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.