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| There's less of me, but more of the geekery. It balances out. |
So 55 is over and done with.
It was the year I started getting senior discounts more often. Cathy pointed out to me that with the grey hair and beard, that's to be expected. However, it's mostly happening at the Aquatic Centre, where I have discovered the seniors' discount kicks in at 60, not 55. So that's a fun thing to process.
The amusing thing about that is that this is the best I've felt in probably 10 years. Although we started in 2024 when I was 54, Cathy and I both committed to losing weight and getting in better shape and healthier. It might have started when I was 54, but the results became visible at 55. At this point, we're both down around 65 pounds each.
We still have a ways to go to reach our preferred weight, but we're doing it slow and steady, in a way that should make it sustainable when we eventually plateau/reach our goal. I didn't do that last time, back around 2012, and the weight came back with a vengeance, and with interest. So I'd prefer it just stay away this time.
There is no secret, I'm afraid. We're not on Ozempic, not that there is anything wrong with that. We started eating better (more fruits and veggies, dramatically reducing processed food, less sugar), and moving more (the dogs are getting very long walks, plus treadmill, plus I go to the gym on weekends). So it's working.
It's just a nice feeling to be at a healthier size. Although a little expensive. The thrift shop did well by us after the holidays, as we had to clear out our closets of everything that was way too big for us. But now we have new clothes that look nicer and fit better.
As for other events taking place on my 55th year whipping around the sun, Cathy and I celebrated our 20th anniversary. Which is not nothing. It wasn't 20 perfect years; like any married couple, we have our moments. But 20 very good years, where the good outweighs the bad by a considerable margin. It also marked 20 years of living in Iqaluit, which is not bad, considering the plan was for five years. We've adjusted the timelines a little bit. Also, we've now been in our house 16 years, which is kinda cool as well. It's nice to not have to move every other year, which was happening for a while.
But we're also noticing the countdown happening. Today marks about six years until I retire. Subject to change, of course. But we'll see.
It was also the year we nearly bought a house back in Newfoundland, but it didn't happen. Let's see if I can get through my 56th year without buying a house as well.
Trip-wise, we went to Japan, which is arguably a Top 3 vacation for us, up there with Australia, the Viking River Cruise through Europe, Italy and our first trip to Hawaii. Beautiful country and we hope to get back there one day....albeit when it's not as warm.
So, it's been a good year, if you just keep the blinds up and don't notice America is totally fucked and the world is on fire. I've been working very hard to read more and use my phone less. I was doing pretty well at that until I started rereading Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon, which I remembered enjoying a lot when it first came out, but now feels like a bit of a slog. So we'll see.
So what's the plan for 56?
1. Continue to work on taking better physical and mental care of myself. I suspect this is the year I transition from losing weight to simply maintaining the weight loss. I didn't do so hot with that last time, so I will have to do better this time. But it means sticking with eating better, monitoring where I am, cutting myself some slack if I put on a few pounds, but keeping an eye on it. And keep exercising.
But just as importantly, I really have to watch my mental health. Work fortunately offers up people to help, and I need to take advantage of them if things start weighing on me. Less time on social media will help as well. I'm long gone from Twitter, but even BlueSky is becoming a lot. It's mostly left-wing Americans freaking the fuck out. Which, fair enough, you should. But as there are limits to what I can do to help in the US, doomscrolling just puts me in a bad place.
2. I did start my novel in my 55th year, so this is the year I will finish it. It's tentatively called Laoise, which is either a kids' novel, or a novel about a kid with a very Stephen King-ish vibe. It hasn't quite decided yet, which is fair enough. Most of my writing doesn't decide what it's going to be until after a few passes.
I also haven't figured out what I am going to do with it. It was interesting to listen to Dups's recent podcast with Seamus about writing. I like writing, but seem to have neither the time, patience, nor interest in pursuing an agent or publisher. Nor does firing off short stories to get rejected by a literary magazine really appeal to me. Plus, everything I read about getting published emphasizes the importance of a social media presence, at a time when I really would rather reduce mine.
It's just as likely I'll finish it, hire an artist to do a cover for me (fuck AI art) and publish it on Smashwords. I like writing, I like people reading it, but I don't need the money (don't get me wrong, I would like the money, I just don't need the book to pay bills or get groceries), which is a nice, albeit weird place for a writer to be in. I might print a couple of copies on demand, just because.
I hope to be finished by the end of June, then we're back in Newfoundland this summer. The plan is to research the next novel; the placeholder title is Witless.
3. Just because I have 20 years in as a husband, I need to keep working towards the next 20. Marriage is always a work in progress. When you stop working, it's when you get in trouble.
4. Just try to enjoy life. Take the moments to pause. Get up from my desk at work. Take a moment and appreciate when Cathy is playing with the dogs. Enjoy a nice piece of art. Admire a song. Disappear in a book.
5. The world is in a rough place right now, and not likely to get better immediately. But you can't fix it if you also don't care for yourself. Fight the fights you can, take care of yourself, and remember to breathe.
And with good luck and grace, I'll update you on how I did in a year's time.
Last Five
1. Silent all these years - Tori Amos
2. Dance anthem of the 80s - Regina Spektor
3. Why do I lose my voice when I have something to say - US Girls
4. Lucky - Radiohead
5. The Foggy Dew - The Chieftains and Sinead O'Connor*
