Hey, all. Happy Friday; pull up a chair-

Now, lest you think I’m dredging up an old and tired meme for the hell of it, you might actually be interested to know that this week’s rant is coming to you from the high seas! Yep, for the first time in my meager little life, I find myself on an honest-to-God cruise ship for a week of fun and frivolity with friends.

Given the general nature of this thread, I can’t imagine many of you are feeling what I’m feeling, right now. In fact, I’d imagine many are feeling quite the opposite, in addition to calling me names that end in “ucker;” so why am I bringing it up?

Well, to be frank, this experience, as enjoyable as it’s been, (losses at the on-board casino notwithstanding) is probably the last one of its’ type I’ll be taking for awhile, if ever. I won’t lie; in the weeks leading up to this trip, I seriously asked myself why I was doing this. I’m not exactly upwardly-mobile, and my current job seems determined to keep me as such. In fact, if my best friends hadn’t pressed the issue, I’d probably still be on the connector bus getting home. But, in the end, I took a chance, and I’m currently enjoying a lovely late-afternoon sun on the open sea.

I guess what I’m saying is this: For all that we feel our jobs might keep us from experiencing the good and beautiful, it’s not impossible, and even if it’s not something like a cruise, don’t be afraid to take a chance on something that could, at the very least, clear your head and provide new memories and experiences.

Of course, the first step in clearing one’s head involves unburdening themselves of excess emotional baggage, so, if you have any of that, rant away! I’ll be over here; sucking down an overpriced and over-garnished Mai Tai.

As ever, have a productive rest of the day, safe trip home, and a great weekend. And remember: life is never as long as we want it to be; hold on to every new experience that you can.