A few weeks ago, Daveen visited one of our daughters and I was alone for five days while she was out of town.  This past weekend we were both at home, although we were engaged in our own separate activities.

I enjoy spending some of my time alone.  Like my father, I’m always thinking about something, and I certainly have a long list of books I’d like to read.

As far as I’m concerned, I only need to have two rooms in my home.  We’ve lived in our house for about five years, and I’ve spent most of my time either in our combined family room/kitchen or in our bedroom where Daveen and I each have a desk.  Today I had a meeting scheduled with Tim to select poems for Rattle, but Daveen unexpectedly hosted a party, so Tim and I had to work in the living room.  That was a first!

While I don’t need company, I realize that I like to have Daveen in the house.  This provides the possibility of company.  Also, it’s nice to have someone there to deal with the occasional spider that might come along, or to reset the pesky burglar alarm when it malfunctions.

I draw a distinction between actual company and the possibility of company for the following reason.  When I have actual company I feel a need to pay attention to them.  But if they are going about their own business I can pay attention to whatever I like.  I know they are available.  It’s like having a savings account I can dip into.

The reason I distinguish between my need for actual company vs. the possibility of company is because I think it’s important for all of us to figure out what we really need to be content (as distinguished from what we think we should need).

When I think about company, I like the possibility as much as – and sometimes even more than – the actuality.

See you soon!  Possibly.

Alan

I have four University degrees: Accounting, Law, Counseling, and Professional Writing.  All are from the University of Southern California.  So, it should not come as a surprise that on many Fall Saturday afternoons I spend three or four hours rooting for USC during their football game.  Sometimes I shout to the TV screen, “Fight on!” (That’s the official fight song of USC and a battle cry for its fans).

I will confess, however, that for all my enthusiasm, I am a fair-weather fan.  Last year USC’s record was 4 wins and 8 losses.  Part way through the season, I lost interest.  During losing seasons like that I wonder if the thrill of winning is worth the temporary despair of losing.

Part of USC’s problem is their previous success.  Their football loving alumni have high expectations that every year they will win every game and go on to the national championship.  Unrealistic?  Sure.  But better than rooting for the Chicago Cubs, a team that suffered a drought of many years without ever making the playoffs.

Another problem for USC is that their success has been limited by their commitment to only hiring USC alums as their head coach.  A few seasons ago they fired their head coach after he started the season with several losses.  They then elevated an assistant coach Ed Orgeron (who was not an alum).  The team was extremely successful that year, and USC played in the Rose Bowl.  But the next season Ed was replaced by a head coach with an affiliation to USC.  Bad call.  Ed left to coach the LSU team that went on to win the national championship.  Grumble mumble.

Since, as of today, USC has a 7-1 record and is ranked 9^th in the country, I’m reasonably happy (although I still am unhappy about the single loss).

This past Saturday, as USC rumbled to a high scoring victory, I realized that for me, and perhaps others, it’s not enough for USC to merely win their games.  I want them to prevail by a score of at least 50-0 every time and have at least two or three players vying to be an All American.

I also root for the Los Angeles Rams, who won the Super Bowl last season.  I attended their game yesterday, in which they lost rather dismally to their archrival, the San Francisco 49ers.  The Rams now have a record of 3 wins and 4 losses.  Ho hum.

I think this season I’ll forget the Rams and pay more attention to USC.  As I said, I’m a fair-weather fan.

Fight on!

Alan

It’s Saturday.  I don’t need to go into work today and I don’t have any plans.  How should I spend my day?

I just had a heretical thought.  What if I did nothing?

What?

For an entire day?  Do nothing?

Well either the universe would have to end, or I would.  The thought of doing nothing (and by that, I mean not accomplishing anything) for a full day is completely outside both my adult experience and my comfort zone.  I remember my twelve-year-old self asking my mother that same question during summer vacation: “What can I do today?”

I wonder — where did I ever get the idea that I have to do something “useful” every moment?  Reading is useful.  I will learn something.  Writing is useful.  Both the reader and I may learn something.  But nothing?  Being completely unproductive?  How could I rationalize that?

I remember an early TV advertisement for Alka Selzer with the tag line, “Try it, you’ll like it.”

Maybe I would like doing nothing for a change.  After all, I have run my own business for more than fifty years, been married (more than once), raised a family, written books, travelled the world, and my “leisure” time is filled with social activities with family and friends.

Even as I write this blog, I’m watching the word count because I have certain expectations for how much I should write.  I have written a blog every week for about eight years, and usually keep it short – between 300 and 450 words.  I’m now at 261 words, so maybe I’ll wrap up this blog and practice doing nothing for the rest of the day.

Just now Daveen called to say she’ll be home by 5:30. It’s already 5:00. Well, that gives me another half hour to do absolutely nothing.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

Alan