vacation days
I had a day off from my horrible job in the political nightmare of public museums and fund-raising and drank it away.
So I am drinking through the daylight on my vacation.
When I’m at work, we all talk about how much we’d rather be drinking, and I follow through on my promises.
Therefore, I am now sitting in the dark listening to music with the blinds shut. According to friends who have called and from the light working its way through the cracks, it is apparently a beautiful day, so I have to work myself up to getting outside.
Because I also bitch about having to go to work on beautiful days, if only to sit at home with the blinds shut.
I also bitch about going to work when it’s raining or cold, because I’d rather be at home with the blinds shut, blanketed and holding some warming drink.
When it’s hot out, I’d rather be home with the blinds shut, a fan on high and a drink with ice.
But I can be social.
A friend was over a few hours ago and we talked about the infrequency of good news. He touches my hand and looks up at me.
“You feel dead.”
It was more of a compliment, coming from him, but I’ve recently decided that any human interaction with direct comments denotes some sort of personal attack.
“I can’t be. I’m sweating through my shirt.”
“Dear, you’re sick.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s what I’m saying—how could I be sick if I was dead? I’m freezing with sweats and my hand is shaking so badly that I’m spilling my drink.”
He nodded with a smile.
“And this is my fucking vacation. I will not be dead or sick on my vacation.”
We decided that was an excellent vacation mantra, and toasted the very idea with our souvenir Las Vegas shot glasses.
“I’m making attainable goals.”
He laughs and looks at the wall with a smile. “You mean like last year’s travel goal of waking up in an unknown place every morning?”
I shake my head. “No, that goal was taking control of rampant realities.”
“We could have been sober and conscious more often.”
“No, I don’t think that would have been a good idea.”
“Because we would then have been more aware?”
“No, because I traveled more. And I wouldn’t have made such fun friends.”
Clink.
“Pour me another. We’re losing light.”
Jessica Tremp
i bitch about those very same things all the time as well…i’ve just never written it down quite so eloquently and honestly…
H J Higgins
Haha, I’m glad to alone I’m not alone—thank you for that :)