I called in sick today. I was not sick. I was just tired. I know that I added a third day to my weekend after returning from a two week Winter Break just seven days earlier. As a supervisor, I am aware of how bad that really looks, but I had the “don’t wannas.” Just call it a mental health day if you will. I will not be procuring one of these much discussed absence excuses, as I have nearly 100 sick days accumulated even after the January 2007 health fiasco.
But I feel guilty. No, I am not Catholic. I just know that I lied. And, like the House-isms say:
- “Everybody lies.”
- “I don’t ask why patients lie, I just assume they all do.”
- “It’s a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what.”
- “Truth begins in lies.”
- “I’ve found that when you want to know the truth about someone that someone is probably the last person you should ask.”
While I often joke about what a psycho hose beast I am, I do not have a diagnosed mental illness. I do get a little blue every now and again, and today was one of those days. Monday Monday is not always so good to me nor is it always what I hoped it would be. I’ll give it a go again tomorrow. Tuesday is Chooseday in my eyes. I can make it be whatever kind of day I want it to be. All I know is that I “do wanna” have a better day tomorrow.
If everyone needs the occasional mental health day, click here for a few tips (courtesy of wikiHow) on how to get yours without raising suspicions at work. I did call in to the fucktacular boss’ voice mail at 5 AM and left a very short message: “I have diarrhea. I am staying home today.” Sometimes less is more.
On a “be the change” note, help support the lives of those suffering from mental illness by clicking here to order the exclusive “Everybody lies” t-shirt pictured above on the snarky Dr. House himself.
Yeah, well, given that you had a serious case of the “don’t wannas” it was probably best for EVERYONE that you stayed home yesterday. Feeling any better today?
I understand….I played Free Cell for about four hours in my office yesterday while hiding behind the gigantic stack o’crap that needs to be done!
At least your excuse was a good one! No one wants the details when diarrhea is your problem! I hope you have a better Tuesday….
I only have to leave my apartment for work three day a week. I work at home for two. And I STILL CALL IN SICK at least once or twice a year. Sometimes the thing called work simply can’t be faced. You could have just left a message that said “I am sick. I am not going to be in today” and it would have been 100% true because you are sickened by the idea of going to work. This is nothing to feel guilty about unless you start calling out sick for 30 consecutive days and saying things like “get a temp to do my job. I hate you. Bye bye.”
That shirt rocks. Everyone needs a mental health day now and then. I know how that feels. I’m glad you took one and that you made today a Chooseday. Awesome strategy.
@ Mrs. Chili: Absolutely, I am feeling fantastic today!
@ kdw: One word: Twitter
@ Nina: Not many people would want to do my job. It’s secure.
@ Melissa: It was a great strategy. I had a red letter day today. Check out the “Oh! What Fresh Hell Is This !” entry.
House is my hero. That new show with a lie detector hooked up to the contestants would be a cake walk for me. Cause we ALL know the real answers but ….everybody lies!
I like your blog =)
@ starrlight: Ditto!
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