Musings on topics of small or large importance. Especially partial to subjects that include baby boomers, public figures, friends, Corporate America, the Denver Broncos, NASCAR, my previous home towns of New York City and Columbia (Maryland), stupidity (mine and others'), diets and health and who knows what else!

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

The Fantasy of More Time

For the past several years, when I'd feel overwhelmed at work, or bored or tired or had some passive-aggressive colleague whose antics prompted me to want to strangle him, I'd fantasize about time off. No work. No having to rouse myself early every day, squeeze myself between two surly businessmen on the 3-seat row on a rush-hour train, get belched out into the workday for all those hours that could be spent so many other joyful, satisfying ways.

In this fantasy world of less stress and more time, I'd see myself on a tranquil lake in a small, simple boat, the kind that movies love to put shy lovers in, just loving the mild sunshine and peaceful environs. That's pretty funny because in real life I can't fathom ever going out on a little rickety boat like that, especially alone, and I'm not much of a water person anyway. Give me the mountains any day, both for excitement (I used to be a pretty good skiier) and emotional and mental nourishment (the mountains just inject me with an idyllic, heavenly, swoony feeling).

My fantasy also includes working at some no-brainer, no-stress job, such as working for Starbucks. I have friends who are Starbucks veterans and they tell me it's quite stressful as well as physically demanding. But hey, it's a fantasy so job conditions can be any way I create them to be. It wouldn't be Starbucks anyway, because I MUCH prefer Dunkin' Donuts coffee. It's just that Starbucks stores have much more appealing atmosphere (can't say that I've even seen atmosphere in a DD) and a cachet that both fit well in fantasies.

Now I have that time that I've fantasized about for many years. I got laid off a month ago tomorrow -- well, my position has been eliminated or some such corporate gobbledygook -- and I don't have to do the daily grind right now. How is it? Is it as great as I'd envisioned? Is it fabulous and wonderful?

Oooooooh, yes!!!

I have puh-lenty to do in my workless life, believe me. I have had to tell people that I have not had time to get back to them, meet them, send them something I'd planned to, etc. But it's all *my time*. And I am loving it.

My friends have time envy (like penis envy -- which I get every time I have to pee BADLY when I'm in a car -- only better). They fantasize like I used to. They glamorize my days, thinking I can sleep late, eat bon bons on the couch while watching "The View," go to the gym when it's not crowded, meet friends for long lunches or a drink in the middle of the afternoon, take the trips I haven't had time for, catch up on all of my hobbies, read all of the classics, learn a language, take a nap in the afternoon, talk to friends I haven't talked to in years, write that book that's dying to emerge, clean out all of my closets and smile all day long.

Is it like that? Sure! Of course, I haven't done nearly enough of those things. But I could. And yes, it's as wonderful as I fantasized it would be. Relaxing, re-energizing, therapeutic, fun! I just won't want to do this forever. Probably. Ask me in another month. Or two.