Category Archives: Solitary Fun

Nov 28 2012
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Chicago Specific Fun, Fun at Work, Solitary Fun

Day 65: My Moment of Zen

My place of work, aside from producing quality theatre, has some of the best views of the city. The second best location for gazing upon these views is the employee lunch room. (The best is the sixth floor bathrooms). Today, instead of obsessively checking my email, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for half an hour, I took in the view while eating. It was so calming–the city looked impressive but it was the lake that drew me in–and serene with the sun beginning to set (I ignored the totally depressing fact that it was 3pm and the sun was already setting). This is among the simplest fun I’ve had, yet one of the best because I was able to just relax and enjoy the day without stresses, worries, work or anything getting in the way. My moment of zen if you will. Here is my attempt to share it with you. #nofilter

Nov 27 2012
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Fun at Work, Reader Suggested Fun, Solitary Fun

Day 64: Playing Footsie

Suggested activity, “wear silly socks on a day when others can see them to see who talks about them.”

Well, since Elphaba ate one and a half pairs of my shoes, I don’t have many winter weather and work appropriate shoes left.  This morning, when I was at a loss at what to wear on my feet, I remembered this suggested activity and decided to go for it. I went to work with my feet looking like this.

At first, I felt a little embarrassed. Like when someone high up at the theater got out of his car the same time I did and I thought we might ride the elevator together with my socks. That did not end up happening, but I was ashamed of myself for feeling embarrassed–totally not in the spirit of this activity. So then I started trying to get people to notice them by sticking my feet out from under the desk, doing full body stretches, and getting up from my chair a lot.

After hours of no one saying anything, I finally declared, “Hey look at my socks! I’m wearing them for fun!” I then got the responses I wanted: positive comments, eye rolls and chuckles. It was definitely fun trying to get people to notice them, but maybe I need some even sillier socks for this activity to really work?

Nov 26 2012
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Guilty Pleasures, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 63: PJ Day

Guilty Pleasure Monday today brought some unexpected fun. At noon I was still in my pajamas and it occurred to me that it had been a long time since I was in pajamas at noon. When my health was poorer, I often wore pajamas for days, changing my clothes in to other pajamas. It was more comfortable and I just did not feel like putting the effort in to getting dressed. Today, I had a busy morning cleaning, doing laundry and working on a photo project. I just hadn’t gotten dressed yet.

So I decided to make it fun, to take back pajamas as a comfy indulgence rather than a utilitarian necessity. I continued the day in my pajamas, even walked the dog in them. In fact, I’m still wearing them now!

Nov 19 2012
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Around the House/DIY, Guilty Pleasures, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 56: Ikea

Guilty Pleasure Monday today = a trip to Ikea! While I know this is the furthest thing from a pleasure for many people, I love it. I like strolling through the entire store from start to finish, looking at all the furniture and decor, deciding if I think I can cover picture frames with the fabric from a bedspread or if it makes sense that a regular human can put all these items together using nothing but a crank, all while eating a cinnamon roll. It’s the best.

When I shop alone, I inevitably take forever, like roam through sections totally aimlessly and make decisions at a glacial pace forever. Today was no different. I took my time and thought about things, rather than making rash decisions or purchases. I sat down several times to keep my feet well rested and came to the conclusion that while I could use a bedspread to cover picture frames, I might find a better deal on fabric at a place like JoAnn’s. I did, however, decide that I need a shoe rack to contain the mess that is my husband’s shoes and two side tables that Young House Love assures me I can make in to a headboard. (It’s one project that is in the book and not on the website).

Ikea makes it pretty easy to get items in to a car, but I’m waiting for the hubs to get home to bring those items up to our place. The headboard may end up with its own separate post. Wish me happy building!

Nov 08 2012
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Fitness, Fun at Work, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 45: Stairway to Work

Some challenges to my mobility I avoid and others I meet head on. One I have been avoiding for months is the staircase leading up to the theatre where I work. It is a double wide, double long set of stairs that goes from the main level of the pier up to the theatre. Most people use this every day to get to work or to get lunch.

I have had huge problems with stairs since my knees have been inflamed and, since I have to take them in my apartment building, I avoid them everywhere else. When I do have to take stairs I usually take them one at a time putting all the pressure on my right leg and none on the left, so the left one is really weak from lack of use.

For the most part, I try to park on the same level as the theater itself so I can just waltz by these stairs and maybe shoot them a nasty look. If I have to go down to the main pier level, I take the elevators and usually think about the mechanics of having elevators on a structure built over the water. Hmm.

Today, however, I parked on the main level (because I wanted some Jamba Juice) and started toward the elevators, but something stopped me. Recently, my knees have been much better so I decided to make an attempt. It might not have looked pretty but, using the railing for support, I took those steps the regular way, one foot in front of the other. I feel so good now, like I accomplished something. And also relieved that I won’t have to take that sketchy elevator anymore. I wish I had a picture to show of me celebrating like Rocky at the top of the steps.

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