Monday, June 16, 2008

I took off for a weekend...to try and recall the whole year

(Weather permitting, I will be participating in a 36-hole putt putt tournament Tuesday evening. I'm thinking of bringing my own putter. Is that too much? BYOP! I'm in it to win it!)

I hadn't had a vacation or holiday since New Year's. Work seemed to only be getting busier and more stressful. People around the office had become amused and/or frightened by my constant yelling at the phone for ringing. It was getting to the point where at least three times a day I felt as if my head were about to explode like a Gallagher watermelon. Clearly, I needed a break. So last weekend, I got away. To Myrtle Beach.

It was a bit of a last minute decision, as most of mine are. I didn't know for sure I was going until about four hours before I left on Friday. I was also a bit hesitant about going from a financial standpoint, considering the $600 car repair bill I'd just accrued last week and the kidney it was going to cost me in gas.

On the other hand, I was going to have a free place to stay. And it was the beach. So I ignored the overly cautious little Bone sitting on my left shoulder--who speaks with the voice of Carlton on Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air-- and just went.

It was my first trip to Myrtle Beach. The drive wasn't that bad, though it did cross my mind that the country is definitely wider than it is tall. Google Maps put it at a nine and a half hour drive, but I shaved a little more than an hour off that. The final tally was 591 miles in roughly 8.5 hours for a 69.5 mph average. That included a drive on the Strom Thurmond Highway. And one six hour stretch where I passed three cities that host NASCAR races--Talladega, Atlanta, and Darlington. Only in the South.

My stay was most relaxing. The weather was perfect. There wasn't a cloud in the sky Saturday or Sunday. My Blackberry didn't have a signal inside the beach house, which I was kinda bummed about at first. But in hindsight, it was probably a good thing. I needed a break. It was good to be disconnected for a few days.

I got to meet an old friend for the first time. We hung out on the beach during the days and enjoyed outstanding seafood in the evenings, my two favorite things to do at the beach. One particular place we ate was called the Bonefish Grill. Yeah, I really liked the name, too. It felt like I was meant to eat there.

I arrived home Monday evening feeling refreshed and recharged. My head clearer. My skin a bit darker. And feeling glad that I "just went."

There were times in the past when I might have found some reason not to go. But that was the old Bone. A lot has happened this year. Things that have caused me to appreciate and try to live each day, taking advantage of opportunities to do things and spend time with people. I've found myself saying "yes" a lot more this year. (Creepy pseudo-suave voice:) So... ladies?

Oh, one other thing happened at the beach. I went plaid:



Uhh, ladies?

"With all of our running and all of our cunning, if we couldn't laugh we would all go insane..."

21 comments:

  1. Bring your own putter?

    We're proud of Strom here--the more Stom the better.

    Meeting an old friend for the first time. Me too :)

    The "new" Bone is an improved model of the old version

    This is a very funny post. Had me laughing :)

    Yelling at the telephone for ringing--few will admit it--many do it

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  2. I'm glad you got away. Sounds like a wonderful little break. I'm sure there is some lady out there that enjoyed your plaid... you could claim to be Scottish. ;) Sorry I just read a romance novel set in Scottland. :p

    Sorry the only Seinfeld references I can think of are the "Shrinkage" & George's topless girlfriend (with Kramer poaching the lobster!)

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  3. Plaid shorts are a very good thing- I'm a big fan!

    Glad you got to go to myrtle beach! Hope it was all you needed to relax!

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  4. Personally, I liked your plaid shorts. I won't mention the fact that my daughter had some on the same day I saw you in yours. HA HA! Just teasing you! Guys can wear them too! My husband won't though, I'm not sure why.I guess I could buy them and then he would not have a choice. Bring your best game tonight!

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  5. I love Myrtle Beach. I've been wanting to go there again. Sounds like a great, relaxing weekend!

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  6. love the plaid

    sometimes it is nice to just get away and the spur of the moment trips are the best...hope you are refreshed

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  7. Pia - The "new" Bone is an improved model of the old version

    Sounds like that came out of a Sears Roebuck catalog :) Not that I've seen one since I was eight.

    Maybe that's what sets me apart. Admitting things others (wisely) choose to keep to themselves.

    Renee - I hope so. I figure even if it goes out of style for casual wear, I can still golf in it.

    Maybe next time, I'll get away to my fake house in the Hamptons.

