In this life, I have learned to expect the bizarre. The tree falling on your car while you’re in it (the car, not the tree). A seven month jury stint. A house burning to the ground. Getting hit hard by a drunk driver. Getting checked out by Matt Damon. Getting pulled over by a horse.
I’m usually unfazed. Rolling with it. No matter what. But even I can admit, what happened Monday really threw me for a loop.
Because if I’m really honest, I don’t believe that some things could actually ever happen to me. Like winning the lottery. Knitting a sweater with Caroline Kennedy. Or having someone in HR approach me and tell me that I need to take vacation days.
But oddly enough, that last little item happened this week.
And I think this predicament is proof positive that something has shifted. In fact, it pretty much sums up how my life has radically changed over the last year.
Because not all that long ago, I NEVER had unusued vacation days. In fact, I would beg, borrow and steal vacation days. I was a whore for vacation days. (Figuratively speaking of course, Mom)
In fact, I was famous for spending my vacation days three years in advance. Let’s just say if vacation days were a credit card, I’d have lots of people in India calling me to let me know my next vacation payment was due. Because they were in short, they were sacred, they were spent, and when it came to them, I was like a two-year-old. They were MINE and I wanted more more more.
But now, I have a Hurricane. And with his help, I’ve overachieved in taking all the many sick days I’ve been accruing over the last years. But that said and on the other hand, I have so many vacation days I haven’t used that someone somewhere is getting uncomfortable and would like for me to take a few days off before the end of the year. And. I don’t even really know what that means. But I’m not one to argue.
So.
I unexpectedly have the day off.
Along with childcare in place that I really can’t cancel.
It’s an embarrassment of riches. And, frankly, I’m not sure how to spend it. I’ve had this fantastic golden egg fall from the sky, and all of a sudden I don’t know if I want to scramble it, fry it, poach it, throw it, paint it, or just sit on it.
What would you do if you had an unexpected gift of time?
I honestly don’t know. Because somewhere along the way, I’ve become a person that A.) needs to be asked to take vacation B.) needs to be mandated to take vacation C.) could really only manage one day of vacation and oh my gosh D.) doesn’t know what to do with a day off.
I think that last paragraph needs more investigation.
But not now. Because now, I’ve got to go make an appointment for an afternoon I-have-the-day-off facial.
You HAVE had an interesting life…A vacation day…. the realistic part of me would want to clean something out (because I would have to do it anyway and wouldn't it be easier with out three monkeys hanging on me?) but I would have to say, go to Starbucks or find a wicked huge jetted tub and read a book….. A babysitter…….. hmmmmmmmmm
Oh, this sounds heavenly. Enjoy!What's this about Matt Damon?
I'm betting that it is all the good karma you have coming to you for writing a "Kind Blog" being a good person and everything else. Now go have a beergarita or 3. Needless to say, I'm happy for you. I'm afraid that my karma balance is in the red so I'll have to do something about that… in a few weeks.
Hope you enjoyed the facial! I think you should do a post about the Matt Damon thing. I would like to hear more about that.
I second the Matt Damon thing…. Also, more details about your jury duty…you have mentioned it before and that it was long… was it a case we know? I missed being on the Scott Peterson jury….. I was called up but didn't make the cut. Mostly because I told them that I thought he was guilty.
I'm actually a big Matt Damon fan so I would prefer that you hold off on the story if it makes him look bad. I'm sure it was nothing inappropriate. And I'm sure it occurred before Luciana was in the picture. Damon's an upstanding guy. Now if it was that other Matt – McCaughney, I could totally believe it. That guy is just a hound dog.
so? what did you do with your day???also, here's a third vote for the matt damon story. oh, and i want to know about being pulled over by a horse. the horse pulled you over? wha?
The hipster inside you might have spent the day like this: 10:15 AM – hit the snooze button for the 4th time. 10:20 AM go sit at the counter of an urban diner in your pajamas wearing thick black glasses. Your order of eggs (poached, fried or scrambled) consumed slowly as you pour over every word of the Boston Phoenix, Washington Citypaper, Village Voice or Seattle Free Press. 1:30 PM – Sigh as the line cook drops a hint by giving you your breakfast check. 2:00 PM- stop into Urban Outfitters to browse. etc, etc, etc
Any free time I have is spent with a book in my hand; I actually like being able to read more than two paragraphs before having to answer a "Mom? How do you do compound fractions?" type question, like I know, or find some desperately needed thing hubster can't find even though it's been in the same cabinet for the past ten years.Moved, seconded, motion passes. Dish on Damon, please!
I want to know about Matt Damon too! A facial is seriously the best way to spend any day off. I am a big fan of them.Thanks for stopping by my blog, it's nice to have something fabulous and new to read!
ok. The plain side of the me would stay home and clean. The frosty side of me would get in the car for a shoparama.
Wow. Matt Damon. Okay. I will write about it sometime this week. If only because it ties into a great Christmas shopping story. And 'tis the season and all.
I am still totally distracted by the Matt Damon thing that I barely know what else to say. I am late to the party so I hope that your day "off" was divine.
I echo, "Matt Damon, give us Matt Damon details"…..FIngers, toes, facials, beergaritas, trips to the stationary store, a quick day's plane trip to LA. All ways to spend a vacation day.
Hey, thanks for visiting my blog!I think if I had an unexpected day off I would go shopping, because I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet. But first I would check my email, and then scan the blogs, and then I would need to take a shower…I hope you really did get that facial!
How was the day off? Did you take a nap?I used to use my vacation days so quickly, but now that it's difficult to take big trips with a toddler, they're accumulating.
I want more details on your entire first paragraph.Especially the Matt Damon part.Oh and I'm off every other Friday and usually manage to waste the entire day and feel really bad about it.
I echo the need for more Matt Damon, but would also like to hear about everything else in that paragraph!
oooh, oooh, oooh…one whole day…..i'd browse a bookstore, get a massage, sit in a cafe….good for YOU.
I feel so powerful…I already know the Matt Damon story. (I got called immediately because of my famous love for him.) And it does tie in with a fabulous shopping story…which is, coincidentally, how I would spend much of my mythical unexpected free day.Who am I kidding?! I am single with no kids. Every day is a free day!
i bet today you're missing your surprise day off! here's something weird, i've been checked out by matt's movie sidekick, ben affleck!
as if, ben.
So…what did you do with your day?
Leslie, soul sister. We must exchange Daffleck stories.