Really?

I'm between jobs.  It's a technicality right now because I'm supposed to be starting a new job next Monday, and my old job just ended on Friday.  So...between.  Time off.

I haven't had a week off since....you know, I don't know if I should even say it.  My life has been such a disaster for the last couple of years, it would take too long to explain what I consider "time off".  I will say, however, that "time off" is NOT that time when you are desperately looking for work and haven't found any yet--that's not "time off", that's work.  Work for no pay, I might add.  So there was about a year and a half of that with no break, and, three changes of household--also not leisure time.  I guess, all things considered, the last time I had any "time off" was around Christmas of 2007.  Oh, and I was married, then, so that doesn't even count as time off.  HA!  Not being mean, just stating a fact--I tend to be care-taking whether it is asked for or not.  I seem to recall having someone over for Christmas Eve that I had never even met before--my husband had invited him.  So I cooked for a stranger.  Also not vacation-y.  And if I had to guess, I'd say maybe my hubby was banging him on the side.  Of course, I wouldn't have known that at the time...but I digress. (ahem...unsubstantiated rumor...)

So I was thoroughly enjoying my first day off in forever, of which the enjoyment actually started sometime around mid-day Sunday, when I started feeling so blissfully peaceful about not having to be anywhere or do anything for anyone, and not having to worry about anything, at least for a little while, when I got a text from someone at my old job.  It appears that my boss failed to tell anyone that I was leaving.

Yes...failed to mention it to anybody.  Now, it's not like there should have been a ticker tape parade or anything...but it's also not like I didn't do anything all day, and, basically, there was no plan in place to cover that.

Oops.

I know I'm only COMPLETELY FLABBERGASTED by this because I am one of those Over-Plan types who finds great comfort in making sure all the bases are covered six different ways before anything goes down--that way I can relax (read: screw around) for all of the rest of the time.  It's a system that works for me--your mileage may vary.  Maybe you LIKE scrambling and throwing things together at the last possible second, missing deadlines and doing things half-ass, and, that's cool, just, not my thing.

I'm also one of those hyper-communicator types, which goes well with the Over-Plan thing.  Not that I try to discuss huge topics all day (did you know 'Giving Dharma' refers to the giving of teachings to other sentient beings with pure motivation to benefit them?  Now you do.  Thank you Dalai Lama.), but, if I work with you, I'm pretty much always talking, asking questions, covering bases.  I'm on the email, chat, phone, texting, blah-blah-blah.  I assume pretty much everybody needs to know pretty much everything.  In my opinion, that is how things run smoothly...everyone's on the same page. (remind me to try that with my social life if I ever get one).

Anyway...I'm extra glad to not be at work today.  And, I guess, extra glad I quit that job.  Kinda how I was extra glad I left my husband after I heard all those unsubstantiated rumors.

Signs You May Have Short-Timer's Syndrome

• You have, really-really, changed your computer password to "Whatever!"
• When forwarding Power of Attorney paperwork, usually labeled "POA", you label it "POS" instead.  (Think about it--it'll come to you.)
• You start coveting the pen you use every day...as if you might take it home with you, because it's kind of a nice pen.
• You finally take your water bottle home to be washed. (Ew!  I'm just sayin'....)
• You get into long conversations with people who barely spoke to you before.
• You can no longer think of a convincing reason not to sing Puddle of Mudd's "Psycho" at your desk.  And since you're up, might as well jump up and down on the chorus.
• You switch to Duffy songs for the benefit of the "older folks".  You knock "Warwick Avenue" out like you were BORN to sing that sh*t.
• You loudly ask anyone who might be listening why NOBODY TOLD YOU THERE WAS A BUTTERNUT, WISCONSIN?  AND HOW COULD YOU HAVE POSSIBLY LIVED THIS LONG WITHOUT KNOWING THAT?
• Kevin stops being the most annoying person in the office...it's all you, baby...

We Have The Weirdest Conversations

While watching an episode of MTV's True Life, with my 14 year old, in which a teenaged boy comes out to his parents...

 

Punky: Mom, if I told you I was a lesbian, would you be mad?

Me: Why would I be mad?  Of course not.

Punky: OK.  Well, I'm not a lesbian.

Me: *sigh*

Punky: What?

Me: See, now I'm mad.

Punky: You're mad because I'm NOT a lesbian?

Me:  I was so ready to be the coolest, most understanding mom, ever!

Punky: Oh Gawd, Mother...

 

 

I only hope that the laughter carries on through the generations. 

 

Also, watching that particular episode just reminded me how very important it is to keep your mind and your heart open, especially where your children are concerned.  This boy's mother couldn't even use the word "gay", referring to her son as "your kind", and the son was so frightened of talking to his father (who was ultimately quite calm) that you could almost feel the fear jumping off the screen.  Heartbreaking...