Say it isn't so, Modo

It seems that, according to surveys and Maureen Dowd's column, men are becoming happier while we chicks are getting gloomier. While I don't quite buy into this, I thought her Sept 20 column made fairly interesting reading (although the comments often made more sense). Driving home, I thought about it some more, and decided that I need to take on less extra-curricular stuff, and spend more time on my own. As far as the cat shelter goes, I'm worn out with compassion fatigue.

Thinking back on my 40-odd years, I was at my unhappiest in my early 30s, but I think there were plenty of contributing factors: a failing marriage, the inability to find a reasonable job, and what I now see was loneliness, pure and simple.

Why I'm not feeling lonely these days is a bit baffling, as my social life has mostly fallen by the wayside this year due to the departure of DD*, and others departing because of divorces, lost jobs or sheer lack of interest. But the only thing I really miss these days is the chance for a reasonable conversation: one without workplace issues or cats as topics. I could even enjoy a civil debate about politics if I could just meet up with someone reasonably well-read. Sigh.

* Dismissed Date. See key at right.