Sunday, September 27, 2009

Just a Little Patience

Isn't it funny how we all long for things and then when we get them, they're not what we expected them to be at all? Towards the end of summer I was longing for just a little time to myself. Just a little time to myself with no obligations seemed too much to even dream of. I'd be willing to bet a few of you are reading that wistfully right now and thinking, "If only...." Well that's what I've got now. I've got all the time in the world. Every moment is "me time".

And I am bored out of my skull.

Apparently I'm not great company for myself.

I took a ton of books out of the library and even bought a couple in anticipation of an extended convalescence. There was a week there where I read voraciously, but now I can't seem to concentrate on even the simplest of plots. I can't stay on track for an hour long TV show, for Pete's sake. I have been knitting, but only small projects. I have no patience. A project I couldn't finish in a day or two would yield nothing but frustration. People try to visit with me, but I bring nothing to the table. Try having a conversation and having nothing to contribute. It's not fun. Especially when concentration is an issue. My conversations are more like lectures that I zone in and out of. I feel myself doing it, and I'm fully aware of how impolite it is, but I just don't seem to have any control.

Tom wants me to rest and heal.

I know I need to do this.

But I am so bored with myself.

Late last week and early this weekend I incorporated a few outings and some light housework. And now I'm in pain. I hadn't been in pain before, I'd just been tired and bored (and a little sore). Now I'm tired, bored, sore AND hurting.

So I'm back to taking it slow. Can anyone suggest a nice anthology of short stories? I bet I could get through a short story or two...

Baby steps baby steps.

No wonder babies cry so much...

23 comments:

JennyMac said...

So sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Happy healing, but in the interim, I don't read any short stories right now..but what about magazines?

Hope you feel better soon Tammy!

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

Sorry you are bored and in pain! Hope all is better soon!! I have no short stories for you...I don't have time to read since school started back up.

Mama-Face said...

Yes, I know what you mean on all counts; other than the knitting, that I could never figure out.

'Now I know why babies cry"

Genius, pure genius. You have not lost your touch at all. (For example, your last blog comment to me. :) )

NO vacuuming, girl. Why it's the worst I don't know but it will set you back for days. Rest is the Best. Though mind numbingly boring!

SparkleFarkel said...

How about a GIANT stack of Archie comic books? Not too mind boggling and they'll take you to a nice, comfy place where we all need to go to sometimes. Be better soon!

Pam said...

Ugh! Nothing worse than being bored and not being able to do anything to fix it. I can definitely recommend short stories. These are not anthologies, but they are awesome. I'm not a short story fan, but these have made me reconsider.

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Stout

Happy reading!

Linda said...

I don't have any short stories to recommend but how about DVDs. I just picked up "Thirtysomething", what a great series that was!

I hope your feeling better soon. Don't overdue it, pace yourself!

Becky said...

Have you seen the HBO series "6 Feet Under"? I own the whole series and could lend it to you? It is my FAVORITE IN THE WHOLE WORLD!

I also have the whole DVD series of "Weeds"...have you seen them..good, good, and good!

I can get you hooked girl if you want...it ain't pretty:)

Lynn said...

I vote for magazines!
I work crossword puzzles, but they do require concentration.

Jigsaw puzzles?

The last time I had to be still for a whole week, I watched episode after episode of St. Elsewhere.

Alex the Girl said...

Dexter, seasons 1, 2, and 3. It takes an episode or two to get into it, but he's not your average serial killer.

I'm in a rut, too. It's bordering on the edge of depression, but not quite yet there.

You know, once you can rid yourself of the toxins from your surgury and then pain killers, you'll get out of your trip, but by then you won't have a problem with nothing to do. Kind of like a double edged sword.

Grrr. Wasn't much help, huh.

Melissa B. said...

Send me your address...I've got a couple of great reads on my basement shelves that are calling your name! Feel better, take it slow. You want to be able to really get up and at 'em again real soon, right?

Macey said...

I'm totally addicted to those dang Beveryly Lewis Amish books. :/
SERIOUSLY addicted.

Claudya Martinez said...

If you've never read it "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros is good.

AiringMyLaundry said...

Sorry you're in pain :(

Maybe read a bunch of magazines? I know I always enjoy those.

Sandy said...

You've got lots of good suggestions here for things to read and watch.

Rest.....sleep.....write.....this will be history soon.

BONNIE K said...

It is very hard being out of commission. When I had my abscessed tooth and was in pain for a week before realizing what I had, I spent the time watching Housewives of NJ or whatever Housewives was on. And what Pam offered above is great - Jhumpa Lahiri writes the BEST short stories I've ever read.

Gibby said...

Oh Tammy, that sucks! I don't like short stories, so I can't recommend any. Do you have On Demand? I highly recommend the show "Whale Wars." It's like Deadliest Catch but better.

You know what I think you should do? Start writing a book. You are an amazing writer and should be PUBLISHED!! Start with some short stories of your own!

Anonymous said...

At the end of every summer I'm so ready for the kids I nanny for to go back to school. Then they go and I'm all "I'm BORED!"

Hope you feel better!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Tammy, that totally sucks!!! I have to admit after moving this past week (and still buried by boxes) it sounds heavenly but I think i would only last a day or two too!! Here's hoping it goes fast and you feel better soon. So sorry!!

Debbie said...

Oh Tammy, I'm so sorry you have having such a rough time. I know how hard it is to concentrate at times like that and how frustrating it is. Try not to be so hard on yourself!

Tracie said...

I hopped over here from The Scholastic Scribe's blog. Congrats on your award. I'm sorry to hear about your surgery and recovery. I vote for magazines, too. (Vanity Fair has great articles.)Also, are there any tv shows you've never gotten around to watching? You could get all the eps on DVD.

Hope you are able to get up and at 'em soon!

Unknown said...

I'm late coming to the whine fest.......so sorry.
I hope the suggestions help you.
I like magazines for shorter readings. I get addicted to blogs for reading too.
Take it easy Tammy........and you're not a baby!

Liz Mays said...

I'm sorry that you're feeling the pain a bit more. It's so hard to rest as much as they tell you to rest. You start to feel good, so you do too much and then you feel worse. I wish there was something I could think of to help keep you entertained!

Carma Sez said...

Have you read the Bone books - graphic novels?? My son loves them but they are meant for adults too and you can read them in short spurts..