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Monday, February 16, 2009

Maybe I Have the SAD?

I wonder if I could get a doctor’s prescription for a tan?

I couldn’t possibly be that shallow, could I? I couldn’t possibly, with the economy the way it is, be concerned about getting a tan, could I?

I wouldn’t bet against it.

I miss my tan. Remember being tan, all brown and healthy-looking? Remember believing that getting a tan made you look healthy? Laying on the beach with a bottle of baby oil for your skin and a lemon for your hair…

I want it back. Today. I want to lay on the beach right now. I want hear someone’s tinny AM/FM radio coming from a blanket somewhere down the sand a bit. I want to lay on a big towel with no concerns other than what I’m wearing tonight and who will be there, once I get to wherever I’m going.

I want to hear no further from the following words: deadline, benchmarking, database,
vacuum cleaner.

I do not want to schedule the following items: a teeth-cleaning, tax preparation, a mammogram, or a cat’s-ass shaving.

I want to lie on my belly, propped up on my elbows, reading a book that is neither instructional nor enlightening. I want to be amused. I want it to be sanctioned by my workplace.

Wait a minute. A word has just sprung to mind: vacation. We used to call it a vacation, didn’t we?

Vacation.

I like the sound of that, and I’m gonna do it.

I’ll be, as they say in corporate America, “out of pocket” for the next few days, returning on the 19th. I’m very sorry to say that there will be no tanning, no sun, and no beach involved; but I did find a place with a fireplace and a hot tub, which should help me turn from my fantasy-brown to reality-red, anyway.

Not sure if I’ll be able to comment while away from home, but I know I’ll be able to post.

Be good, now, until I get back.

25 comments:

rachael chatoor said...

have brilliant time, your post made me imagine the feel of sand inbetween my toes!!! I'm a sure the hot tub will be fab alternative. :)

Unknown said...

I'm hitting the beach myself for the next week. Let's hope for good weather for us both.

By the way, in Germany you can actually get a tonic for depression because of the weather and every citizen is allowed up to a one week stay at a Health Resort on your employer. It's law, no lie :) It's also why there are so many suntan places around here. To literally sun off the depression.

rtju said...

Have fun storming the castle, I mean on vacation.

Just relax and read and write, don't even think about work or cat's-ass shaving.

darsden said...

Pearl com'on down I'll take you to the beach every day, believe me you will be entertained *smirk* You know I bring my own friends so there is always a party...whaca mean you can't see them, the're right there! Anyway have a toasty holiday in the hot tub. (reminds me of Eddie Murphys "too hot in the hot tub skit on SNL) you will be missed but man, can't wait to hear about it all. Have Cheevil Time Pearl xoxo

Ann Imig said...

My friend Maria still has a little radio just for that purpose. She's very detail/ambience oriented. Have a wonderful time.

♥ Braja said...

Pearl honey, I don't think there's another blogger in the universe who has more memories the same as mine: big bands, baby oil tanning, lemon in the hair, and a thousand others that I have read on your posts and marvelled at the similarities....I was going to write "you rock," but that would be like saying I rock, in a way, wouldn't it? Having said that, you rock :)
xoxoxo

Kavi said...

sounds like loads of fun. And you are priming us all up !!

Well, well well, lets see what you write while on vacation !

:)

Have fun !

Michelle said...

Yes we know your on vacation Pearly-Q!!!!

Are you there yet???

Or still packing??

I WILL MISS YOU GIRLIE!!!

HAVE TONS O FUN!!!

Eskimo Bob said...

Pearl -

Enjoy the time away. Personally I'm glad that you will continue to have Vitamin D deficiency. I think it's the lack of endorphins that are made that allows northerners to have a sense of humor. If we were happy most of the time - and not put off by the months of darkness and cold - there would be hardly a reason to find the humor in small things like avoiding death at -45 degrees.

Enjoy it and may Sven not cause too much havoc.

Bella@That damn expat said...

That beach description sounds perfect.

Have fun on your vacation!

Steve said...

Tans are over priced, over rated and (alas) not over here. What's wrong with being pale and interesting? Or just pale? It works for me.

(If you find a doctor can I have a referral?)

jola said...

My aunt always reffered to my Minnesota winter look as "Minnesota Pasty". I now am fortunate enough to have my very own tanning room in my shop. Enjoy your vacation!

Ian Lidster said...

I won't be good but I will be careful. Have a wonderful time and tan and I'll seethe with envy.

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

I need one of those like yesterday!

Jennyff said...

Sorry to be pedantic but I believe the remedy for SAD is to get at least 20 minutes of sunlight into your eyes each day, no undressing or oil involved. I do agree that tanning would solve the problem and make you feel good at the same time. Hope the holiday has the desired effect.

fingers said...

Brown fat good...white fat bad...

J'Ollie Primitives said...

In times of no sun the tanning booth is an alternative...kinda like substituting tofu for chocolate.

Anna Lefler said...

Go, Pearl! Get that fireplace tan of your dreams and ROCK ON.

(We're all kind of bitter you didn't take us with you but, you know, whatev.)

:^) Anna

Joanie said...

Have a wonderful time!

Christine Gram said...

Have a great time. I'm going to curl up under the covers.

Unknown said...

i reember the tanning period well, only with my red hair/fair skin, it never really caught on- enjoy the break xx

Immodesty Blaze said...

Enjoy your break! I'm sure good things will come of it. I am looking out the window on the xth floor right now and I see... snow. A wall of snow. Falling down.. Oh well, guess that means I won't have to repair the bike this week either.

Daisy said...

Have a great time! Hopefully some hot tub warming and fireside reading will fill in for the beach until you can get there for real.

Irish Gumbo said...

Well, get thee to a vacationery (?), don't know if that's a word, but it rhymed.

Do I have to be good? Well, okay...

nsiyer said...

Have fun. When you eat an ice cream, be with the ice cream. The world can wait till your vacation is over.