Friday, April 23, 2010

Day Off, new day, different day

Today was a day off for me, and I took it.  Not always easy for me to do.  It's not that I work so hard (I really don't think I do) but my line of work involves a lot of "emotional labor."  It can really weigh you down, drain you, suck the life out of you.  Well, out of me, anyway.

So, some walks.  There is a very large home, complete with very large gardens, in our small city.  It's a really big house, and they invite tourists, for a small fee.  So, I renewed my yearly pass (a dent in my budget) and went for part pf the day.  Nice.

Lots of tourists, couples, etc. One couple looked as if they just might be family.  And they were.  I offered to take a picture of them together. They had just gotten married (in DC) and were on their honeymoon!  After 28 years together, they were finally able to tie the knot in their city.  It was really sweet!

They discovered some connections I have to the District of Columbia, and my "company."  We played "do you know" and sure enough, they knew a few folk in my company in that area!  Small world!

I'm still pondering my Tuesday evening experience, over-analyzing it, over-worrying.  I'll get over it.  But I hope I don't have to wait too long for another date.  With him.  Or anyone.  I'm available, you know.

7 comments:

Jim said...

Too bad you live so far away Joe...

Lemuel said...

You need to do this "day off" thing regularly, especially in your line of work. That emotional labor can burn one out quickly. The employee handbook suggests at least one day a week. Such a day off may present a serendipitous opportunity to meet someone special. :)

Greg said...

The best thing for you is take that time to wander about through some lovely gardens.

Glad you enjoyed your day off and renewed your membership to keep that important resource available to you!

[My word verif. is "utones" - that must be a song about you!]

Michael Dodd said...

I have a couple of friends who work at a rehab center specializing in people in your line of work, though for a different branch of the firm. One of them told me people come there for many reasons -- but they had never had anyone show up needing their help who took regular days off. No matter what the substance/behavior problems their clients had, they all were overworked and had used their substance/behavioral problem as a [self-destructive] way to cope.

Take the dang day off! It's great that you live in an area with lots of beauty. Walk in beauty, breathe. Hey, even dare to invite someone to walk and breathe with you. Just taking a walk is a great way to spend time and get to know someone.

manxxman said...

The interesting thing about that house was that it was built by a member of our "family"......not that he ever admitted it.....but none the less it is rather well known.

As for a date.......or another date, you could help expedite that by giving him a call and asking him out. Just a thought.

Episcopal Bear said...

Psst! Joe?

Just now saw your comment at my place and wanted to stop by and say hello.

So ...

Hi there, fellow Bear!

BTW, I've visited a few times at the lovely little cottage you linked to, the view of Mount Pisgah is breathtaking.

Ice John's World said...

It is a little bit hard to make some suggestions since your last post about the "date" is really very vague and not much about what happened. But just like anything else, you just got to keep trying and have a little faith! Good luck!