Well, I’m in my 4th day of unemployment. It’s not weird. It’s like the vacation I was unable to take for the last year or so. Of course, I’ve been sick for the past 3 days, so it’s been a pretty shitty vacation.

Anyway, I had my group lunch on Thursday, organized by Katie U. Half the company was in a meeting during lunch, so only 4 people were able to join in. My last day was interesting. It was a mix of people wanting to suck last minute work out of me or say goodbye. There were some nice reunions in my little office area. Adam & Mike stopped by for awhile. I had chinese with Adam, Amy, & Mitch. I wanted my last day to be with those who had befriended me since day one, nearly 3 years ago. It was a lovely lunch (even if Adam didn’t get up on the table and perform a monologue for the other buffet-diners).  Thinking how it would be the last one later that afternoon brought tears to my eyes. I had to distract myself to get through the day. Spencer & Nate did present me with a going away gift tho. It was very nice.

So how do I feel about my decision 4 days in to it? Just fine. No regrets at all. Yes, I’m definitely anxious about finding a new job, but it feels so nice to be free of all the negativity I was bringing home with me. I look forward to rejoining society in another week or so and having my conversations consist of something more than work talk.

I had an eventful Saturday night with my family. My dad keeps us out later than any of my other friends. We had dinner at the thirty-six, went bowling with a bunch of people my age (the people that didn’t know I existed in HS), back to the thirty-six, and then ended the night at the cast away’s. I bowled a 187, so everyone wanted me on their team. It was a new career high.

I had an interesting encounter at the Cast Away’s. I noticed a familiar face at the bar, but couldn’t pinpoint who it was. Well, turns out he was an old classmate. I’d barely spoken to him in HS…we ran in two very different crowds, which is probably why I’d found him so intriguing. Anyway, we were in the same PE class and I think I injured him in every team sport we played. I didn’t do it on purpose. It was more like my clumsiness was drawn to him. Back to present day, so he walks over and leave it to my mom to say “Hey Marco, do you remember Mindy?” Thanks for making me feel 13 mom. Well, he remembered me apparently. He’d had quite a bit to drink, and so he proceeded to flirt with me (I think): “Love your hair. I love short hair. I mean, I really, really like short hair.  Do you see everyone staring at me because I’m standing with you? I’d ask for your number if I hadn’t been drinking.” I looked like crap, I was out at the bar with my family, and yet, a cute guy was flirting with me. It was awesome. I don’t remember the last time a guy flirted with me. It was really nice but he went missing when we were leaving so I have no contact info. I don’t know if anything will come of it, but it was nice for what it was. First time since cutting all my hair off that a guy actually complimented it instead of assuming I was gay. A pleasant change of pace.

Monday brought a trip to Lafayette with the parents. At some point…maybe it was the weekend, I got a text from Mitch asking how my retirement was going. Yeah, I think that was saturday. Funny how the days blur when Monday is no different than Friday.

Oh, but wait, I did something intellectual that I should mention. I read a book…all the way to the end! The Dog Knows How. It worked out joining the parents on their trip to the accountant. I had to wait in the lobby for an hour & a half. I didn’t love the book…it was a series of short stories and there were a few that were really good. Definitely some interesting stories, but I wasn’t a huge fan of his writing style. Either way, it was nice to be reading again. I hope I can keep it up…my reading level is slipping by the day. I welcome situations that force me to read to entertain myself. I often times lack the discipline.

Well, this cold/sinus infection/whatever it is, has me pretty screwed up. I woke up last night to what seemed to be an asthma attack. I was pretty sure I was going to die and no one would know, a fear that those who live alone often have. I survived it, though it shook me up pretty badly. I was pacing around my apartment at 3am, trembling. I don’t feel well at all. I fear this is more serious than a cold, but I’m too confused by my whole insurance situation at the moment to try to do anything about it. I’m taking care of myself best I can and just hoping for the best. My ears need to pop and it’s driving me crazy.

Anyway, I’m going to go back to being ill. I just needed to get some sort of post up before my brain was completely fried by this sickness. Looks like I’ll be missing game night & tyler’s show and maybe even the super bowl party this weekend. Of course, I’d go a year without being sick only to fall ill as soon as I grant myself an ounce of freedom.

But hey, I did break my bowling record and get hit on, so it hasn’t been a complete waste.