The best part about the occupational nerves is the eating, or lack thereof. I get home and race to the computer; there’s no time for food. And that means thin, which makes for nice photos, at least of me without a double chin. I guess it makes for dates too. Slim picking’s lately, but things have to pick up ‘cause I’m knee-deep in doing things I love. That’s the idea nowadays, right? Bars and online dating promise you mass, not quality. Yes, you have more chances of meeting people, but what’s the point in dating Mr. Red Flag, or Mr. Let’s Just Fool Around and Keep Things Light? Quality doesn’t smoke and drink shots of vodka on Monday nights. He’s out walking his dog, or taking photographs, or shopping for quality produce; he’s working on his next story. He’s passionate about something other than golf.

I know too many people who don’t have hobbies. Their hobbies become sorting online dating profiles, or bar hopping to meet someone, and once they do, their relationship becomes a series of meals and movies. They love one another because it’s comfortable to have someone there at the end of the day, someone to order-in with, someone to just sit in front of the television with. They love their relationship because it’s comfortable. I have a news flash. Anyone can sit around and watch TV and enjoy eating fries with you. If when you speak of your relationship, you say it’s just so nice and comfortable, you should open your eyes. I’ve found that kind of comfort with nearly every other person I’ve dated. It takes more than a night of Six Feet Under and take-out for a relationship to be right.

To really be happy, you need to make yourself happy. Read that line again. A relationship can’t make you happy. You need to discover and commit to things that bring you joy, where hours ruffle by like wind on water. Once you find what brings you this happiness, no one can take it away from you. You can’t find it in a relationship. People leave. People change their minds. People die.

There, I’ve said it; I’m off the box. Go back to watching TV.