Mile 0: Avoidance
I wondered all week if it was ever going to hit me…I’m leaving. I’m leaving soon and I’m going to be gone a long time. The funny thing about being busy is that it almost always allows you to avoid dealing with whatever issue is at hand. Last Friday marked the end of my work life for the foreseeable future and amazingly, I didn’t even think twice about it. I just shut down the computer like it was any other Friday afternoon. I’m not sure what I was expecting…some sort of mental break-down? Pomp and circumstance? To be struck by lightening? But nothing happened…and I didn’t feel especially sad, happy, nostalgic. Nothing.
Saturday and Sunday brought lots of activity despite the boiling temperatures. My first stop on Saturday morning was to the nation’s greatest farmers’ market (can you tell I’m a bit biased?) around the Capitol Square. I took the below boring pictures (I swear they’ll get better) for those who’ve never been here. Ah yes…my last FM until next year…maybe that would prompt a slight bit of emotion? Nope, not even the prospect of a farmers’ market-less future could upset me.
On Sunday evening I had dinner with my running buddy Jenny. Here’s a picture of us after our 5K race on St. Patrick’s Day all sweaty and disgusting:
Then on Monday, it was off to the spa in the Wisconsin Dells for two days with Colette for some much-needed and much-deserved relaxation and pampering. On the way to the spa we stopped in Prairie du Sac at the Wollersheim Winery for supplies. We did a tasting and determined yet again that the dry Riesling and the Prairie Fume are the best Wollersheim wines. Here’s Colette with the Wollersheim-themed cow from the Cow Parade:
Though my days were dwindling I still don’t think it was hitting me. Until yesterday, that is. My last errand of the day was to drop off my computers at Fedex so they could be shipped back to California. I managed to do so successfully and was admiring the space freed up in the Civvy with their departure when I suddenly starting bawling. I mean, honest-to-god, tears of the most unabashed nature. Well this was unexpected…and more than a little ridiculous. Who cries over a bunch of circuitry and wiring? It finally occurred to me that I was turning over the last and only thing that had been exactly the same for me in the past five years. Through multiple moves and the death of a parent, lots of stuff has changed…but the one thing that was always the same is that every morning I logged on to the same computer, in the same manner, without fail. But once that was gone…Reality hit and I realized that this is for real. Which is good. And bad. But mostly good. So I’m glad I got that out of the way and can begin the Extravaganza in earnest.
The good news is that I’m not a dweller so I’m over it, past the point where I thought I might break down and am now ready to head out. Despite the fact that I’m starting a day later than planned, I’m off to the Twin Cities tonight to hang out with my friend Danielle and to attend a party tomorrow at the house of a very old friend from college named Bryan. Type to you all after the weekend….
Tags: 1 - Pre-departure/Madison, departure
Stacey
July 14th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Hi Stacey,
I am glad that I had my picture in the blog one more time. I am sad that I won’t be appearing again until maybe October when you stop by Madison for a few weeks. I am excited to read about all of your adventures!! Next Thursday night Ryan and I won’t know what to do without you. Don’t worry, we won’t start any new traditions. We will be ready to begin our wine and shows routine again next spring! Have fun,
Colette
July 14th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Stace, I am truly surprised by the breakdown, though somehow not so surprised that it essentially happened over computers! I’m glad you’re over it and ready for the next nine months. You haven’t even left the Mid West yet and I am already eagerly following your blog like no other…..