After finishing a project, I tend to notice things that need to get done. Haircut, minor cleaning, figuring out what that noise in my car engine is, sleeping, etc. The thing is that it gets to look like a list because I’m still kind of in schedule mode. This isn’t like I’m off for a holiday where family takes front and center. Not having anything urgent to do (except for the car thing, which is today) leaves me a little lost at times and it seems I’m not the only one.
So, I’m going to ask a simple question to everyone:
Legends of Windemere 
I am pretty much housebound, meeting someone else’s schedule and routine, doing laundry, cooking meals. So when my husband goes OOT, I like to take in different scenery, go someplace new, a beach, a museum, across town to watch the street vendors, get a pedicure and have my brows waxed…on my own schedule for a few days. Sometimes I read.
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I’m doing the reading thing for the next few days since my car’s in the shop. Not that I can think of anywhere to go by myself. Beyond the mall, there’s nowhere to wander off to. Well, there’s the park, but it’s cold.
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Spontaneity. I don’t know what it would be like in NJ. Go into NYC. See a museum. Ride a bus and see where it takes you. A change of scenery someplace…just for the hell of it. Or read a book. Some distraction from that which consumes you. Something that will spur the imagination. Build a fort or a tree house in the back yard…oh yeah it’s cold…I forget that.
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Unfortunately, getting into NYC is rather expensive with the trains and subways. That and I have to be around at 3 for when the toddler comes home. For now, reading and maybe catching up on movies on DVD is the best way to go for me.
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I generally try to catch up on a few of the things that I neglected, especially if I have time off and I am not going out of town on vacation. After that I try to clear my mind a bit and refresh myself, its good for the health. Sounds like you have a similar mind in this regard.
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Definitely playing catch up the next few days. Feels good to relax.
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I also play catch-up with projects and people. If money was no object and I could get out (and didn’t have to watch a child) I would catch up on the movies I’ve missed. Yay for Netflix!!!
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That money thing always trips me up. 🙂
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I usually whip out a new game and play it until I’ve mastered it. I’m talking about video game here. I love a good RPG, but sometimes, all I want to do is shoot stuff. Those old Republic Commando games from Lucas Arts had their day at my house. Love playing them and wish I could play them again on my new laptop. Even the Battlefront games were amazing!
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Video games sound like a great idea. I might dust off the PS2 and toss in a game. Maybe a little God of War or God of War 2.
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God of War ROCKS!!!! Even 2 is good also! Ah, man, now you’ve got me excited to want to take a break–but I can’t! 😦 Oh, well…have fun, bud!
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Thanks. I’ll be saving the games for next week though. Need to prepare for a possible trip this weekend, so I’m getting some errands out of the way. Also reading, which is causing an issue. If I’m engrossed in a book, I fall asleep. I’ve already napped twice today.
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Never been able to just relax myself and envy those that can, ticking clock in my head makes me feel foolish when not thinking. Reading and writing is my fun time and there is far too precious little of that hohowhat! Best wishes from baldy
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That’s what I fighting now. I have the outline for my next book out in the open too, which is driving me a little batty. Probably have to avoid this room.
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If I don’t have to play catch-up in other areas of my life, I wander around aimlessly – enjoy ridiculous amounts of coffee, play a game (computer) and then finally, squeeze in the book I’ve been complaining I haven’t been able to read for X # of weeks! 🙂
Hope you get to enjoy your free time!
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Thanks. I’m doing the book thing, which I might actually be able to finish by the end of the month. Tried wandering aimlessly, but I’m not the only one in the house. Raises questions when I look lost around here.
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Indeed, it would (although, no one ever questions it at my house… then again, I think the boy is just used to me looking lost!). Enjoy your book.
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I’ll be enjoying it until some TV shows come on. Tonight is going to be a lot of bumming around and sneaking a page or two in at commercial breaks. 🙂
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As one with a literary blog, I always take my spare time to write, write, write! Fun discussion brewing here, great question.
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Thanks. I’m typically writing and I’ll be tackling one of my WIP for a bit. Just character designs and outlines to get it into a more solid form. I need this kind of downtime between novel writing to avoid burnout. 🙂
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As a Myers-Briggs INTJ type (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INTJ), reading, thinking, and writing is heaven on Earth. But a pastime that I can and do turn to in a heartbeat is playing albums on my turntable (www.idler-wheel-drive.com). Whether jazz, classical, folk, acoustic, vocal, or rock from my youth, music connects me with my emotions like nothing else can.
Beethoven was right: Music is more profound than philosophy.
Now I just need to write that best seller so I can get some decent speakers and tube amps! };-)>
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I have music playing during most things that I do. As long as the other thing isn’t noise related like TV. Music has been my go-to background noise since I was a kid. 🙂
How much do decent speakers and tube amps go for?
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You can do an excellent entry-level DIY speaker from http://www.commonsenseaudio.com and integrated tube amp (Dynamo 34 SE, http://coincidentspeaker.com/mpsip_amps.html) for around $1,750 to $2,000.
Serious speakers can be $5,000 to $30,000++. Serious tube gear, phono + preamp + power amps, can be $18,000 to $50,000++.
Best place for unvarnished truth about gear is http://www.high-endaudio.com. Not a spectacular website in terms of visuals, but there is a treasure trove of information there.
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What would I do? Aside from going a bit bonkers? …I’d probably copy this post for inspiration! 🙂
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Thanks. Love the word bonkers.
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Beer >>> Sleep 🙂
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I’ve got vodka if that works.
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People tell me I am a terrible social drinker, so I tend to stir away from anything stronger then beer when not in good company.
But, a vodka with you at the table, would I think, yield at least 3 books per few hours 😀
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My stomach doesn’t really agree with beer, so I’m more of a liquor or wine drinker. Not sure when that happened, but it means I can’t usually afford what I want to drink.
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