gives you tons of paid vacation.