The Geek Curmudgeon

Although born Jewish, I have never been particularly devout. Though the idea of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement (which this year began at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 27 and ended at sundown on Monday, Sept. 28 ) always intrigued me. I like the concept of a day of atoning and forgiveness. In the spirit of the day, every Yom Kippur for the past 15 years or so, I have not worked (neither as a writer or a bookseller) but rather spent my day cleaning out my home office.

I’m a slob with piles of books and papers strewn all over my office. Twice a year or so (once on Yom Kippur and usually sometime in May or June), I take the day off and clean the room. I don’t write anything for the day and don’t even turn on the computer. I watch very little TV (always controlled and no channel surfing) and don’t make any work-related calls. I don’t even check any sports scores! My only real media for the day is listenng to music.

Over the past few years, my worsening health has limited my energy (I have both multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia), so the cleaning has become a more arduous task. I clean for an hour or so, then rest for an hour, then clean.. you get the idea. Leaves me pretty exhausted but I still managed to get most of the books off the floor and create a largish selection to bring to Half Price Books. Unlike previous years, I ran out of energy before completing my desk. I hope to deal with the mounds of papers within the week.

Perhaps the most significant side effect of this day of atonement is my renewed creative vitality. By the end of the 24 hours of not writing and very little media, ideas emerge rapid fire. An electric current of thoughts run through me and the need to work overtakes me. I heartily recommend the occasional low media, no writing days for all creative types out there. (BTW, it doesn’t work if you just don’t create but watch lots of TV and play on the net. That’s more commonly referred to as "being lazy.")

I’m not quite sure what I’m atoning for each year. I hope this twice-yearly struggle through the detritus of my office makes up for any indiscretions.