Life As an Afterschool Special

Its nine oclock on a saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
Theres an old man sitting next to me
Makin love to his tonic and gin

He says, “Son, can you play me a memory
I’m not really sure how it goes
But it’s sad and it’s sweet and I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man’s clothes”

Billy Joel
Piano Man

I am a creature of habit.

I know that may surprise some of you, because I also pride myself on being spontaneous, a little unpredictable and wild…

But I like habit. I like routine.

Before I stopped drinking (for now) Jeff and I had a standing happy hour date every Friday at the Saloon. I always got Pineapple and Malibu. The bartender knows what I like and makes it well. I like that.

I like waking up early every morning and working out. I like seeing the same workers at the gym every day. I like that they know my name. I wear the same thing and have the same pattern. Monday Wednesday and Friday I run. Tuesday and Thursday I swim. I can’t run on a Tuesday or swim on a Wednesday. I just can’t. I always swim on the same side of the lane and run on the same treadmill. I get frustrated when on someone else is on it. I have even been known to wait.

I take Yoga on Tuesday and Thursday. Elsie teaches it. It bothers me when there is a sub. I tried to take Yoga on a Saturday, but there was a different teacher and it was in a different studio and it felt all wrong so I had to stop.

I go to the local juice shop at work and get the same smoothie several times a week. They know me. They know what I order. They know my name and where I work and they started carrying Diet Mountain Dew because it was my favorite. I like that.

I have the same salad from the same restaurant for lunch almost every day. I get it with extra spinach and extra chutney. I never have to give my name, or explain what I want. They just know. And I like it that way.

I get my nails done every other week by Lena at U2 Nails. She knows my name. And that I like my nails shorter and squared and I like a French manicure or pale pink on my nails and shimmer pink on my toes. I always get a flower painted on my toenail. I hate dark colors. I tip well. If Lena is busy I wait. I only like Lena.

I go to the same local coffee shop all the time. I know the staff, and the owners. I get the same drink. I am regular. I love that.

I think there is so much of my life that is crazy and unpredictable that I secretly crave routine and stableness. Deep down I want to be the girl with roots and a connection.

Or maybe I just know what I like and how I like it, and once someone does it well I like them to continue doing it…

I’ll think it about it… you think about it… and if you come up with a conclusion, you’ll know where to find me.