The Octopus’ Garden

December will always be a special month for me, not because it’s Christmas, but because this is the month when I get to see more of the friends I haven’t been spending much time with. It’s reunion month after all. Friends from all over the world will almost always make sure that they are home for even a short visit and it’s always filled with hugs and lots of alcohol. In a particular week, for example, there wasn’t a single day I wasn’t out all night. I found it difficult to think that there will be work early the next day, but realizing this may be the only chance I’ll get to see these people is always a good reason enough to shed off a few hours of sleep. Besides, I’m sure it’s equally difficult for them to manage their itineraries with just a short vacation. Sometimes, a party had to be shared among different circles of friends just to accomodate everyone, and it’s always good to meet new friends, sometimes, old friends who we never realized were friends with our other friends. Friendster anyone? Yeah, Six Degrees nights are always interesting nights.

Surprisingly, despite my “new” job, I’ve been waking up earlier than usual which is a surprise even to people around me. With just barely two months, I’m still quite fresh as far as Wolfpac is concerned. A lot has changed but it’s all coming back with each passing day. They told me it’s just gonna be like riding a bicycle, that is, you just can’t unlearn it. Who were they kidding? Despite all that hypnosis that I’m gonna be alright, I just had to hide the fact that I’ve always been nervous as hell each time I go to work. So the nights that followed were always a welcome thing for me. Not that work was that bad, but it’s because yeah, I was nervous as hell. I just had to unwind, roll my sleeves up, let my hair down, and have a cold bottle of beer or a glass of wine. Ah Venice. It’s all good until friends start asking me where the hell my girlfriend/fiancée/wife is!

What the fuck? Oh no, here it comes again. Do I really have to answer these questions? There is nobody! But I must admit, I considered the idea of bringing a sympathizing friend to pose as my girlfriend or fiancée just to keep the interrogations short. “So you two are getting married? Cool? When? Soon? Cool!” Yeah, that would have been easier, but I decided each time to go solo, chin up, and with a proud smirk to boot. I’m not gonna be some poser, dearie. What’s wrong with being single anyway? Shouldn’t they be envying me instead, that I get to do whatever I want to do with my life, go as I please and enjoy my own personal space? Heck yeah. Well, some did, and some didn’t. I’ve known couples who are indeed great together, unfortunately, I’ve also known some who weren’t quite the way they used to be. What can I say, the marriage did change them. And relationships, especially, the idea of marriage is something I have yet to get used to, again, that is. After all, I was engaged to get married twice, long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Right now, it’s just not my cup of tea. In fact, I look forward to a life of singlehood, of freedom, of space. These days, I can’t imagine myself waking up with the same woman beside me, likewise, going home and her being the last person I see before I sleep. I enjoy my being alone, and it sure is different from being lonely. I may be alone, but I wouldn’t consider myself lonely. I’ve got great friends, and sometimes, a difficult family, but great anyway, and yes, friends, friends with benefits anyway.

But let it not mislead you. Despite myself having accepted forever bachelorhood, I do miss being in love. And I wouldn’t say there is no possibility of that happening again. I’m not really longing for it, but I’m also not closing my doors. Why the hey not, right? Obladi-oblada, life goes on, brah!