Now Playing  Past Songs Played Make a request provided by Nielsen BDS

Song: 

Artist: 

Listen Live

Email Password 

Gord's BLOG


Night swimming

Monday, June 19, 2006

Schadenfreude is a German word for taking pleasure in the suffering of others, like watching a truly annoying person trip, or seeing Paris Hilton drop her cellphone in the toilet. Wouldn't that be just a bit hilarious?



Leave it to the Germans then, to define what we're all thinking, so now I need a German word for being very happy and very disappointed at the exact same time. How can that be possible?



My friend Cavin works in television. He got a new job at a channel that you probably watch every day. It's a huge step in his career and everyone's really excited. The downside is that now he can't attend our scheduled cottage vacation this August. We'd been talking about it since last year and had almost every second planned for a maximum output of hilarious antics. I wanted to swim naked if no one was looking. He wanted to tip the boat or catch a fish. Our friends show up in cycles, sunburns are welcomed and nothing is eaten until it's been on the barbecue for half the time it takes to finish a Lakeport. The nights are calm and warm and when you lie on the dock looking up, you can picture yourself in outer space.



We spent days wrestling with possibilities but realized that it simply wasn't possible. Vacations are awesome but your life is important too. A great job takes precedence over a week in the bush. Accepting defeat, we laid our plans to rest in a peaceful ceremony, attended only by close family and friends. The cottage will be there next year, so we'll plan twice the fun to make up for this dark moment-- The lost year.



I'm now in a pickle. I suddenly have a week in August to do anything I choose. I'm looking for suggestions. If you had a week off, where would you go? I'll take a train, bus, car, plane or boat. No idea is too insane. Let me hear it.
Send Comments

View Comments (21)
JUNE 2006
MONTHLY ARCHIVE
SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Send To A Friend