I recently decided on a thirty day quest. One that will explore my priorities in my daily life and challenge me to make sure that things I value most are the things I put the most effort into each day. I thought thirty days was a fair amount of time. Long enough to feel like a commitment, and easily sustainable after the thirty days was up should I so desire, but not so grandiose as to be daunting. Officially the thirty day quest begins tomorrow, December 1st. This way while everyone else is making New Year's Resolutions I'll already have resolved a number of things. However, I've been taking baby steps in preparing for the quest since I first decided upon it. Preparatory steps, if you will. I think I will learn a lot about myself and suspect it maybe easier than I first thought.
But, then I stumble upon things that make me think I can do more and this first thirty days is really the preparatory steps. Things like Fair Game's interview with A.J. Jacobs. (link) He wrote a book called The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. The interview cracked me up and I knew I'd buy the book and read it within the next thirty days. Then I read the reviews of the book and realized it may offer more than a few laughs. It may alter my own quest by suggesting greater self challenges or stretching of perceptions. Hmm...what started out as a Christmas gift to myself is becoming so much more... but most quests have more depth than meets the eye.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Black Friday
So, I went shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. This day is known in the retail industry as "Black Friday." I have worked retail before and I have worked on that particular day. I have gotten up early to open a store to the mass of crazy people that seem to think they are getting a deal worth losing sleep over. I have never been one of those crazy people. That is until 2007. And, yes, I am still going to refer to all people willing to do this, including me, as crazy people.
First, I got up at 3:45am. I can only think of two or three other occasions in my life when I awakened, on purpose, before 4am in the morning after going to sleep at around 10:30pm. And those occasions were to catch planes to go on vacation and I promptly slept on the plane once I was buckled in. I did not go about doing a day's worth of activities. Once I was awake - or semi-conscious - I did not go to great lengths to get ready to go out. For instance, I did not style my hair. I put on a Mets cap and pulled my curls through the back. I would soon learn that I would be an exception in the crazy people world. Many of the women I encountered, including my aunt, had taken the time to fully style their hair, apply makeup, and put on jewelry. All to go shopping at 4am. It really must be true that women dress for other women and not for men. My Mets cap hairdo came in handy though - men in more than one store asked if I needed help finding something. Including a Yankee fan in Staples when I couldn't find the Blue Tooth that was on sale. And they say NY fans don't get along. Pshaw!
Anyway, we ventured out and went to J.C. Penney's. You maybe unaware, as I was, that good ole Jacque Penne' gives out snow globes on Black Friday but only so many. We missed the cutoff - entirely my fault for taking too long to get out of the house - and didn't get a snow globe. We passed Circuit City on the way out and I felt like shouting at the people lined up all around the building that they were crazy but I remembered, except for standing in the cold outside a closed store, I was one of them. Then we went Kohl's. Both JCP and Kohl's were open at 4am. We hit Kohl's at around 4:10 and it was crowded. We made our way through the store picked up the things we wanted and got in line. We left the Kohl's at around 4:30 with a good haul for 20 minutes.
As we were walking out of the store another woman was walking in front of us about 25 feet ahead of us. Now it was 4:30am so it was still dark but the parking lot had lights in it. We watched as a car pulled out from one of the parking bay aisles, turned to go in front of the store, and struck the woman in front of us. Yes, he hit a pedestrian. I was stunned! I recovered and immediately shouted, "are you okay?" She was not knocked over and her packages appeared to absorb most of the force but still she'd been hit by a car. She was also stunned by what had happened but managed to recover enough to say something to the driver of the vehicle. His defense was that he was concerned about hitting a car coming from another direction. She responded that she was more concerned about him hitting her than another car. I then loudly stated, "if you hit another car you get a ticket, if you hit a pedestrian you go to jail." She did not insist, as I would have, that he stay and they call the police. (Who knows how swollen her knees must have gotten later in the day - that's where the bumper hit her.) And everyone went on their way.
