Wednesday, July 18, 2007

The Voice of Reason

So - i've been living life as a full time bachelor with the special lady friend out west.......this is the first such venture in over a year. The notion of doing whatever you want and being able to unwind in the quiet is always very appealing to me. But after about a week - you realize that really just involves drinking more beer than normal - eating way worse than normal - and spending more time listening to music and messing around on the CPU.

Where have you gone George Clooney - our nation's bachelor's turn their weary eyes to you? Show us a way to age gracefully into bachelordom........though with the understanding that your looks, money, fame and overall charisma aren't options for the masses.

The idea of mid-life bachelorhood seems to be this whole "grass is greener" opium induced dream for so many attached men. Problem being - I'm not sure what exactly it brings to the table, outside of a little weekend strange from time-to-way to damn long in between - time.
Have you been to a bar filled with upper 20's/low 30's single crowds lately? If so - I have a feeling you will have a look on your face not disimilar to Alex, our humble narrator, from Clockwork Orange.

So to say the least, I'm happy with my current lot in life. And I find no reason to long being single or alone more. I'll take my weekly man-day every Sunday and that will be just fine my friends.

I hope my friend John can find his writing voice........the more he writes, the worse his voice gets. Its like the inverse of wine.......more like goat's milk cheese; in terms of growing better with age. But he's always cast a wide net............and he always will.

And for that, I'm eternally grateful.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

T.A.R.C. Sandwich

TARC.....as in Transit Authority of the River Cities.

Yeah, so I'm just fessing up - I've chosen my transportation of choice for the new job and it begins and ends with the bus. And even crazier is that I love it.

I can't help but wonder as I ride how the bus has gotten such a bad rap over the years. I mean, the subway is "cool", the monorail is "cool", the "L" is "cooL".

But when you say you ride the bus people kind of think quietly in their head, wondering A) what is wrong with that person and/or B) what kind of gambling/drug addiction have they developed to put them in a place financially where this is necessary.

But I'm trying to change that perception. One ride at a time. With my stylish business casual gear and ipod nano - I'm bringing the yuppie back to the bus. And you know what? It feels pretty good. It's like being chauferred around town on the cheap with 20 of your best friends.....except that you don't know these people and half of them look crazy and yell out things to nobody in general. On second thought - not too different from my current friend set.

My friend Kier says that I've lessened by eco-footprint and for that I should feel good.

And for that - I will ride the bus in style, with pride, and with both eyes open. Because as I stand at the Edgeland and Bardstown stop waiting for the 17 to arrive at 8:10 in the AM - I can't help but think, "I'm wide awake, and its morning". If only it didn't take me so long to arise from my slumber.........