We had quite the winter weather yesterday, and for the first time in my stint at this soul-sucking cubicle farm, I was able to take a "snow day." I awoke to find my parking lot and surrounding streets covered in a sheet of crunchy ice. Per my employer's adverse weather policy, I called in the morning and said I didn't feel safe to drive to work. Not a lie, either - while I'm close to a major road, getting out of my neighborhood in my RWD sedan would have been quite difficult if not altogether impossible.
Knowing that there was little in my inbox, and nothing time-sensitive, I knew they wouldn't need me so badly that they'd send someone to get me, so I kept my PJs on and settled in with my wife, also unable/unwilling to make it to work, for an entire Tuesday of goofing off. We began with a leisurely breakfast of fried eggs, then sat in the living room all day watching movies and TV shows on our glorious 46" HDTV.
This morning, after getting screwed by the lottery yet again, I saw that the ice sheet had softened enough to make me feel like I'd better drag my ass to the office, though I nearly called it quits when I almost couldn't get my car up the gentle slope out of the cul-de-sac. Upon my arrival, I saw only one new work order waiting for me. Apparently more than half the staff didn't make it. So instead of wasting 8 hours of my life sitting in my cubicle with nothing to do, I spent the day in my warm house, in my pajamas, watching movies and munching on popcorn. Such is the manner in which I would like to spend every day in winter, not only when it snows and sleets, but merely when the temperature dips below 50 degrees.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
I survived Christmas 2010 and didn't get disowned
Yes, dear reader, my wife and I lived through the heart-squeezing stress surrounding Christmas and I am here to tell the tale. As you recall from my previous entry, we were being pulled in all directions by various blood relations who all wanted to claim a chunk of our vacation time. We eventually had to give up the prospect of an entire Christmas Day at home and left for my father-in-law's house at noon. Lunch was pleasant and I received some fine gifts, including a replica of an 11th century Claymore that resides in a museum in Scotland. We also got a few pieces of sterling flatware to fill out our place settings.
The whole time, however, my tired brain was under constant stress due to my grandmother-in-law's consternation over our choice to stay at her estranged son's house. Usually we keep such visits a secret from her, but this time our choice of lodging got blabbed by dear old Granddaddy. Needless to say, Granny was pissed. Our phone call to her on Christmas Eve was very brief, answering everything with one-word responses like OK, yes, uh-huh, etc.
Around 6:00 we went to my parents' house for dinner and family togetherness. The evening was pleasant enough, though my poor put-upon brother, still in the middle of a nasty divorce, was upstairs for half the evening taking a much-needed nap. I did get to meet the parents of my sister's current suitor, who were pleasant company. Granny's disfavor continued to loom, and the mental strain was only exacerbated when they declined an invitation to come to my parents' house, claiming they were "too tired." We also heard that the grand luncheon at the Marriott was canceled; my wife's aunt made some sort of lame excuse to weasel out of it. I was expecting a class-5 shitstorm on our visit to her house the following day. If there was anything I needed that night, it was booze. My sister's suitor took us to one of the few watering holes open on Christmas, where I downed a few black & tans.
At least we had a lovely snowfall late that night. First white Christmas I've ever had in my life. The snow piled up overnight, and after breakfast with the in-laws we decided it would be best to pack up and leave from Granny's, rather than return for our things on the treacherous roads. Granny managed to cover up her displeasure and put on a brave front since we brought my sister and her beau along as a dirty trick to make sure she behaved herself, lest the word spread all over town that Granny was cross with her own granddaughter. It was nevertheless unmistakable that the Grande Dame was not amused when we opened our gifts, which consisted of a meager selection of goodies from Granny's favorite grocer, some other goodies that were probably re-gifts, and $100 in cash for each of us. Last year we each received $300 in cash. Granny was communicating her disapproval through the withholding of benefits. Such is the way of the Granny. She gradually seemed to get over it during our visit, as I worked my charms and social graces to amuse her with stories. We seemed to be on fairly good terms again by the time we departed for my parents' house.
After a quick last visit to my folks, we headed back home in the early afternoon to make sure we arrived before nightfall and the re-freezing of the streets. The drive home was the first time I felt truly relaxed in 3 or 4 days. The following day we sat in the living room and watched all 10 episodes of The Pacific.
Next year I am resolved to avoid any travel on Christmas Day. We won't leave our house and we'll stay in our bedclothes the entire day, and if there is a loving and just god above, the day will be spent in our sprawling mansion, which we will have constructed with a portion of our lottery winnings.
The whole time, however, my tired brain was under constant stress due to my grandmother-in-law's consternation over our choice to stay at her estranged son's house. Usually we keep such visits a secret from her, but this time our choice of lodging got blabbed by dear old Granddaddy. Needless to say, Granny was pissed. Our phone call to her on Christmas Eve was very brief, answering everything with one-word responses like OK, yes, uh-huh, etc.
Around 6:00 we went to my parents' house for dinner and family togetherness. The evening was pleasant enough, though my poor put-upon brother, still in the middle of a nasty divorce, was upstairs for half the evening taking a much-needed nap. I did get to meet the parents of my sister's current suitor, who were pleasant company. Granny's disfavor continued to loom, and the mental strain was only exacerbated when they declined an invitation to come to my parents' house, claiming they were "too tired." We also heard that the grand luncheon at the Marriott was canceled; my wife's aunt made some sort of lame excuse to weasel out of it. I was expecting a class-5 shitstorm on our visit to her house the following day. If there was anything I needed that night, it was booze. My sister's suitor took us to one of the few watering holes open on Christmas, where I downed a few black & tans.
At least we had a lovely snowfall late that night. First white Christmas I've ever had in my life. The snow piled up overnight, and after breakfast with the in-laws we decided it would be best to pack up and leave from Granny's, rather than return for our things on the treacherous roads. Granny managed to cover up her displeasure and put on a brave front since we brought my sister and her beau along as a dirty trick to make sure she behaved herself, lest the word spread all over town that Granny was cross with her own granddaughter. It was nevertheless unmistakable that the Grande Dame was not amused when we opened our gifts, which consisted of a meager selection of goodies from Granny's favorite grocer, some other goodies that were probably re-gifts, and $100 in cash for each of us. Last year we each received $300 in cash. Granny was communicating her disapproval through the withholding of benefits. Such is the way of the Granny. She gradually seemed to get over it during our visit, as I worked my charms and social graces to amuse her with stories. We seemed to be on fairly good terms again by the time we departed for my parents' house.
After a quick last visit to my folks, we headed back home in the early afternoon to make sure we arrived before nightfall and the re-freezing of the streets. The drive home was the first time I felt truly relaxed in 3 or 4 days. The following day we sat in the living room and watched all 10 episodes of The Pacific.
Next year I am resolved to avoid any travel on Christmas Day. We won't leave our house and we'll stay in our bedclothes the entire day, and if there is a loving and just god above, the day will be spent in our sprawling mansion, which we will have constructed with a portion of our lottery winnings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)