Me, myself
The firm I work for does not recognize Mental Health Days. Nor would calling in “don’t feel like it” fly. But lord, was I tempted to give it a shot this morning.
Heather: Yeah, I’m not going to be in today.
Director of Ops: Oh? Why not?
Heather: Don’t feel like it.
DOO: …
I imagine that after that silence, there’d be some hemming, hawing, shuffling of papers and then ultimately something involving a cardboard box and me updating my resume.
There really ought to be some Don’t Feel Like It days built into the standard work calendar every year. Ten vacation days, three personal days, five sick days and eleven Don’t Feel Like It days. You know, specifically designated for mornings like this one, when the sound of my alarm clock nearly had me in tears. With nothing to look forward to, nothing to compel me out of that triplicate layer of down comforters, there was no reason, so far as I could see, to get out of bed and shove my feet in shoes that pinch my toes. I pounded the snooze button with ferocity and after 54 minutes of denial, reluctantly gave in.
It could be lack of sleep, or this heavy, depressing feeling that winter is never going to end, but beyond basic life functions, I’m not up to doing much. I just don’t feel like it. Unless that “it” is frozen and comes with chocolate fudge and whipped cream. Cause, I’d be all over that.
& iPod
This morning, as is her kooky habit, Gracie forwarded me our horoscope. Let it be known, I put no stock in those things. I usually glance through them, pick out the parts I like (“I KNEW it was true love!”) and discard the rest as wacky, stargazing hogwash. Today, it was hogwash as usual (blah blah finances blah), particularly, the final two lines:
One note of caution: be careful about talking yourself into buying something extravagant that you've been considering. You may regret a big purchase now.
As if I needed further proof that these things are complete bullshit. Nobody, but nobody talks about my iPod that way.
This is true love.
I know exactly what you mean about the Don't Feel Like It days. My boss is fond of saying that those days ARE built into the work calendar - they're called weekends.
But she's on drugs, so...
Posted by: Kimberly at January 26, 2005 03:10 PMI used to do that all the time when I was employed--the "I don't feel like coming in" call. Hmmm...perhaps that's why I'm no longer employed?
Anyway, I'm all for those kinds of days built in. Remember "Office Space" ?
You, too, can be THAT guy. Feckin' TPS reports...
Posted by: Robotnik at January 26, 2005 03:19 PMSmile, tomorrow will be worse. ;-)
Posted by: Derek at January 26, 2005 04:04 PMAn iPod is SO not an extravagance.
Posted by: Robert at January 26, 2005 04:18 PMhe's knows your favorite songs, never makes a mess, he'll entertain you during your tiring commute, lonely you will be no more, for you have your ipod.
now just don't be one of those annoying people who speaks at decible levels 10 times louder than necessary just to say "WHAT? SPEAK UP I CAN'T HEAR YOU"
Posted by: ak at January 26, 2005 04:22 PMIt my world, it sure is! Eat or have iPod. But the rent will still get paid, god damn it!
Posted by: Fish at January 26, 2005 04:22 PMI know how you feel, I felt glued to my bed this morning, as if my body was made out of lead.
Then the dogs jumped on me.
So very sad.
I may have to get an ipod!
I've actually called in sick on these "Don't Feel Like It" days, leaving the sleepy message on the boss's voicemail that I wasn't feeling well and didn't think I'd be in. (The less detail the better)
I call them mental health days.
i haven't done it in a while, but when i call in - i generally do it right as i wake up so my voice sounds very sickly. it's much more convincing. :)
Posted by: red at January 26, 2005 04:53 PMAmen. I'm a firm believer in Mental Health Days.
Posted by: Robin at January 26, 2005 05:05 PMThree comforters? Siberia isn't that cold!
Also, I've always wondered why snooze was nine minutes, and not some more sensible figure.
Posted by: Gopi at January 26, 2005 05:12 PMbecause ten minutes is officially oversleeping. nine minutes is just moving slowly from the bed vicinity.
Posted by: Porter at January 26, 2005 05:52 PMI know how each of you feel. Lately I've slept a little later, dragged my feet across the floor a little more, and generally feel some great need to take action!
Of course that action in no way involves work. Instead I want it to be warm so I can be outside romping in the sun. Of course I will then lament sitting in the office all that glorious time.
I propose that we, as employees, be given the summer and winter off. Every important thing can get done in spring and fall. Right? Right.
It is love, I just got the "Dell Pod". I, too had it delivered to work. The afternoon isn't as productive as it should have been but hey, them's the ropes.
Posted by: Mike at January 26, 2005 06:16 PMOh god, please don't tell me you're an Aries!
because if that is MY horoscope I am going to cry.
I have my little ol' heart set on the Digital Rebel (in fact...I blogged about it last night)
and I can't stand the fact that I shouldn't...even though I know I shouldn't...buy it.
I hope that your day improved. I found you via the bloggie awards and I wanted to say that your site is really pretty, and I'm not usually a fan of pink. Beautiful design.
Posted by: Jenny at January 27, 2005 01:03 AMHi This Fish :) I'm new to your journal, found it via a friend's site (http://eleanorholmes.com/blog/). Thought I should introduce myself ;)
I had one of those days this morning, I know exactly how you feel. Hope tomorrow is better :)
Posted by: Harmony at January 27, 2005 05:57 AMI am one day behind you...
Posted by: BB at January 27, 2005 08:43 AMi know the ipod is a splurge, but for me it's been ever trustworthy and a faithful companion. yesterday i took her out and bought her a pink dress (a.k.a. carrying sleeve) and a little gizmo that sticks on top and lets it play on a radio frequency. genius! ipod love defies horoscope guilt over spending. enjoy yours!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: sassylittlepunkin at January 27, 2005 09:32 AMJust feeds my theory that you CAN love things that are battery operated...
Posted by: adriann at January 27, 2005 11:21 AMI've never understood ipods or mac's so I can't involve myself in your excitment waiting for the Fed Ex guy. I am not gay, but if I was who would I be waiting anxiously for most, the UPS guy or the Fed Ex guy? Good question. That's a toughy.
Let me introdude myself to fish and the fish fans (like PHish fans). My name is David Hasselhoff. I am a 27 year old prescribed "computer geek". Besides running multiple websites, working in a small crampted office as a website broker and publisher of an online magazine on Vermont yuppies - I really don't have much of a life.
Fish said she is freezing. Imagine living up in the mountains of Vermont where your mustache freezes instantly from the mucus that dribbles from your nose.
I saw a stand-up comic several years ago that had a schtick about calling in blind...he just couldn't see coming in today. That's been a running joke around our house since then. Sometimes you just have to call in blind. Hope today is better, Fish!
Posted by: Melinda at January 27, 2005 12:58 PMfish, dear. never doubt the ipod. mine and i are so close i have taken to crocheting it sweaters. hm. is that the sort of thing one discloses in a public forum?
Posted by: joi at January 27, 2005 05:54 PMI voted for you and for some reason I feel special. Yep I need to find something to do when I am at work:)
Posted by: Dee at January 27, 2005 06:58 PMAt my old job we had a joke on Friday afternoons. "I am having an eye problem" "Eye (I) can't see myeslf staying here much longer". Long live the mental health day!
I totally thought of your new IPOD when I read this... check it out if you're looking for a case!
http://members.aol.com/estrellasdenoche/
Posted by: Amy at January 28, 2005 12:53 PM