On taking time off...
I don't know why I do it.
The trip to Chicago was good, but not terribly relaxing. Only a slightly smaller than normal amount of driving was done, owing tot he fact that I was staying at my mom's place in Gurnee, about 40 miles North of Chicago. Arranging visits with the various folks who still actually wanted to see me was a little annoying, too.
I also happened to visit during the coldest, wettest summer I can remember. I know that I talk about how I miss the rain living out here in Southern CA, but two weeks of it nearly nonstop was a bit of a shock to my system.
I think something inside me broke, because I was melancholy and depressed for a majority of the trip. I'm not saying that it wasn't nice to see everybody; the cause of my depression is unbeknownst to me. I tended to waffle between worrying about things back in L.A. and feelings of inadequacy. Bizarre.
My mom threw a birthday party for me on the Saturday before my birthday and my only friend that showed up was a buddy from Kalamazoo who I haven't seen in 19 years. That was the pleasant surprise of the trip. Thanks, Devon. :D Still, there were a bunch of folks at the party, mostly people I know through my mom, and my sister showed up with her (surprisingly well-behaved) children.
I never realized just how out of touch I've been. THis is the first time I've met either of my nieces, the elder of which is 4 years old already. :P
Going back home after such an extended interval is a bit disconcerting. I dunno what to make of it anymore. I just know that in my heart, I still belong there, somehow.
The trip to Chicago was good, but not terribly relaxing. Only a slightly smaller than normal amount of driving was done, owing tot he fact that I was staying at my mom's place in Gurnee, about 40 miles North of Chicago. Arranging visits with the various folks who still actually wanted to see me was a little annoying, too.
I also happened to visit during the coldest, wettest summer I can remember. I know that I talk about how I miss the rain living out here in Southern CA, but two weeks of it nearly nonstop was a bit of a shock to my system.
I think something inside me broke, because I was melancholy and depressed for a majority of the trip. I'm not saying that it wasn't nice to see everybody; the cause of my depression is unbeknownst to me. I tended to waffle between worrying about things back in L.A. and feelings of inadequacy. Bizarre.
My mom threw a birthday party for me on the Saturday before my birthday and my only friend that showed up was a buddy from Kalamazoo who I haven't seen in 19 years. That was the pleasant surprise of the trip. Thanks, Devon. :D Still, there were a bunch of folks at the party, mostly people I know through my mom, and my sister showed up with her (surprisingly well-behaved) children.
I never realized just how out of touch I've been. THis is the first time I've met either of my nieces, the elder of which is 4 years old already. :P
Going back home after such an extended interval is a bit disconcerting. I dunno what to make of it anymore. I just know that in my heart, I still belong there, somehow.