All in a Day's Work

Project 15 - Day 81

You can tell it’s summer in south Florida. The island is deserted, a lot like a ghost town sweltering under the tropical sun. Traffic is non-existent and the beach is empty. It is particularly noticeable at the gallery.

One of my partners is on a 3-week vacation. Several months ago we two agreed to “cover” for each other to make it easier for us to get away for more than a few days at a time. Of course at that time I thought I was committed to the gallery until next spring. Committed to the loony bin is what I should have been. What I failed to consider at the time of the pact was how slow things would be during the summer season. And now not only am I spending my last couple of weeks working my hours at the studio, but hers as well. But hey, a promise is a promise.

Yesterday went something like this:

11:00 a.m. – Open the studio. Drag the sign board outside.

11:05 a.m. – Power up the lap top and begin the wait for customers.

11:30 a.m. – Pace the studio to keep from falling asleep.

11:45 a.m. – Start digging in the cooler for lunch.

12:00 noon – Gaze longingly at lone passer-by. Silently pleading for them to come in.

12:16 p.m. – Looking for a snack.

12:29 p.m. – Staring at computer monitor wishing I could access somebody, anybody’s internet connection.

12:45 p.m. – Pleading with passer-by to come in. She ran away calling for security.

1:00 p.m. – I know there has to be another snack in the cooler. I couldn’t have eaten everything already.

1:12 p.m. – A customer is in the shop. Trying hard to be non-threatening.

1:13 p.m. – Watching said customer exit the building.

1:15 p.m. - Searching for food.

1:35 p.m. – Hit forehead on desk while napping. No stitches needed.

1:48 p.m. – Walked next door to Starbucks and snatched copies of the all 3 of the free weekly newspapers servicing the island.

2:01 – Finished ready newspapers.

2:10 p.m. – What happened to the watermelon I packed?

2:18 p.m. – Cranked up the cd player. Dancing and swaying to Margaritaville; also singing loudly off-key.

2:21 p.m. – Starbuck’s employee asked me to stop. I scared away their customer.

2:26 p.m. – There should be a Weight Watchers snack bar in this bag someplace.

2:50 p.m. – Woke myself up snoring.

3:01 p.m. – Is it 7 o’clock yet?

3:18 p.m. – Two visitors came in. I locked the doors behind them. They are now my captives.

3:19 p.m. – I let them out. They threatened to call the FBI.

3:31 p.m. – Watching the wind blow.

3:43 p.m. – Is that a raisin?

4:00 p.m. – Making faces in mirror.

4:09 p.m. – Patching nail holes in the wall.

4:18 p.m. – Hey you, over here. I’m giving away free paintings.

4:42 p.m. – Did you know you can blow bubbles with Dentyne?

4:56 p.m. – Finally, it’s dinner time. If I take really small bites how long can I make this sandwich last?

4:57 p.m. – Sandwich consumed.

5:01 p.m. – Making nose print faces on the front doors.

5:16 p.m. – Cleaning front doors.

5:37 p.m. – More sing along with Jimmy. Let Starbucks call the police, at least someone would come in.

5:52 p.m. – I wonder if there is anything left in the bottom of the cooler?

6:08 p.m. - Dang what’s that smell. Cold Stone Creamery is baking waffle cones again. Where’s my cooler?

6:13 p.m. – Do you think Inez would notice if I added a little paint to her work in progress?

6:30 p.m. – I know every word to all of Jimmy’s songs.

6:40 p.m. – It’s a little early, but I’ll just drag the sign inside anyway.

6:50 p.m. – Pacing anxiously.

6:59 p.m. – Lights out, doors locked. I’m outta here.

I’ve got to get to bed early tonight. I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow.

11:00 a.m. - Open the studio. Drag the sign board outside.