I Had a Busy Day

It was the kind of day that even when I was sitting down, I was busy.

I've been getting up at 7.00 for the last few days; the alarm is set, but I always wake up before it rings. Next week I'll have to move it down to 6.00. Anyway, I got up, got ready and dressed, and left for school around 8.00. I had a 9.00 meeting scheduled with the principal, but I thought I could get some things done in the library first.

It looked like a bomb had done off in there. The custodians picked everything up off the floor -- chairs, trash bins, you name it -- to clean, but nothing is put back yet. It took me several minutes just to find my chair. I went down to the office at 8.30, where the Colleague told me that the principal was coming in later today, i.e., 9.30 or later. Swell. I had another meeting scheduled at the central office at 9.30, not to mention a million things to do.

So I left, made my return at Staples, picked up coffee, and went over to the central office to hack out our last issue with the new library software. Back to the high school around 10.15, where the great man not only saw me, but had his calls held while I was in there with him. So that was nice. Had a nice long talk with him about all kinds of issues, including my displeasure with our secretary/staffing issues last year. So we'll see how that goes.

Left, made a brief stop at home and then to the Apple Store. Long story, I came across a portable hard drive I wanted to use, but couldn't find the cable, and it needs some very odd firewire cable. Hence the return at Staples, and three stupid trips yesterday to a computer store to buy the wrong thing and return it, wash, rinse, repeat. But they had the cable at the Apple Store, which is where I bought the drive last summer. And then to the computer store for the last return.

And then home, to change to go to Joel's wake.

The Other Chai arrived before 2.00, as we were going together. K was supposed to go with a friend, but he was called away at the last minute, so she went with us. As we were leaving the house, she said -- the fashion expert -- "You know, crocs aren't formal." What can I say, it's all I had. She's right, but I didn't have anything else to wear.

The wake was quite the experience. I didn't know any of Joel's family -- cousins -- although he had spoken of them, but I do know his friend, W---, who in the obituary was listed as his "lifelong friend." As I wrote the other day, they were friends since they were little boys. So we went over to him when we got there to express our sympathy, and here's the conversation we had, but of course, with real names:

As we took each other's hands and embraced -

"W--, I'm so sorry. I'm Chai; we've met several times."

"Oh, Chai! Joel LOVED you!"

I turned a bit and said "And this is my daughter K; I think you've met a few times, too."

"Oh, of course, K! Thank you so much for coming!"

So are we talking about another wonderful person, or what? K had asked me the other day if I thought Joel -- who was Mr. H. to her -- knew how many people loved him. I said I thought he did, because he loved so many people, and he knew it was reciprocated.

And, boy. The place was pretty well packed, and mostly with scads of other retired and current staff members from the high school. It was like a reunion. In that sense, it was wonderful, and I think Joel would be happy to know that we were all seeing each other. Some of the retirees have a little group and they see each other all the time; Joel was among them, and I know they will continue to include W---. I saw one of my all-time favorite people; I wrote about him a long time back, but I'm not looking for the link just now. He was my teacher in 10th grade, and the Hubs and I met in his class; he later became a treasured colleague. He retired maybe 15 years ago, so when can I ever see him? At wakes, of course.

So that was an interesting experience. The funeral is tomorrow morning, a mass. I don't think I've ever been to a funeral mass. I'm thinking it will take some time.

Anyway, after we got home and the Other Chai left, I conceded to K that I cannot wear crocs to church tomorrow, so we went to DSW and I bought a pair of black shoes. With little bitty heels. Hopefully I shall survive this experience.

We had dinner out, and I am exhausted. And achy. But I have a portable hard drive that works, I have black shoes, and I saw many people today who are very dear to me. With a lump in my throat, as they had in theirs, but dear nonetheless. I expect I will see more at the funeral tomorrow. One of my favorite students of all time was also close to Joel, he and the boy's parents were good friends. The "boy" is now ... let's see ... 30, and works in the city, I think, so he was probably going to the wake tonight, but I imagine he will be at the funeral tomorrow. The last time I saw him, in fact, was at Joel's mother's funeral. It will be another bittersweet meeting.

WATCHING LAW & ORDER :: ENTRY #1564