I'm Alive and Well

I have been back at work full time for two weeks.  I was on sabbatical for nearly six months.  I have discovered some interesting things about myself.  (Maybe not interesting to anyone else but I'm fascinated.)

I was born to be a lady of leisure.  Clearly there was some mix-up at birth and I was intended for a wealthy family.  I have wealthy family sensibilities.  If there is a wealthy family out there missing an adult child, contact me.

I like my job, but I like having my days to do exactly as I please better.  My mother has always said that she can't understand how anyone can do nothing all day.  She's a very busy lady even though she's retired.  Five days a week, she's up and at the mall before 8:00 am to walk three miles with her walking group.  She maintains a lovely flower garden, grows beautiful roses in her own yard, and is a member of the Wilson Rose Society which necessitates that she take care of her assigned rose bushes in the beautiful rose garden located at the Wilson Public Library.  In addition, she is always cleaning something. 

I call my little respite a sabbatical but the truth is that my employer of nearly six years and I had a disagreement about the direction that my job was taking.  I would tell you all about it but in exchange for a separation settlement, I agreed not to discuss the details.  It's killing me to keep my big mouth shut but the financial remuneration allowed me to pretend that I was a lady of leisure for six months.

Just in case my mother reads this someday, I did not simply sit around all day for six months.  I made some rules--no daytime television viewing.  Okay, that's only one rule, but it's a big one.  In six months, I only watched part of one Jerry Springer show and that was my brother-in-law's fault.  He called and insisted that I turn on the television.  I don't recall the exact topic that day but I feel pretty certain that it involved bizarre sexual interactions, some partial nudity, crazed family members, and Rusty having to restrain someone.

Instead of watching trash television, I began this journal and began writing a book.  I also learned a bit about using HTML code and created a web page for my poetry.  I've discovered that I do have the discipline to write a book.  It's not finished but it will be by the end of this year.  I'm a rather slow writer and I constantly revise.  The book is a memoir about growing up black and southern, partly humorous and partly serious.

I've also discovered that it is a lot easier to write when you have endless time on your hands.  I've had to work on being much more disciplined about setting aside writing time now that I am employed full time.  I suggested to a good friend of mine that he could support me while I was finishing my book.  He laughed at me.  I think that he doesn't see the merit of my suggestion.  So for now, I'll continue working until my real family (the wealthy one) discovers that I am alive and well in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Tags: humor, writing, foolishness