The Lull before the Storm

It’s Monday, and I reached a critical realization while I was reaching for my flashdrive: I have Nothing To Do. This is not to say that I don’t have Things To Do: the hodgepodge pile of unsorted papers and books are strewn over my desk, the papers waiting for me to decide where they should be filed (undoubtedly File 13 is where much of it will end up) and the books begging to be read or reshelved. I have some emails to send to students concerning next semester classes, and I also have final exam papers to print for distribution. I also have mentally dedicated myself to finishing my own novel. Unfinished thank you-notes from my wedding gifts stare at me, mocking my feeble attempt to send them out before the Christmas holiday. As a last resort, I even pulled out my Kindle to finish romance novel that I have previously read at least twice (drat you Julia Quinn for being such a good romance novelist). As for the work, I find myself reluctant to DO any of it. It’s abject laziness at its best, and I choose to defend that laziness with the knowledge that in less than 24 hours, I will be consumed with busyness as I try to grade research papers and final exams and submit grades before the surprisingly short deadline of 48 hours after my final class. I have been in this pleasant lull for the majority of the last week, having come back from Thanksgiving break with the knowledge that only one class requires a whole lot of effort. They are set to turn in their research papers tonight, and I will more than likely play a board game with them, then send them on their merry way with some stress relief and their final exam. Then maybe I’ll feel the urge to kickstart my week. In the meantime, I will just sit here and stare at The Things I Should Be Doing, then read a book. Or not.