Twas the Night Before the First Day of School

Wow, I worked my ass off this weekend. We're talking sweat dripping down my back. One of the comments in the guestbook today was, "(Epiph) provided excellent service. And he works hard!!" I felt bad today about how much I was sweating, but I was a damn good waiter. I pulled in $180 spread over two shifts this weekend - not too shabby.

Afterwards, it was off to a baby shower. I received the invite a few weeks ago, and I asked the organizer if guys were supposed to go. She said that it wasn't a baby shower just for the mother, but also for the father, and that they want everyone to come. Because otherwise why would they have sent it to me. So I went. A lot of good friends were there.

But I had no idea to bring a gift. And it's not like a wedding, where you can just ignore the gift table and get a gift for the bride and groom later because you have a year. There's actually a gift opening ceremony at a baby shower. I felt like there was a spotlight on me for not bringing one. I played with the baby someone else brought to make it seem like I was less of a jackass. When the baby started crying, I moved on to the dog. See, I had no idea to bring a gift. This is one reason I really need a woman in my life.

I had an alright time, though. I had a couple glasses of wine to help me get to bed nice and early tonight. I'm nodding off as I type this, so that's a good thing.

My dad told me afterwards that it was alright for me not to bring a gift, because they eschewed the rules already by inviting males to a baby shower, so all the rules are off. Thanks, Dad.

The mother, who I've taught with for the last three years, told me to have a good day tomorrow, that she's living through me vicariously as I start the school year. I'm likewise living through she and Joe vicariously as they enter parenthood.

Rebecca put her arm around me today and said, "You know, Epiph, you and I are part of a dying breed now. Everyone's getting married or having kids."

"Bue we have more fun," I said.

But I didn't mean it. Nights like this make me feel lucky for all the friends I have but they also make me feel lonely for all I don't have.

Tonight's not the night of a whiny blog entry, though. It's the eve of the first day of school! I still remember the first first day eve, at a friend's backyard barbecue. There was one holdover from that one at the shindig tonight, and we reminisced. She remembered what I had brought to eat - Baked Beans - that night. I specifically remembered a veteran teacher saying she still gets nervous the night before the first day of school, and she never can sleep. She probably never waited tables on a hectic Sunday brunch the day before the first day of school, though. I should have no problem sleeping tonight. In fact, that's my cue.

I am nervous, though. A good nervous, I assure you.