Like lots of other people, my job sometimes heats up so much that there is little time to focus on anything else at all if I am going accomplish everything that is expected of me. The last few weeks have been especially tough. I am in charge of putting together a big client event every year and no matter how much of a head start I get on it, it always winds up taking up so much of my energy and attention that there is time for little else except other work stuff and absolutely must do personal tasks - picking up a few groceries (to stave off starvation), recording American Idol for later viewing (I'm betting on one of the Davids), laundry (to avoid laundry wars), paying bills (to keep the house), dishes (no one seems to know how to take dishes from sink and put them into dishwasher but me), etc. The event is a big deal and it is held at the National Press Club. So, it was pretty cool even though it was tons of work. When it was all done and all the pressure rolled off my shoulders, it was even cooler. I've gotten some really good feedback from some of the program attendees and that's the icing on the cake. It's a great feeling to be done with a huge project and feel all your work was worth it.
I also like to stay active in professional associations and that always mean extra work. It's been heating up lately too with a big deadline on a really interesting (but time-consuming) project. It's a good way to keep learning and share what I know but it means more work too - darn! I finally have my part done. It took a lot longer than I had imagined it would but I think my sections look pretty good.
This weekend is the first time in I don't know how long that I have been able to even breathe. The sad part is that it's Sunday afternoon and my weekend is almost done with me before I am done with it. My weekends tend to be a mixture of personal and professional tasks (and some stolen moments of relaxation and fun) and there's never enough time to actually do all the things I mean to do. I long for a weekend where I can just totally turn off every single chore (work and home) and dive into a few things that I find relaxing and rewarding: writing, reading, playing around on the web, maybe having a dinner out with a friend, and just relaxing a little with my family.
Today, I did a mix of chores but it was kind of fun because I did not feel super rushed - my natural state. I got a coffee, had 1/2 a bagel with cream cheese and bacon for lunch (alright that was on the run), and then hit the stores. First off, my daughter wanted to get Dead Like Me for us to watch but came home with Six Feet Under by accident. Not the same thing. I exchanged them. I also indulged in a wicked pleasure - the bookstore. I hit Barnes and Nobles and bought a couple books and some DVDs: a double disc set with Bram Stoker's Dracula (the version with Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder) and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (with De Niro). I also found the Dark Shadows Revival series that was based on the original soap opera (to which I was addicted as a kid). I really liked the remake and was sorry to see it go off the air. But through the magic of DVDs, here it is again, ready for me to watch at my leisure. I'm really in the mood for this stuff right now for some reason. Having gotten my B&N fix, I went grocery shopping. In between, I bought a new shower curtain and an iPod adapter for my car - I go through those iPod adapter things like crazy.
So, that is the excitement of my weekend: shower curtains, laundry, a few DVDs and books, loading the dishwasher, doing professional association stuff, and in between doing those work tasks that must be done or else.
And it's raining...
Your family and dishes sounds like MY family. And laundry can never get put away unless I do it. Ack. I loved Dark Shadows as a child also--Quentin!! What a heartthrob. Sometimes small things like visiting a bookstore or having a coffee out can be major. I hate being ultra busy and stressed--which will happen this week.(back to school after vacation)
Posted by: Margaret | April 06, 2008 at 10:31 PM
A trip to the bookstore is my idea of heaven. Glad to hear you had a successful day!
Posted by: Blue Opal | April 07, 2008 at 02:53 AM
You can use too much Cilantro?
Posted by: Dave | April 10, 2008 at 02:05 AM