Tomorrow I leave for Peoria to spend with the weekend with my parents. Mother’s Day and all.
While I was catching up on some stuff tonight, I realized I hadn’t packed. This isn’t a big trip – just three hours by car. I have to put some food and water out for the cat, put clothes in my little suitcase thing, and pack up the computer. Also, I’m bringing the dog, so a few of her things.
Usually I do this the night before, as is the sensible thing to do. That way I can get up and not have to race around before I leave for work.
Tonight I made a conscious desicion to not pack. Sometimes it’s just more fun not to do what’s smart.
Remember in college when you waited until the day before the exam to study? Or staying up all night on Dexedrine writing the term paper? And then would you vow to never do that again?
Well, the good news is that most of us are out of college. College was great, don’t get me wrong. Never had I so much time to screw around. But we don’t get to do a lot of those things anymore. I mean, I guess we can put off our taxes until mid April, but that’s about it.
So, I was about to pack tonight. And then, the rebellious twenty year old me said…
Not tonight! You’re going to race around last minute in the morning and do all this. It will be awesome. Do it!
I think I have to engage my immature part every so often just to keep sane. I remember my Mother gave me a card once that simply said on the inside, “Don’t EVER grow up.” She didn’t mean to be a loser man-child not capable of being responsible and living in the real world. I was a silly child. She meant don’t give up the silly.
While silly isn’t always a great idea, practically speaking, it’s usually fun.
For example – this blog. Could this blog hurt my ability in the corporate world? Sure it could. This website is silly and honest and extremely non-corporate. Not sure some employers would want a guy who writes about stuff like this on their roster. I’ve accepted the reality of that.
The downside is that should I ever look for a new job, this may be an issue. The upside is that I have a level of fulfillment that is very important to my well-being. It’s interesting that being more myself (note – honest, silly, emotional, reflexive) results in this fulfillment.
So, tomorrow I’ll race around last minute to get packed, probably cursing this decision. Oh, and speaking of, I need to get a card before Sunday, when all that’s left are the Hallmark ones written in Spanish. DÃa de las Madres!
Jennifer says:
“Sometimes it’s just more fun not to do what’s smart.” Yes, EXACTLY. Thank you!
D.J. Paris says:
Like worry about HPV. (hmm… I may have crossed a boundary here.)
TammyL says:
I was too uptight to have the typical college experience. I never had an all nighter. I never put off a project to the last minute. I studied every Friday night. I went to two parties in four years. I had straight As but no life. I think your experience was better, especially since no one has ever asked about my grades in school!
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who doesn’t want a serenade by mariachi bands. I’ve always joked that you paid them to make them go away!
D.J. Paris says:
@TammyL NERD!
impatientinwpb says:
I frequently run around like a maniac packing the morning of a trip and always swear that I won’t do it the next time. The funny thing is that I tend to forget less items when I pack in a hurry than when I plan ahead. Like in college – last minute papers were always more brilliant than the ones I started as soon as assigned. Therefore, based upon my research, procrastination is the best way to go.
D.J. Paris says:
@impatientinwpb Just created this for you – https://www.facebook.com/groups/159270907531126/
elleroy5 says:
I’m so with you on this! In fact, I’m thinking of starting a Facebook page for procrastinators. One of these days…
D.J. Paris says:
@elleroy5 Simple, elegant, brilliant. Nice comment, singer!
D.J. Paris says:
@elleroy5 https://www.facebook.com/groups/159270907531126/