A true day off!

Most of the time, when I get a day off, that day is filled up really fast. Holidays and weekends are filled with errands, events with friends, family dinners, church activities, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera... sometimes, at the end of my "day off" I am more tired than at the end of a normal work day.

I initially planned to take today off from work because I thought I'd be seeing the Harry Potter movie at midnight, and I didn't want to have to get up early and go to work the next day. Well, since I saw the movie yesterday, I considered going to work today... but then I realized that I have spent the bulk of the last two months getting ready for another big software release, which I finally completed last week. I am having a blast with rehearsals, but three weeks of working all day and rehearsing all evening takes its toll on a person's physical, mental and emotional energy. I had one day off from rehearsal last week -- possibly the only one I'll have before we open in three weeks -- and I spent the free evening working (really, it was lucky that the one day I really needed to work late was the night I did not have a rehearsal). I felt I needed the already-scheduled day off to rest. A day to renew myself.

So, last night I fell asleep at a normal time (I don't think I could have stayed awake for a midnight show if I'd tried)... and realized that I don't have anything expected of me until rehearsal tonight!

It was a TRUE day off!

Wanna know how I spent it?

• 10am: I got out of bed. I only slept until 8 and then just drowsed for two hours just because I could. While getting ready I half-heartedly tried to wash the blue out of my hair that I had put in for the Harry Potter movie without actually getting my whole head wet. Was only mildly successful. Blue traces remain and I'm fine with that.
• 11am: I had my eyes checked. In order to remain eligible for my "lifetime" LASIK plan, I am required to have an eye exam every year. Unfortunately, my left eye is developing an astigmatism. They told me I could get a touch-up, but although I'm resigned to the fact I'll probably need another surgery sometime in the future, I decided to delay the pleasure since the left eye really isn't that bad. The right eye is still 20/20. Woo-hoo! Fortunately, according to the nurse I can see well enough to pass a driver's license test. We'll be putting that to the test later this year. Meanwhile, they dilated my eyes, which didn't fully subside for about 5 hours. Bleh...
• 11:50am: Saw Green Lantern at Jordan Commons. Of course, the movie started 10 minutes earlier than the listed time, but I still made it in time to see the beginning. I've been wanting to see the movie for weeks, and I enjoyed it! Whimsical, actors having fun, cool CGI and fight scenes. A good flick for a lazy day :-D
• Decided to buy a crepe to eat for lunch while I watched the movie. When I walked up to the counter, I was surprised to see that the cashier was my own cutie little Sleeping Beauty, Michelle! Fun!! I adore her!



Michelle and I in Sleeping Beauty at the Children's Theatre in 2009

• 1:45pm: After the movie, I filled up the gas tank, bought soup at Cafe Rio (to be eaten later since I was still satisfied by that tasty crepe), stopped at the bank (so rare for me to get there during office hours!), bought a snow cone with cream at the local Hawaiian Ice, ate the snow cone while I refilled a prescription and bought yogurt and carrots (and discovered there was another snow cone place in front of the grocery store), and then finally arrived home.
• 3:30pm: Fooled around on Facebook and wrote that "Book of Harry" blog post.
• 5pm: Took a nap too late in the day, but I don't regret it.
• 6pm: Ate the Cafe Rio soup.
• 7:05pm: Went to rehearsal (I was late due to traffic lights), where we finished blocking the second act. I love, love, love my cast! They are hilarious and talented! Favorite line of the night? 

J: "And the witch explodes." 

M: "And then, the audience explodes... with applause!"

You really had to be there. 

Jamie, our insanely-talented Witch, with a creepy
 doll head I won in a McDonald's Happy Meal

• 9:30pm: Stopped by Harmons on the way home to buy a new color Del Sol nail polish for less than $5, then the Century 16 to purchase tickets for David and I to see Harry Potter tomorrow. 
• 10pm: Arrived home, put away wash, hand-washed some items, put away clothes strewn about my bed, painted toes with new nail polish, ate chocolate cake, and watched Daria on DVD.
• Midnight: Watched a bit of Grey's Anatomy while getting ready for bed. On the whole, I'm not a huge fan of the 5th season, but I remain loyal to Cristina and Dr. Bailey.
• Sometime after midnight: Went to sleep.

Tomorrow will be one of those days where I am crazy-busy doing things I like to do with people I love. It will be exhausting, and I'll enjoy every minute.

Today, I am grateful for the chance to just do stuff I wanted to do. Sure, I needed to have my eyes checked and prescription filled, but even those activities were fun in the context of my "do-nothing" day.

Hope you all have a similar day soon, and so do I!