Yesterday, amongst some of the semi-productive things I did, I took about an hour to read by the pool and swim just a bit. It was refreshing, relaxing, and a wonderful perk to this nearly-over summer. I’ve been to the pool a lot this summer, as one might notice upon seeing my darkened skin tone.
Anyway, back to the point of my blog:
There is a new sign by the entry gate. It reads something like, “No one should enter alone or swim alone,” in somewhat intimidating all-caps.
Wait wait wait.
So, let me get this straight. I’m not allowed to swim alone, but I must pay my bills (including HOA fees, which help fund the pool maintenance) alone? This isn’t right. In fact, I think I might go to the community meeting on the 19th to inquire about the motivation behind such a sign, which is likely just for safety/insurance purposes. If they want me to always wait until someone is swimming there before I can go, then they’re going to have to give me half off my HOA fees.
Otherwise, this is a rule I will break at will. If I drown, I drown. So be it. I can’t sue because I’ll be dead. Duh. Ridiculous. In fact, I’m thinking about going for a swim late tonight: after closing and alone… that’s breaking two rules! (Ha! Look at me beign all rebelious!)
I mean, there aren’t a ton of things a young, single, cute woman can do on her own, logistically. It costs too much to leisurely travel alone, we generally don’t want to go see a movie solo, and it’s rare that we will sit in a restaurant to eat without someone to munch with us. Not that I’ve never done any of these things alone; I’ve eaten alone in public and I have traveled a bit–though not completely solo the whole time. But, I do enjoy my solo time at home most of the time. I can watch whatever I want on television, listen to whatever music I please, play online, read, clean or make a mess, sleep, sing–whatever I want! I can eat cheap food, skimp on the use of lights, turn the temperature on the thermostat such that I save money on heating, while splurging on things like a DV-R, and shopping for books and DVDs online. I laugh at myself for this on many occasions.
But, aside from that, I am no longer technically allowed to swim alone. Me. A 24-year-old female.
Please, people, don’t disregard me and my fellow solo-goers. Let us enjoy the simple things in life, like swimming in a public pool.