Well, since I'm not in school for, like, the first time in five years, I'm channeling my nervous energy into three separate and distinct projects: leadership training (consisting of a mind-numbing set of computer-based training modules that cultivate persistence and endurance, not creativity or leadership), reading, and home improvement.
All three went by the wayside during my ethics schooling. That reminds me, I *still* have not received my grade for the program. I'm a certified ethicist...I think. This excruciating delay is only serving to incite weekly nightmares about how I score a 10% on the thesis, am stripped of my pseudo-certification, and must repeat the whole program again. High academic self esteem rocks, I tell ya!
Anyway, this weekend signaled my official return to these three projects. Last winter, during the bone chilling winter storms that churned through the area, we noticed a disturbing phenomenon in our house. When it's crazy windy, the curtains move slightly. The curtains *inside* the house. Enter insulated drapes and strategically-placed towels, rolled up to block the drafts. Well, it's ALWAYS windy here (ironic, no?) and we decided to attack The Leaky House.
They surely do not build houses like they used to. After a quick inspection, I realized that none of the windows are caulked. Huh? Step one: caulk all windows and doors. Step Zero: buy all the caulk Lowe's has in stock. Step Two: don wrist brace to stop agonizing carpal tunnel pain from assaulting the windows with new caulking gun. FAIL.
God orchestrated a cool show for me, though. Taking all the white, thick wood blinds and curtains down, I re-realized how freaking huge our windows are. And the entire time I caulked, storms raged outside. I rather enjoyed the zig-zagging lightning and angry skies...except when I was touching up the outside of the front door and lightning about struck in the front yard, rendering me blind for 30 seconds. Eh, what's lost eyesight in the grand scheme of things?
Nonetheless, Project: Deleakify Leaky House is complete. But it ushered in a whole new checklist of home improvement projects calling me through the sire call of Lowe's. New chandelier, remodeled bathroom, faucets, towel bars, pendant lighting, can lighting, insulation, drywalling the garage, and paint. Oh, the paint. I have samples taped up all over the place with a little multi-voting rating system in place. Move over, HGTV!
[Note to self: schedule carpal tunnel surgery on right wrist.]
My two other projects are continually in tension. I have 2-3 weeks to complete the boring online education and I have a stack of novels awaiting me. I kept picking books up 60-80% off on Amazon and pioneered Kindle-esque reading today via iPad. I think I'll stick to the old-school books. The iPad just can't capture the feel and smell of books and, hey, I cannot get them for $3-4 a piece! I have a hard time prioritizing my leisure time...knock out some education? Devour the new HBR? Kick back on my chaise lounger with a new book? WIN!
And that's what life is like these days. My work/life balance was better this week, but it's a balancing act that rapidly deteriorates the second I take my eye off of it. Too bad I'm still seeing spots from that near-lightening strike yesterday!
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