The great thing about moving to a new place is all of the wonderful, new, fun things to do. And they are all wonderful because they are new. It's never been done before, well, at least not by you. But the one downfall of moving on a whim to a new place, is sometimes you just don't know a whole heck of a lot of people. Everyone's real nice, but those emotional connections you have worked to build with friends in past locations just aren't present.
So to sum this up: I've been a little bored.
Don't get me wrong: I've met some wonderful people and work is fulfilling, but I've spent a lot of 'me time' with myself in the last 2.5 months. Most of which I enjoy, sincerely. But that just means I have a decent amount a free time.
And in my free time, I have (further) developed hobbies.
- Running
- Pilates at a studio
- (Excessive) Shopping
- and Watching "Friends"
So "Friends" marathoning, I am. Started with season 1 in July and just got to season 7 today. And I have had quite a few epiphanies in the making.
As a preface, I grew up watching this show. When I was in South America (15 years ago), "Friends" (and "The Nanny") were the only shows I watched in English. So I grew up with Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross every week.
- I've always had a love for each character, but Rachel was my favorite. Fashionista, works at Ralph Lauren, she's pretty, and confident enough to talk to attractive men. (That last one is something I appreciate now.)
Now I realize I loved the characters, and in turn the show, because I identify with each of them uniquely.
*Rachel: Fashionista, ability to get the men (still). She's perfect, yet flawed in ways that add to her perfectness.
*Monica: Neat freak. Organized. Has 11 kinda of towels. I don't, but I appreciate the categorical approach. Perfectionist.
*Phoebe: Quirky, which she embraces. She's not afraid to be herself, and other's embrace her quirky personality traits. I have some quirks and I am not afraid to show the world what I have to offer.
*Joey: Can be focused. Sometimes it's on sex and other times it's on sandwiches. But he is fixed on what he needs (wants) in that moment. When I am in the zone, there is no stopping me.
*Chandler: He's funny. Almost awkward funny. I don't think I am hilarious, but sometimes I make awkward jokes, and it works out.
*Ross: Nerdy. He really is. He's a paleontologist. I may not be akin to Dinosaurs, but some of my favorites include: Star Wars (only the originals), Lord of the Rings (obvs), Harry Potter, ...and math is fun.
- When you're 10, you don't really get all of the sexual innuendos. I get them now. (The show is WAY more funny now.)
- I also enjoy HIMYM. But Barney is a 2000s version of the 1990s Joey.
- The last thing I appreciate about "Friends" is their friendships. The show is driven by a vague storyline about their dating lives, but really what it boils down to is the progression of their relationships. And with that progression came conflict. Lots of conflict. Each show someone is usually pissed at someone else. But at the end of the day they are able to continue on.
They are all actually so different, that in real life I don't know that they would all be friends. Yet, they are so different, that each of the 6 of them fulfill what the other 5 are missing. In that way the show has great chemistry.
Much like all of the Harry Potter fans claim the last movie to be the 'end of an era,' I think the end of "Friends" was an end of an era for me. But reliving that era has been way more fun.
