I need help in understanding something.. .

“And this by no means applies to those personages with children who have weekend obligations like soccor, ballet etc...

I hear of the "honey do" list that keeps lots of people off the trail on the weekends...why in gods earth, aren't you doing the "chores" monday thru friday, so that those things are done for the weekends and you can get out. Oh, I know that I've over simplified things here a bit, but still the theory applies.

If theres yard work, laundry, painting, car work, etc...that needs to be done, why wait till the weekend to do it. If those things are done during the week, then won't the weekend be available for playtime and fun.

I never understood the reasoning that one has to work on the weekend after working all week long. That's just stupid. Think of those chores as "personal work" and just expand the "work day" a bit longer, say till 9pm and by thursday nite, the chores are done and you can have the entire weekend free.

Its a bit easier for me, as I have no children, but, I still have things that need to be done. I'll be darned if I kill off a weekend to do work, thats what m-th is for. The weekends are for playtime...even God took time off from creation. Those of you that have not been outside because of "I gotta stay home and work"...shame on you. Get desciplened and do your work m-th and play on the weekends.”

“It's easy to keep em knocked out during the summer... but during the winter when it's dark when I leave for work and dark when I get home from work, it doesn't leave much time to do certain types of chores.”

“Yah, if it's an outdoor chore that needs doing, I have to wait until the weekend. It's dark when I leave work after the change back to Standard Time.”

“Here's what I usually face. I usually work 6 to 6. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I usually get home, eat supper, play with the kids, do the bed time routine and if I'm lucky, have some quiet time with my wife or wind down from the day starting about 8:30 pm. At this point in the day a chore isn't a priortiy. Better to just do it on Saturday. Now if I know I have a trip coming up I get everything done the previous weekend or a little each night.”

“A head lamp? I think that darkness can easily be overcome with some lighting. set up your camping lanterns and go to town...

next excuse please...

Today, I'm gonna solve everyones "chores delima"”

“Stik, as a person who takes care of a family of four as well as an elderly mother, you would be surprisd how much easier said than done that is. Last night, for instance. I got off the ferry at 5:30. Maple picked me up as she was home yesterday. I went to run an errand to the EZ Pass office. Then, we had an errand to do together. Then, we did some shopping. Then, I had to get my mom to a doc for an evening appointment. By 9:00, I brought some chinese food home for dinner. Last night, I had a few jobs to do (I do some independant jobs as a sideline). By 11:30 PM, I got home and relaxed for a half an hour.

Granted, this is not a usual day. This was a bit heavier. Tonight, I will get home, eat some dinner and get out for my boy scouts to have their meeting. The point I am making is that it always seems to be something that doesn't get done. There's no way in the world I can make the kind of time you questioned in the initial post...”

“Not regimented!

I am disciplined! I postpone everything as long as I can and usually longer.

And why are you worried about my schedule? Please let me do my own thing, if and when I feel like it!”

“I don't start doing my chores till 8:30. Between 8:30 and 10, I get it all done...although, last night I was going at it till 11:30.

I do realize that my situation is different, I can keep the music and all the lights on till whenever, but since I like to have the weekends off, then I get it done.”

“Stikky reminds me of the guy who I had to call the cops on because he was roofing his house in the middle of the night, lol...”

“NS...you took it personal...Its NOT personal! And, I don't think this really applies to you (unless there is some inside guilt) as you had more "bag nights" last year (and probably this year) than anyone else on this board.

Tree...That's exactly what I meant when I was talking about "time management". You did what you had to do, to get things done...but, your right, not all things get done during the time alloted. Even I have to stay home on occassion. I stayed home this past weekend, and will stay home on the weekend of December 18. Gotta clean and repack the gear sometime. LOL

you all are taking this way too serious...All I did was ask a question...as I hear all sorts of moanings and groanings..."oh crap, I gotta stay home and do chores...sorry I missed this trip". If hiking and backpacking is important and is something that is missed, then take care of business, get it done, and get out on the trail...stop moaning...

Maybe I should run for political office, but since I dislike politics and governmental things...No, I'll just stay in the woods as many weekends as I can.”

“I'm not taking it all that serious. I just tried to objectively answer the question.”

“sometimes you just need to stay home on a weekend and go out on a date or two.

this weekend I am going paddling Sat, have a date Sat night, Sunday I go watch the Titans play, may even take a date to that
last edited: 11/11/04 9:52:17 AM”

“tree made me stay home one weekend for a yard sale.

evil bastarddd”

“I had`one of them recently...highly overrated. LOL.”

“You asked for help in understanding somehting, I think people are giving you their opinions.”

“If you don't have kids, you don't really understand. And as you get a little older, adding a couple hours of chores on the end of a stressed-out work day is possible but not very probable.

I hear ya tho, most of those chores will be there next week if you go hiking this weekend.”

