Because this is the internet, I feel I must disclose personal information to an unknown audience who most likely don't care even the slightest about them.
I'm lazy.
Really. There is nothing I would prefer to do than lay around all day literally do nothing. This weekend, I tried it. I did nothing I didn't want to. The morning shower? Eh, didn't feel like it. I'm tired, but it's only 2 pm. Go to bed! Overall, it was a glorious experience.
I engaged in this petty act of self indulgence as a sort of bachelor's party for the soon-to-be-employed.
The last election cycle, I worked on a Congressional campaign part-time and have, generally, been fairly smart with my finances. I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm not concerned about getting the bills paid or making sure rent is in. I do still hold out winning the lottery -- that's my retirement plan, to be honest.
I start a new job soon -- this week or next, depending on scheduling issues that will be resolved tomorrow (today). It's not a great job, by any stretch, but it is a job. With it come all the horrible experiences that a job entails.
- I'm going to have to be responsible.
- And punctual.
- I can no longer say, "this sucks" and go lay in the yard when it's sunny out for a couple hours.
- The days of wandering around without any pants on are offically over
- I am going to have to re-learn to turn my filter on.
Let me discuss the Filter. Some people are "good" people. They only think good things, and they only think happy, politically correct things, so they don't need a filter to keep them from saying "bad" things. Some of us are horrible people, but have developed a filter that says, "whoops, best not say that aloud" when we think things.
Sometimes, when you're first employed in a campaign full of like-minded people, and then not employed at all, the filter falls into disuse, and you end up saying whatever comes to mind because those around are either understanding of you and your odd-working brain or agree with you.
I worked for about two weeks with a charity for disabled people, and had a very hard time not using the word "retard" aloud. I was entirely unaware how often I called myself retarded. I will note I don't apply the label to others. I actually rarely call other people names (excluding our President, of course, and I think he actually might, in all honest, be worthy of the label "retarded," probably with the modifier "emotionally" attached). I reserve the right for name-calling to myself.
Boss: Did you go over this report?
ew73: No, I didn't.
Boss: Why not?
ew73: Mostly, I'm slightly retarded and didn't see it.
Boss: Um, we don't use the word "retard" here, thanks.
See, this is where the filter would normally say, "DUDE whatever you're about to say, shut the fuck up!" Sadly, mine was distracted, probably thinking about porn or something, so I said:
ew73: Why not?
Instead of the 20 minute lecture delivered, we'll just go with "That went poorly."
I have spent the past two days or so trying to remember all the things it's not ok to say in a "normal" conversation. I forget, is it acceptable to shout, "Libertarians! HAH!"?
I'm going to have to invest in a series of shirts that don't have slogans on them. Or at least, slogans that won't get me sent home from the office and told to change. The one with the slogan:
VOTE DEMOCRAT
Because who's ever heard of a good piece of elephant?
... seems like it won't go well, despite being true.
And yet, all this, I can't figure out why I'm not sort of flipping out. Other times I've gotten a new job have been terror-inducing. The sort of thing where I stay up all night the day before (not on purpose, like tonight) fretting.
My only theory is all the good news lately (Gonzo going down faster than a Thai hooker, for one) just has me sitting back wondering where the popcorn is.