Our way took us next to Modell's and then to Old Navy. Both of which were in the same shopping center as a Staples. Staples did not open until 6am and there were people standing outside at 5am. Did I mention it was only in the mid-20's? Crazy people. The lines at Modell's and Old Navy weren't bad and everyone we encountered was very friendly. We experienced the same thing in the line at Kohl's. Overall most people seemed happy and full of the holiday spirit. That is until we went to the other Staples in time for it to open. It was a madhouse and people grabbed things so quickly that they were hard to find. Thus, why I looked lost and Yankee fan graciously offered his assistance. Staples was the only place where I saw people get testy with one another and it looked as if there could be problems. Office supplies, who'da thunk it?
After Staples we only had two more stops and I was hungry and tired. And if you know me or have read this blog you know I was also grumpy. I don't need a lot to be easy going but sleep, food, and attention from a boy when I want it are essential. As long as I feel pretty, am well rested, and not hungry I'm pretty easy to get along with. If any of those are out of whack, look out. Such was the case by 6:30am. So, I went to the bagel shop in the shopping center of our last stop while my aunt searched Bob's for a purchase. All that was left after our food stop was Ulta and it didn't open until 7am. We hit Ulta right as it opened, purchased our wares, and headed home. We weren't in the house five minutes and I went upstairs to take a nap.
I can honestly say it was an interesting and fun experience. I can almost understand why crazy people do it every year, especially if, like me, they have fun shopping companions and aren't buying something everyone else wants. However, I'd have to be talked into doing it again because I really love sleep. And next time there'd need to be coffee and good snacks.
First, I got up at 3:45am. I can only think of two or three other occasions in my life when I awakened, on purpose, before 4am in the morning after going to sleep at around 10:30pm. And those occasions were to catch planes to go on vacation and I promptly slept on the plane once I was buckled in. I did not go about doing a day's worth of activities. Once I was awake - or semi-conscious - I did not go to great lengths to get ready to go out. For instance, I did not style my hair. I put on a Mets cap and pulled my curls through the back. I would soon learn that I would be an exception in the crazy people world. Many of the women I encountered, including my aunt, had taken the time to fully style their hair, apply makeup, and put on jewelry. All to go shopping at 4am. It really must be true that women dress for other women and not for men. My Mets cap hairdo came in handy though - men in more than one store asked if I needed help finding something. Including a Yankee fan in Staples when I couldn't find the Blue Tooth that was on sale. And they say NY fans don't get along. Pshaw!
Anyway, we ventured out and went to J.C. Penney's. You maybe unaware, as I was, that good ole Jacque Penne' gives out snow globes on Black Friday but only so many. We missed the cutoff - entirely my fault for taking too long to get out of the house - and didn't get a snow globe. We passed Circuit City on the way out and I felt like shouting at the people lined up all around the building that they were crazy but I remembered, except for standing in the cold outside a closed store, I was one of them. Then we went Kohl's. Both JCP and Kohl's were open at 4am. We hit Kohl's at around 4:10 and it was crowded. We made our way through the store picked up the things we wanted and got in line. We left the Kohl's at around 4:30 with a good haul for 20 minutes.
As we were walking out of the store another woman was walking in front of us about 25 feet ahead of us. Now it was 4:30am so it was still dark but the parking lot had lights in it. We watched as a car pulled out from one of the parking bay aisles, turned to go in front of the store, and struck the woman in front of us. Yes, he hit a pedestrian. I was stunned! I recovered and immediately shouted, "are you okay?" She was not knocked over and her packages appeared to absorb most of the force but still she'd been hit by a car. She was also stunned by what had happened but managed to recover enough to say something to the driver of the vehicle. His defense was that he was concerned about hitting a car coming from another direction. She responded that she was more concerned about him hitting her than another car. I then loudly stated, "if you hit another car you get a ticket, if you hit a pedestrian you go to jail." She did not insist, as I would have, that he stay and they call the police. (Who knows how swollen her knees must have gotten later in the day - that's where the bumper hit her.) And everyone went on their way.
