Friday at Last

So it is Friday at last. Again, another Friday. How time flies. What can I say? I woke up at 4:30, couldn't go back to sleep, eventually went back to sleep, and missed waking up in time to get to the pool by 6. I really wanted to swim too. But maybe I didn't want to swim that bad. You see, I have to get to the pool when it first opens. Being the introvert that I am, I do everything in my power to avoid crowds. That's why I don't go to the pool on weekends. Oh how the people come out in flocks. It's quite annoying. And anyway, I get to the pool when it opens to ensure I get my own lane to swim in. Nobody wants to share a lane with someone you don't know. I guess I should just speak for myself. I don't want to share a lane. I want that lane to be all mine. Where I can swim laps and dream that I'm a fish. Not really, but you get the idea. And when you see someone that doesn't look like they are a good swimmer, you don't stop at the walls, you swim continuously to give the signal - I'm a serious swimmer, don't even think about trying to share my lane. I'm kind of a grump to those of you that don't know me. I'm a solitary person, and I enjoy it. I only enjoy spending time with people that I'm close with. And that's because I don't enjoy small talk, frivolous conversations. It's not me. I'm not very skilled at being fake.

Wow, I'm on one this morning. So onto another subject. What did I initially start writing about? Oh yes, about it being Friday. So Friday has come yet again. Inevitable, isn't it? When just on Monday, I dreaded going back to work, now Friday has arrived. Still I would love to not go in. I would love to sit at home and write all day. Go to a coffee shop for a little while. Have some ice cold iced tea in this atrociously hot weather. Read. Go swimming in the middle of the day as there will probably not be that many people. Just never after work - that's when everyone comes out of the wood works. And the kids - oh god the kids, they're so annoying.

But alas, I will not be able to stay home today. I must be responsible. I must be an adult and go in. For I have duties to take care of today. People are relying on me. I have work to do. Oh how the work is neverending. But I should find comfort in knowing it is Friday. Tonight I can relax knowing the next day there is no work. I might even treat myself, indulge myself to a craving for a cheeseburger and fries from In-N-Out. The topic of conversation yesterday in the lunch room. Yes, I may very well, decide to splurge and drive to not the nearest In-N-Out because that's a crowded one!! No, I'll drive to one a little bit further - but much more worthwhile because it has less people! And by now, you should be getting the hint, that I avoid big groups and hordes of people at all costs.

Why yes, even family get togethers and reunions are cause for strife in my mind. They are draining. All the people, all the children. All the food. All the commotion. All the laughter, and conversations. You see again I am not particularly adept at conversing with large numbers of people on a shallow basis. I don't find any purpose in it. I don't get anything out of it. It requires much effort and strain on my part. And perhaps that is why all my life, I have never had a big group of friends. I can't keep up with the group mentality. No, I much rather march to the beat of my own drummer. Is that even the saying? Or have I changed it?

Needless to say - I wish I didn't have to work. I really do. I know it's not a reality. But who really wants to work? Who? I implore you to answer me!! :) And when people tell me they love what they do, that they have never taken a vacation, because everyday going to work is like a vacation - in my head, I'm like Who do you think you're talking to? Do I look like a fool to you? I'm thinking of one particular person who said this to me. We dated, if you can even call it that for a short minute. And he tried to throw that garbage my way. Inside, I was thinking - that's actually kind of sad that he hasn't taken a vacation. That going to work is his vacation. That he hasn't even ever been out of the country. And I know that not everyone can afford the luxury of traveling abroad. But this fool was an attorney. He had the money. To me, I knew we weren't meant to be, because he didn't have a desire to see what's out there. I'm a nomad at heart. In my dreams, I travel the world, meeting all sorts of people. I live in the community, not as a tourist, but more as a visitor trying to learn another culture. I see the universality of the human condition and world. That's one of my dreams. And if someone tries to throw cow dung my way and says he doesn't need a vacation, that he doesn't have a desire to see the world, well then that's just a clear signal, that we're not meant to be. And better sooner than later I find out.