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Saturdays Are the Key to Everything

October 24, 2010 By Jeff 58 Comments

Yesterday was my first Saturday at home, in a couple of months.  I’ve been working Saturday through Wednesday, instead of starting on Sunday, because of a situation at my job, and also so I can earn a little extra money.

It was a win/win, because I was sacrificing to help the department with a problem, and that looks good to the higher-ups.  Plus, my paychecks were heftier, which makes the CEO (Toney) happy.  But it caused me to be almost completely cut-off from the real world.

Saturday is the only day all four of us are together, and I was starting to feel like a lodger, some weird guy who keeps odd hours, and takes some of his meals in the communal dining room.  I talked to the boys on the phone a couple of times every day, but it’s not the same as joking around and having natural conversations.  Ya know?

If I’d been living in Alaska for the past two months, my relationship with the kids wouldn’t have been much different.  I didn’t see them, literally, for days on end.  Same with Toney, and the whole thing was quite disorienting.

But this week they asked me to work on Friday instead, and I had a whole Saturday off.  It felt luxurious, even though we didn’t do much.  Just being around the house, with no soul-crushing deadline hanging over the proceedings, was a beautiful thing.

Saturdays, I now know, are the key to everything.  That’s where we all come together and interact as a family.  I never really noticed, until I didn’t have them anymore.  Saturday is the day that keeps me grounded in reality.

And yesterday we went for a walk through a park near our house, and enjoyed the fall weather.  Ahhh, I love it.  It’s my favorite time of the year, by far.  I don’t think I fully grasped that it was fall, until around noon yesterday.  It’s kick-ass.

Then Toney had to go to Staples, to make some copies or something, and the boys and I went to Best Buy, a few doors down the way.  We checked out the new 3-D TV and that was pretty cool.  And we played around with the Playstation Move, which is their Wii rip-off.  Also pretty cool.  Possibly a Christmas present…

We need a new TV for the living room upstairs, so we looked at the 37-inch flat screens.  They all had crystal clear Blu-ray pictures on them, and we started going overboard with the praise, for the benefit of the other shoppers:

“Look at the mole on that old man’s face!  It feels like it’s levitating right in front of us, like I could just reach out and give it a honk.  The detail in that mole is amazing!”

When we happened upon a display of something called Gaming Wipes, we had a fun conversation.  I asked if they were for gaming nerds who get so excited to finally make it to the next level, they shit their pants.  But apparently they’re for wiping down controllers ‘n’ stuff.  Oh well.

And we all got a good laugh when an old lady asked our eleven year old son — who was wearing a Beatles t-shirt at the time — if he was an employee.  He’s eleven!  Good stuff.

After Best Buy we drove through the parking lot of an almost-completed mega-theater complex.  It’s less than ten miles from our house, and looks like it’ll be fantastic.  It’s even going to have an IMAX theater inside.

Then we went to Wegmans and purchased a six-pack of Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, and returned home.  We had a really good meat ‘n’ taters dinner, and watched TV in the evening.

It was incredible. We didn’t do anything of consequence, and spent almost no money, but it was one of the best days in recent memory.  I’m going to continue working Saturdays, if they need me, because the money is so good.  But I think I’m going to take one off per month, to stay grounded.

‘Cause Saturdays are the key to everything, I’ve learned.

What did you guys do yesterday?  Anything more exciting than going to Best Buy?  Tell us about it in the comments, won’t you?

And I’ll be back tomorrow.

See ya then!

Now playing in the bunker

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Comments

  1. JCIII says

    October 24, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    Good Afternoon Surf Reporters!!!

    Reply
  2. dogberryjr says

    October 24, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    Our big event was a trip to Sam’s Club. Warehouse-sized stupid happening there, let me tell you.

    Reply
  3. junkfood says

    October 24, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    I started a twitter feed (@lessjunkfood) to list everything I eat, the theory being I’ll be embarassed if people see I had McDonald’s for lunch so I go get a salad somewhere healthy instead. We’ll see, best laid plans and all that.

    Reply
  4. kenju says

    October 24, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    No comments yet? That’s a first for me.

    Saturday I went to work at 9am and got home at 8pm. Pretty good for an old lady, right? During the day, I drove 150 miles (while delivering flowers for three weddings).

    Reply
  5. kenju says

    October 24, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    Scratch that no comments thing.