Our way took us next to Modell's and then to Old Navy. Both of which were in the same shopping center as a Staples. Staples did not open until 6am and there were people standing outside at 5am. Did I mention it was only in the mid-20's? Crazy people. The lines at Modell's and Old Navy weren't bad and everyone we encountered was very friendly. We experienced the same thing in the line at Kohl's. Overall most people seemed happy and full of the holiday spirit. That is until we went to the other Staples in time for it to open. It was a madhouse and people grabbed things so quickly that they were hard to find. Thus, why I looked lost and Yankee fan graciously offered his assistance. Staples was the only place where I saw people get testy with one another and it looked as if there could be problems. Office supplies, who'da thunk it?
After Staples we only had two more stops and I was hungry and tired. And if you know me or have read this blog you know I was also grumpy. I don't need a lot to be easy going but sleep, food, and attention from a boy when I want it are essential. As long as I feel pretty, am well rested, and not hungry I'm pretty easy to get along with. If any of those are out of whack, look out. Such was the case by 6:30am. So, I went to the bagel shop in the shopping center of our last stop while my aunt searched Bob's for a purchase. All that was left after our food stop was Ulta and it didn't open until 7am. We hit Ulta right as it opened, purchased our wares, and headed home. We weren't in the house five minutes and I went upstairs to take a nap.
I can honestly say it was an interesting and fun experience. I can almost understand why crazy people do it every year, especially if, like me, they have fun shopping companions and aren't buying something everyone else wants. However, I'd have to be talked into doing it again because I really love sleep. And next time there'd need to be coffee and good snacks.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Happier
I've been reading since before I started Kindergarten and I usually read a book or more each week. I've already plugged the Stephen Colbert book in an earlier post but I try to shy away from preaching about how everyone else should read the book I'm reading. For instance, I've only recommended the book Water For Elephants to people I thought would enjoy it as much as I did. I finished it a few weeks ago and thought it was engrossing and fantastic. But, if you didn't already hear from me about that book I wasn't sure if you'd enjoy it. Usually that's how I speak about what I'm reading. I tell the people I think will truly enjoy a book all about it. Or I answer questions when asked what I'm currently reading.
I say usually because the book I'm just finishing is probably going to be my soapbox speech book. The one I feel the need to tell EVERYONE about. It's called Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD. He is a professor at Harvard and the book is based on one of his classes - the most popular class at Harvard. It's about positive psychology and how to be happier. Because, as Dr. Ben-Shahar explains, the question is not "am I happy?" but "how can I be happier?" It is fascinating! It articulates what most of us already know, that one is not necessarily meant to be as happy as someone else. We all have different levels that we start from but research has shown that each of us can be happier than we currently are. It gives some interesting ways to become happier and there are "Time In" assignments where you assess your own life and feelings. What I found most fascinating is that there is an entire class at Harvard about this and it appears to be needed. Because all of the evidence points to greater material wealth leading to greater depression rates.
Mostly, I must confess, I want everyone to read this book and do the assignments to see if they can really make themselves happier. Not only because everyone deserves to be happier and all that but I'm skeptical and want some anecdotal evidence. Can you learn optimism? Dr. Ben-Shahar claims he is a learned optimist. (Here's a link to his interview on National Public Radio.) I'm not sure I buy that. I've always been an optimist but there are several pessimists in my life circle and try as I might to get them to see the glass half full they can only do so for a short time period and they can't always do if for themselves. Now I'm not expecting anyone to be as happy, or as optimistic, as anyone else I just want to know if one can make gains beyond one's current state. For instance, if on a happiness scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being depressed and 10 being elated you are currently at a 4 can you get yourself to a sustained 6? The experimental evidence suggests you can. I'd like some real world examples not just some study reports. So, if the world is your classroom let this be a textbook, complete with homework assignments. We can discuss our assignments, the text, and whether the professor is accurate. Let the class begin!
