It’s just after noon on a Friday and, so far today, I’ve done exactly nothing. Over the last few years, I have a lot of days like this, days in which I am expected nowhere and nothing is expected of me. That’s what happens when you are in your early 50’s and looking at a career that has slowed to an almost imperceptible crawl. Days in which I remain pajamaed. Days in which my main companion is the New York Times Spelling Bee. Days in which I out-lazy my cat.
Have you thought about teaching? I took a two-part course on zoom with Kevin McDonald of the Kids in the Hall and it was a hoot! So much fun. Sketch writing. He was so generous and funny. And kind. A great time was had by all.
Also, just wanted you to add that teaching and learning online, when done well, can be fun and provide a sense of community and accomplishment for both the instructor and the student. A win-win.
Take up gardening. You will always feel that you’re not doing enough, so you’ll always be motivated (somewhat). And eventually you’ll get something to eat and/pr something to look at.
I'm still working (apparently) but as I get older my focus is poorer and if I dare review what I've achieved over the day I'm disappointed . Good job that I only answer to myself.
However, it is important to retain a purpose (even if that becomes a little fuzzy) - losing that is a slippery slope to...(you don't want to go there)
"there's always hint of lime tostitos", ha. that hit me like that old bit from the 90's - maybe even 80's? a guy gets up on stage and pretends to have an existential crisis and then when he's pretty much convinced the audience it's real, he just says: "calvin klein jeans". maybe i should google to see if that was you.
Well, and I don’t know who originated the statement, but the Dali Lama says…be a human being not a human doing. John Bradshaw the 80s self help guru also said that. But it’s a concept I was recently reminded of by an old friend who attributed it to Bradshaw. Nonetheless, it’s worth a google.
Retiree here. NYT has lots of other good word games besides Spelling Bee, like Letter Boxed.
But on the subject of community, I'd like to put in a good word for volunteering. You do something for somebody or something else, and you feel good about yourself. It's a win/win situation. Then you can waste a lot of time on silly word games and not feel guilty.
TV watching is the one thing where I do feel that I should be doing something more productive/useful. I like TV, but it feels very passive to me and I end up feeling guilty I sat there for hours when something else in the house needed to be done. The computer is much more engaging. I need a task, whether it's playing a game or reading something.
As for nothing expected and no where to go, I didn't have a job for four years, and frankly, I after a while, despite having lots of things to fill my time at home, I was a real jerk to be around...now I write part time and although I have some real issues with my management, I am grateful I have things to do and places to be. And I am less of an ass to my husband. I definitely don't want the stress of a full time gig but having something to do outside the house that is useful to other people (or I like to think it is) is very good for me.
On another note, in reference to your previous essay, I don't like Seinfeld much but actually Unfrosted was pretty funny at times. They got some great actors/comedians in that show and the humor was clever (mostly).
Jigsaw puzzles. Not useful, and only productive in the sense that, when complete, you have produced something that is of no use to anyone, but they sure while away the hours. And since you’re so poor now, you can’t afford to throw lavish dinner parties, so you can spread out the whole 5000 pieces on your Louis XIV dining table.
Since the pandemic, my pajamas are always pulling me towards them. Not a bad thing.
Next time, hit me up. We can throw rocks at squirrels at Forsyth, or dress up like old wrestlers and hand out Charleston Chews to kids.
I’m down the street, pacing my backyard and wishing there was something fun to do with likeminded weirdos in Savannah.
I’ve always wanted to live the life of a cat. You are goals.
Have you thought about teaching? I took a two-part course on zoom with Kevin McDonald of the Kids in the Hall and it was a hoot! So much fun. Sketch writing. He was so generous and funny. And kind. A great time was had by all.
Also, just wanted you to add that teaching and learning online, when done well, can be fun and provide a sense of community and accomplishment for both the instructor and the student. A win-win.
Allow me to be useful. "Its" = possessed by it. "It's" = it is. Your reputation is important. It's bad when its credibility is called into question.
Take up gardening. You will always feel that you’re not doing enough, so you’ll always be motivated (somewhat). And eventually you’ll get something to eat and/pr something to look at.
♫ "Countin' flowers on the wall,
It don't bother me at all.
Playing solitaire til dawn,
with a deck of fiftyone..." ♫
You are too hard on yourself. Poker IS useful. It providing a job for that Van Patten kid & that guy who sits beside him.
I'm still working (apparently) but as I get older my focus is poorer and if I dare review what I've achieved over the day I'm disappointed . Good job that I only answer to myself.
However, it is important to retain a purpose (even if that becomes a little fuzzy) - losing that is a slippery slope to...(you don't want to go there)
"there's always hint of lime tostitos", ha. that hit me like that old bit from the 90's - maybe even 80's? a guy gets up on stage and pretends to have an existential crisis and then when he's pretty much convinced the audience it's real, he just says: "calvin klein jeans". maybe i should google to see if that was you.
“Being is doing.” - Zen Master Maezumi Roshi
Well, and I don’t know who originated the statement, but the Dali Lama says…be a human being not a human doing. John Bradshaw the 80s self help guru also said that. But it’s a concept I was recently reminded of by an old friend who attributed it to Bradshaw. Nonetheless, it’s worth a google.
I am way too much on the side of human doing in work and increasingly craving being a human “being” the remainder of the time.
So it’s a timely subject certainly for me, Michael.
The world of napping awaits !
Retiree here. NYT has lots of other good word games besides Spelling Bee, like Letter Boxed.
But on the subject of community, I'd like to put in a good word for volunteering. You do something for somebody or something else, and you feel good about yourself. It's a win/win situation. Then you can waste a lot of time on silly word games and not feel guilty.
TV watching is the one thing where I do feel that I should be doing something more productive/useful. I like TV, but it feels very passive to me and I end up feeling guilty I sat there for hours when something else in the house needed to be done. The computer is much more engaging. I need a task, whether it's playing a game or reading something.
As for nothing expected and no where to go, I didn't have a job for four years, and frankly, I after a while, despite having lots of things to fill my time at home, I was a real jerk to be around...now I write part time and although I have some real issues with my management, I am grateful I have things to do and places to be. And I am less of an ass to my husband. I definitely don't want the stress of a full time gig but having something to do outside the house that is useful to other people (or I like to think it is) is very good for me.
On another note, in reference to your previous essay, I don't like Seinfeld much but actually Unfrosted was pretty funny at times. They got some great actors/comedians in that show and the humor was clever (mostly).
Disc golf, hiking, boardgames, miniature wargaming, miniature painting. You're welcome.
Jigsaw puzzles. Not useful, and only productive in the sense that, when complete, you have produced something that is of no use to anyone, but they sure while away the hours. And since you’re so poor now, you can’t afford to throw lavish dinner parties, so you can spread out the whole 5000 pieces on your Louis XIV dining table.