Dear Misspent Time

Dear Misspent Time,

I was talking to my parents tonight (who have NOT been reading this blog, I might add), and my dad suggested that I write you. It seems appropriate, I suppose, since most of my life outside of work is with you (and, perhaps, a lot of time AT work). It's funny how we never really take the time to just sit down and write a real letter to the people that we spend a lot of time with. As if personal face-to-face time doesn't necessitate any sort of hard copy, permanent-record type of communications.

Actually, though, you're probably the major cause of that, aren't you? I mean, the reason we "don't have time" to send some meaningful communications to our friends (write real letters, even e-mail something more than a three-sentence summary of our last month of life) is because we're with you. At least, that's normally my excuse. But I suppose it just depends on people's definitions as to what is your kind of time and what is in the domain of your brother, Wellspent.

I generally classify watching tv as spending time with you, although, there's a lot to be said about coming home from work and letting my mind and body just let go for about twenty minutes while mindlessly watching the tube. It's when I spend more time than that that it seems like a waste. Yet I, personally, don't count movie-watching as being with you, and that's more or less the same idea. I guess the theory is that a good movie should spark some real emotion or thought in me, and thought-provocation is a productive pursuit.

Which brings me to the bigger question: is this blog nothing more than a daily ode to you? Somehow, I find myself committing a portion of time to writing this crap (which, apparently, is read by THREE people), but I don't have time to call people I haven't talked to in months (or write them). What do you think, Gannoni? Is writing this instead of finally catching up with you a decent excuse? Probably not.

Misspent, is there anybody out there who you DON'T see regularly? Is there a soul who is always (or almost always) using their time wisely? And is that even healthy? I know that I would never be able to survive for more than a couple days straight without seeing you, but maybe there are people that don't need you. People that aren't ridiculously fickle, impulsive, lazy, unmotivated procrastinators like myself. And who also have non-office jobs. Because, I bet anybody with internet access at their job absolutely sees you daily.

I know this is totally unrelated and doesn't fit into the theme or flow of this letter, but I just wanted to make a quick comment: I watched "Man on Fire" last night, and I have to say that's one of the most underappreciated movies ever made. It's advertised as an "action-adventure," but it's anything but. It's dark, and gripping, and harsh and beautiful all at the same time. I mean, how many movies can make claim to scenes involving cutting off fingers and a rectal bomb, as well as an emotional back-story that can get a viewer all choked up? Not too many. And who can't love Christopher Walken delivering the line "Creesy's art is death, and he's about to paint his masterpiece" in a movie that co-stars the ever-so-adorable Dakota Fanning? Brilliant.

Hmmm . . . I suppose it's random musings like that that make us get along so well, Misspent. I mean, if it wasn't for my penchant for spacing out or daydreaming, we'd spend half as much time together. And wouldn't that just be a damn shame?

Anyway, write me back when you get a chance, and if I'm slow to respond, it's okay - I'm probably working on my blog.

Hesitating Beauty,
CVT