Jul/090
Independence Day Plans
Let me begin by saying what the American Independence means to me. It’s not just another day off from work. Of course not. It’s the day we, Americans, invite friends over to our home for some beer and barbecue. It’s also the day we became a nation. A nation that can stand on its own with our freedom as the strength and foundation. It’s when our founding fathers said “Thank you, Great Britain but we can take it from here.”
On that note, God bless America and all the people in it. And God bless the troops for making sure America stays a free nation.
Looking back but not that far back…
Last year on the 4th of July, my wife and I (only my girlfriend then) celebrated with high school friends under the Brooklyn bridge, wet in the rain to watch the fireworks. Never again. Though the fireworks were great, the commute wasn’t.
This year, I want to go fishing or maybe camping, depending on how many friends want to tag along. I specifically want to try fly fishing.
As a kid my dad always took me on fishing trips with his friends. We couldn’t afford a fly fishing rod and reel so we stuck to conventional fishing. I guess there’s nothing wrong with that, but then there’s also nothing wrong with trying something different.
Yesterday, I made the mistake of ordering two rods and reels (among a few other things) in hopes that my dad and I can learn how to fly fish together. Instead I got in trouble with my wife. Spending on anything upsets her because buying a house is her priority. So, she made me cancel the order.
I just wanted to cry. I was really looking forward to fishing this weekend. It’s not like I get to have a long weekend often and I haven’t been fishing in many, many years. It has been a childhood dream of mine to get to experience fly fishing among many other things. Now that I’m a working man, I thought I would finally get the chance to try it. I was sadly mistaken. I’m not even sure if I want to leave the house this weekend. To be honest, I really don’t feel like doing anything.
Jul/090
Being Gray Carter
Being me is easy… slightly challenging at best. All you have to do is be a kid at heart whilst trapped in a man’s body. I know many of you out there already are like me except maybe with more personality. My name is Gray. Just like the color, I’m not that special.
I’m twenty seven years old and I’m at that point in my life where my next big purchase can’t be a toy. (Read: can’t not won’t.) As time passes, a little bit of what’s left of my “kid” gets taken away. Everyday, little by little it evaporates. It’s only natural, I know, but I always heard people say that it’s good to always be a kid at heart. Maybe I took it too literally. Or perhaps that’s only for those who can afford it. After all, the fountain of youth is a myth and the next best thing to it isn’t for free. Nothing is.
My next big purchase, or should I say, our next big purchase will most likely be a house. Where? I don’t know yet. Though the kid in me is dying for a new adventure and out of state in a far away place with a big property sounds nice. I heard it’s really cheap down south. Besides, this whole New York City thing isn’t for me –I’m really a country boy. I want to be able to roam free. I want to be able to stretch my dollar as long as I can. You know you can’t buy a pack of gum here with a dollar bill anymore? Down south, I will be able to buy a cup of lemonade and some chewing gum. And that’s just enough to enjoy the hot day coolly.
Setting aside money for little things that used to make me happy is now as improbable as getting to live long enough to see Earthlings colonize Mars. Almost half my earning currently goes to savings. The other half barely covers for bills and necessities. And all that is about to change, which will further impede buying a house, once my son is born. But somehow, I really look forward to that. Perhaps the birth of my son will bring balance between work and play. I just hope it will be more play than work. Wishful thinking, I know. But let’s just see.
Though reality is for sure and as inevitable as Armageddon, nothing saddens me more than to see myself forced to grow up. Father time waits for no one and slowly he chips away at the only thing in my life left that makes me happy.
Where can I get a manual on how to enjoy the burden of responsibilities? If there’s an expert in that out there, please let me know.