    Reply
  6. johnthebasket says

    October 24, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    Got wet herding raccoons and cats, trying to keep everybody fed and warm in this Northwest monsoon.

    jtb

    Reply
  7. johnthebasket says

    October 24, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Actually, this is what I posted just before Jeff posted. It covers Saturday night…

    “I was going to get my rcok onto the information superhighway last night and try to merge into the Hot Impulsive Vixens lane. Upon determining that my Honda Odyssey and my touch of grey would be out of place there, I instead watched “All In”, my favourite House episode. So it goes.”

    jtb

    Reply
    • Gretchen says

      October 24, 2010 at 5:23 pm

      As I understand it, the Hot Impulsive Vixens Lane can be a bitch to merge onto if you’re not a Huge Income Value sort of person.

      Reply
  8. Vicki says

    October 24, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    The Son and his LIGF at her parents house for the weekend. John & I slept late, ate late morning breakfast (we don’t use that b word) and then drove a couple towns over on an errand. Settled back for the afternoon, watched college football for 12 straight fricking hours (LSU v AU awesome,) drank a few Sweetwater IPAs, grilled some Mahi Mahi for tacos. After the Sweetwaters, I drifted in sleep on the sofa off from 9 pm to midnight or so until prodded towards bed. Perfect.

    Reply
  9. fattie20xl says

    October 24, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    I was at my friend’s bachelor party. We started drinking at 2pm. it’s 2pm now on sunday…. 24 hours later. i haven’t slept. i’m back at home w/ my girl and her kid (we’re having his birthday party today) and i just showered the stank of Atlantic City away and i’m sober.

    Reply
  10. Adam says

    October 24, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    Since I work a mind numbing, soul crushing, ass fattening cutomer service job, Saturdays are the only thing that keeps me from flying off the handle. Milton style, “I’m going to burn down the building.” We have a kick ass city market that I like to take my wife and daughter to. Its pretty heavily Asian influenced with some Italian and MIddle East pockets as well. Kinda makes me feel a world away from talking to dumb fucks and old men all day. I would love to stay and chat but I have to tend snot leaking, drooling, teething, screaming 13 month old. Thank God for beer.

    Reply
  11. JCIII says

    October 24, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    Aside from a Holiday or a rare piece of time off, I’ve worked on Saturdays since 1994. 6 years at a dealership, then 5 and a half at an insurance agency, then the last 5 years at another dealership.

    So I pack a lot of fun into my abbreviated weekends.

    Reply
  12. Jerry in WV says

    October 24, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    Went to a funeral in Dunbar. Someone you probably know. Paul Casto. He was a good guy. Sorry to see him go.

    Reply
  13. wildlifer says

    October 24, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    went to bass pro in Springfield, mo, and then took a spirited drive to Rogers, AR. them home. fall foliage sucked in central Arkansas, gorgeous in northern ar/southern, mo

    Reply
    • Valentin says

      October 24, 2010 at 4:39 pm

      Where are you from in Arkansas? I live in
      Batesville but am originally from DeQueen.

      Reply
  14. Chris McMahon says

    October 24, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    Headed over to Trader Joe’s, where the collection of self-important, better-friend-of-the-earth-than-you types was almost enough to make me vote Republican again.

    Reply
  15. Lori in Cbus says

    October 24, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    Friday morning when I woke up to get ready for work, I had a text waiting from my supervisor.. basically saying that since its been slow at work, I could take Friday off.. I didn’t realize i could dial a phone as fast as i did.. So it’s been a lovely 3 day weekend with me being lazy

    Also its like 77 degrees today and it’s almost November wtf?

    Reply
  16. dto says

    October 24, 2010 at 3:42 pm

    Late Saturday afternoon I went over to my sister’s church (not actually her church…but you know) where they were having a pork roast/met, brats sauerkraut dinner thing. Not of fan of cluster feedings but I went anyway. $5 bucks a ticket and you get a plate of food. Tables everywhere and people mingling, feeding little kids and wiping grandpa’s chin now and then. I asked Sis what the deal was and why the sit down. She said all the food is donated by the church folk and the money goes to buy food for the needy. I asked her if anybody thought to invite the needy to the dinner? The immediate look of confusion, destine and disgust amazed me. The folks around me couldn’t believe I said that. I’d have been better off sticking the two brats up my nose a smearing sauerkraut on my head and just act normal. I did get to meet the pastor later and he invited me to the Sunday service. I politely declined and told him that after I leave he should start checking for any signs of structural damage.

    Came home where I belong and watched the Giants game. Had a beer then a rum and ginger ale (Vernors)…repeat for nine innings…

    Reply
    • WB in OH says

      October 24, 2010 at 5:01 pm

      Just about spit harpoon ipa all over my phone!

