Bachelor Duties

She realized that the tragedy of death had to do entirely with what was left unfulfilled.
-Abraham Verghese
"Cutting For Stone"

Twenty-five years ago today

January 29, 1986
Wednesday

Yesterday history was made because the Space Shuttle Challenger blew up (seventy-three seconds into its flight) near Florida.  All seven crew members were killed (Michael J Smith, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis and Judith Resnick).  It made me sad to learn that Christa McAuliffe was a high-school teacher from New Hampshire.

It’s pouring rain this morning. I forgot my duck handle umbrella, too. Boo-Hoo.


I had a poor sales day.


My teeth were bothering me. It’s as if I had a couple of cavities coming on. I think it’s cleared up.


At lunchtime my section had a PacTel luncheon that included spare ribs. It was a filling meal. My supervisor, Steph, mentioned Elizabeth Center’s promotion to management after she recently transferred. Coincidentally, I had a dream of this happening. I wonder why. I guess I wish I were in that predicament. Do I find it to be a problem? We usually dream our problems you know. Oh well—whatever. Steph also shared her experiences at the recent Branch Conference at the Concord Hilton over the last two days. It sounded fun.


At 5 o’clock sharp I went home instead of choosing to work overtime. I decided I should go home and brush my teeth. I also needed to go grocery shopping for food. I need baking soda and other goodies. I accomplished a lot.


I did visit my gym. I was surprised to see that all of the equipment had been rearranged. I saw Mark Landreth. He was working out with such concentration. He’s a nice guy. I find him to be very reserved. He reminds me a bit of myself at times.

I shopped at SAFEWAY in Alameda and went home to see the end of DYNASTY. I unpacked all of the groceries. I had the munchies and chose to eat half of my almonds while sipping a glass of Diet 7-UP. I wanted to make myself lunch for tomorrow but I forgot to buy baggies and lunch bags at the store. These little tidbit bachelor duties are endless. There’s a lot I still have to learn.


I was in bed by 10 o’clock. It’s funny because last night (and tonight) I woke up around midnight. I thought it was already time to get up and go to work. Tonight I woke at midnight because of the telephone ringing. I have no idea who it might have been. Maybe it was a computer line number being crossed with my line.

In the meantime, he was content the way things were, treasuring each hour with him, writing it up that night in his diary so that it could be cherished forever.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"