Melancholia

Sometimes I think, as I did today, "What is the point of it all?" We work our guts out, and to what end? We don't have enough time to enjoy the money we earn, and if we opt out of the ratrace, we run the risk of worrying about having financial stability and security. I think of that old British comedy "The Good Life" in which the main characters decide the main breadwinner of the household will resign and they'll grow vegetables in their suburban garden. One side of me applauds them, "Good on them!" The cynical side of me thinks, "well, that's fine for them, since they don't have children to support" (which brings me to my next topic, see below). An old school friend of mine, FF, has recently decided to quit the safe 9 to 5 job and pursue a fulltime career in photography, a decison I really admire. Perhaps I'm just envious I don't have that level of conviction!

Maybe I'm having these thoughts because GF rang today and asked if I wanted to sail for 5 days at the end of August, bringing a yacht down from Queensland. My first thought was "Brilliant" followed quickly by "Can I afford the time off?". Even as I ruminated, my feet were itching for saltwater and I could taste the sea air.

Children. I had a bite with some colleagues the other night. Four women, and none of us have children. One bemoaned the fact that once friends have babies, it changes everything. Those friends then become out of circulation. As more and more of our respective circles have additions to their families, it becomes harder and harder to find a mate who'll come out for a drink on a Saturday night, or do the Sydney Film Festival or go for a bike ride on a Sunday afternoon. Don't get me wrong, (this addressed to my friends who have children), I think your kids are gorgeous. I think the things they say are adorable. I'm thrilled for each and everyone of you at the news of a pregnancy. And of course we understand children change everything, and its not just possible to drop everything and go to the movies at the drop of a hat. But then, what's a childless gal to do?????

I think I've found my own answer: Go sailing off the Queensland coast for 5 days.