Empty Rooms

Wife, kids, and in-laws -- indeed the entire population of the house except myself and the cat -- have headed off to visit relatives for two days. Being the sort of wild and crazy guy that I am, I'm taking the opportunity to work late on a couple project, do a few things around the house, and cook curry without holding back on the spiciness. (The girls are adventurous eaters, but they have their limits.)

Since the household population has been anywhere from two to six people above normal levels at any given time over the last week, the quiet having the house to myself last night was relaxing.

Still, nothing makes you realize how time intensive and interactive being a husband and father is like coming home to an empty house. Even getting home well after 7pm, the evening yawned ahead with an unstructured chasm of free time. It's enjoyable for a few days, but after six years of marriage and five years of fatherhood, I can't even imagine what it would be like to be single again.

The house is awefully quiet.