T.G.I.M.

(Thank Goodness It’s Monday!)

You heard me correctly! 

The call to arms of all retirees everywhere!

Thanks goodness it’s Monday!

The Mongol hoards of the gainfully employed have returned to their respective places of business and left the cultural, retail, and leisure playing fields free for the sole enjoyment of the retired everywhere!

When I was one of the Mongol hoards of the gainfully employed, Monday used to be the worst day of the week for me … well for that matter I suppose, for anyone who has to actually work for a living.  There is nothing worse than the dread, depression and panic that begins to overtake you late Sunday afternoon when you feel yourself slipping back into “work” mode.   The weekend has been too short and the Monday morning mental “to do” list you are already composing in your head for the week ahead is getting longer and longer.  Your only wish is for Friday to hurry up and come again.

Well, let me tell you something.  A funny thing happens to you on the way to retirement … Monday becomes your friend!

Not to wax too philosophically, but for me, Monday’s are now akin to the first day of vacation!  There is a barely repressed sense of excitement about the whole week ahead of me!  I can do anything, go anywhere I want (within budget, of course!)  And it’s a great deal easier and more convenient to go anywhere and do anything because there are no crowds at the museum or art gallery, there’s no one in my condominium laundry room, all the library computers and printers are free, and the grocery stores and food courts are empty (except for those annoying high school students on summer vacation.  I’m seriously thinking of trying to make year-round schooling a municipal election issue.  Who’s with me?)

Even the local tourist attractions are a little less crowded.

Friday’s, on the other hand, are now the most annoying day of the week!  Especially the Friday before a holiday Monday!  I can see that the roads are getting more congested, the line-ups at various admissions booths are just a tad longer, and all cashiers appear to have only one nerve left and the person ahead of me in line is standing on it!

There is absolutely no upside to a weekend once you have retired!

Monday morning can’t come soon enough for me!!