    Cami - Thank you. A little positive female affirmation goes a long way :) They're very comfortable!

    Mrs. R - Yeah, they were pretty popular at the beach. Oh, I'll be ready. I watched the US Open all weekend. I'm not sure how that's gonna help me in putt putt, but it can't hurt.

    Coconut - I enjoyed it. The beach was even slightly less crowded than ours on the gulf coast. Of course, that might have just been where I was.

    Kontan - Thanks! It was exactly what I needed. A perfect respite.

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  8. I like the plaid shorts. ;)

    I've always wanted to visit Myrtle Beach. There's something about the name...

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  9. So the lesson learned here is to never listen to the Little Bone.

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  10. Why are you standing with your toes upwards?!

    :D

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  11. re: T-Bone I asked DD if T-Bone explained herself, but none of the councelors really ever tell where they got their names. There is a really good chance that T-Bone's name comes from a character in the "Clifford the Big Red Dog" series. She seems too young for Seinfeld.

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  12. I like myrtle Beach. I used to live near there on the coast in NC. I'm getting away to a writer's conference this weekend @ Tuscaloosa. It will be busy but I won't have any ringing phones(hurray!!!) No walking the dog, no other responsibility.
    I can't wait!!!

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  13. i am just thrilled i didn't have to endure a picture of you in that speedo swim suit......

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  14. Sizzle - Another pro-plaid vote. Thanks. My grandmother's name was Myrtle.

    Scarlet Hip - You would think. I dunno, he's kept me out of some sticky situations at times. And he does wear plaid shorts. It's confusing.

    Gautami - Haha. Yeah, that was an awkward pose. I was actually sitting on the edge of the bed, extending my legs outward so that I could get a picture of the shorts.

    Renee - Well, good for you for asking. These things should be discussed openly between parents and children :)

    Daily Panic - Good for you! And by Tuscaloosa, you mean heaven on Earth :)

    Paisley - I'm sure you're not the only thankful one.

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  15. I don't know if I could bring myself to wear plaid shorts--but maybe you're more secure in your masculinity. The two of you should have taken a little road trip north and enjoy the beautiful beaches on NC

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  16. well Bone, it turns out that T-Bone has that name because she plays the Trombone. go figure! hee hee

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  17. Yay for you for just taking off! I'm a planner and find it really difficult to do things spontaneously. MYB is fun, and has a million golf courses. Did you get to golf?? Maybe you'll finally take the plunge and meet me in NYC?!?!?

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  18. ah, yes. Myrtle Beach.
    Last time I was there I ran way out into the water for a last dash (complete with stryofoam 'surf board') running out to where my feet wouldn't even touch the ground beneath the water, and, just as i was going to start looking for a wave (HA!) a great fin arced in front of me.

    Many years later I realized, of course, it must have been a porpoise, because had it been a shark, I wouldn't be writing this, now, eh?

    However, at the time, my mind overcame the laws of nature and gravity and I walked on water....no, RAN on water all the way to shore. And quite a few feet inwards, too.
    Dang!
    That must have been around 1958 or so.
    Been that long since I was around here, y'know?

    (OK, well, we can all see that the exagerating is still with me.)
    But, you didn't say....

    How faired you at the putt-putt?

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  19. I went camping all last week and didn't take my cell phone. the first night I had withdrawls. I kept reaching for it only to realize it was on my dresser at home. By the end of the week, I almost forgot I had a phone. Breaks are nice! Glad you had fun.

    and plaid is the new stripe.

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  20. Sage - I'll wear pretty much anything if a girl or two says they like it.

    I had no idea just how close we were to the NC border in Myrtle Beach.

    Renee - Well, that's not quite the same. lol

    Carnealian - No, I didn't golf. The beach still takes precedence over golf, for now. And I'm always up for NY!

    Boneman - That's one of the most exciting porpoise stories I've ever heard.

    I did OK. I think I wound up maybe two or three under par. But our team didn't finish in the top three.

    Charlotta - I totally agree. It took me awhile to get used to my phone ringing and beeping again. Blah.

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  21. The beach, the call of the Atlantic ocean hands down beats the Gulf. Yes, we are settled in, the sand just three flights of stairs down, twenty condo doors, ten feet of sidewalk, up a few steps, through the locked gate, over a few feet of decking - and our toes hit the sand...

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