Patti and the kids left about a week ago. First, they went up north to Osceola to hang out with the in-laws for Christmas, and then they flew to Orlando for three days of wrestling camp for my youngest son and relaxation and amusement for everyone else. I went up to Osceola for Christmas Eve and Christmas, but other than that, I’ve been all alone.
I’ve never lived alone. Being alone at home for a week is definitely a different experience for yours truly. In retrospect, I’ve stayed in a hotel for a week at a time for out-of-town trials, but a hotel room isn’t the same as one’s home. I “expect” to be alone in a hotel room, but not at home.
The one thing that really sticks out to me about being alone at home is that I personally need very little space. At least when I’m alone, I stayed confined to a pretty small area. The dog and I don’t take up much room. We tend to hang in the kitchen for chow and then mosey back to the bedroom, where I get use out of the massaging chair I bought a couple of months ago. We watch TV for an hour or two, and then it’s bedtime.
Another thing I notice about my time spent alone at home is that I have a lot of trouble getting up and moving when I’m by myself. When everyone is home, it’s my job to get up first and shower. Afterward, I have the responsibility of making sure everyone else is up and moving so that everyone gets to school and court on time.
It’s my job to get up and get ready and then get out of the way. It’s just as important that I leave so as not to clog the machinery. When I’m home alone, there’s no machinery to clog; therefore, I can move as slow as I like.
I think the dog has it roughest of all. He spends a lot of time by himself, but nothing like when it’s just me. I leave early and come home late. I do leave the television on for him, as I somehow believe that makes it better for him. I thought about leaving the television on “Animal Planet,” but I thought that might freak him out. I usually go with “Comedy Central.” I figure a laughing dog is a happy dog.
The best part of writing this on Sunday night is that my family will be back tomorrow night. That means this is the last night the dog and I have to spend alone. I did put some effort toward cleaning the house tonight because the one thing I definitely don’t do when I’m home alone is clean. I’ve never lived alone. I hope I never do. Happy New Year from the CHEAP SEATS!
Bill James is a co-founder of the James Law Firm with offices in Little Rock, Conway and Fayetteville, Arkansas. His primary area of practice is criminal defense. He can be contacted at Bill@JamesFirm.com