“mine aren't =)”

“Maybe this will help explain the situation some folks have to deal with:

I used to work for an environmental consulting company that overworked everyone, which resulted in 60-70 hour work weeks, including doing work on the weekends. As a result, I had no time the last few years to do any significant bpacking (maybe a day hike once every three months). The job market here in So Calif has been stagnant the last few years, so I had to stick with this situation.

Luckly (more like "Hallelujah!") I recently found another job with more reasonable hours (maybe an occasional emergency overtime situation), so I now have time to get out more often. I'll spend a few months getting acclimated to this new job (I inherited a program in dissarray), by which time the snow should be on the ground in the local mountains for some great winter bpacking. 2005 is gonna be a much better year!”

“Learn to cook, Maple. Maybe I could get away too! :)

Like DH, my answer was objective and not emotional. I have to defend this position because it is as real as it gets!”

“

"I never understood the reasoning that one has to work on the weekend after working all week long. That's just stupid."

I was just telling you to bug-off. Actually, I believe that you're the one in a rut! Or call it a "mold." We don't all fit into your mold. Perhaps we would like to do so, but we're all different.

I do understand your point. It's a good topic. But people could accuse us of running away from something. Maybe we are!”

“yep, they are. Thanks for the clarification. I was totally under the impression that there were no discussions going on. But, since this isn't really about me, I'm really glad that others are chiming in with their thoughts.

I'll say this though...I was out almost every weekend between Jan 1st and now, I still had time to get done what needed to be done...but, (and I keep saying this) I don't have the (this is not the right word) complications that others may. I'm not saying I'm better than others, I'm just making small talk and stirring the pot up in a non-harmful way.

I've had alot of my friends say to me, "no, can't make it this weekend, gotta stay home and do work". Heck, I work all week, on the weekends, I wanna play. Thats the difference between kids and adults. Kids know what play is, adults have forgottenplay.

I will say this...most of the people on this board, know what "play" is way more than most. I forgot what "play" is, once already in my life, I'll NEVER let that happen again.”

“Man, I would give anything to just have the time to spend learning to play my guitar a lot more consistently. I have days where I can eke out an hour or two for it and then there are times where I go 3 or 4 days before I can even get the time to pick it up. There's not much consistency in way of life. It's just the lives we chose to live. The reponsibilities have to come first...
last edited: 11/11/04 10:10:00 AM”

“We haven't forgotten, Stikkie! Not by a long shot. Some of us just can't do it. Some people take a two hour commute each way to work, or a little less. Some go 10-15 minutes each way. They can have the same core work day and still their time spent out of the house is radically different. Just one of many examples..”

“Stikky, you like to stir the pot. :)

And, I agree with NS. Maybe you're the one in a rut.

I think your life is very different than others lives, and you have to recognize that and accept it. Kids, home improvement, etc., heck, even "work" work on the weekends sometimes.

I think some people are better at time management than others, too. I'm not great at it, so a lot of things get pushed off to the weekends, and that's just the way I am, and have always been. Sometimes the weekdays are jsut too exhausting (work and school and errands and such) and other things get pushed off until the weekend.”

“I'm running away from something....lonliness. Its simple...stay at home and be lonley and dead, or get out and be alive.

Usually, I'm too busy in the woods, trying to "take it all in" to realize that I'm by myself.

I recently told someone that I demand alot from my friends...Its my friends that stand between me and lonliness and madness. I'd go crazy without my friends. I'm not talking hypothetical, I'm talking about stark raving lonely lunacy here. But, on the other hand, what my friends get from me is undying loyalty and trust. I love my friends and would die for them if it came down to it.

Without them my world is empty. I've said it before, but maybe it needs to be said again, finding Trail Talk 3 years ago saved my life. Without you maniacal people, I'd be less alive, less on the trail, and more lonley. Lonliness is a destructive force, it leads to depression, stress, anxiety, death.

So...with that said...live on and be HAPPY.

NS...after all these years, your still telling me to bug off. Well, I'm not gonna...
[:-P~~~ We still haven't met...maybe one day.”

“BINGO!!! my life is different...in many ways. Kinda sorta always has been. In many ways, I've been fortunate, in many ways, I've been cursed. I've always felt that the world doesn't quite revolve the same for me,as it does for others...but, I still can't walk on water..(I tried last night and got the tops of my feet wet). LOL

I'm not sure why I started this thread, but I'm glad I did...there is an underlying thing going on under the surface...but, only the astute will know for sure what that is. I'm not exactly in a good state of mind right now...a bit unbalanced I would call it. My universe tried for a paradigm shift recently. It didn't work, so, I'm channeling negative energies into positive actions, in an attempt to realign myself. It's a bit hard right now, and just being able to converse with you all is really helping...please don't send me no bills for the therapy sessions. LOL...

