The ill Humored

Today, like most days, has gone by much too quickly. I believe the fact that I am getting older is greatly contributing to this ongoing problem. I truly believe that the older you get, the faster time goes, especially when you don’t want it to. Today is my one day off from work this week. I started this day determined to enjoy every minute, but alas, it is difficult to enjoy the minutes that are fleeting so rapidly. So what do I do to make the most of these short-lived moments? I try to be as productive as possible. Sure, maybe I’m missing out on some much needed rest, but when you feel your life is passing you by, it’s better to not be wasteful.

What should one look for in a friend?  It is a question that is not easily answered.  Given that these people play such a large part in your life, it would only make sense to be cautious when selecting them.  You have to ask yourself then, what are your own criteria?  For myself, hopefully they would share interests with me; but if they can hang out with me, and keep up with each other, it could only be a good thing.  Mostly, I would just like a person who, when I talk to them, it feels like actually cares and actually want to be there and listening to me.  And on the other side of things, I hope to be able to reciprocate.

I live in Brighton, Michigan, a relatively small town like many others.  The town itself is kind of divided.  It’s a fairly wealthy place, with little left of the quaint little downtown it was composed of even fifteen years ago.  There has been an attempt recently to hide the other, previous composition of the town; namely, a more redneck element.  The original inhabitants of Brighton, like many other places in Michigan, were more rural, hunting and fishing oriented folks.  They’ve since been pushed into the background, and our citizens try to keep up their fashionable, upper middle class facade, and maintain the small town values of yesteryear.  The result is a place that feels somewhat stuck up, yet boring; the worst of both worlds.

This time of year, it can become difficult to dress for the weather.  Even though it’s now technically December, the season is still much more fall than winter.  This intermediate, neither here nor there sort of temperature.  Today, it was about 45, and there was a pretty steady drizzle.  The cold itself wasn’t really a worry, because any moderate movement will get your body heat to a sufficient level.  I opted for a simple striped sweater and jeans.  Nothing particularly special.  That really just left the rain, which I luckily had covered.  I own a long, brown leather overcoat that I use because it’s relatively waterproof.  My friends mock me and say it makes me like like a motorcyclist from the Thirties, but I really don’t care.  It cuts the wind, keeps me dry, so I think I was dressed just about right for the day.

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It may seem ridiculous, or unoriginal, or trite, but if I could have anything in the world, the answer that comes to mind first is and always will be money.  Why money?  For me, it’s an easy answer.  They say that money never bought happiness, but the question isn’t “What would make you happy?”  Even it it’s a bit sad, the fact is money essentially buys anything.  Most of the problems that I’ve had in life have involved money, or could have been taken care of if I had been able to afford it.  I don’t want to sound shallow, but I think if I had the money, I would be able to feel more at peace.  Not exactly Zen Buddhism, I know, but it’s kind of a meditation for this day and age.

I have always made a point of not compromising my personal morals.  This, of course, can be seen as a negative.  To me at least, it’s not just stubbornness or blind adherence to an arbitrary set of ideals.    The way that I see it, everyone has hard times, especially in this economy.  A lot of things can and do happen to you.  Many people have lost homes, had cars repossessed, and other such tragic happenings.  When it really comes down to it, the world can do a lot to you and take a lot away from you.  The one thing that you have that can never be lost is your own honor.  If you are true to your word, you always have a chance to turn things around.

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As a little kid, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents house.  We lived with them for a while, when my parents were trying to find a new house.  My grandmother, like many others I imagine, was a big fan of baking.  Cookies, cakes, brownies, there was rarely a day that went by without the smell of something delicious wafting upstairs.  I always liked to join her down in the kitchen.  She usually tried to make me go out into the yard and play, because, being a traditionalist, she felt that little boys shouldn’t be baking.  She relented eventually, obviously, and I especially liked when she would let me lick the batter from her spoon.  One day, I snuck a large piece of chocolate that was next to her on the counter.  It was, it turned out, bakers’ chocolate, and unsweetened.  I must have made the most ridiculous face sucking on the bitter stuff, because Grandma couldn’t stop laughing.

Lately, I’ve taken up a new hobby.  I have started rock climbing.  I should preface this by saying that I started this, like so many other people, because of a girl.  This wasn’t just any girl; I don’t want to seem shallow or manipulative.  She was my longtime girlfriend, and had been nagging me for a long time to go to Planet Rock, the local climbing gym, with her.  A few months ago, I relented.  And, to her credit, she was right, I actually quite enjoyed it.  As a taller guy, I have an easier time reaching longer distances.  I would have an easier time if I was about twenty pounds lighter, but that’s wishful thinking.  Anyway, I very much enjoy it, and surprisingly it doesn’t even bother my bum knee, aside from a little weakness after extended times hanging twenty feet off the ground.  The rush that stays with you the rest of the afternoon makes it worth it.

I’ve always fancied myself a bit of a cook.  This may be hubris on my part, but I think if I’m given the right ingredients, the sky’s the limit.  Now that I’m back at home with my parents, my culinary potential has greatly expanded.  Having more food around than baked beans and spaghetti can be a bad thing though, because I’ve definitely gained some weight.  Anyway, in an attempt to be a little bit healthier, I put myself on a diet recently.  Today for dinner, I decided to cook some salmon.  I had some cans, courtesy of Costco, but fish alone does not a meal make.  I needed a grain, and opted for quinoa, which , for those unfamiliar with it, is a high protein Peruvian grain; favored by the Incas, and very nutritious.  Throwing these together with a minimum of spices, and I had fairly decent dinner in fifteen minutes for under five dollars.