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June 22, 2005
Off the clock
Both Beloved Partner and academom long for a life off the grid. Not me; I'm crazy about the grid and regard its prices as being quite low for the rewards.
But I'm discovering, for maybe the first time in my life, the joys of being off the clock. After six weeks at home, monotasking on the handbook, I have lapsed into a life that is little governed by the clock. I go to bed when I'm tired, I wake up when I'm rested, I eat when I'm hungry. It's like floating in space. Once a week my Palm dings to tell me it's time for the manicure and massage, and very occasionally it dings for another event (such as today, when A&D are arriving to workshop their papers). What a beautiful life this is—one that I haven't lived since childhood. It's odd to realize that I've had sabbaticals before but haven't had this experience. So I think that it requires not only unstructured time, but a well-adjusted head. And what an unfamiliar sensation it is, to have a well-adjusted head.
Posted by senioritis at June 22, 2005 08:28 AM
Comments
Um, boss, could you tell me where I might find one of those well-adjusted heads you speak of? I'd like to get one myself.
Posted by: aerobil at June 22, 2005 09:32 AM
That must be wonderful. My summer thus far has been filled with vet visits, classes, and conferences :-( Maybe one day I'll have such a sabbatical, but probably not if my BP opens a pastry shop!
Posted by: dr. b. at June 22, 2005 10:43 AM
I long for the freedom to move on and off the grid at will. Or at least on a more regular schedule. I used to fantasize about a place in the city--perhaps a condo on Lake Union in Seattle--and a rustic home in the country, with goats and such and a funky caretaker who lived there year-round. Another fantasy involves MsJ and I retiring to a seaside town (say, Port Townsend) and opening up a funky liberal bookstore/coffeehouse that barely pays for itself, and employs fabulous college students in the summer...
Posted by: susansinclair at June 22, 2005 01:17 PM
How nice you have had this time! Envy you!
Posted by: Val at June 22, 2005 03:23 PM