Every year, at the family reunion, it always comes up!  There’s the “how are you doing?”, which nobody generally minds, quickly followed by the “are you seeing anybody?”, and the “where are you working now?”.  It’s almost enough to make anyone avoid going to family reunions for the rest of their life…or at least until they can come up with the right answers and not have to lie!

Here I am 29, single with no real prospects, no kids, no money, and no life.  How the heck do people THINK I’m doing?  I go to work, come home and get online or watch tv, and then I repeat it over and over again endlessly.  My independence isn’t all so bad.  It only disappoints my family members to no end.  Myself, I don’t so much mind being free from having too many responsibilities.  Though, there is that whole hope of leaving a legacy that nags at me from time to time.  So, my answer to this question of how I am doing is ever so complicated.  From your perspective, my life might totally suck.  From mine, it’s just okay.  I say okay because, when I am lonely or depressed, I want.  When I am in a good mood and have friends around me, it’s great!  …And if I tell you how I’m feeling now, in two minutes it could change.  It’s all relative, so overall I am always just okay.

Am I seeing anybody?  Naw!  I mean, sometimes I wish I was.  I am so attracted to this person I never see.  And it’s not like it’s some kind of puppy love where he can do no wrong and I think he’s perfect.  It’s far from that!  I know his faults, and I want him anyway.  It’s as if there is NOTHING he can do to turn me off.  Still, the idea of commitment after seeing how my parents got along, and how certain other family members are getting along, somewhat scares me.  Plus, there’s that whole making yourself vulnerable thing that I’ve never been fond of.  So, for now I’m not seeing anyone.  The short answer is always just, “No, I’m not seeing anyone.”  Of course, then I always run the risk of them bringing up the names of single guys they think might be good for me.  No Thanks!  Really!  I’m good.

Then, finally since I’m such a genetic disappointment on the reproductive front, I am hounded about my work status.  Since I’m not breeding, I must have a really good career going, right?  I work at a warehouse.  “What?”  A warehouse!  “Well, are you still going to school?”  Not really, I have a degree.  “Well, what did you get your degree in?”  General Studies.  “What can you do with General Studies?”  Nothing!  “Oh.  Well, maybe you can get a masters in something.”  Maybe.  And so, though I have yet to find a “job” that will impress my family and any prospective boyfriends, I have come up with another alternative idea.  I am going to write!  Why?  Because there are no resumes, nobody to impress in an interview, no points for being late or making it a “golf day”, and no deadlines. 

Oh, and if I ever do reproduce, any variant of the name “Jack” is out!  I’ll have to pick a name that means “focused” or “driven”.  Trust me when I say you really don’t want to be a jack of all trades and a master of none.  It’s much nicer to have a clear direction.