How I Spent My Spring Sabbatical
I will now be swimming through emails.
Today, after six weeks off, I go back to work. Yes, I’m fine with it, why do you -
*I’m dragged away leaving fingernail scrapes along the door frame*
At least I got to see the Royals end my sabbatical with a win!
These last six weeks went by quicker than I hoped, but I’m thrilled that I had the opportunity to take the time off and focus on me. I’m someone who is very motivated by schedules and deadlines, so to have more than a month of flexibility and freedom was a weird feeling, but much needed and much appreciated.
As I mentioned at the beginning of my sabbatical, I planned to write quite a bit more, exercise, travel, read, and get a few projects done around the house. Generally speaking: mission accomplished.
I’ve written about several of the things I did over the last few weeks, but I thought it might be fun to provide a more thorough breakdown, How-I-Spent-My-Summer-Vacation-style. So below are more of the things I wrote, the things I read, the things I did, and the things I learned. The email may run long despite the fact that this is not a comprehensive list, because I value your time, and I’m not that interesting.
Things I Wrote
Things I Read
Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson: Riveting book focusing on the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 and a serial killer who operated during the same time. Chilling and fascinating all at once. I had no idea how many people and products came to prominence because of this World’s Fair.
A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson: The author writes about his experience traveling on the Appalachian Trail, full of hilarious anecdotes and interesting information on the history and science of the area. At times I thought, “hey I could walk that trail,” and then he’d mention bears or snakes and I reconsidered.
The Devil and Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness, and Obsession, by David Grann: A collection of stories ranging from Rickey Henderson to the mysterious death of the world’s foremost Sherlock Holmes expert to New York’s underground water tunnel system. One story has already been a movie, and several others could be, as they are enthralling.
The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, by David Grann: In 1925, British explorer Percy Fawcett, his son Jack, and his son’s friend, entered the Amazon rain forest in search of ancient ruins. They never returned. Grann retraces their steps in search of answers, and I read this while comfortably seated on my couch. The Amazon is, frankly, none of my business.
Things I Did
Took a family trip to New Mexico
Survived the family trip to New Mexico
Limited the two-year-old to one (1) fall into a cactus in New Mexico.
Drove by this sign on the way to New Mexico:
I know what it actually says. But I am 12 years old and what it looks like it says is far funnier.
Volunteered for a day at Rainbow Flower’s school. Public school teachers are amazing and are not paid enough.
Watched the Omaha Storm Chasers take on top pitching prospect, Paul Skenes. It was also school day at Werner Park, and every crack of the bat was followed by thousands of high-pitched screams.
Watched Oppenheimer and Poor Things, and I understand why both movies got so much hype.
Exercised (briefly) most days.
Completed more than one house project from my wife’s to-do list.
Picked up each daughter early one day for a special treat. RF wanted smoothies, Joker opted for cupcakes.
Went on walks with my wife during her lunch breaks. Not as often as we had hoped due to too many chilly and/or rainy days, but it was always appreciated quality time.
Partook in a scotch and whiskey tasting with my dad.
Watched RF get excited to watch Caitlin Clark play basketball.
Took my time enjoying a cup of coffee while reading most mornings.
Things I Learned
Grocery stores are busier than I expected them to be on weekdays.
I am still incapable of growing respectable facial hair in a week’s time.
The Royals are Legitimately Good.
The only thing my dog does more than sleep is bark at a neighbor dog a couple houses away. And my dog sleeps A LOT.
Children do not care if you can sleep in, you will get up when they want to get up.
There are radio stations that play the full lyrics to the chorus on Jack Harlow’s Lovin on Me, which can be problematic while driving with children in the car.
Door-to-door salespeople still (1) exist, and (2) are not good at taking a clear “no” for an answer.
A post-mow beer just hits different on a Monday at 11am.
How to slow down and relax more.
Doing nothing can still be productive.
Even with six weeks of free time, you still don’t have enough time to do all the things you want to do.
That’s okay.
I am a big fan of the post-mow beer before noon.