Thursday, June 21, 2012

Some Like It Lukewarm

It's not as furnacelike as yesterday was but it's still too much like Dog Days for my liking.

Good memories of days like this involving drugs that are no longer available and doing things that aren't done anymore come to mind. Those relatively careless days when the drear of responsibilities were overshadowed by the plans for the night, back when we lived for fun. I think that's the major difference in me. Doing what had to be done was just a minor inconvenience- a job, housework, exercise, eating- all of that was never the center of my life, for years and years. I barely cared if or where I ended up sleeping. There wasn't an issue of what was doable because it all was.

And there were fantastic perks to the Summer. Concerts all the time. Little ones in the borough parks with upcoming bands. Giant ones in Madison Square Garden and the Nassau Coliseum and sometimes in Central Park. Street bands on corners you'd join in with and wail for a couple of hours. Clubs and bars overflowing with singing and dancing people. Some nights we'd just sit in a park and play and sing with each other, our little crowd. Heaven, that was. The other things I loved, reading and cooking and art, were mostly put away until the Summer's last hurrahs. Summer was its own world. Music, friends, partying, cruising, amusement parks (even the ones created in your head by certain substances), adventures. These were the important things. What the Summer night held was magic. It was hot in every sense of the word.

Now in 2012 the things that matter are bodily comfort, counting every penny, doing what must be done and not making more pain. It's all about responsibility, all day and all night. Fun? Well I had a great time in April. A legendary time. It was weeks before that wore off. Music? I can put on some tunes and listen, as long as it's not loud or the neighbors will bitch. There aren't people to make music with anymore. Not that you can do that here, either. Hanging out? The over-50 crowd doesn't do that much. I've been trying to put together one little hangout session for 3 months. The July 4th Post-Parade Party will bring the gang together but most everyone will be resting and eating before going to the fireworks at night. It's nice and I'm looking forward to it, but it's a lukewarm thing.

So rising from that dreary beige world is my mission. There's a lot I can't do, but there's a lot I can do. Every time I surface from the day to day blahness of existence my spirits fall at what little fun there is anymore. Screw that. Who knows what it'll be or how to do it but I'm working up a new design for living and it's gonna be hot.



11 comments:

Anonymous said...

You go girl...you have a zest for life. Me, I'm content with the lukewarm.

Austan said...

Lawless, Sometimes I wish I could be.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Summer was never as sweet as it was when we were young but lukewarm does have its own charms and I hope you enjoy it!

By the way, Austan your description of summers past was pure beauty.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Summer was never as sweet as it was when we were young but lukewarm does have its own charms and I hope you enjoy it!

By the way, Austan your description of summers past was pure beauty.

Geo. said...

Big show's still in our heads, Austan. You're doing fine!

klahanie said...

Hi Laura,
That's the spirit! There's colour in the rainbow and better to live life with a hot outlook for better days ahead :)
Time to party!
Gary
x

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Don't think beige. It is what it is at this point in life. If it is not what you want, you can make the difference. You can be the catalyst. You have the spirit to bring about change. You know and want that.

CarrieBoo said...

I guess I don't miss a lot of my party days with summers like those as I wasn't with "real" friends in my case. I'm thinking more TO here than England. And it came with a lot of poopola that I'm glad to leave behind. But I do remember how exciting it was for Friday nights to arrive with a whole weekend of wild, fun looming before you.

I admit I do get a bit bored with life at times. I used to like wandering off in search of adventure and not having to worry about getting home or anyone waiting for me and worrying. But eventually that life got lonely and then I was happy to have this. The grass is always greener. Aaaaaah.

Too bad there aren't more kindred spirits for you to play with 'round there. I'd come party with you if I could. X

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

You painted a vivid picture of summers past, but I suspect the alleged "hotness" of them is shining brighter right now than the oh-so-sucky side of those same days. But I'm betting on you. If you're looking to put some pizzazz into your days, I know you'll find a way to do it. Besides, you're too young to settle for beige. Me? I don't care what color it is anymore, as long as it's comfortable.

Twisted Scottish Bastard said...

I agree, comfort is all.

MoonRaven said...

I like your ending: "I'm working up a new design for living and it's gonna be hot." Sound great--go for it. (And much love and luck to you while you do.)