Employment -- Highly Over-rated

It's weird, Ms J. I'm worried about my lack of employment, but at times I'm content to be off. I mean, there's so much socialising to do, isn't there? This morning I attended a church meeting at the home of a friend. We had coffee and cake and discussed the progress of our student minister. (She's amazing, Ms Journal.) After the meeting, I walked home. I arrived just in time to receive a call from Angry Bob.

"Some of the guys are going out to that sandwich shop up on The Queensway. You wanna come for lunch?"

I accepted the invitation.

Bob drove over and picked me up and we met the others at the restaurant. Wally was there. And Bruno. Bruce too. Bruce retired a few months ago, lucky sod. Wally paid for my lunch. Jeff came a bit later with Joe, my union guy. I didn't complain too loudly to Joe about the union's indifference. He knows how I feel. He's frustrated too. The food was good, and the company agreeable. They all shook my hand and slapped my back when we parted after lunch.

"We miss you, Dale."

"Yeah, the guys are talking about you."

"Hope you get back soon, ya homo." (That was Jeff, Ms J. He always talks like that.)

In a minute, I'll phone Carolyn. Remember her, Ms J? We're going to take a stroll outdoors on this blustery afternoon. I could use a bit of exercise. The veal sandwich I had for lunch was MASSIVE! Tomorrow, I'm having lunch with Joan, and on Saturday night, I'm off to a neighbourhood Christmas party. It's not far away so I can walk there and stagger home.

At times I think I'm happy to be off work and dread going back! There are so many opportunities to socialise, I really haven't time to mope. And right now, Ms J, that's a real blessing.

Who knows? Maybe I'll go wild one day and put up some Christmas decorations.

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