Night - Claude Joseph Vernet (Source) |
But in general I was there from lunchtime to nighttime. I called the shift "noon to nine," pithy, to the point, and "close enough for government work." (Which it is.) While some nights pushed the 2200 boundary (not that often), I was generally back at Chez Sarge by 2130. (9:30 PM for you civvies.)
So Monday, after a relaxing weekend, I went in at 1130. Now at 1430 we have our daily stand up meeting (where we don't actually stand up). When I strolled into the meeting, I discovered that noon to nine was over, at least for the nonce.
I was pleased, at first, the night time thing was wearing thin on this aging carcass of mine and I was keen to see the daylight after work once again. Then it struck me.
Damn, I have to get up early on Tuesday. While I did have the option of staying on noon to nine for the remainder of this week, I opted out. The lab is no fun when you are by yourself. Both for safety and security reasons.
So up I was yesterday morning, well before the crack of dawn, into the shower and off to work.
Where my aging butt was dragging for most of the day. It takes a bit to re-acclimatize oneself, the older you get, the longer it takes. But as I "ain't that old," I'll be fine. But while casting about for a subject to post about, I discovered this Vernet fellow.
Morning - Claude Joseph Vernet (Source) |
Napoleon at the Battle of Borodino - Carle Vernet (Source) |
The Battle of Valmy - Horace Vernet (Source) |
Midday - Claude Joseph Vernet (Source) |
Evening - Claude Joseph Vernet (Source) |
The Shipwreck - Claude Joseph Vernet (Source) |
That last one, yup, that's how I felt Tuesday at the close of business.
Night and day, if the line between them seems blurry, get thee to bed earlier!
Dad worked shift work as a Texas peace officer. Mornings, Afternoons, Midnights. 7-3, 3-11, 11-7. As I remember, they rolled backward. if you were on 7-3, the next time change, you went to midnights. He managed that for over 20 years, and then they added a swing shift in the late 70's, 7pm to 3am.... That just about killed him. I'm about the same age he was then, and I know I'd have a difficult time doing that.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, you'll snap back quick.
I already feel back to what approaches normal. Howsoever one might define what "normal" means.
Delete(While I don't like to get up early, I do like being home before sundown.)
Three generations of painters- that has to be if not unique, at least unusual.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was pretty cool myself.
DeleteIt was when I worked swing shifts, in the '60s and again in the late '80s, that I determined there is no such thinh as normal.
ReplyDeleteLife continues to reinforce that.
My experience is similar. Normal has more to do with consistency than anything else.
DeleteLast week I had three days off during the week, that's only "normal" around Independence Day and Thanksgiving. The rest of the year, that ain't normal. I'm looking forward to my next "normal," retirement. Where every day is a weekend!
There are no weekends in retirement.
DeleteIt's just different.
Well, as the concept week is different, then there would be no "weekend" per se.
DeleteI don't quite get it, but I'm keen to try!
Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, what day of the week is it?
Paul L. Quandt
It's today.
DeleteLive in the moment.
Paul - Written Tuesday evening to publish on Wednesday morning. Time travel, it's confusing.
DeleteOh yeah...
DeleteWhat Skip said.
Wow! I really, really NEED some YUUGE prints of those paintings. Thanks for posting those!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47548/acquainted-with-the-night
I love those paintings.
DeleteAnd I loves me some Robert Frost as well! Thank you for that!
The lightening bolt in The Shipwreck really catches my eye. Helps draw the viewer to the port, safe from the storm but sadly too far for the unfortunate crew and passengers in the foreground.
ReplyDelete/
L.J.
That painting had nothing to do with the original post, but I liked it so much that I wanted to include it.
DeleteIt does capture how I felt Tuesday after work.
You're the boss!
Delete:)
DeleteIt was a Dark and Stormy Night...
ReplyDeleteI could use a few Dark and Stormies...
Delete