SINGLEDOM

Having attended more than a few engagements and weddings already this year and a couple more still upcoming, I may be the guy version of that movie starring the actress from Grey's Anatomy. This is according to my esteemed fellow blogger - The-Indian-Guy (http://the-indian-guy.blogspot.com). So it sure seems that way though. It got me to thinking about whether I am content being single. Or am I ready to settle down. Or am I looking for a non-committed long-term relationship?

There's got to be some explanation as to why I am not the slightest be concerned about my single status presently. I decided to make a list of some reasons why I am content to be single; followed by a list that explains why I am ready to settle down.

Reasons to be content being single:
1) Freedom - to roam about the city at any time of day or night. To be at home or away from home and have no accountability to any one.

2) Peace of mind - from the drama that accompanies committed relationships. No hasseling or nagging or any kind of "-ing" that is not enjoyable.

3) Crickets - being able to hear those stringy creatures cricket in the morning. Being able to hear them at night. No voiceovers or "Honey, do this. Honey do that." God Bless those crickets.

4) Independence - be my own man. Be my own person. Retain my individuality. No need to compromise on everything, let alone anything. It's all about me.

5) Sharing - don't need to share food when eating out. Don't have to listen to "do you want to share? Why don't we just order 2 appetizers and 1 main course." No, I want to eat what I want to eat and I don't want to share.

Reasons to settle down:
1) Too much freedom - I'd rather have a loved one, a partner, a soulmate, a best-friend to be with while out in the city or while lounging on the couch at home. To be free is good, to be free and walking hand-in-hand with a loved one sure seems more appealing.

2) Too much peace of mind - If I want to live life like I'm in a coma, I guess the value of peace of mind can't be overstated. However, where's there's electricity, there's energy. What are a few shocks that accompany the nagging, the hasseling when it could just very well lead to the type of "-ing" that makes it all worth it. Hugging, Kissing, Embracing...yada yada yada... ;)

3) Bah-hum-Crickets - screw the crickets, I could not give a damn if I heard another ever again. I'd rather hear the voice of my beloved bellowing for me to take out the trash late at night or hollering at me to get out of bed on a Saturday afternoon. Houses are made with bricks, but homes are made with noise. All types of noises, but none more valuable and essential than that of the sweet lady of the house.

4) Over-rated independence - "it" being all about me is not all that it's cracked up to be. It's far more pleasing when it's about someone else. My heart filled with passion and passion is a currency that can't be spent on one's self. So there's unfulfilling byproduct of independence and it's a heart that bleeds out passion. No thanks. I want the passion in my heart to be explosive. I want to wake up beside my dear love and exude passion. It would be far more satisfying to live a life that is not all about me, but rather more about "her."

5) Sharing is caring - and it surely is. What's it like to go to a nice restaurant and sit across from the woman you love? When the waiting comes, you get to smile at her and while the waiter scribes the order, you hold your woman's hand and just know that sharing that dish is going to be more satisfying than the meal itself. So what if I'm not full afterwards, I can always suggest going to Mamoun's for some falafel and if you go back to (1) on this list; we'd have the freedom to roam the city as we like.

PUNCTUATE THIS!!!!

Enough with the endless punctuation marks included in text messages. There has to be the understanding that after awhile, the incessant use of the "!" or "?" are going to render their effect useless. How can someone possibly understand the urgency of the message when every other thought is concluded with an "!", "?" or "!!!!??!!"? (That last question mark is legit). It's difficult enough to convey inflection and emotion in a text message, but the irresponsible use of punctuation by numb-thumbers is causing mass chaos amongst those of us who care to comprehend the meaning of the messges we're receiving.

Receiving text messages from a girl that might be someone of interest and trying to decipher the meaning of the text message can be an excruciating exercise. Now why resort to such ultra-resourceful methods you might wonder? Well it's simple, there's no sense in asking questions when the answers are very possibly right before us. The simple use of a an exclamation point following a "yes" can be the difference between "sure it would be nice to see you" or "I definitely am interested in seeing you and I'm excited about it." If people don't start using punctuation more responsibly, there are going to be a lot of us who are sorely disappointed by messages that read one way, but mean something else.

Waiting

Life is about waiting. Lines are everywhere you go. If there isn't a line, you should probably stop to ask where is everyone before taking another step. People are willing to wait for what's valuable to them. Being a resident NY'er, long lines are commonplace all over the city. Outside clubs, restaurants, soup joints. There are lines outside restrooms, at the gas pumps (despite insane gas prices). Lines at the bus stops, taxi stands. At the airport, at the bus depot. No matter what, there's a wait.
Love is about waiting too I suppose. Waiting on a line that has an indefinite number of people. Waiting for the chemistry to cause a spark; then waiting for the spark to burst into a flame. It's not so easy to wait for love though. There's no place to wait. There's no actual line to be on. Going about your business in a routine way, but also waiting for love to come your way can be a trying experience.
They say love will find you when you least expect it. Well, being on line for love, eliminates the "least expect it" element. Love is not something you just decide not to concern yourself with. It's something you can submiss, but not dismiss or contain. The desire to find love and be in love is a constant. It's with each pulse of our heart. We have so many different things that we wait on line for but love is something that they say will just come to us. I don't believe it.