Bored In The City

November 12, 2009

Ten Things To Do To Keep Your Sanity In Check:

 

10. Drive around the city like a tourist. Yeah, I know, gas is finite and expensive. But it’ll be worth it when you discover something out of the ordinary- like realizing that the new public park you’ve sneered at in its lack of privacy actually has its own charm, or “The Worst Restaurant” located near old China Town. I’d eat there, but it really does look bad, I’d have to find someone adventurous enough to go with me.

 

9. Volunteer for a cause. There are very few emotions more positive than the one you get when you’re being selfless. (Thought bubble: does seeking for that personal high still make it noble then? hehe) I recently volunteered to teach at Sunday school, and while I often get a headache while I’m there, the hugs and the look of understanding that flash in their eyes when they’ve processed what knowledge you attempted to impart are just priceless.

 

8. Get out of the house and reconnect with a neighbour. No, reminding them to keep the music down past 9 pm or to use their own front drive as a parking lot certainly does not count. It may be a childhood friend or an old man with a terminal illness. Share a laugh, a meal and an old story or two. They’re probably just as bored, if not more. A visit might be just the thing you need to add some color to both your days. :)

 

7. Watch old reruns of sitcomedies. Like The Nanny, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, etc. Watch out for bad hair and funny outfits and when you finish laughing, think of how in ten years, the next generation will probably be snickering at those faded acid-wash skinny jeans you think are so hip now. Marvel at the fashion industry’s ability to make us go round and round this merry-go-round of style.

 

6. Drink plenty of water and eat pretentious fruit (tomato). Ponder on why it pretends to be a vegetable while you’re at it. Before you know it, you’ll be saying “hello, glowing skin!”.

 

5. Google topics that interest you which you would otherwise never have time to. Like how to DIY studding shoes, the life of Anne Sullivan and how to grow a lemon tree. Who knows, you might get inspired to start something significant.

 

4. Read the Bible or (insert appropriate name of holy scripture). Okay, technically, it’s not recommended only when you’re bored, but to say that it’s an interesting book is quite the understatement. What you’ll learn is surprisingly applicable to everyday life. Funny how I used to refer to Cosmo as my Bible (slander! Blasphemy!) Well, it’s definitely no Cosmo, but it’s filled with age-old wisdom that would’ve saved your hiney from trouble thousands of times, if only you’d bothered. It’s not only about good vs. evil. It’s about life and everything in between. So the next time you want to read your “bible”, why not pick THE bible? :)

 

3. Download -eep no, that’s piracy-, I mean, LISTEN to music of obscure artists. Mainstream music gets old faster than the speed of sound (there’s an irony), it’s a pain downloading them on iTunes cuz they’ll be overplayed by the time you create your “what’s hot” playlist. I downloaded (pirate) music by The Postal Service and The String Quartet ages ago, and they still soothe me the way only soul music can.

 

2. Watch cartoons of your childhood. Lately, I’ve been tripping on The Smurfs, Winnie the Pooh and Rainbow Brite. They bring back memories (both wonderful and otherwise) of what it feels once again to be that carefree kid on a bicycle, clad in essential bike gear: shorts, sando and flip-flops; what it’s like to have your plans of grand adventure squashed by parental restriction brought about by missing precious nap time; and of course, thoughts of “Homework? What homework? I’ll just glue a bunch of popsicle sticks together and call it abstract art”. Indulge in your favourite childhood movie and let the worries melt away, even for a little while.

 

1. Facebook. Duh. Search for long-lost relatives across the seas, reconnect with old friends who’ve moved away, build ties with acquaintances you haven’t said more than “hi” and “hello” to, and befriend that shy high school seatmate you’ve never bothered to get to know. Thankfully, one of the plus sides of living in this techno-age is that we have so many tools for interaction, we couldn’t look for excuses to be hermits even if we tried to. Not all the time anyway. :)