citizen of the planet

Last night, given that today would be Family Day I decided to sleep over at my parents place just so that we could all have breakfast together.  I didn’t really sleep all that well in my old bed.  I think my body’s just used to the firmness of the new mattress.  I didn’t let it sour my mood too much because breakfast was nice and relaxed. I got to catch up on the various bits of family-related news and the exciting plans and projects on the horizon.

In all of the excitement that came with becoming independent and leaving the nest, there’s one thing that I didn’t realize I’d miss: I really miss having family around.  When I was living with them, it was just so easy to take for granted the fact that they were around.  At the very least, they were people that I could talk to without effort.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love being on my own.  This is my sanctuary.  Still, mundane socialization now takes a little bit of effort.  For someone like me that’s problematic.  I’m not really the type of person that doesn’t seem to actively reach out unless it’s through some readily available means.  One interesting side result is that my interactions at work with my colleagues suddenly become more important.  Man, how messed up is that?

(Now now, my colleagues are awesome. Just sayin’)

I guess, all I’m saying is that there’s still a lot about this living on my own thing that I have yet to figure out.  I suppose I’m fortunate that I tend to do well enough on my own.  There are a lot of people out there that just need to have people around at all times.  There are also other that need to be in a relationship in order to function.  I’m managing just fine, thank you very much.  I just have to remember that my social needs require a bit of attention now and then.  If I don’t cater to that need I might just snap all of a sudden without warning.  That would not be a good thing.

I just got home a couple of minutes ago.  I’m really quite exhausted–I was at a bar for 5 hours tonight.  All things considered, that’s something that I don’t do all that often.  I actually spent the evening catching up with a good group of Toronto based members of the 20 Something Bloggers community at the King St. W location of Bier Markt.  Yeah, part of me still says that this, meeting people I met on the Internet, is something that I wouldn’t normally do, except that time and time again I find myself doing it.  I’d like to think that I have a good sense of whether people are total kooks online, and so far it hasn’t led me too far astray.  Especially with this 20SB group, everyone seems to be genuinely awesome.

Upon looking at the menu for the place, I was sort of determined to get something a bit strange and different for my meal.  I ended up getting the foie gras poutine.  In terms of drinks, since we were sitting at the bar I had a good view of all of the different things on tap.  I couldn’t decide what I wanted, so I just named what was on the tap that was right in front of me.  Turns out that was Strongbow Cider, so I stuck with that drink throughout the night.  I honestly didn’t know Strongbow is a cider.  So, when I first tasted my drink and got something fruity I was sort of surprised.  I had 5 pints of that tonight, and frankly I’m still feeling a little bit drunk.  All the same, my typing seems to be pretty bang on, so I’m doing well. The only drawback that I can think of right now is that with the poutine my caloric intake for the day is way off target.  Oh well: one day of less than stellar eating isn’t so bad.

I’ve been craving chicken wings for a few days.  I don’t know, that’s pretty random isn’t it?  Then, out of the blue I got an invite to meet up with running friends for beer and wings on Friday.  Apparently I willed it and the universe obliged.  Isn’t that how The Secret works?  Hahahah.

Knowing what’s in store for tomorrow, I’ve been doing my homework.  I’ve been checking out the caloric content for wings and potentially beer.  I know what I can get away with and what my limits should be.  I know how much variance I can get away with.  That’s right:I’m going in with a game plan!  Yes, it sounds all very fastidious, and even a bit overboard; however, I acknowledge that I need to at least make the effort.

I’ve been working hard for the past few months!  It’s not that I’m forcing myself to be good.  I actually kind of believe this is now part of a good habit thing that I developed.  I’ve been doing this long enough that I don’t think I could just go ahead and throw caution to the wind.  Of course, once I get there, it might all just go out the window and I might end up eating wings like they were going out of style.  Even if that happens, if I do some prep work before hand then it at least minimizes the damage.  See, I’ve thought it all out.  This evening, I made a pasta sauce that was loaded with veggies.  I normally toss in a few meatballs for some protein, but I met my protein reqs earlier in the day.  As such, I knew that I could skip the meat.  The result was a lower calorie meal.  I know what I’m doing.  I’m not going to deprive myself of chicken, socialization, or beer.  It’ll all work out!

Today, the diet went out the window.  Couldn’t be helped!  I had friends come over for a cooking/dinner party of sorts.  We basically gathered, planned out a menu, picked up the ingredients and spent an hour or two assembling together a good meal.  It turned all turned out well!  On the menu was: French chicken supreme, Chinese corn soup with seafood, vodka pasta sauce and rotini, and peanut butter cookies.  Yeah, I think we’re all stuffed.  I guess it can be agreed that at a time like this you cannot be placed under limitations, right?  This is a time for good friends and good food!  Mission accomplished.

Why the heck don’t we do this more often?

ETA:

Actually, come to think of it…today wasn’t the only day where friends and food acted together to put pressure on my healthier eating initiatives.  Yesterday I met up with a few other friends for dim sum.  It’s easy to get carried away when food carts pass by carrying lots of good eats, you know?

Well, after a few days of being off path I plan on getting back on the horse starting tomorrow. No excuses!