Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – May 23, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – May 23, 2004

A Lazy Day

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – May 23, 2004 – After four incredibly busy weeks, I now have two days off, one right after the other. That’s a concept, common to many people, but not to me. Working as a real estate agent, evenings and week-ends are my busiest times, and I often go for long periods of time with no days to myself.

Not the best thing, but it goes with the territory. If I was smarter, I’d go away on vacations, but I’m still working on that particular problem. This reminds me of my consternation at accepting the presence of the stupid gene in my intellectual make-up. I thought about what I might do today, but it’s a cold, rainy day, so in the end staying home isn’t such a bad idea.

I slept until nine o’clock, when the incessant yammering from The Alphabet Boys convinced me to get up. Augie and I went for a walk. The rain was cool and refreshing. The gray of early spring is completely gone, and once again everything is fresh and green. The transformation has come full circle. Back home again, I fed the boys and put the kettle on to boil for my pot of morning Earl Grey. Some toast and fresh fruit and I was ready for breakfast.

I had nothing that absolutely needed to be done today, my time was my own. I felt strangely uncomfortable. Shouldn’t I be accomplishing something? I finished cleaning up the kitchen after last night’s dinner for my sister-in-law Dorothy. It was her birthday. Wally, of my living with an actor phase of life, joined us. He had to leave by ten for another commitment, and Eric and Dorothy left by eleven o’clock. It was a really nice evening. I didn’t feel like scrubbing pots so I left them for the morning.

I decided to watch Gladiator. It’s one of my favourite movies and I play it every once in awhile. So equipped with another mug of tea, I settled down in the den and watched Maximus once again defeat moral corruption and tyranny. Then I had a nap. I called my friend Big about four o’clock and we lamented the fact that our favourite uber-banker – Glen of Scotiabank has been promoted and will no longer be looking after our real estate clients.

We’re convinced that an idiot will be elevated in his stead. We’ll have to take the time to find a “new guy-new bank” who actually gets the importance of relationship banking. The concept is so easy. The implementation so foreign to the suits in the towers of corporate banking.

I had a bite of dinner and now sit, fingers at the keyboard, writing about a lazy day. People need more of them. Time to rest and be quiet. To think about everything and nothing. To snooze and relax. This is how we revive the body, mind and spirit. Doing nothing is a hard call, not just for me, but for many busy people.

Yet it’s necessary to have balance in a healthy life. It’s time now for evening tea, and once I’ve brewed and steeped the pot, I’m going to read for awhile and then have another nap. By then it will be bedtime. Tomorrow I have big plans – different movie – more naps!