Taking A Break

-
It's all my fault.

I have a job where it is tough to just shut it down because my clients are always working and there are a number of people involved so it's tough to take a day off while informing everyone not to call.

So...for six years (taking a few days off for surgery recoveries)...I just figured it was better off if I just got up and went to work.

I needed to eventually take a break.

My legs were crying out and mentally...I was beat.

It took my boss to say:

"That's it! You aren't working next week!"

Weird.

I know.

But to tell the God's honest truth...I don't know how to shut things down.

My mind works like this:

"What do I have to do today?"

When I get through the list I think:

"What else can I get done?"

My boys and my beautiful wife have long since learned to just let things slide because I'll eventually do it.

"You write books for fun," Sam is fond of saying. "We figure that you'll eventually get to emptying the laundry baskets."

So.

I had to convince myself of the following things:

"Just sit here."

"Don't worry about making a list."

"It doesn't have to get done."

To make the transition to lazy town. I afforded myself a couple of tasks each day.

I also caught up on Family Guy and Homeland.

I cooked each meal as I wanted to cook them.

Slowly.

Cooking relaxes me. Writing relaxes me.

I would do both things...but not be insane about them.

I would quit when I started to feel that drive kick in.

And it's only mid-week as this blog hits the Internet.

I'm still honestly worried that I'll do something stupid like start to care too much about something and set off on working on something too hard.

I even put a message on my phone telling people that I might not call them right back!

And I know it's weird.

And I wonder if mental help is needed.

I envy people who can just set things aside for awhile and have fun.

"Work is fun to you," my doctor explained to me as I limped into his office one day. "That's okay too. But once in awhile, cut yourself a break. The world will keep spinning if you're sitting on the couch watching Quincy."

He knows me pretty well.

So.

Quincy it is this week.

Glad it's only on for an hour a day.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more