Truth In Moderation

Oktoberfest was a pretty big hit. I will say that it seemed a bit milder than years past, but that was a good thing. I'm sure there were still snafus here and there, but I had a great time. In the years past it was so noisy and disjointed that it was at times a bit much to handle. Especially, since I mentioned last week, this was the first year I didn't have to try to fall asleep to um-pah music blaring, while revelers were partying on my lawn, ten feet from my bedroom window. Another thing that was kind of cool was that we paced ourselves. I remember all three days. There was a little bit of blurring, because let's face it, we're not saints. But in general, I have recollection of three distinct days, which made it all the better. That was not always the case. We're getting much better at moderation. We planned ahead, and budgeted. We took breaks and naps. One of the nicest things about living so close is that we can take advantage of that type of situation. Whereas in the past, our home became a place to keep the party going, this year it was a place of relaxation. That was nice. I'm not sure if it's our age, experience, or budget that made it so memorable. Probably a little bit of each. Also, people were not coming out of the wood work like they have in the past. Sure, we ran into people, but it wasn't the horde that we used to run with. Maybe everyone's taking it a little easier these days. It was also somewhat satisfying that the people we did run into were actually people we wanted to run into, not just random drunks.

Don't get me wrong, there were still plenty of drunks there, obviously. But the difference is, they were not coming over to our house. That makes me smile. We got a lot of calls from people saying they couldn't make it, which is cool. It just really got me thinking about moderation, and how many of us are actually getting to that point in our lives. Most of our friends are close to the same age as us, and most are also close to the same financial situation as us. I'm not sure which of these two factors has the greatest influence. Of course, it could be neither. They may just not like the crowds, or the prevalent commercialism. I don't know. All I do know is that I had fun. The most fun I've had at an Oktoberfest in a while. And I contribute that to our moderation. Moderation is taking on a whole new meaning in our lives recently. Having just established a budget, and sticking to it, is really helping us see the means by which we can enjoy ourselves, without destroying ourselves. It's one thing to hear “All things in moderation.” It is quite another to understand it, and to live by it. There are still hurdles, obviously. I imagine it will be a constant learning process. But just the fact that we're looking at it, and taking it seriously, is making a major difference in our lives. And as I mentioned earlier, I'm not sure if this is merely a symptom of growing up, or if this concept of moderation is actually the catalyst. I'm leaning more towards moderation, since there are lots of people older than I who seem to have no clue.

Moderation can be kind of tricky though. Especially in the beginning. We've actually been using a personal breathalyzer to monitor ourselves. It might sound silly, but it helps us establish a baseline. The first few times, trying to figure out what a good limit is, was difficult. Especially after drinking! But, after a few trials and errors, we eventually found a level that we can comprehend, to keep the good times going. Instead of letting the good times get out of control. If you're not looking for that sweet spot, you won't find it, no matter what your age is. But all things are not that easy to analyze. How much to budget for groceries or gas? These also take a while to figure out, because you have no baseline, until you start the trial and error process. Then, once you get a grasp of it, you start to realize what needs to be rationed, and what deserves a little extra. For example: Toilet Paper. Since we started budgeting, we've been doing a lot of shopping at the 99 cent store. At first, finding toilet paper for $0.99 was great. But then you start to realize that you really do get what you pay for. Have you ever used this stuff? I'm not a “super wiper” but it seems like you could use half a roll in one sitting. Plus the weird thing is, they make the little cardboard tube practically indestructible. What's that all about? Now it's taking up extra space in the trash can! It seems moderation is all about give and take. Until you start looking at what you can give, and how much you can take, it's really hard to see the truth.

Daughn