I say usually because the book I'm just finishing is probably going to be my soapbox speech book. The one I feel the need to tell EVERYONE about. It's called Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD. He is a professor at Harvard and the book is based on one of his classes - the most popular class at Harvard. It's about positive psychology and how to be happier. Because, as Dr. Ben-Shahar explains, the question is not "am I happy?" but "how can I be happier?" It is fascinating! It articulates what most of us already know, that one is not necessarily meant to be as happy as someone else. We all have different levels that we start from but research has shown that each of us can be happier than we currently are. It gives some interesting ways to become happier and there are "Time In" assignments where you assess your own life and feelings. What I found most fascinating is that there is an entire class at Harvard about this and it appears to be needed. Because all of the evidence points to greater material wealth leading to greater depression rates.
Mostly, I must confess, I want everyone to read this book and do the assignments to see if they can really make themselves happier. Not only because everyone deserves to be happier and all that but I'm skeptical and want some anecdotal evidence. Can you learn optimism? Dr. Ben-Shahar claims he is a learned optimist. (Here's a link to his interview on National Public Radio.) I'm not sure I buy that. I've always been an optimist but there are several pessimists in my life circle and try as I might to get them to see the glass half full they can only do so for a short time period and they can't always do if for themselves. Now I'm not expecting anyone to be as happy, or as optimistic, as anyone else I just want to know if one can make gains beyond one's current state. For instance, if on a happiness scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being depressed and 10 being elated you are currently at a 4 can you get yourself to a sustained 6? The experimental evidence suggests you can. I'd like some real world examples not just some study reports. So, if the world is your classroom let this be a textbook, complete with homework assignments. We can discuss our assignments, the text, and whether the professor is accurate. Let the class begin!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Webkinz
As previously stated, I enjoy playing games. I especially like video games and am thinking of asking Santa for a Wii for Christmas. But, the newest thing I've found is Webkinz. It's a site for kids where a stuffed animal has a virtual existence, goes shopping, gets employment, and goes to the arcade - where there are lots of games. It is for kids, in theory, because you just have to buy a stuffed animal and get a code to get access to the site. So, anyone of any age can play on Webkinz. I was introduced to Webkinz by my cousins - they are 9, 7, and 6. They love it and I can easily see why. There are all kinds of games, versions of every game I played as a kid but updated, and there is also an element of The Sims to it as well.
I just spoke with my aunt, the mother of my Webkinz cousins, and she is addicted to some of the games as well. One game in particular has kept her occupied for the past two hours. I wouldn't recommend that but you can begin to see how fun it is. I just thought I'd pass the link along so you can ask Santa to bring you a new Webkinz for Christmas. I'm hoping for a blue hippo to go with the cow I already have. Maybe I should have been nicer this year.
I just spoke with my aunt, the mother of my Webkinz cousins, and she is addicted to some of the games as well. One game in particular has kept her occupied for the past two hours. I wouldn't recommend that but you can begin to see how fun it is. I just thought I'd pass the link along so you can ask Santa to bring you a new Webkinz for Christmas. I'm hoping for a blue hippo to go with the cow I already have. Maybe I should have been nicer this year.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Pit Bull
In my line of work I meet an interesting variety of people, well, mostly men. There are the buttoned up suit and tie types, the developers, engineers, architects, and owners. Then there are the blue collar guys. The ones that actually do all the work. These are the ones I usually find most entertaining and when I start a new job or project with crews I've never met before I enjoy getting to know them and their stories. Rarely have I encountered a crew that did not have at least one member that had done some time in jail or prison and often there is one still on probation. But, I am almost always reminded that sometimes a good person can do a bad thing and regret it after the fact. I don't usually encounter men that should still be in prison because they haven't learned their lesson but it has happened.
