The summer is almost here. As a teacher, I should be excited. I get a couple of months to recharge my batteries and make some plans for the following school year. My favorite band is touring, though not coming to my hometown. I've made plans to meet up with out of town friends to go to a couple of shows.
I'm thrilled by that. Sadly, I kind of dread the rest of the summer. I don't really have a ride or die friend to whom I can turn if I really, really want to do something.
I got a real lesson two summers ago when I turned 50. I hate parties, but I wanted to celebrate, so I tried to organize a day of fun roaming around town, ending at night, perhaps drunkenly singing karaoke. I started asking people two months in advance. One person said she would go out to eat and that was it. I was out of work at the time, so I decided to save my money and stayed home.
I need to figure out how to improve this situation, otherwise I will either stay home all summer or go to a bunch of events on my own. I don't mind, I guess. I've been doing things on my own for a long time. I also know that I need to fix this problem before I am a full-fledged old lady. Loneliness is deadly.
The U.K. has gone so far as to appoint a Minister of Loneliness. I'd like to see more countries do something like this. Hmm, maybe this is something I could advocate for and help, rather than bemoan my fate. That sounds like a better plan.
