This afternoon/evening, I went to a BBQ with my friend. I’d met the people hosting it on a few prior occasions and they are super cool; today was further confirmation of their coolness.

Anyway, I got to meet their pet albino rats - Rose and Grace - and played with Rose (who is “the brave one”). Some of the other people in attendance - friends of my friend - asked me if my friend and I were an item. I’m sort of getting sick of being asked that anytime I’m out with a male friend. Maybe it means that I behave in a way that’s too friendly? Maybe the close friendship vibe smacks of intimacy and people can’t distinguish mental/emotional intimacy from sexual intimacy? Maybe it just means that people can’t conceive of a platonic friendship between a guy and a girl in their late 20’s? I don’t know. It gets frustrating, though.

I played grilling assistant when our host was making the burgers for everyone, and allowed myself a glass of wine (in this case, a Gewürztraminer) and then sat down to chat with people. We talked with our host who is a very knowledgeable and well-read individual. He recommended a few books to me… but I’m having trouble remembering the last one. The first one was Neal Stephenson’s “Snow Crash” and then his “Zodiac.” After that was a book which I believe is out of print called, “The Karma Affair” by Arsen Darnay. The last one is also out of print and had the word, “rainbow” in the title, but I can’t remember the precise title. So… I will have to get this guy’s email address from my friend and ask him. Then it will be time to go on a little hunting expedition at abebooks.com or some other used book site/store.

Well, this wasn’t very relaxing in terms of a weekend. But I’m not the only one feeling this sort of stress and craziness. I mean, I’m actually much better off in many ways. Part of my conversation with my friend tonight was about maybe taking a vacation together somewhere cool next year. This year, neither one of us had the money or the time. However, next year should be a little better in both respects, and if everything goes to plan for me, I’ll be in good physical condition to do something a little more active on a vacation (like climbing or hiking a crazy trail) and able to keep up with my friend, who is very physically fit. Where I read for pleasure and improve myself through those pursuits, he works out and does 6-mile jogs for pleasure. This is something I cannot fathom at this point. I never could, even when I was thinner and more active. I’m sure I’ll get to the point where I can do that again, but I still don’t think I’ll enjoy it or get up in the morning going, “Hrm. You know what would be nice? A six mile run.”

That said, it’s 11:30 and I would like to get up a little earlier tomorrow so I can prepare lunch for work and maybe do a 20 minute Pilates routine before I shower and whatnot. I can run after work, though it might be better for me to get up early and run for a half hour. That way, I don’t have the entire day to talk myself out of it.