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| Cake, a 16-year-old Scotch and a Fantasia shirt. A solid birthday overall. |
So here I am, 55 and yet not free. It's like those commercials lied to me, the bastards...
So yes, 55. I never thought much about some of the other "Big" milestone years, like 30, 40, or 50. Yet, clearly, I'm now on the slow slide toward 60. Cathy and I are in the early stages of planning our retirement in approximately six to seven years. We found a house we'd love to have, but it's too expensive to carry at the moment and it would just sit empty for years. But I'm sure there will be another.
I think 54 and the first few days of 55 will be some of the last sane days I have for quite some time. Not just me, but all of us. Pray to whatever deity you choose to believe in that we all get through this.
So what was there to appreciate about my 54th year? Far more good than bad, I think. We took our first vacation outside of Canada since COVID, going to Costa Rica and New England, which was nice. We got to see Bruce Springsteen in Ottawa in November, which was a bucket list item. I've been wanting to see the Boss since I was 15.
The dogs have finally settled down, thank God. Puppies are grand and all, but Sully was always more reactive than we would have liked when she was younger. She's much more chill these days.
I got some writing done (not on the blog, but elsewhere) that I'm happy with. Work is going well. I got a new boss this year and it finally feels like I can exhale again after a couple of years. It's nice to know that, once again, I can make an occasional mistake without the hammer coming down.
And after some gentle smacks to the head from our doctors, Cathy and I are back on the wagon when it comes to taking care of ourselves. The last time I did this, about 13 years ago, I posted weekly updates on my weight loss, which was insane. Instead, we step on the scale at the end of the month. It's going well and we're happy with the progress. I feel better physically turning 55 than I did the last few birthdays. We've been at it for six months; maybe after a year I'll post a longer update on it.
I quit Twitter, which was easier than I thought.
On the downside: Trump, hollow billionaire tech bros who can never have enough, fucking AI, and, honestly, that Neil Gaiman thing is quite a punch to the gut.
A few weeks ago, I was asked at work if I had New Year's resolutions. I said no, I do course corrections on my birthday. Which is not a bad line, actually. So with that in mind, what are the course corrections for my 55th year on this deeply messed up planet:
- Keep watching what I'm eating, keep moving. Do the work.
- Read more books. I read an article about how, due to social media and other factors, people are forgetting how to read, which resonated with me. So, I have more time for a book. I'm partway through Ministry of Time (It's good, I just got distracted). I'm on volume 2 of The Murderbot Diaries and Alan Moore's new novel, The Great When arrived today.
- I've been writing and not showing it to anyone because most of it was terrible and I didn't need people trying to struggle to politely tell me it was terrible. But I think I've got one or two or three good story ideas or stories in progress (one of them made Dups laugh, and he pleaded with me to write it). So this is the year to finish a novel and then begin the process of finding an agent, and maybe trying to publish something. We'll see. I haven't a clue about how to get published. I suspect its depressing as hell these days.
- Cathy and I are going to Japan this year, which is something to look forward to. She's never been, and I haven't been there since the one day I spent dealing with work visa things during my time teaching in South Korea back in '97.
- I had hopes to return to New York Comic Con this year, but current political realities make that unlikely. I don't have to make a decision on that until May, so a miracle may happen.
In a time of anger, bitterness, and despair, I need to remember to be a good person and encourage others to do the same. There are potentially some very dark times ahead, and it's going to be very easy to become angry, bitter, and resentful toward friends and family you truly believe should know better. Trust me, I'm somewhat of an expert when it comes to anger and bitterness.
Try to resist the urge and remember who the real culprits are when it comes to keeping us angry and divided. Make the adjustments. Don't give in. Keep kicking at the darkness, my friends.
Last Five
- No need to cry - Neko Case*
- Fighting in a sack - The Shins
- Sweet disposition - Temper Trap
- Any way you want (live) - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- The Dog/The Body - Sleater-Kinney
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