Got MLK?

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I managed to get alot of rest over this holiday weekend, and managed to get alot of things done for myself that I’ve needed.

Friday evening, George invited me over for Pizza. George and his wife’s idea of a fun time is eating pizza and watching tv all night long. Every five or six minutes, someone says something about what is happening on tv, or in their lives, and everyone responds, and then you watch more tv.

Its a difficult thing for me to do, as a guest. I am used to being more entertained. Not by my hosts, necessarily — I will entertain myself if other entertainment is not forthcoming. And, in my own home, I understand the value of an evening spent vegging in front of the tele.

But I wouldn’t just invite someone over to watch tv, and do nothing but watch tv. I’d expect to engage that person somehow…I expect to be engaged. The irony goes further in that George and I do not operate on the same level. I tend to be very cerebral and metastential. George and Diane both tend to be pretty much “what you see is what you get”.

For example, the local news came on, and they talked about the student-related killing in Colorado last week. The anchor finished the spot by shaking his head in dismay, saying “it’s hard to believe thats happening right next door in Colorado”.

I immediately went cynical on his comment. “Oh, yeah, next door in Colorado …what does THAT mean?!? Everything is ‘next door’ in a relative sense. Canada is next door to the U.S., England and Japan are next door to North America, George is next door to me on the couch!!?! Its just another attempt by the liberal media to keep the American citizenry in shock and fear!!!”

They just looked at me, and went on watching tv.

Admittedly, that was perhaps the best response, but still…*g*

Saturday I had big plans to get up early and be productive. But I kept lounging in bed. At one point, I got up, did a little cleaning, then went back to bed. THEN I ran into the noon hour, and had not had any caffene. So I started into withdrawl, which increased my lethargia.

Around three or four o’clock I forced myself out of bed, took a swig of Pepsi, and set about making a simple meal. My plans were to clean in the morning, then go to my auxillary office in the evening, watch a DVD and do some computer work.

It now being 4pm, I aborted that plan and resigned myself to stay home and clean. Around 5:30, my mom called. “What are you doing tonight?” “Nothing”, I admitted. “Good, well, we need you to come out and have a meal – and bring someone with you!”

They had planned to have another couple over for dinner, and my mom had made a ton of food, but the couple cancelled at the last minute (literally). “The food’s ready now, so hurry!” I got dressed, and stopped to get gas, and made it out by around 6:30.

We ate, then played cards all evening. I brought my laundry with me and washed it while we played, saving me a trip out on Sunday. I spent the night, and left for church from there in the morning.

Sunday, after church, there was a chili feed. I ate my fill in our Fellowship hall, then made my way back upstairs to work on the computers. Around 2:30, I stopped to take a nap on my pastor’s couch. It is, after all, a day of rest, and I felt no need to be driven.

I finished up around 5:00 and headed home, only to turn around again and head over to Robin & Dave’s. Dave is a NASCAR fan, and he invited me over to race a season with him on his gamesystem.

Midway through the season, we were called upstairs where Robin had made crabcakes (with special sauce), seasoned rice, white rice, and condiments — all of it artfully arrayed; a very attractive table. Earlier, she brought down to us a crackers-n-cheese plate featuring gorgonzola, and brie with cranberry chutney.

Around 1am, Dave and I saved the season with 3 races to go, and headed out to their hottub. We had a good soak in the winter air. I made it to bed around 2am, and slept very well.

Monday morning I slept in until 8:30ish. Then I really set about the cleaning. I managed to get all the loose and unfiled papers into one pile, and reclaim my kitchen and living room.

George was driving around and stopped by. While I cleaned, he described for me his encounter with his ex-wife, and how he was still trying to hold the door open for her, etc. He feels like he is moving slowly, but I think he is making average progress. He’ll be okay eventually.

We went to meet Diane for lunch. I had no cash on me, so they sprung for Taco Bell. George and I came back to my pad, and we paused briefly before we each took off to meet at the movies at 1pm.

“About Schmidt” with Jack Nicholson is great, but I am hard pressed to tell you the meaning. It was a perfect holiday matinee. I liked it, alot. Well filmed, and his acting was great, IMHO.

I was out of the movie by 3pm, and back on my work routine. I picked up some furnace filters, and went grocery shopping. Home again, I finished organizing my “tool closet” which was completely out of control, among other projects, and cooked a chicken. I really just wanted fresh broth, but the fresh cooked meat is good, too!