Freedom

As a citizen of the United States I lead a largely unfettered life. I am able to travel freely about the country, pursue any life path I desire, and wear almost anything I choose - it just has to cover my naughty bits when out in public. I guess because I don't really experience any kind of oppression as a U.S. citizen I find a very simple thing oppressive. I hate it when I have to work on my birthday. I largely choose not to work on my birthday. I did so this year - I had planned on taking a vacation day anyway so I just made yesterday my last day of employment.

It isn't that I dislike working and I'm really not that into hoopla on my birthday. I just view my birthday as the day of my deciding and I think it should continue to be the day of my decisions. I decided to make my appearance into the world on that day and it didn't matter that I was supposed to stay put for another month and wasn't quite finished growing. That, in some ways, has helped to shape my personality. I make my own decisions, and although I take other opinions under advisement, ultimately I do what I want. From big to little things if I have a preference, I take it. That's why working on my birthday bothers me - there are times when working is not what I want to be doing and doing it on that particular day, if I don't really want to, goes against my being.

I like to choose what I'm going to do on my birthday and usually like to spend most of it by myself. Sort of a celebration of the only person I'll ever honestly go through life with - me. Today was no exception and I had a fantastic day. I slept in, with George happily slumbering beside me after KC left for work. Then when I did get up George and I played for a while. He's such a happy dog and I like having him around. Then I was ready to hit the road and left for Carolina Beach. I stopped at Caribou to get my free b-day coffee and it was delicious. Then it was onto the beach where I relaxed by the ocean until I went up to my room and got in the jacuzzi. That's right I got a good deal and my room has a jacuzzi. I chatted with people who called to wish me a "Happy Birthday" and generally had an awesome afternoon.

For dinner I met a couchsurfer from Wilmington. He chose a yummy Tex-Mex place that was so good I'm thinking of going back for lunch tomorrow. He's an interesting guy and he's had lots of adventures. Plus, I usually enjoy meeting new people. Not to mention, I rarely hear a story that starts with "so, we decided to go to the whorehouse." Can't beat dinner conversation like that! When I left to head back to the hotel I decided to stop at DQ and got some birthday ice cream. Mmm, ice cream!

Now, I'm just finishing relaxing on the balcony and watching the waves. The door is still open and I hear can hear the crashing surf as I type this. In a few moments I will put the computer away, change into pajamas, and fall asleep listening to the ocean. A truly perfect day. To me that's what freedom is - the ability to have a day like this if you so decide.