      Reply
    • Valentin says

      October 25, 2010 at 5:30 am

      I can see another point to this. This was probably open to the public. The thought of getting some grilled food for your donation would possibly draw more people to the event and you could raise more money. Plus it’s a way to gather together for a good cause. As far as inviting the needy, I don’t see a problem with this but it would probably be easier for the church to donate the food to a food bank. There they have the resources to decide who is “needy” and who just wants some cheap or free food. There are people out there who just try and take advantage of someone’s giving nature. Have you ever heard of business people dressing up as homeless people and begging for change on the street?

      Reply
      • dto says

        October 25, 2010 at 7:18 am

        Thanks Valentine….Theses are good folks and they have a Italian dinner and all sorts of things throughout the year and the thought of them actually being involved in their little community and helping means a lot to them and that’s the kind of people they are. Clothes are collected too etc. Help in their immediate area rather than a distribution center is what they do.

        Open to the public? I guess so but it was just a church event and not really an advertised shin-dig. Just the church folks gettin’ together on a Saturday afternoon. Some of them kinda know me or know of me as Gloria’s brother and that gives me a pass to be me…Very polite with the proper amount of wackness at the proper time.

        Reply
  17. Tammie says

    October 24, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    Mr.Man and I went to Lowes and bought four windows. Came home and put them in all by ourselves. It went so well we drove out there again this morning and bought two more. I bought paint and primer too.
    I’m not sure what’s come over me lately but maybe they put speed in the Yuengling or something….

    Reply
  18. Carla says

    October 24, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    Spent the morning in PJ’s making breakfast, headed to town and had an excellent & cheap Mexican food for lunch, @ 1:00 we headed to the Football Stadium to watch the youngest lil person play football in the rain, then waited two hrs in the rain and wind for the older lil persons game to start. After the games, sent the lil people home with nana and took the man to Oktoberfest where we drank 3 pitchers of beer and danced and ate a Schnitzel sandwich and then a reuben sandwich, leaving to go to IHOP for hashbrowns, eggs cooked over hard, and crispy bacon! It was a fall day of food, weather and fun.
    Today I’m relaxing at home. Yay.

    Reply
  19. bumblebee says

    October 24, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    Jeff I used to work Saturdays when I lived in Myrtle Beach. A few years ago I decided I wasn’t going to ever work saturdays again and I haven’t. My daughter and I spend our Saturdays in the fall watching football on TV or at college games. We kept our season tickets to Clemson and try to get there for at least 3-4 games a year! Yesterday was no exception. Watching Clemson stop GT (we gave our tickets to some friends who were dying to go to the game), then walked over to the local school for the Seafood Festival, ate some great seafood, had a couple of beers, listened to a local band and walked back home to watch the late games. LOVE Saturdays in the fall!!

    Reply
  20. WB in OH says

    October 24, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    Saturday was a fish fry at the parents. Everybody made it except my brother in Cody, and my nephew who’s in Japan with the Navy and his wife and kids who are in Gulfport. Dad fried up about 7 pounds of Lake Erie perch, fried taters, two kinds of rice, mac&cheese and a whole bunch of nibbling food. Also had birthday cake for my dad who turns 79 on Friday. Good time, best Saturday in a while!

    Reply
    • Son of Sam says

      October 25, 2010 at 7:56 am

      Sounds great. I have about the same amount of Erie perch in the freezer too. I do a big fish fry the Sat before buck season in my son’s garage.

      Reply
  21. Gretchen says

    October 24, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    I spent Saturday dealing with Thunder Butt thanks to a Friday night dinner of black bean and potato soup. Happy?

    Reply
  22. Nova says

    October 24, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    Spent Saturday & Sunday on the golf course! Gotta take advantage of these gorgeous late October Pennsylvania days! Also consumed mass quantities of beer…….hic!

    Reply
  23. Jason says

    October 24, 2010 at 6:36 pm

    Spent Saturday drinking with a friend that I’d just bailed out of jail. We went to a bar to watch some ballgames and he insisted on leaving with a very homely woman. For all I know he’s at the lake, cut into pieces.

    Reply
  24. Melissa says

    October 24, 2010 at 6:50 pm

    I just spent Saturday cleaning the house and watching my little dog follow me & vomit & crap everywhere I just cleaned. She ate something terrible that really hit her badly. It was hard to get angry with her when I know how it is to feel so crappy.

