I have found myself, yet again, at one of those crossroads in life where the only intelligent question people seem to have to ask me is "so, now what?" Please, rest assure that those of us who have just conquered one mountain in life and find ourselves standing at the base of whatever mountain is next... or perhaps on a prairie searching for the next mountain to climb as the case may be, will let you all know what's next as soon as we know ourselves, but for heavens sake STOP asking! It really makes the whole process quite miserable. Really people, I am extremely sick of this question, and I feel a little sad if that's the only small talk tool you've got... not that I should be talking. But still, there must be some other fresh, new, humiliating and emotionally degrading question you could ask. What about inquiring about my love life? That always hits an equally sore spot but is just a little less tired. Furthermore, the weather is always a nice topic.
As a method of self defense (and self-preservation) I have taken to making up witty, self-deprecating and ridiculous remarks to the "what next question". Well, I've been seriously contemplating joining the circus - I have an uncanny way with lions. I hear there's a group of traveling minstrels holding auditions. In reality, I'm submitting my application for a position as a panhandler at the intersection of 610 and Memorial. It's a competitive market, but I think I've got a shot.
All jokes aside, this in between time has been an extremely helpful phase for me. After sleeping off 16 years of exhaustion due to school induced sleep deprivation, I've had the chance to do some mental wandering, to get a little bored and to think about what I might actually want to do with my life - or at least the next 5 to 10 years of my life. I still don't have an answer - so don't ask - but I'm getting closer.
For now, I'm trying my hand in the food service industry as a part-time cashier at the fabulous Tiny Boxwoods (the cafe at the Thompson & Hanson nursery), and rediscovering Houston, Texas in my spare time.
Hopefully this will all lead to something productive and glamourous. In the meantime, look out for the fruits of my rediscovery here.
