I heard on today’s news that said the third Monday of January is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. Here’s an article about the issue from Time:

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1704887,00.html

Now, if I’m not mistaken, the third Monday in January is also always MLK day. Combine the holiday with the linked news story and I can’t imagine how depressing today must be for racists. Anyway, I found the 2008 third Monday in January more exhausting then depressing. I was up late last night, celebrating the Giants’ stunning upset of the Packers. The game ended near ten but the outcome excited me so much I didn’t fall asleep until near one. Plus, I kept hallucinating sounds from the kitchen and back yard, freaking myself out, and slept on edge. This morning I woke by seven. I thought of heading to work early but decided to wait until the boys’ babysitter arrived near ten. M planned to visit student teachers up north and assume (rightly so) my availability would be questionable the day before the semester starts. I drove to work and settled into my office by 10:30AM. Yes, I know today’s a day off, but I’m workaholic, shoot me. Terry, one of my colleagues, talked about the game before I answered emails and organized my paperwork. I don’t feel as if tomorrow is the first day of the semester. Throughout the area students are dreading or anticipating their first day of classes. Me? I practically forgot. I’ll get excited tomorrow when I see students milling in the halls. I teach at one and four.

This afternoon I felt as if I might grow seriously ill. Vomit creeped up my throat. I took a long, hot bath and settled under the sleeping bag on the couch. I bounced between Sportscenter, the local news (bad traffic) and “America’s Top Model.” Slight sidebar…I’m always amazed at how unattractive the girls are on “America’s Top Model”, and I have nothing against models. After a quick dinner I’m ready to curl up with Murakami and an early bedtime.

I feel like I’m on the verge of something important. A poem is forming in my mind called “Never Going Back.”