    If you are looking to buy a TV, Jeff, I’d suggest you price compare the store’s price with online stores like newegg.com or crutchfield.com. I like crutchfield because they don’t charge sales tax (unless you live in VA) so I was just able to buy my 40″ flatscreen for a great price that no store out here could match. Costco also has some good deals sometimes, but I like the whole no sales tax part. Especially here in CA where sales tax is 10% of the total cost.

    Reply
  25. hot fuzz says

    October 24, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    Our sales tax is 13%…must be all that healthcare we have to pay for.

    I talked aboot yesterday, yesterday but Saturday is my favorite day whether it’s chores, shopping or just a nap..it’s all good because it’s Saturday… and since we had fun at the dog park it was even better.

    Reply
  26. icecycle66 says

    October 24, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    Yup, nothing better than good money, not even family.

    Reply
    • Ed says

      October 24, 2010 at 8:49 pm

      Sometimes the decision has to be made to make some extra money FOR the family.

      Reply
      • Dave's not here, man says

        October 25, 2010 at 9:16 am

        In my opinion it’s never worth it. That’s just me, but I will take being poor & spending time with my family over missing them and getting a few extra bucks any day. I don’t say this lightly, I could be putting in some OT right now and we really need the cash. But I’m sticking to my priorities.

        Reply
  27. Evil Twin's Wife says

    October 24, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    I spent my Saturday feeling like crud with a head cold, then I had to go to my not-so-boss’ house to tidy up and run some errands for him. The rest of the day was spent on the couch feeling like crud.

    Reply
    • Gretchen says

      October 24, 2010 at 10:18 pm

      Hope you feel better soon!

      Reply
  28. squawvalleyskip says

    October 24, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    Most Saturdays I work, have for about eight years now. Since I work nights (11PM to 7:30AM) I technically work two Sundays. And Sundays pay a 25% premium. Yesterday, however, I left the house at 4:30AM headed for Oklahoma for a training course. 15 hours later I stopped in Santa Rosa, NM for the night, and finished the trip today. training doesn’t start till Tuesday, so tomorrow is my weekend. Then three weeks of system training, a week up to Wisconsin to visit fambly, then back to CA and the old grind.

    Reply
  29. hot fuzz says

    October 24, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    He’s just trying to provide for the family. We all make sacrifices.

    Reply
  30. hot fuzz says

    October 24, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    jtb – an article for you…today’s Toronto Star…

    http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/879812–ian-tyson-s-rocky-trails

    Reply
  31. Sidney says

    October 24, 2010 at 10:22 pm

    On Saturday, my wife and I killed the Lich King. Again…

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      October 25, 2010 at 11:35 am

      Ugh, I haven’t gotten past Festergut! Then again I’ve taken two months off, finally got back on & all my specs had been wiped for the new patch. I had one of my guildies tell me where to re-spec & logged back off. I’ll probably get back on in time for the expansion when they will wipe the specs again. *Sigh….Not enough time in the day…

      Reply
  32. WB in OH says

    October 24, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    Just a friendly reminder folks, don’t forget to wash your dickbeaters after cutting up japoleno peppers. I forgot and had most of my face on fire this afternoon.

    Reply
  33. retrollama says

    October 24, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    Spent the first part of my Saturday working at my local library. I’m there from 10-2 every other week, which is just long enough.

    After work, Mr. Llama and I went to a farm stand to buy some fresh veggies and some mums for our garden. Went to the gym, planted the mums, and went out for a decent dinner at a nearby diner. I spent the rest of the evening trying to undo the mess that is now my iTunes music library while the Mr. worked on our business website. Spent most of Sunday doing the same computer-related tasks.

    Reply
  34. Big Bear in OH says

    October 25, 2010 at 12:54 am

    I spent my saturday at a wedding for a girl I went to high school with but never liked. It’s hard to say no to free prime rib and a complete open bar. I didn’t drink, but watched my brother make a complete and total ass of himself. Drove some drunks around for what totaled around eighty dollars, then went and met up with a couple friends for a party. Did anybody else know about whipped cream with alcohol in it? I just found out. I feel like I was missing out on a lot of shenanigans. Passed out at home around 3 Am. Good Saturday, in my book.

