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Edited on Sun May-02-10 02:57 AM by cherokeeprogressive
One year away from fifty, but that's not "fifty something".
Damn, halfway done. The first half passed in the blink of an eye. I think everyone should write a book about their first fifty years. I've been "Mother's Greatest Mistake" (what they used to call MGM or Mentally Gifted Minors in the 60's), I've been a total geek with a 4.0 GPA, and I've been a total stoner who went to high school trippin' on some excellent Purple Microdot. I played Fagin in my senior year, stoned out of my mind when I walked on the stage in the third act, and heard my Dad asking my mom "where is he, where is he..." as I started singing "Reviewing the Situation"...
I hope the second half passes more slowly. I'm doing things to try and make that happen though, and I hope they work...
I used to drive fifteen to twenty miles over the speed limit. Now, I drive the speed limit in town, to the mile, and five to eight over on the open road. You know what? I notice more when I have time to look around than I did when I had to concentrate on what slower vehicle might be in front of me.
The older I get, the more I love my life. I've never invented anything, never saved a bus full of people who were about to tumble over the edge of a cliff, but I think I've made a difference in some ways, for people less fortunate than me. For ten years, I taught Adult School classes in computer applications, and for a couple of those years, I worked as a Job Placement Counselor. It wasn't always easy, but I was successful in finding jobs for over 200 students in that time. Would that I could have done more, but I did my best.
So as I post this I'm 49, losing weight, and going to work on a Sunday which is also my Bday. I don't feel a year older, I feel a DAY older. My Step-Son took me and his mom, my wife, to dinner tonight, and we tipped the teppan cook and his waitress half of the bill. They were shocked. We were halfway across the parking lot on our way to my car when the teppan cook stepped outside and yelled THANKS! That made my day.
Okay, I'm done rambling. I'm at different times a nice guy, an ass, a political neophyte, a proud father, and a total loser. I'm going to bed now, and if you're interested, I'm going to bed with a smile. Not a rich guy, not a smart guy, and not necessarily intuitive... but happy. Happy, and 30lbs lighter than I was less than two months ago.
I love you guys and gals and would love to issue a blanket apology to all I've offended, but I know that doesn't work here. My past transgressions stick to me like a bad odor. Doesn't mean I don't love Democratic Undergound...
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