Friday, November 03, 2006

 

Mahalo and Aloha

I have been in Honolulu this week for work, which is not nearly quite as exciting as it sounds. I have been here with the two big bosses from my office, and while they are nice guys, they are not exactly the folks I want to party with.

Fortunately my friend Fritz lives here and he got back from Germany the day I got in, so yay for that. We had dinner Wednesday and went out for drinks last night and it was all good.

I didn't do any beach action here, as I was working during the day, and frankly, it's been either cloudy or downright raining the whole time here, so my cute little swimsuit sits in the suitcase unused.

I also didn't hit any of the bars/clubs here. For one thing, since I was only here on weeknights I didn't think there'd be much going on (except for Halloween, of course) and I had to get up early each day for work, so the motivation wasn't really there, even though I brought the appropriate attire and there are indeed some cute guys here to look at. I seem to be less excited about going out when I'm on business trips than I used to be...is that because I've recently moved back to a big city where I can go out whenever I want, meaning these business trips aren't the great escape they used to be, or does it simply mean I'm getting older?

I think it's the "big city" theory that's right. And by "I think," I mean "I hope."

Regardless of anything else, I have to say it's nice being a Gold VIP member of Hilton Honors, because you do get the good rooms. I've spent every morning on the balcony watching the ocean, every evening watching a beautiful sunset, so yay for oceanfront rooms. And also, hooray for getting upgraded to first class on the return trip today, because I couldn't sleep and got up at 3:30 and started typing this, even though I don't leave for the airport until 5:30, and I just know that big seat is going to feel much more comfortable for the flight home.

OK, time to shower and go.

Comments:
I'm not sure I consider "going out" a particularly good gauge of whether one is "getting older." Sometimes the way one wants to spend the finite time he gets in a week simply changes. I'm sure there are better metrics, if we can think of them.
 
Actually, I'm guessing "number of birthdays" is the best metric for "getting older." :P How are things in Chicago???
 
Technically, I suppose you're right, but we both know that's not the kind of getting older you're talking about! I'm actually feeling a bit younger these days as a result of taking up a few new hobbies:

--This summer I played on a beach volleyball team (first organized volleyball I've played since grammar school).
--This fall was softball (second time ever; the first being a straight league in Kansas City about 12 years ago, where a miserable time was had. The gay league here (at least at the recreational division level) was much more forgiving to a newbie and much progress was made!).
--Yesterday saw my first practice for the indoor winter volleyball league.
--And a little more than a month ago I started volunteering as a tutor at a community literacy center for immigrants learning English as a second language. Only I've been the one doing some of the learning there! (Anyone remember learning past-progressive tense? I sure didn't until my student asked for some help with it!)
--And things have been getting very serious for me and the fella I've been seeing for the last year. Cliche though it may be, I think I've just this year finally truly learned what love feels like. That sure puts a fresh spring in your step each day. Amazing to me that it can be more powerful a year into the relationship than it was during the so-called "honeymoon" phase. Wow.

Plus the finances have been a bit of a mess this year, and nothing makes me remember my youth like being broke and stressed over money! A very different reason than yours for going out less often than I used to.

Cheers all! Happy autumn!
 
Post a Comment

Links to this post:

Create a Link



<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?