Day 2: Solace of Solitude.

Bartending allowed me to hear and become jaded to most corny phrases. “Monday’s am I right?” being among them. Today I returned to work after a 12 day break. I had my gall bladder removed and was recovering. Three days off then I worked from home the following week. Today I went back into the office which comes with its own sort of anxiety. Not only the stress of catching up on work that had fallen through during my recovery, but the constant prodding of co-workers welcoming me back. I typically don’t like when the attention is on me, unless I want it to be. Ego’s have a funny way of needing to be fed, but for the most part I prefer to keep my head down and go about my business.

“My energy is recharged in the solace of solitude and silence”

I suppose this would be a good time to mention that I’m an introverted extrovert. “Fake it until you make it” right? I know how to put my mask on and bring the best attitude forward, hell I did it for 10+ years as a restaurant employee where your best attitude gave you the most money. It didn’t matter what kind of day you were having, most people come to bars to forget their problems not hear about yours. My energy is recharged in the solace of solitude and silence. Coming home from work and shedding that outer layer into a book, or a video game keeps me from burning out.

“I would routinely spend $200 on beer a week”

For the longest time, and especially during Covid I would find solace into the late hours of the night with beer. During the free money era, when everyone was getting laid off and just getting paid unemployment, I would routinely spend $200 on beer a week and drink it all. After all, “when in Rome do as the Romans do” and drink a shit ton of beer. At first I considered it research to be better at my job. Isn’t it important to know what the newest beers taste like and the different hops used in each IPA? It quickly evolved from tasting to binging as I would pound beers and escape into solitude night after night.

“This shit is going to be rough”

I feel like I’ve digressed from the original point, like I said from the beginning I’m not exactly sure what this blog will be. Only that I hope to find my voice in written word and yeah it’s day 2, this shit is going to be rough (maybe I’ll edit today). I’m lucky in the fact I have developed a few close friends at work that I can rely on. They would be there to tell me to “not throw stones in glass houses”.

“Not that I’m craving a beer, but it would be refreshing to have a beverage.”

As I’m writing this I’m watching professional wrestling and an ad for Twisted Tea just came on and man it sure made me thirsty. Not that I’m craving a beer, but it would be refreshing to have a beverage. Day 2 usually means I’m due for a crash and I’ll be asleep early. I have a lot I want to say, and lots of stories from my past to get into, but like I said it’s only Day 2 and I’m due for a crash into solitude.