New American Past Time
So today is the 4th of July. I am not one who gets really worked up over holidays, particularly national ones. For me these celebrations have become overshadowed by consumerism and the desire to get "free time off work." As a society we have lost touch with the true meanings of historical traditions and instead focus on the immediate gratification of ourselves and the picture that we see in front of us. Though in defense of this ambivalent worldview, it is a little hard to keep the sentiments and emotions genuinely fresh after 200+ years of remembrance.
No, holidays like this one are merely short-lived breaks from the stress of our everyday lives. Though more often then not we use the "free" time to try and make headway on projects and work that we have not been able to focus on due to the demands of other project and work.
Kind of a vicious cycle when you think about it. We work so that we can play and when we have the luxury of play we choose to work instead. Guess that's the way of the world. Ah, to be young, innocent, and naïve again. Back then the world was a simpler place. Life wasn't so tough and the realities of impending adulthood were farther away than the stars.
Instead of chilling out and just enjoying life, I spent my holiday dealing with the emotional turmoil that comes with ending any relationship, even amicable ones. And as soon as that pressure was dealt with and managed I had to focus once more on my freelance work. Because holiday or no, I have deadlines I have to meet. Then there was the surprise of yesterday's 4th of July party hosted by Mari and Ian. I had a good time but wasn't expecting it so I lost out on work and alone time. Then of course this morning and early afternoon I had to march in the final parade of the season. It has been one Hell of a weekend, but at least that obligation is at last over. My life can return to some degree of normalcy.
I guess the point I am trying to make through all of these ramblings is that we are pressured to bust our asses constantly for the sake of earning relaxation time that is then spent working. It used to be that the American past time was baseball or cooking out. Now it is organizing the family, doing side jobs to make ends meet, and berating ourselves for sleeping an extra hour when we have a 14 hour work day ahead of us. As much as I enjoy being a healthy, functioning adult, there are times it really sucks dirty ass. This holiday has reminded me of the less-than-stellar side of growing older and more responsible. So with that in mind I think I am going to drag my tired ass back to bed and not think about it!
