So Labor Day is upon us (and nearly gone).
Like any holiday that falls during the week, this one doesn’t mean much for me beyond the fact that I’m getting paid despite the fact that I’m not at work, which is cool, of course, but because it’s my regular day off, it doesn’t mean anything on that score.
For my part, the “work week” that led up to this Labor Day was a long one. You’d be amazed at how long three days can be when you’re basically fitting an entire forty hour work week into those three days.
The fact that I wasn’t working out in the morning before work each day threw everything off kilter, adding to the “drag factor,” and leaving me feeling not quite right somehow.
In terms of my fitness goals, the weekend was a nightmare. The “not quite right” feeling, or perhaps the feeling that I was already being “naughty,” and therefore concluding that I might as well go all out, led me to make some unfortunate food choices.
The most unfortunate thing was the multitude of times I chose to walk to the candy machine, though choosing to buy popcorn chicken for lunch rather than eating the much healthier lunch I’d brought in on Friday ran a close second.
In terms of the amount, and kind, of food I ate, things got worse from there, though.
Previous experience had suggested that Brian and Kathleen, the co-workers who were kind enough to pick me up for work during my car-less weekend, would refuse to accept gas money from me, and I was determined to repay them for helping me out.
Recently, an Italian restaurant opened across the street from where I live. Since I’m on my own, I never date, I enjoy cooking, and I try to closely watch what I eat, it’s very rare for me to dine out, particularly in any sort of “sit down” restaurant.
In any case, on the Sunday immediately after my car broke down, as they were bringing me home, I mentioned to Kathleen that I’ve been meaning to check out that new restaurant and she suggested that, if by the next weekend I was still riding with them, maybe the three of us could try it out.
So, as I was riding with them, and wanted to repay them for it, I declared that on Sunday night the three of us would eat there, on me.
On top of the lack of exercise and the binge eating of candy throughout the weekend, the last thing I needed was pasta in an Alfredo sauce, but alas, that’s what dining at the restaurant entailed for me.
Still, I will say that it was damned good, and it wasn’t too expensive, especially since Brian’s dinner ended up being free, since the chef was kind enough to include a big chunk of tin foil in the spaghetti sauce.
Even without the discount, though, the price was definitely reasonable.
It was also a fairly nice place, though for an Italian restaurant it was surprisingly bright.
Brian pointed out, though, that there were a lot of attractive women in there, though he put it a bit more crudely (and humorously) than that, so the light was definitely a good thing in that regard.
Our waitress was also cute, though she was probably like seventeen at most.
Unfortunately, the weekend of unhealthy food and a lack of exercise became a long weekend, as today I went to a barbecue and stuffed myself yet again.
The barbecue was held by Jamie, a former co-worker who recently took a job in a different department, and her husband.
The guests were mostly people from work, and I rode in to it with my boss, Scott (the person who trashed my car thanks to the drag race we had), and his wife, Stacy.
As most of the social events I go to are, this one consisted largely of couples and their children. The only other single person there was Chris, a friend of Jamie and her husband's who lives with them.
Chris used to work on our shift, but then moved to a different shift. He is coming back soon, though.
In any case, I felt my usual awkwardness as I sat there surrounded by couples and children, though that awkwardness didn’t do anything to lessen my appetite.
Eventually the crowd thinned out, and it was down to the people I know well enough to be comfortable with.
They were all opting to play a game (some sort of role-playing game), though, as I pretty much always do when it comes to any sort of game, was opting out.
I’ve never been one for playing games of any sort. I’m not sure why. It’s been suggested that I lack a competitive streak, but I know that isn’t the case, as I can, and have, become fiercely competitive.
But in any case, my lack of enjoyment of most games is extreme enough that I can’t force myself to go ahead, grit my teeth, and just join in anyway.
I just can’t do it.
Still, I wasn’t going to ruin everyone else’s good time, so I was willing to just hang out while Scott and Stacy played.
Fortunately, though, Stacy offered to give me a ride home while Scott stayed behind to play.
On the way home, conversation inevitably turned to my singlehood, and, while I know she meant well, I must admit that my I cringed a little when Stacy voiced her belief that I’ll “find someone.”
I know most people believe that there’s someone for everyone, but I don’t happen to be one of those people.
In any case, the fact that I’m not bothering to look for anyone lessens the odds of me finding someone considerably.
But I’m not going to get into that right now.
Overall I had a nice time at the barbecue, and it was nice to get out of my usual solitary routine for a little while.
The barbecue also gave me an excuse to make something that I’m becoming famous for, my mint chocolate cake.
It always goes over well, and is pretty much universally enjoyed by all of my friends and co-workers, with one notable exception, who will remain…insane.
I mean, he says that “Mint and chocolate just don’t go together.” WTF? There are no two flavors more perfectly suited to each other than mint and chocolate.
Of course he further justifies his unwillingness to even try my cake by claiming that he just doesn’t like cake all that much.
In corporate America, though, it’s fairly common for various kinds of cake left over from birthday parties, meetings, or whatnot to just show up in break rooms, and I’ve noticed that his disdain for cake seldom prevents him from partaking.
I guess it’s just cakes that are made by me that he doesn’t like...
But whatever. Everyone else enjoys it quite thoroughly, so his insanity isn’t a major concern.
Besides, as per usual, he wasn’t at today’s gathering anyway.
One other thing that Stacy said during the drive home stood out for me. She said, “If you need a ride anywhere this week, don’t hesitate…to call Scott. He doesn’t do anything all week.”
I thought back on all the times I was volunteered for things back when I was married, and realized that wives everywhere are the same. It made me chuckle a little.
In any case, that’s probably more than enough for now. In a bit I will post a picture of my “famous” cake, along with the recipe for those of you eager to try it for yourselves…
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