Dear New Year

Dear New Year,

Let's all make it bum permanently in the endless life! Okay? Good.

I haven't written in a while, so I felt like I should. And, today being the day after the first day of the you, it seemed that you would be the most logical concept to write a letter to. The thing is, though, that I don't really have much to say to or about the you. I mean - as far as I'm concerned, today is no different from the last week or so, except other people have to be back at work, and I don't. Which - now that I think about it - is a very good thing. Okay, then.

So I guess I appreciate you in that you have created for me the opportunity to do things that others cannot do. What I mean by that is that one of my most enjoyable activities when I am off from work is to just head on downtown and wander around a bit at my leisure. I usually end up at the library at some point, maybe go to Powell's Books, catch a movie if I'm so inclined . . . But none of that is particularly enjoyable when everybody else is (or is ABLE) to be doing the same thing. And that is generally the case, because I don't usually get days off that other people don't also get.

However, for the next three days, that is not the case. For the next three days, I can go around and do whatever I want while all sorts of other people have to WORK. While I am trying to decide if I feel like seeing a movie or just buying unnecessary art supplies, other people are going to be making decisions that may or may not enable them to be paid money as part of their livelihood. And then I'll debate with myself whether or not I really need popcorn or if I should just smuggle in some Goldfish or something of that nature. And that's a great feeling.

I like wandering to the carts downtown (which are only open on weekdays) to get my lunch, waiting in line without a care in the world while the other people with me are feeling anxious because their lunch break is only so long. I like being extra friendly and to not even sweat it when the person making my food apologizes for any delay because it really DOESN'T matter to me. Because I don't have to work while everyone else does. THAT'S what I enjoy about the you.

I like having the option of finally going back to an open figure drawing session at 1pm today because - for once - I won't be at work at that time on a Wednesday (or tired during the other days/times they have it). I probably won't actually end up going, but I like having the OPTION of going. I like telling myself that I can do a little bit of shopping and run some errands that I haven't gotten around to without worrying about long lines or crowds. Again - I'm not likely to actually DO any of those things, but I COULD if I wanted to. And that's what I like about the next few days of the you.

Maybe I'll go purchase myself some jeans - just to try them out, finally. Or maybe I'll purchase some other pair of pants that would go with white shoes. Maybe I'll finally bother to inflate my car tires to maximum pressure. I'll have the shoulder pads removed from some of my Chinese shirts and coats. Maybe I'll finally just bite the bullet and go buy some better audio equipment and record some quality music.

Or maybe I won't do anything at all. Because I have that option, too. And that's the joy of not having to work on a day in which most other people do - options. And so I very much appreciate that opportunity the you has provided me for all of that.

As for the rest of the you? After the next three days? Yeah. Not so excited. Not that I'm dreading it, either, but I'm not a big fan of arbitrary cut-off dates. Today is no different than a week ago is no different from a week hence. No big deal. I'm a little bit of a fan of the Winter Solstice, but that's just because it represents the fact that every day after that will have a little more daylight than the day before it. And that's exciting. But the you? Not so impressive.

But - for now - you HAVE brought me three days of no work while most other poor saps have to get to it. And for that, I am most appreciative. And for that - I thank you, New Year.

And that's all I have to say about that.

About to Take a Leisurely Shower,
CVT