My Nemesis

I have a nemesis. His name is Andrew Younger. He is living my life! Here's the history:

Grade 3: went to Bel Air Elementary school, was in same grade as Andrew Younger, we both went to the same enrichment class. I had a crush on him, he found out and informed me I could have a crush on him but I wasn't allowed to ask him out in junior high. This was moot, I moved away in grade 5, never thought I'd encounter him again. Still, the first in a long line of unrequited loves in my life.

Skip ahead to age 29: My brother has died, I've dropped my life and am stopped professionally in a rather large and seemingly inescapable rut. I have daily guilt that I don't put my time to better use. I think about volunteering my time, but as I am working shift work, can't find a time slot that I can guarantee I'll be available. Keep thinking there will be time to do this. Am in the kitchen with the TV blaring one evening when a commercial comes on tv profiling local causes comes on the air and a strangely familiar voice comes through the air. Sure enough, it is Andrew Younger, testifying to his involvement with a local food bank. He has one upped me again!

Following this: I get curious about Mr. Younger, so I google him. Turns out he has his own TV/Film production company and is considered a local entrepreneur. So Professionally, his is living my dream life as well. Things are starting to seem unfair. Also, he is happily married, so on a personal level he has also bested me, first by blowing me off at the age of 7 and now by acheiving a personal success that continues to elude me.

I think it is over, but wait...no, there's more! I've managed to let that go (or so I think). I'm moving on, making new, different plans. I see the municipal election signs going up everywhere, and I think, I like politics, I want to be involved. I decide for the next few years I'll go to the council meetings, learn about the issues, and in 4 years, I'll run. It is a good plan. A sound plan. A fulfilling plan. Then, as I am driving to pick up my boyfriend from his band practice, what do you think I see? Andrew Younger for City Council!!!!!! ARGHHHHH!!!!!!

So that must be it, right? I am really obsessing (but not in a scary way, really) about this now. He is my nemesis. There is a finite pool of personal successes, and somehow we are sharing that pool and he is getting them before I can. I call my mom, my rock, my voice of reason. I tell her my Andrew Younger conundrum. She says, hey, I know that name... I say yeah, because we went to elementary school together. She says, no! He was in the other day with his wife getting a portrait taken of the two of them. (My mom is a PA for Sherman Hines, a high profile professional photographer).

So I give up. He's everywhere. He is doing everything. All I can say is this, to you Mr. Younger. Let me know when you are done, and I'll start trying again.

No, I don't really mean that.

But for the love of Pete, leave something for the rest of us!