Single Thirties and Forties?

As my darling Jed likes to say, I feel like I am knocking on the door of thirty. I often think about other people I know who are in their thirties and forties, and they often describe how time flies at lightning speed because their lives are focused on their children, partners/spouses, homes. So, even though 30 is three years away for me, I can't help but be somewhat curious as to how my thirties will differ from those who are in more "conventional" living situations (married, home owners, parents, etc.) If I'm single at 30 and throughout my 30s, will time move as fast? will people look at me as being selfish? If I don't own property will I be seen as "wasting the American dream" on rent? Will people treat me like Bobby in Sondheim's musical, Company, or as the character Brian in the TV show, What About Brian? Will people look at my life, say things like, "Poor baby, all alone", or "Isn't he lucky to have all that free time?", or the killer, "When do you think he'll grow up finally?" and things of that nature. I'm not afraid of being exactly in the same living status in my thirties as I am now, nor am I opposed to settling down with someone. I guess I look at my future and think that it sounds just as busy and complicated as others, either way it turns out. But, when I hear the things people say about single thirty-somethings, I start to wonder how that decade will fare for me--especially in the eyes of others.

How, you may ask, did I get on this topic? I finished my shortened/intensive Aural Habilitation/Rehabilitation class today and I celebrated the taking of my final by heading down to the library and checked out a slew of Sondheim musicals. Sondheim has some interesting things to say about society, the make-up of the family, friendships, and our perceptions of others. Of course people have lauded his name and recognized his ability to realistically portray a lot of the feelings and notions that we have a hard time putting into words. Amazingly he does it well, and even matches those thoughts with some nice melodies. You could say I'm just hopping on the fan bandwagon.

Anyway...heading to Hessica's for some date night activity. Tonight is the movie Hard Candy at Brewvies. Good times, "free" film, and good nachos!

Same time, next year?

I know, I know....I'm lame. I mean, who really waits over a YEAR to post on their own blog? Especially the blog that was meant to "reconnect with out of touch loved ones"! I know you're throwing mind daggers at me right now which I --OUCH!-- good aim! In all honesty, there have been literally MONTHS where I didn't even think of posting, and then a whole lot of other months where I thought of it, but maybe decided to see what was on VH1 instead. I know...you can't get any lamer. In my defense, I started this when I lived in some other apartments, alone, and with an internet connection. Since that time I have moved into DATE NIGHT CENTRAL with good friends Jed and Hessica, and am now living at home with the parents. More on that later.

But, what I really wanted to share with you is how funny and how even more fitting my blog title has become in the past year. When I named it long ago, I was going for something shocking, unique and mostly for people to scratch their heads and say, WTF? Ironically, swallowing has been a huge focus for me this year at school, or to be even more specific--the inability to swallow efficiently. This disorder is called DYSPHAGIA and is an aread of study and practice that I will be working on for the next three years in grad school. Seriously, it's going to be just about the biggest aspect of my job once all is said and done. So, I offer you a new way to interepret my recently resurrected, very inconsistent and somewhat sporadic blog "to swallow..."

Much more to come!

Oh, and this one's for Kevin & Trixi-girl. :)