Strange Notations From a Laborious Life

Made it to the second of our long weekends. This one is for Canberrans only if any interstate readers are wondering why they don’t have one too. Sorry. Wish you could join us.
I’m having one of those nights where I am really tired and want to go to bed but I also have a part of me nagging me to stay up and watch a movie until late.
I know which one will win! I’ll be in bed as soon as I finish typing.
I’ve got all day tomorrow to do what I want. When you don’t get home until 10pm you are limiting your options for after work activity unless you are prepared to stay up until all hours. I was never one for that at the best of times.
When I lived by myself I kept an 11.30pm curfew for years. It was a rare night that I was still watching TV after 12pm. Maybe it was all the years of experience racing bikes and needing to be disciplined and get to bed so I could get out training the next morning that kept me on a rigid schedule.
Gradually as the years rolled on I started watching DVD’s when I got home from work but even then made sure I was in bed by 1am. Then I got the internet but it was the same deal, rarely was I up past 1, only when I was watching Test Cricket from England or the Tour de France.
One of my most vivid memories from those days is watching the clock, knowing I should be going to sleep but not being able to switch off the telly because Adam Gilchrist was smashing the English bowlers to all parts of the ground in a Test. Must have been 2001. I distinctly remember him taking 5 fours in an over off Mark Butcher. How could I not sit up and watch an Adam Gilchrist Ashes century?!
Nowadays I seem to be back to my 11.30pm curfew. Too many people in the house who might be a little peturbed at me for disturbing their sleep in the early hours. Maybe that’s why I want to stay up? Trying to relive the old days even if it is just for half a week or so.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss being able to flop into my old Queen size bed and spread out like a crab pottering up a beach. Living by yourself has it’s pros and cons but I don’t think humans are designed for solo living although some seem to handle it just fine and have trouble adjusting when they do have to live with someone again.
I just don’t think the majority of people can handle the lonlieness of single living. And it can get lonely.
But getting home to your Fortress of Solitude and having no one to answer to except maybe a dog or cat can be one of the best things in the world. Maybe those with rich social lives can handle an interminable, solitary existence. I couldn’t.
So as much as I yearn for my old bed, my old DVD’s, my old house in Stanfield Close, I must say that my life is quite content as it stands now. Even with all the frustrations that living closely with others can cause.
Doesn’t stop one from reminiscing though. But I do have a suspicion that we often look at the past through rose coloured glasses. It is easy to remember the good things and conveniently colour out the bad.
So for all those with a long weekend, I hope you have a good one and to those with the regular two days,I will be thinking of you all on Monday. Haha.