I need to listen to the Talking Heads "remain in light" album. There is such good philosophical metaphysical psychobabel on that album. It always makes me "see straight" after I listen to it.”

“The other issue is priorities. My family and business are a much higher priority than hiking. I also make time to hike, but it's not at the top of the list.”

“Stikky is very right though, chores can be scheduled to not interfere with things we like to do, such as backpacking.

Work, spouses, kids and family somehow aren't so easy to schedule away but consessions can be made.

I'm not sure I've ever missed a trip cause of chores. Money and time off have been my bugaboos as of late.

Oh and for me, working on my truck is fun too.”

“Hope you work things through, Stik! Whatever gets you by in this crazy world is usually fine, barring hurting yourself or others, for the most part.

And the Talking Heads are awesome therapy!”

“HPM is right. And, on occasion, I do put things aside. Beasue if I don't I might become as stark raving mad as Stikmon here! :)


I just can't do it on a weekly basis because then, nothing would get done..”

“I don't think I've ever missed a trip because the grass needed mowing either. I have passed because I just needed to be in town for a change.”

“I think I am on the same page as you, DH...”

“suprised no one mentioned this

sex is a good reason to miss a trip. spending the weekend with a date all curled up in each other is nice :)”

“yep, on both accounts.”

“dayhiker, does your wife know your dating, how do you take care of both with your busy schedule ;)”

“I still date her!”

“good for you!!”

“You bachelor, you! >:D

Last weekend, I decided to stay at home on Saturday and blow leaves our of my flower beds, porch, and back deck. I live alone, but I take pride in my little nest. I thought about going out for a one-nighter, but I chose to love on my little pocket of land for a bit. I went for a short dayhike on Sunday and ran into some knowledgeable locals from Cosby out in Greenbriar on the Grapeyard Ridge Trail. It was a nice weekend. I think the key to avoiding my loneliness is balance. I enjoy my house to myself sometimes, and bustling around is therapeutic for me. Granted, I don't always want to be living alone, but I might as well enjoy the moment and not worry about the future too much. I am demanding of my friends because all my friends are married and/or with kids. My best friend expects me to be the one to visit and she probably visits me 2 or 3 times out of the year, and she is just 20 minutes down the road in Blount County. The classification between single vs. married people befuddles me. I think there was another thread about that topic?”

“sniff
I want to go on a date :(
to busy to anymore”

“Why do you people feel you have to justify your decisions to this guy on when you do chores and when you go hiking.”

“Out of the many types of people, there are people that find most of their happiness in domesticity whether it's a relationship, a marriage, a family..so they make that more of a priority... then there are people that find happiness in that, but are detached more and need to be by themselves. Domesticity is more suffocating at times.. So homelife isn't as much as a priority as it is for some. I think some people on this board that don't go backpacking with their partners or kids might be like this. I think it's healthy... but there's always got to be a balance. Once the balance tips, one side suffers - your Self, or your responsibility to your home.”

“it's a discussion.”

“Stik

and when Im wasting that weekend performing all those responsibilities, I get angry and start singing

this is not my beautiful wife
this is not my beautiful house
my god how how did I get here

Stik- you may not think you will get here, and you will try to not to get here but all trails may end up here anyway.”

“smokygirl, do you blame me :)

you doing the paddle this weekend at center hill lake?”

“Looks like another thread for TTUACP (Trail Talkers United Against Controlling Personalities)!”

“I didn't know about no paddle at Center Hill? I am camping in Smokemont with my Pa and we hiking Deep Creek Loop and Mingus Mill.

Ewker - my folks are having a Thanksgiving dinner Saturday the 27th. I am going to paddle Fontana to Hazel Creek T-giving weekend for one-nighter since I can't travel to Gulf to paddle, but I want to organize a trip to Okiefanokee (sp?). Let's do it!”

“when do you want to do that trip”

“Blow it up your skirt. Your a nobody and your voice counts for nothing.

Balance...yeah...I understand about balance. I also understand juggling. I understand commitments. I understand responsibility...

What I don't understand is whinning about those things because they get in the way. Thats all I'm saying. Its ok to have other peices of the pie...but to use...no, complain that those things get in the way of living life is ludacrious. Some of the posts I've read in the past say...
"oh, I can't go out hiking this weekend, cause I've got a honey do list that I've been ignoring", or "my wife says I can't go, cause I didn't paint the garage, for 3 months". this is what I'm talking about. do what needs to be done, stop making excuses and life your life...don't let life live you. does that make sense. Or am I speaking in riddles...and...

I do appreciate the non-explosive conversation...all except for a few posts. Thanks! and...for the record...I haven't lost my mind...just my heart.”

“Do chores during happy hour??? Are you out of your #&%!$ing mind?”

“Evenings on TT take priority over doing chores that can wait.”