March 2025 SOLC–Day 16
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We set off on our Weekend Cruise in our vessel, the Good Ship Subaru (GSS), with a packed itinerary. After embarking, our first port of call was breakfast with our children and various partners. We made good time and arrived to make festive, celebrating our middle child’s 30th birthday while consuming churros, huevos rancheros, etc. The sun burst forth to join in the fun, lighting up a forecasted grey and dismal day. Eventually, we hugged and waved as we all went our separate ways. What a lovely start to our voyage! It should be smooth sailing from here!
The sun’s jaunty appearance enticed us to make an addition to our itinerary–an unplanned detour to the Land of Energetic Walkers. We joined these walkers and set off at a brisk pace on the 3½ mile loop around Back Cove, enjoying the local scenery and the wildlife. As we walked, the sun disappeared, the clouds moved in and the temperatures dropped. Our pace may have unbrisked a bit. Still, we completed the loop, a welcome addition to the day’s itinerary.
We hopped back into the comfort and warmth of the GSS and set sail toward our home port. Once upon familiar ground, our stomachs still full and bodies now tired, we hit the Sea of Sloth. It lured us off course, and we were pulled into the Whirlpool of Afternoon Nap. After this unexpected detour, I awoke dizzied and disoriented, my companion still lost in the grips of the whirlpool. It was up to me to continue the journey!
I glanced around. There, off in the distance was the Land Of My Significant Obligations (LOMSO). The most important destination of the day! Far away, I could see the locals jumping about and waving. I could hear their disgruntled voices calling to me. They clamored for my attention.
Determined to reach this destination, I righted my craft and headed to the Isle of Provisions to stock up for the journey. Upon returning, and after neatly stowing said provisions, I entirely lost my bearings! I somehow (rogue wave?) fell overboard into the Sea of Distractions, a body of water of vast proportions, filled with dazzling and fascinating creatures. By the time I finally wrested myself away from the tentacles of a tenacious wordy tome, night had fallen. Realizing it would be foolhardy to attempt the previously planned voyage in a state of fatigue and in the dark, I retreated.
Instead, I detoured to head to the Land of Slumber. Unfortunately, my voyage there was filled with uncomfortable tossing and turning. Throughout the attempted crossing, I swear I could hear voices of reproach and recrimination drifting over from LOMSO. Time and again, my vessel was nearly swamped with regrets. All in all, the visit to Slumber was not a great success.
Upon abandoning the Island of Bed in the Land of Slumber this morning, I made plans to revise the day’s itinerary. The journey to LOMSO must happen! It is the PRIORITY! And soon! But the Sea of Distractions still beckons, and a dense fog has descended upon the land. Will I ever make my destination? Will I prevail?
Summary/Translation: I totally procrastinated yesterday on writing report card comments and sub plans and preparing for an IEP–not to mention general lesson planning. UGH!
Nix the comfort zone 
Love this! You had some great adventures yesterday that were much more important to be done than those within the LOMSO. I’m sure the report cards and sub plans will be done, but how fun to continue adventuring in that GSS.
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Thanks, Melanie. At long last the comments and grading are essentially done and I have a rough draft of sub plans. That’s a relief. It hasn’t made for much adventuring today though!
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The summary at the end made me actually laugh out loud. This slice’s format was sooo clever, and such a good meditation on procrastination and how it happens seemingly/accurately(!) out of our control. “Realizing it would be foolhardy to attempt the previously planned voyage in a state of fatigue and in the dark, I retreated.”
So excellent. I’ve really enjoyed reading your writing these weeks, Molly!!
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Thanks so much, Amy! This was fun to write and yet another way to procrastinate!
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So much fun to read as I am also procrastinating and hiding from LOMSO. Your translation made me laugh out loud.
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I hope you enjoyed whatever form your procrastination took. I’ve always been a fan of productive procrastination — like making cookies instead of lesson planning. Hmmmm…there’s a thought!
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Yeah, but you got a great piece of writing and several excellent shortcut initials that will eventually save precious seconds as you relieve yourself from writing Land of My Significant Obligations. I loved this line: “Our pace may have unbrisked a bit.” I think that some procrastination is really a desire for a more creative outlet. This is a better use of brain power than most report card comments…at least the ones I wrote.
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Thanks! The comments are finally written. I’ll let them marinate and then check them again before formally entering them. Next week it’s on to Parent Teacher Conferences. March is SO hard!
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This reminded me of a Greek Myth and our hero is trying to accomplish his quest, but hijinks get in their way! It also reminded of Dante’s Inferno, him describing the levels of Hell… which isn’t too off from describing the levels of writing report cards…. So creative, Molly!
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Ha! Writing report card comments is not one of my favorite things to do for sure, and I love that you’re comparing it to a level of Hell.
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The nautical adventure you share here is positively compelling! I love the way you used the ship theme and destinations, ultimately “drifting off” to nap get some needed rest. I have been looking at a Subaru Crosstrek for about three years now, and you had me there – – at GSS. Maybe it’s my sign to abandon the RAV and opt for a GSS. It sounds like your ship is far more adventurous than my car……
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I am a huge Subaru fan. Actually, most people in Maine are. Subarus are everywhere here!!!
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Sub plans? Mental health day! Sweet! As I read your Slice, I felt she is having such fun being creative and playful in spite of LOMSO! The teaching life! No piece o’ cake.
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I wish the sub plans were for a mental health day, but they’re because I have multiple IEP meetings during class time this week. Sigh. It’s all good, but it’s a lot! Writing this post was a nice slice of fun though. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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NObody procrastinates as creatively and effectively as you do!!!
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Maybe I should offer a master class? lol
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Lol. So cleverly done. Hope you prevailed!
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Thanks! I did ultimately prevail. How can sitting and typing all day be so tiring??
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Such a clever commentary on your day. I think that’s what Saturdays are for. Sundays, too, but I know those LOMSOs won’t wait. Slow down this train!
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I’ve been more than a wee bit overwhelmed lately! Sorry to have to bail this past Sunday 😦
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What a fun slice to read! and darn that LOMSO!
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Somehow the LOMSO is always in sight, no matter what direction I’m looking!
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What a unique way to tell about your day!!
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It was fun to write 🙂 I wish I’d had a bit more time to play. I’m pretty sure I could have worked in being marooned…
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