March | 2019 | BulgingButtons

March 24, 2019
by BulgingButtons 2 Comments

And Procrastination Wins, Again

I was going to clean up the room that I call my studio. I really had good intentions. I also had the time, since I was on Spring Break. However… it didn’t happen. Until tonight. When it sort of happened. Partially happened. Well, something happened.

I feel like I did a lot. I sorted through stacks and stacks of papers. You know the stuff I’m talking about, I’m sure. There are statements from my health insurance company, assuring me that they are not bills, there are high school report cards of my son’s from five years ago, there are mortgage statements from four lenders ago, there’s a stack of pay-stubs from my employer, sadly not showing much change over the years. There are SO MANY PAPERS!

I decided that I no longer need credit card statements from five years ago. I no longer need a home warranty for a home I sold a while back. I no longer need billing statements from my son’s orthodontist (who I think has retired). I no longer need discharge instructions from a hospital visit three years ago. It’s time to be free of all those papers. It’s time to warm up the shredder.

Shredding papers is such a permanent act, but one that gives me great satisfaction. Once the paper hits the blades, there’s no turning back. Whatever you’ve fed into that machine is now confetti, never to be read again.

I like the idea of all those words, all those statements and bills and records and reports all mixing together and jumbling up inside the belly of the shredder. I imagine it to be some sort of demented corporate party in there, all the letters released from their original duties. They are free, no longer confined to sharing dosing instructions or charges to the grocery store, gas station, and Target. No longer shouting out my name and address for just anyone to read. Once they get into that shredder, they no longer know their original mission. It’s just gone. Like the pile of papers I fed into the machine a few minutes ago.

It was quite an effort, but I’m glad at least part of the task has been completed. As for the rest of the room? Maybe during summer break. We’ll see.

March 12, 2019
by BulgingButtons Leave a comment

Time to Take Back Spring Break

I’m on spring break. School is closed for the week, and I’m free to do whatever I please. These weeks always go so quickly. Here we are, Tuesday already, and I feel as though I haven’t accomplished much. That’s not entirely my fault, though. Between fighting off some bug and having a medical procedure yesterday, I feel like I’ve been a little out of commission.

The procedure went well, I’m feeling better, and now it’s my time. Time to use as I see fit. My gut reaction? Time to read books and take naps. My realistic reaction? Time to clean up and get some schoolwork done. So, here I sit, at the computer, about to do my schoolwork. I’m taking a course to finish my gifted teaching endorsement, and I have homework. It’s a fascinating topic, and I’m enjoying learning more about these types of individuals. Still, I’ve put off my work, because I’m a terrible procrastinator. Why else would I be blogging instead of doing homework?

I’m also unhappy with the state of the room around me. I’m in my studio, and it’s a mess. There’s way too much stuff in here, and it’s housed in a variety of shelves, bins, bags, and boxes. At some point it all became too much, and I don’t even like to come in here. I need to get this sorted out.

It’s like the old joke. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Of course I would never actually eat an elephant, but you get the idea.

So, here’s my goal: each day for the rest of the week I will work on my homework, and I will work on this room. I won’t let either one overpower me. I will take breaks when needed, but I won’t quit. This is my pledge. I think I can do it. Wish me luck.

March 2, 2019
by BulgingButtons 1 Comment

Dining Out With Relatives

I have some relatives in town. I’m so glad they’re here. I haven’t seen them in several months, and I’ve missed them. They aren’t staying with us so we’ve gotten together a few times, and we’ve gone out to eat. It’s been an adventure.

M: So, where should we go?

me: You know the area well, and what you can and can’t eat, so how about if you pick.

M: (to other relative, P) Where do you want to go?

P: It’s up to you, M.

M: Ok, we’ll go to X.

P: Oh, I don’t like that place, let’s go somewhere else.

(this goes on for a while until M and P agree on a place)

now we’re seated…

water is being poured into glasses

M: STOP! I need my water without ice.

startled water pourer: of course, I’ll be right back

M: Can we get some rolls?

M: With butter? (M does not eat butter)

P: You don’t need that. It’s just carbs.

me, in my brain (I like rolls, and butter, and no, I don’t need it either but I know this is going to take a while, so…)

M: Oh, did you see they have x? I wonder what comes on it?

P: I’m not that hungry.

server: Here are your rolls with butter. Do you have any questions?

me, in my brain (thank goodness the rolls are here, this may take a while)

P: I see you have 10 spiced fish, what are the 10 spices?

server: I’m not sure of all of them, but I can check. I know it has some a, b, and c in it. Do you want me to go check?

P: No, that’s okay. What’s in the soup? Is there bacon?

server: I’m not sure, I can check.

M: What about this fish dish? Are there bones in the fish? Is it spicy? Can I get a baked potato on the side? How much will it cost?

server: No bones, not spicy. Yes on the potato, I have to check on the price. Shall I check on the soup?

P: yes, please

more perusal of menu, more options discussed, starting to wonder what happened to server

server: Yes, there’s a little bit of bacon in the soup, and the baked potato costs X.

P: Oh.

M: asks a few more questions about fish and potatoes and butter and spices and dressing on the side

P: asks a few more questions about ingredients

server: (answers questions patiently) Shall I come back?

P: Yes.

time ticks away, server helps other diners, M is wondering why server is taking so long to come back

server: Are you ready to order?

M: I’ll have the abc, cooked well done but not burned, with the xyz on the side and instead of the c I’d like q, but not too much of it. And no butter.

me: I’ll have the number 3

P: I’ll have the lmnop salad with extra m and no o or p, but a little bit of z added. On the side.

server: very good

time ticks on and the order is prepared

food arrives

Someone makes a face at their meal.

M: well, this isn’t what I expected, but what can you do? I suppose it will be okay if I scrape off the q and add a little butter.

me, in my brain (I hope nobody spat in our food)