Valentine's Day
This year, I have resolved not to be depressed by the upcoming holiday. For a lot single people, Valentine’s Day holds a special dread that leaves us feeling left out. It’s like when you walk the corridors of school and hear everyone talking about a big party that went down this weekend (and everybody was there, of course) but to which you were somehow not invited. Everyone talks about how awesome the party was, and how much they are looking forward to doing it again, but you know deep down that you won’t be invited to the one next weekend either.
Well, normally, I fall into that trap of feeling sorry for myself and wondering why I’m alone, but not this year. This year, I have decided that playing the martyr is perhaps a little more immature than I care to be.
I’m a successful bachelor (well, as successful as a bachelor student can be, I suppose), meaning that I have a nice place to live, acceptable food to eat, decent entertainment at my fingertips, and few immediate worries. Despite my consummate laziness, I’m doing well in school and am bettering myself in (some) of my spare time by working out and learning a new language.
It’s been a long journey, but I’m coming to accept certain harsh realities about myself. At one point in my life, I imagined that I would be 5’ 7” like my brother, but the longer I have gone without another growth spurt, the more I’ve had to realize that I’ll always be short. Well, sometimes you have to face the facts of your life even if you wish that they might be otherwise, and what’s more, learn to see the silver linings in your situations.
Sure I might be short, but I don’t have to duck underneath tree branches, never have to worry about fitting comfortably in a bed, and will consume fewer natural resources than a larger person with my habits. (There’s a novel idea for saving the planet, eh? Sleep with short guys.)
So I’m not great relationship material. I may be intelligent, but I’m also lazy. I may have occasional moments of sweetness and consideration, but by and large, I’m very self-involved and conceited. I may have brief flashes of humour, but more often than not, I don’t get the joke and secretly worry that the joke is about me. I can’t dance. I have bad habits, and sometimes when I don’t make the three-point shot into the hamper with my socks, I just leave them on the floor.
So my life isn’t perfect. Boo-Eff’ing-Hoo. Being a bachelor isn’t so bad. I can get up at whatever time of the morning I want to without anyone telling me that I should be up earlier to be more productive. I can stay up half the night with the lamp on reading a book in bed without disturbing anyone. I can listen to my awful music (I’m willing to admit I have bad taste in music) and nobody will grimace and cover their ears. I can fix whatever I want to eat for dinner and don’t have to listen to anyone else’s input. I can come and go from my apartment without having to tell anyone where I’m going or when I’m coming home. Basically, I can do whatever I want to do without anyone telling me ‘No.’ The downside, of course, is that I can do whatever I want to do without anyone telling me ‘Yes,’ either.
You know what? I’m an okay guy… No. Check that. I’m a damned good guy (I hadn’t meant the double-entendre there, but I’ll leave it anyway). Even if I don’t have everything I want out of life yet, as long as I’m living honestly and well, that should be good enough for a man.
So, Valentine’s Day? Do your worst. I’ll be the one standing on my feet, facing into the storm, laughing his fool head off.
posted by The Academian | 9:44 AM
5 Comments:
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that Valentine's Day is, first of all, a real holiday, but second, and most importantly, a holiday only about romantic love. I've always thought people who get all up and arms about Valentine's Day as slightly insecure. As if you couldn't celebrate your love for someone on any of the other days of the year?
So you're not going to follow our Immigration Law Prof's advice this V-day and head out to Kansas City to ask for "directions"?
Good points, MMD. What I really think I miss out on isn't the romantic love aspect of the holiday. Well, I do miss out on that, but I miss out on that all year long. What I don't like about the holiday is coming face-to-face with the knowledge that I'm missing out on doing fun things that people do when they are with other people.
I don't go to restaurants because I feel silly saying "table for one, please." I don't go to movies for a similar reason (the last movie I saw, that I didn't own, was the third Star Wars movie with yourself and M.R.). I feel a little out of place when I go to the zoo, even. Sure, I can watch the cute antics of the otters, but without anyone with me to whom I can make otter puns, it just isn't quite as entertaining. They otter make a service to rent zoo-going companions.
Are you kidding, MS? Why would I do that when there are surely millions of single ladies all over the world crying into their pillows tonight knowing that their burning love for me goes unfulfilled? (Reminds me of one year for Halloween when I wore a gigantic cardboard box. I decorated it up with wrapping paper and a bow, with a tag that read, "To: Women, From: God")
Picking up a streetwalker in KC isn't my idea of a good time, if for no other reason than because they can't sit down and have a reasoned discussion about gay rights, abortion, or the environment. And just you try to get one to understand the fundamentals of a utility-based understanding of Constitutional rights...
I am ordering you to go to a restaurant by yourself, and then to a movie! Why, as I type this, I am sitting in a restaurant (okay, a coffee shop, not drinking coffee) by myself. I LOVE dining alone and watching movies by myself. Go eat a little later and it won't be so crowded (same with the movies--go to matinees on weekdays) and you'll be surprised how many other people you see who are by themselves. At KU I used to cut class and call in sick to work to go to afternoon movies by myself. No one cares if you see stupid movies. No one tries to talk to you. No one wants to share your treats. And, best of all, no one is there to not like a movie that you loved.
Man, I might have to cut out of the library a little bit early one day this week and go see what's playing. I love myself!
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