Smitty’s Soapbox

The four-day weekend

We all look forward to it, but what does everyone actually do? I end up grading, and while I’d like to break the cycle I find that there is simply too much to do. So I have a plan for this weekend: grade a little, do a little housework, and then play a little. Sounds good, right? But what does a broke grown-up do for fun in the middle of winter? Can’t afford to ski, shopping is out… could rent a movie, but I did that last night and wasted 2 1/2 hours of my time on what should have been a funny film. Like many adults, all of my good friends are scattered across the country. I have lots of fun with my husband, but he’s at work and the last thing he needs is a lonely housewife pouncing on him to go out and do something the minute he gets home from work. Can anyone relate?

What do young professionals do for fun? When we’re at that point just between getting settled in life and having children? When career is most important, and taking time out for ourselves really doesn’t fit in to our schedules?

Don’t misunderstand– I LOVE having time off from the daily grind. But when I have a nice weekend like this, I savor it as time off. But in reality I pretty much work– grading, planning, housework, projects, etc. Maybe I simply don’t know what else to do, maybe I just don’t know how to enjoy time off.

I read so much, and while it still it fun I can’t do it all day long. If it were spring, I’d garden. But what to do on a day when the sun warms the temperature to a balmy 10 degrees? I’m past the video game phase, although I do visit the world of the Sims from time to time. I’ve called all of my friends and family, caught myself up on the latest webisodes of Lost and Heroes , prepared tonight’s lovely meal, and cleaned as much as I will today. What’s next? Isn’t this a pretty selfish blog entry? I should stop whinning and go make a difference in the world. There are people without food, probably in my home town. I’ll stop now.

Filed by rsmith at February 16th, 2007 under personal