R-E-S-P-E-C-T

WARNING: I am sure this will offend some people. Sorry but it's where I'm at right now, deal with it!


Why can't you people leave me alone!!

My sleep last night was bookended by late night texts from people trying to book me in or change plans  for THIS MORNING(!?) and an early morning phone call inviting me to breakfast. The only acceptable phone calls after midnight are 1) In case of emergency, 2) Im out drinking with you and can't find you, 3) international callers who have difficulty figuring out time zones. 4) and booty calls, I guess. Dunno, been a while since I have had such shallow a relationship.

I'm all for spontaneity but what happened to the days when you used to say "Meet me at the Town Hall steps 3 days from now at midday.", and without any further communication, you could rely on that person to be there?? Technology happened! Mobile phones, text messaging, internet, social media...etc, the list goes on. Don't get me wrong I am not one to leave my iPhone far from arms reach at any time of the day. (which would explain why late night and early morning messages bug me, I know, I could simply turn off the phone but then I would have nothing to complain about).

I think a culmination of events yesterday was enough to tip me over the edge. That and being a few days away from turning 40!. Every year, without fail I think I get depressed around my birthday. It's another milestone for me to measure up to. I contemplate what I have achieved in the past year and it usually depresses me. I am my own worst judge. There is little to complain about in my life - I own a home, I am fit and able bodied, and I have family and friends .  Maybe I should just aim lower and achieve satisfaction. I DO appreciate what I have and am very proud of many of my achievements, but I always expect a little more of myself and I always will, so this leaves me disappointed.

Age is but a number but people around you, society, media, basically everywhere you look has its opinion of where you should be in life and what you should have achieved by certain ages. Maybe I spent too much time rebelling against the norm as a teenager and got too good at it and it stuck. I may not be alone but I am definitely a minority. It amuses me that so many tv shows about young, hip n sexy singles end with characters getting married or having kids. Think about Friends, Sex in the City and sadly even 30 Rock. I take this to mean either

1.All anyone wants is to get married and have kids. Once this goal is reached there is nothing left to say - Happy ever after.

OR

2. Life after marriage and children isn't interesting enough to carry a series.

Look at what they did to poor Joey on Friends. All the other characters got partners, weddings, kids and a house in the burbs. Joey moves to LA for his career, stagnates as a 2 dimensional character and flops in his own TV show. I'm being a bit harsh here - I never really gave it a go, and I don't research what I write on here at all.

But I am sick of being so accommodating to everyone else around me. I get the impression that people assume I have more time on my hands because I am single and unshackled by partner or offspring, but then they also seem to think I am always busy and 'going out'. I spent Friday at home cooking up a storm (wontons, gyoza and salsa), and last night I stayed up watching multiple movies on tv. Yes, I love that I can do that whenever I feel like it but that's my life, ok!

Ever thought about why I blog? It's therapy for me. Cheaper than a shrink and easier to get time with my laptop that it is to find a friendly shoulder to cry on. (boo hoo, poor me!!)

I just want a little respect and reward for my time and efforts, is that too much to ask?