Before 40 - The Explanation

The Explanation

Everyone has certain routines they follow.  It's not a bad thing.  Routines allow us to feel safe and in control.  Once we find a good way to do things, why alter it?  Routines make life easier.

I like my routines, but I have to admit, without a little variety to my days I start to get a bit... twitchy.  I remember one time in particular that this became obvious.

It was Saturday morning, and Doug and I were in the car, going to lunch.  He pulled into a certain restaurant's parking lot, when I suddenly freaked.

Me:  "What are you doing?" (I asked, in my pitch-an-octave-too-high voice).

Doug:  "What are you talking about?  I'm parking!"

Me:  "You just assumed I wanted to go here?!"

Doug:  "We always go here for lunch on Saturdays!"

Me:  "EXACTLY!  Why do we do that?!  It's ridiculous!  We do the SAME exact thing every time!  You park in the SAME spot.  We sit in the SAME booth.  We get the SAME waitress.  We order the SAME thing.  AARRGGHH!  I can't stand it!"

Doug:  (Who was now quite exasperated and angry at this supposed insinuation that he was boring)... "FINE!  WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?"

Me:  "It doesn't matter.  I'm just trying to make a point.  Where do you want to go?"

Doug:  "Well I DID drive here, didn't I?"

Me:  "Then we'll eat here!  What...EVER!"

(At that point, he turned the car back on and put it in reverse, before angrily backing up and driving across the parking lot to the other side.  Then, he parked sideways across about three spots, before jumping out of the car).

Doug:  "I usually hold your hand, but I wouldn't want to be predictable!  Oh, and I usually hold the door or you too", he yelled over his shoulder, as the door shut in my face.

(By this point, I was pretty amused, and wanted to see how far he'd take this.  As the hostess led us to our usual booth, Doug exclaimed "We'll take a table!  Over there, if that's okay?"  He made a point to order a different drink and entree than usual, and when she asked what dressing he wanted for his salad, I sat there looking at him.  Doug always asked for the same two dressings... on the side.  So when he asked for two completely different dressings... on the side, I lost it.  I started laughing at our ridiculous fight, and he started laughing, and our waitress walked away shaking her head.  After that, he tried to put more variety in our weekends together, and I just tried not to be so... twitchy.

Yes, I enjoy new experiences.  I like to try new things and go new places.  I've done improv, rode a jet ski, went parasailing, rode a horse on a beach, shot a gun, dressed like Mrs. Edward Scissorhands on a stage in front of tons of people, danced until morning with Italian guys who only spoke a few words of English, went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, learned to juggle by a guy named Thor, met a famous person, went to a party of strangers and kissed a guy, and got married in a gazebo overlooking the ocean in Jamaica.  Not too shabby.  But there are SO many things I haven't crossed off my list.  So many things I still want to experience before turning 40.  "Before 40" is the result.  What WILL I do next?...