My most interesting crew at the new job is actually several crews. It's a large project with three crews on it right now and everyone is working a lot of hours. Being new I felt the need to get to know the men I'd be working with and started introducing myself. I quickly learned that these crews were different in their own way. Unique not by the misdeeds they had done or by how reformed they were but because they didn't know each other's names. Yet they've been working together - many of them - for four or five years or more. From what I could gather there are a number that have biblical names, several Marks and Johns, quite a few Joses and Juans. So, they decided nicknames would be best and that is how they call each other. I met "Chicken Bone", "Big Sexy", "Shorty", and "Tiny." I also had the pleasure of being introduced to "Traveling Salesman" - he can be found all over the job and never stays in one place, "Preacher Man" - he refuses to work Saturdays because he goes to church so he's required to pray for everyone else, and "Midget" - he's new but thought since he'd met Shorty and Tiny he'd like to be called Midget. Like I said it's a big crew but this is a good sample of what their names are like.
I told them I thought I'd have some trouble calling them these names and couldn't they just tell me their given names. Most all of them responded the same way, they wouldn't know I was talking to them if I didn't call them by their nickname. I agreed to keep up with the tradition and will keep my word even though it means an awkward meeting with HR for me next week. HR wants to meet all of the employees and I'm supposed to introduce them. I guess "Chicken Bone" can tell them his real name if he wants to but I have no idea what it is.
As the rest of my time at this project progressed it came up that a subcontractor, one I know well, was not performing. I merely asked for his phone number - I didn't have it on me - and proceeded to call him. Like I said I know this subcontractor well, we go way back and he's always done a good job for me. I reminded him of this during our conversation. I also joked with him but he knew I needed him to step up and he agreed that he would. When I got off the phone and turned to the field management I found I suddenly had a nickname myself. Apparently, my ability to take hold of the situation and address it so directly earned me the title, "The Pit Bull." Now, as things come up and we are discussing how to handle something I hear "what do you think, Pit Bull?" Or, I come upon them speaking to each other and I hear "we'll get the Pit Bull to take care of that." I have, over the years, been able to earn the respect of crews that have worked for me and have had a good relationship with them but never have I felt so much a part of the field crew as I do now.
My most interesting crew at the new job is actually several crews. It's a large project with three crews on it right now and everyone is working a lot of hours. Being new I felt the need to get to know the men I'd be working with and started introducing myself. I quickly learned that these crews were different in their own way. Unique not by the misdeeds they had done or by how reformed they were but because they didn't know each other's names. Yet they've been working together - many of them - for four or five years or more. From what I could gather there are a number that have biblical names, several Marks and Johns, quite a few Joses and Juans. So, they decided nicknames would be best and that is how they call each other. I met "Chicken Bone", "Big Sexy", "Shorty", and "Tiny." I also had the pleasure of being introduced to "Traveling Salesman" - he can be found all over the job and never stays in one place, "Preacher Man" - he refuses to work Saturdays because he goes to church so he's required to pray for everyone else, and "Midget" - he's new but thought since he'd met Shorty and Tiny he'd like to be called Midget. Like I said it's a big crew but this is a good sample of what their names are like.
I told them I thought I'd have some trouble calling them these names and couldn't they just tell me their given names. Most all of them responded the same way, they wouldn't know I was talking to them if I didn't call them by their nickname. I agreed to keep up with the tradition and will keep my word even though it means an awkward meeting with HR for me next week. HR wants to meet all of the employees and I'm supposed to introduce them. I guess "Chicken Bone" can tell them his real name if he wants to but I have no idea what it is.
As the rest of my time at this project progressed it came up that a subcontractor, one I know well, was not performing. I merely asked for his phone number - I didn't have it on me - and proceeded to call him. Like I said I know this subcontractor well, we go way back and he's always done a good job for me. I reminded him of this during our conversation. I also joked with him but he knew I needed him to step up and he agreed that he would. When I got off the phone and turned to the field management I found I suddenly had a nickname myself. Apparently, my ability to take hold of the situation and address it so directly earned me the title, "The Pit Bull." Now, as things come up and we are discussing how to handle something I hear "what do you think, Pit Bull?" Or, I come upon them speaking to each other and I hear "we'll get the Pit Bull to take care of that." I have, over the years, been able to earn the respect of crews that have worked for me and have had a good relationship with them but never have I felt so much a part of the field crew as I do now.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Double Life
So, I've decided not to move. Well, to clarify I've been given a couple of projects in Charlotte and I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time there each week. So moving just to travel back seemed pointless. The company has suggested that I keep my place in Charlotte and find a suitable place in Raleigh as well. We have yet to hammer out the details but it's looking like I will have two places and they will pay for one. I started thinking about how it'd be easiest to have two sets of toiletries and different clothes at each place. I'll be leading a double life.
