Time Off

December 9, 1998

I had a fun time meeting with Natolyn today. We were discussing what training and implementation help she'd like from me in the coming months. Pretty much business stuff, but it's always fun with Natolyn. Two other meetings today, and now I'm off until Monday. The last time I took vacation was early June, when Jean and I went to visit my parents just outside Philadelphia. The Saturday after we got back to Richmond we found out there was a baby on the way.

I don't really need a vacation. Sure, I've managed to fill up the next few days with things to do, but I would have gotten it all done anyway. There's just something about me that keeps on going without needing a break. At least I don't seem to need a break very often. I am what I do -- which you knew, which you always knew... (brownie points if you can guess the song)

The next two days are about Christmas, but they're also time off with Jean. Probably the best thing about vacation days is that we treat them differently than we do weekend days. Since we're taking working days off, the time is somehow more special.

She's just about to finish knitting a little hat for Bumpy. Jean picked up knitting from my sister Stacy (the knitting queen). She's actually working on more than one hat, but this one she's doing tonight is all white, with some kind of a little texture to it. I think she'll be knitting lots over the next four days, as this is one of our chances to slow down and savor the season.

Jean's working a half day tomorrow, so I'm going to head into the University to scan photos. My scanner still sleeps next to my computer, but I'm not ready to attempt putting that PCI/SCSI card back in. Last time I did that, I had to reinstall Windows. Information Services has a technology center where I can scan some photos, so I'll get that done while Jean's at work.

Tonight we watched television. Drew Carey is usually pretty good, and it was okay tonight, but the big news was the return of "Who's Line Is It Anyway?". If you haven't seen the show, just do it. Drew Carey and some other comedians put together some impromptu sketches in a pseudo-game show environment. One sketch fell apart, as it turned into nothing more than physical humor, but the other bits were all winners. It appears the show is back for at least a while now, so watch.

Ah, the weather outside's delightful. We're back into the fifties again. In Richmond, that's Winter. I can listen to the Christmas CDs again and not feel like I'm cheating. It's cloudy, almost gloomy, but I'd rather have a month of chilly gloom than a repeat of September.

reading: The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)

watching: Drew Carey; Who's Line Is It Anyway?

listening: A Winter's Solstice II (Windham Hill); Christmas in Vienna - The Vienna Boys' Choir (Musical Heritage); Christmas with the Cambridge Singers (Collegium Records); A Winter's Solstice IV (Windham Hill); A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guraldi Trio (Fantasy)

visiting: just me; Aries Moon