I have no brass to polish. Instead, I have this thoroughly irritating plaster dust that refuses to just go away. I sweep and I swiffer and, still, the plaster dust remains, mocking me.

maybe you just announced leaving your job

I told them I was leaving and we crafted an exit strategy. Which, of course, they have completely screwed up. But I don't care. I just sing, la la la la la la October 7th la la la la la la.

the plaster dust remains, mocking me

Whenever there's something like this, the one thing that refuses to fix itself and go right, my mom says that it's against the "evil eye". It's still not very comforting.

I just sing, la la la la la la October 7th la la la la la la.

I'm a music ignorant, but I love that song. Do you already have anything planned for after that? A great vacation, something else that's fun and "yay"-going?

Wow was I not on the same music wavelength as this thread tonight. I've been listening to my Camper van Beethoven cassettes.

Go back and listen to "Black Crow" and "Coyote."

I have "Black Crow" sung by Cassandra Wilson. Does that count?

Ugh.

Tim, that's a funny way to spell "hug."

Things I do for Buffistas.

And we appreciate it. Hey, we left a light on for you.

Do you already have anything planned for after that?

The original plan was Tahiti. Ten days in an overwater bungalow with no cell phone and a stack of books. But now I'm trying to find a way to swing the part-time work status that doesn't require selling my condo. Therefore, Bora Bora, much like Vienna, will just have to wait for me.

So I think I'll take two or three weeks off and stay home. Probably still trying to get rid of the plaster dust.

So I think I'll take two or three weeks off and stay home.

Will it still be with no cell phone and a stack of books?

Probably still trying to get rid of the plaster dust.

Setting challenges to ourselves is an important step in growing and developing. Or something.

Will it still be with no cell phone and a stack of books?

Yes. I'm going to be one of those people I see every morning at the Coffee Bean, sitting outside, drinking a latte, smoking a cigarette, laughing inside at the poor schmucks on their way to their jobs, who will be, undoubtedly, looking at me and thinking, "Don't you WORK?"

Which, you know, is what I wonder every morning.

Which, you know, is what I wonder every morning.

I wonder that whenever there's a traffic jam in the middle of the day. What are those people doing on the road?

But your description sounds just lovely, laughing inside and all. I took some time off between finishing my Masters' and starting my PhD. It was great. People didn't seem to know what to do when they asked me what I was doing and my answer was "Nothing", so I changed it to "A jigsaw puzzle".

I refuse to believe there is a normal form of dust that will not bow before the almighty swiffer. It must be alien dust. Your condo is contaminated and must be quarantined.

Luckily this works out with the whole staying home for a few weeks.

People didn't seem to know what to do when they asked me what I was doing and my answer was "Nothing", so I changed it to "A jigsaw puzzle".

All you have to do around here is answer, "A script." Then they're too busy telling you all about the great idea they've been working to ask any follow up questions.

It must be alien dust.

Close enough. It's dust from where I sanded the new plaster. At least, it's only on everything I own now and no longer glued to the roof of my mouth. That was not a pleasant sensation.

Probably still trying to get rid of the plaster dust.

Do you have a humidifier? Making it heavy enough to stay still for the swiffer is the trick.