It's not that I'm opposed to leading a double life per se. It might actually be easier than lugging stuff around all the time as I travel. I've been traveling so much for work and so often for the past few years that I yearn to feel settled. Maybe it will help to have two places to call home. It might also be helpful to have two places to try different decorating ideas out, it will make it easier to decide what I really like. But, it also got me thinking about the darker side of a double life. The ways in which one who travels often can become two different people and how that can be so tempting. How you can reinvent yourself in each location. You can have different relationships - seeking out in one city that which you do not get in the other. That's what a new place is, a chance to start over, to begin again. In theory each day is a new beginning but it's much easier to become whomever you want to be if you are in a new locale. It's like leaving the past, your past and all it's baggage, at the doorstep - or at the city limits.
The major drawback to me really leading a double life is I already have established connections in both cities. It's not like I'm getting to live in two new places or in cities that are a plane ride away. And I'm not really sure I'm cut out to be deceptive - I can't even play poker because I'm too expressive with what I think and feel. But sometimes it's nice to daydream.
It's not that I'm opposed to leading a double life per se. It might actually be easier than lugging stuff around all the time as I travel. I've been traveling so much for work and so often for the past few years that I yearn to feel settled. Maybe it will help to have two places to call home. It might also be helpful to have two places to try different decorating ideas out, it will make it easier to decide what I really like. But, it also got me thinking about the darker side of a double life. The ways in which one who travels often can become two different people and how that can be so tempting. How you can reinvent yourself in each location. You can have different relationships - seeking out in one city that which you do not get in the other. That's what a new place is, a chance to start over, to begin again. In theory each day is a new beginning but it's much easier to become whomever you want to be if you are in a new locale. It's like leaving the past, your past and all it's baggage, at the doorstep - or at the city limits.
The major drawback to me really leading a double life is I already have established connections in both cities. It's not like I'm getting to live in two new places or in cities that are a plane ride away. And I'm not really sure I'm cut out to be deceptive - I can't even play poker because I'm too expressive with what I think and feel. But sometimes it's nice to daydream.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Brrr and The Drought
So, I just got in from a long day out and about. I had a fun, eventful day and it made me realize how much Charlotte has grown on me in the past few months. Especially since I quit that job that was an albatross around my neck. Anyway, it meant I was gone from about 10 this morning and now it's after 10 at night. It's a little chilly in my place right now. It was only in the mid-60's here today and I don't get much direct sunlight. Needless to say, while I was out the house remained cool and I didn't think to put the heat on before I left. It was warmer this morning, I swear!
What I'd normally do on the first seriously cold day, such as this one, is turn on the heat and go upstairs and take a long hot bubble bath before going to bed. This way while the heat tried to dispel the chill of the day I'd be toasty warm in the bubbles and the sauna like bathroom. By the time the water cooled off some, and I finished both a chapter in my latest book and a nice glass of white wine, the heat would have made the house an acceptable temperature. Then I'd change into some cozy pajamas, dry my hair, and go to bed. Instead, I'm shivering and bundled up under covers with my computer on my lap trying to suck up all it's heat.
Why, you may ask? Because of the drought. Yes, I am a victim of the drought affecting the Southeast United States. I am currently under Phase 4 Water Restrictions. These restrictions include no baths - only showers and said showers are only supposed to last five minutes. Five minutes! Who do you know can take a five minute shower and actually be clean? I'd like to meet that person - from a distance of course because I'm betting they smell. It takes me five minutes to wash my hair. Much less the rest of me. And forget shaving and washing in five minutes. Five minutes! I, obviously, have been violating the five minute guideline and will continue to do so. But until they send some man with a stopwatch to time my showers I'll take my standard 15 minutes or so. Plus, I'm only one person - it's not like four other people are taking showers as well so I can use up some of their time. But, I am not going to take a bubble bath - as I was informed it is a waste of precious water.
