The single individuals scheduling Catch-22.

I'm a single individual. Do I want to stay that way forever? No. Well probably not. I think. Maybe? That's probably a different blog all together. But one of the biggest challenges I have had recently is trying to find a workable schedule.

I don't like having empty space on my schedule. Quite nights home alone are nice at times but I don't need them every week. If I'm not out having fun. I'd rather be working. And if I don't have someone worth having fun with, then I'd definitely rather be working. Why do nothing when you could be making money? Plus working is much healthier than me left to my own devices. Trust me.

So I fill my calendar. I pick up shifts. I have two jobs. I schedule volunteer opportunities. I try to pick up hobbies/diversions. (Some are surprisingly expensive over time. See: GoldenTee/Broomball/refinshing that damn table.) I set outlandish goals for myself and try to reach them. I like to be busy. Busy makes me feel good.

So when the opportunity comes up to spend time with someone I might be interested in and who might enjoy my company as well...it's like planning a shuttle reentry. There is a very limited window of opportunity. I swear this is not a problem that is limited to me. When dating or just trying to get to know someone better even on a friends level, I have had dozens of these types of conversations:

Person 1: We should get together this week!
Person 2: That sounds great. What works for you.
Person 1: Well, I have work at my second job Monday and Thursday nights, and Friday I already have plans to volunteer at the animal shelter. Saturday I'm running a 5k and Sunday I have to dog sit for my neighbors who are in vacation in Iceland at the International Yodeling Championships. So maybe Tuesday for like 35 minutes after my Ice Carving class?
Person 2: Damn. Tuesday I have Hot Yoga and then volunteer at the mortuary.

This continues for about 10 minutes until both parties realize that the first time they have time to hang out is roughly the first week of June. It's insane. It seems that everyone is packing so much into their lives that they don't have time to have a life. We all want to seem driven and self improvement junkies or super human go-getters who grab seize the carp of the day.

One of my goals for 2013 was to make time to have time to have a life. So I changed my work availability. I now have one night each week for me. No kids. No work. Just me. It worked for a bit. I played broomball, I loved it. I fell victim to some of my over competitive jerk like tendencies but I did it.

Then Broomball ended. In the 4 weeks that followed I have successful had one night as planned. All the others, I picked up shifts at job number two. Bad Adam. That is exactly what I said I wouldn't do.

So starting March 19th and going until the entire apple cart is upset in May. I'm free on Tuesday nights. No work. I swear. Let's do something, bowling, trivia, rock climbing, board game night, live music, food coma, canasta. I don't know what but on Tuesday's - I'm going to try and have a life. 

Random Tuesday Thoughts and Links

I haven't blogged in months. Holidays are a bad time for me and the first two months of 2013 have seemingly flown by. Here are some things I have been thinking and linking.

Goal of 40 novels in 2013 is already in bad shape. Two months in, I have successfully completed only one book. Yeah. One. 39 to go. Way to get out of the gate quick...

Luckily, I was very pleased with that one book. A Half Price books bargin bin selection that I purchased for $2. I probably like it more because of the perceived value as well. I plan on writing a full review blog this week...but the best laid plans of mice and Adam usually go asunder. It was Embedded by Dan Abnett. It is easily worth the $8 on Amazon.

Recently I have enjoyed the writing on Grantland. This piece on the Houston Rockets is a good example of the fact that intelligent analysis and actual journalism can exist in a sports media world dominated by ESPN and their shows of loudmouths arguing.

Incidentally, ESPN's daytime programming is just the same conversations you would hear in any bar in any sports town after a sporting event. Boring, borish and brutal to the brain.

I love alliteration. Always and ad infinitum

Once I was political. Once I lived in Boston. Always I am thankful this guy didn't become President. He weirds me out. Also British rags have the best headlines ever.

I'm glad she won. Her performance in A Winter's Bone is one of my favorites. I love that the world is falling in love with her. I hate that there will be an inevitable backlash against Jennifer Lawrence.

This Daily Show clip about the clips of the meteor exploding in Russia is awesome and amazing.

TANK!!!!

Add They Might be Giants to the list of concerts I should go to, want to go to, will probably procrastinate too long to get tickets too. 

Tonight and tomorrow I plan on watching most if not all of the first season of Game of Thrones in preparation for season 3. I also plan on keeping a running diary of thoughts and reactions. Again..plans...mice...me..asunder...