Perpetual Ruminations

Good Monday? I Think Not!

Well, it's Monday morning, a good time for me... Usually.

Weekends are tough for me as a writer, or for that matter, whatever other role I'm trying to fill. Hell, they can even be rough for reading and or watching the television. Why?

It would be easy to just blame others, but I know that's not correct. In truth, it's me. I am very introverted and do my best alone. Well, not all alone, I have always had a canine companion by my side which most of the time has worked well; we seem to understand each other and share some kind of primal bond. My wife has referred to me as a true dog whisperer.

But, again I digress. What makes weekends rough is people. I have a wife and currently two teens sharing my home. Most days during the week, they are at work and school, so the house is mine from seven-thirty to three-thirty. But on days when there is no school, or no work, or both, I have to share it. That means, there is noise and commotion.

Now, I've known many people who can read and or do other tasks through all kinds of chaos, and it doesn't bother them in the least. For me, however, it's extremely difficult to filter out these interruptions. I can to some degree, but not if it's persistent. For example, if I'm trying to read or write especially, even someone watching television in the same room will interfere and make it very difficult. Music playing will also distract me. The struggle is real.

But, it goes beyond difficult. I have tried various ways of filtering out distractions. I've set my desk so I cannot see the flickering of the television, I've invested in sound-dampening earplugs, I've set up in different rooms, etc...

But, even after explaining why I can't be disturbed and removing all distractions, one teen or the other will stand over me, watching me until I stop and ask, "What do you need?"

"Well I know you are writing (reading, watching a show, or whatever I'm engrossed in) but can I...." Sometimes the younger teen will just stand there and not even say anything when I ask. I have come to understand this is her way of letting me know she just wants to sit on my lap and be held.

My wife, who quite often tells me I need to get back into my writing, will do much the same if she is home. Shortly after I get started, she will interrupt, "I know you're writing and I don't want to distract you, but I have a quick question." Or something similar.

Of course, none of these family members are introverted, so they do not understand. Also, it has something to do with focus and concentration. If I just sit around and do nothing, or fill my time with some meaningless tasks, they are fine; they will do their own thing, and hours, sometimes most of the day, will pass without any interactions with me.

But as soon as I get lost in something, which is how I do most things, they will sense it and materialize out of thin air around me...

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So, I started writing about how this Monday was not a good Monday; most Mondays are great, everyone's back to school and work so I have peace and quiet. But, today my youngest teen is home recovering from a forty-eight-hour bug. She's feeling good but still needs a day to rest and fully recover.

I got a late start with my typical weekday routine since she woke early. Finally, she was off to take a shower, then chill in her room. I logged in, looked about, then decided to write my blog entry while I had the opportunity. About halfway in, she was out of the shower and standing next to me, waiting. As I explained, that usually indicates she wants to sit on my lap for a bit.

I set my computer down, she plopped down and cuddled a bit, then asked if she could have pancakes. "Sure, but you'll have to make them." She loves to cook and seldom needs any assistance with pancakes. Today, however, she needed a lot. In fact, I ended up in the kitchen making her pancakes while she watched.

Once they were done, she was off to her room to eat and watch some TV. I sat back down with a cup of coffee to finish, but I barely was able to finish a paragraph before she was out again, asking for something to drink.

By the time I did get back to my blog, I ended up off-topic!

Oh no! She's back...