We can't afford to waste any either. I went past the Catawba River today and it is very low. There are several mud islands that are exposed now. All of which were at least six inches or more under water this time last year. It doesn't look like there is an end in sight either. There is no rain of significance forecast in the near future and it would need to rain most of November and December to put a dent in the drought. It's an interesting position for me to be in - I'm usually not an advocate for rain. I think of it as a dirty four letter word that I don't like to say because it affects my livelihood. However, I really need some rain because it is affecting my life. I don't know about you but I like water. I like being able to turn on the faucet and have some come out. I like being able to fill up my Brita pitcher whenever I like and I also enjoy long hot showers, bubble baths, and flushing the toilet. Simple things like that bring me joy. But it especially brings me joy that my neighbors are able to shower as well. It seems some of them don't appear to have as much love of water as I have and they are using the drought as an excuse not to bathe. I do not like this aspect at all. PeeEEWW!
As of today there are 57 days of water left to sustain my town. 57 days. It still seems as though I will be moving prior to end of those 57 days. In case anyone's wondering - 57 days from today is December 30, 2007. But, alas, I am questioning whether moving to Raleigh is a good idea for Raleigh will run out of water on January 25, 2008. It really gives me pause because I really love water. And bubble baths.
What I'd normally do on the first seriously cold day, such as this one, is turn on the heat and go upstairs and take a long hot bubble bath before going to bed. This way while the heat tried to dispel the chill of the day I'd be toasty warm in the bubbles and the sauna like bathroom. By the time the water cooled off some, and I finished both a chapter in my latest book and a nice glass of white wine, the heat would have made the house an acceptable temperature. Then I'd change into some cozy pajamas, dry my hair, and go to bed. Instead, I'm shivering and bundled up under covers with my computer on my lap trying to suck up all it's heat.
Why, you may ask? Because of the drought. Yes, I am a victim of the drought affecting the Southeast United States. I am currently under Phase 4 Water Restrictions. These restrictions include no baths - only showers and said showers are only supposed to last five minutes. Five minutes! Who do you know can take a five minute shower and actually be clean? I'd like to meet that person - from a distance of course because I'm betting they smell. It takes me five minutes to wash my hair. Much less the rest of me. And forget shaving and washing in five minutes. Five minutes! I, obviously, have been violating the five minute guideline and will continue to do so. But until they send some man with a stopwatch to time my showers I'll take my standard 15 minutes or so. Plus, I'm only one person - it's not like four other people are taking showers as well so I can use up some of their time. But, I am not going to take a bubble bath - as I was informed it is a waste of precious water.
We can't afford to waste any either. I went past the Catawba River today and it is very low. There are several mud islands that are exposed now. All of which were at least six inches or more under water this time last year. It doesn't look like there is an end in sight either. There is no rain of significance forecast in the near future and it would need to rain most of November and December to put a dent in the drought. It's an interesting position for me to be in - I'm usually not an advocate for rain. I think of it as a dirty four letter word that I don't like to say because it affects my livelihood. However, I really need some rain because it is affecting my life. I don't know about you but I like water. I like being able to turn on the faucet and have some come out. I like being able to fill up my Brita pitcher whenever I like and I also enjoy long hot showers, bubble baths, and flushing the toilet. Simple things like that bring me joy. But it especially brings me joy that my neighbors are able to shower as well. It seems some of them don't appear to have as much love of water as I have and they are using the drought as an excuse not to bathe. I do not like this aspect at all. PeeEEWW!
As of today there are 57 days of water left to sustain my town. 57 days. It still seems as though I will be moving prior to end of those 57 days. In case anyone's wondering - 57 days from today is December 30, 2007. But, alas, I am questioning whether moving to Raleigh is a good idea for Raleigh will run out of water on January 25, 2008. It really gives me pause because I really love water. And bubble baths.
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