    Reply
    • Susan says

      October 25, 2010 at 11:00 am

      The alcohol with whip cream, I believe is called ‘sillybub’ or some nonsense. I think it’s unique to the ‘propah’ south. I’ve had it with port.
      susan

      Reply
  35. johnthebasket says

    October 25, 2010 at 1:02 am

    Hot…

    Thanks for the link; enjoyed the article. Tyson’s a grizzly, crusty old man of the West, but he’s honest, which is to say he’s Canadian. It’s painful to hear him sing now, but anybody who keeps fighting big gas, big mining and big oil out on the Prairies is worth standing by. “Song for Canada” remains, after 45 years, compelling and topical. For all his flaws, Canada could do worse than put his visage on the toonie. Thanks again.

    jtb

    Reply
  36. dto says

    October 25, 2010 at 7:36 am

    Another church related story from the earlier one. My brother in-law is very active in the choir and I knew he was looking for a new director so he was pretty proud whe he introduced me to Chris, the new director. Nice young guy…maybe early thirties (I can’t tell anymore) and big. BIG!. Bob Said…”Chris is a tenor?” like he discovered the next Pavarotti. I said…” Oh really? I used to date a fiver…but she had a nice personality”…

    Reply
  37. Son of Sam says

    October 25, 2010 at 8:03 am

    Worked Saturday a.m. Then went to a big bon fire. Less than 10 miles from home 150+ people and I didn’t know a soul. WTF how does that even happen?

    Reply
  38. Ian the Errolite says

    October 25, 2010 at 8:25 am

    I had a karate black belt seminar.
    It was gruelling.

    Reply
  39. bikerchick says

    October 25, 2010 at 9:02 am

    Spent Saturday afternoon hopping around Thrift Stores in the area looking for the perfect pimp and ho costumes for a Halloween Party this Saturday night. What a riot! Too much to choose from but finally decided on a leopard print little ditty for me, and baggy white pants and long fur coat for my boyfriend. We have the white Saturday Night Fever platform shoes for him already. No one will be able to put a patch on our ghetto-asses….!!

    Sunday, watched the Steelers play Miami….with a questionable win. BUT a win nevertheless!

    Reply
    • Son of Sam says

      October 25, 2010 at 11:41 am

      Losing Aaron Smith is just terrible for the Steelers.
      Big test without him the rest of the way.

      Reply
      • bikerchick says

        October 25, 2010 at 11:56 am

        I know. Pulling a tricep? Jeezus. How does one pull a tricep? I think Aaron has a little black cloud over his head.

        Reply
  40. Dave's not here, man says

    October 25, 2010 at 9:21 am

    I spent Saturday chasing my dog around the neighborhood for about an hour, then packed up the two younger secrets and went to Home Depot for some fencing. We then put up the fence and I really hope the dog can’t jump the 4 foot fence. She can clear the 3 foot fence with no problems.

    Then we sat on the porch and watched it rain. Not too exciting, but the power was out so what else do you do?

    Reply
  41. dto says

    October 25, 2010 at 9:28 am

    Hey Jeff…since you have so much down time and just hate to sit around doing nothing…A Halloween edition of the WVSR….what I’m gonna be and then a link dump later next week that we can all send photos to (some moderation may be required…just sayin’) we took at our parties. You’ve probably already thought about this and I’m sure it’s a bit of work to pull off…but you ain’t doin’ nuttin’ anyway…right? Right?

    Reply
  42. AngryWhiteGuy says

    October 25, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Spent Saturday night bowling a 294! That’s right, a 294! Choked after 11 strikes and hit a 4 in my final roll. Never got that high before. The other 5 games were in low 200s, which pale in comparison to the 294! Child bride broke 100 one game but bowled 50 or lower in the other five. It was date night! 294!!!

    Also shoved a guy back into his car for getting out and screaming at me for taking his parking spot in a crowded lot at Target. Guy actually got out and started screaming before I got out of my car. I then looked down a foot at him and grabbed him by the shirt and stuffed him in the driver’s seat and screamed, “Move along, needle dick!”, which he did. Of course, child bride took the other guys side, and told me I was sadistic. Being a giant has it’s perks. A good Saturday all around.

    Reply
  43. mexicomotorcycle says

    October 25, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    lamest update in recent memory. Whatcha gonna talk about next, how nice it is to get new white socks or how satisfying it is to drop a deuce and have it pinch off clean?

    Come on fat-ass…resurrect the sarcasm and sharp wit. Who gives a rats ass about your warm fuzzy Saturday?

    Reply
    • Lee Harvey Ramone says

      October 26, 2010 at 10:49 am

      Shasta cola

      Reply
  44. paul says

    October 28, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    Aww….That’s nice….

    Yawn………………!

    Wake me up when Nostrils shits himself when his wife goes 5 miles over the speed limit with a tofu pup in her hoo hah….

    Reply

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