Unlike most birthday’s of my past, my 48th this past May 7 was downright unusual. Not bad, just unusual. As mentioned in earlier posts I have started a new gig: shorespeak. In this role I am traveling the country as a speaker/consultant/coach. Timing being what it is I got booked for a job in Baltimore prior to a conference in Washington DC. This meant that for the first time in memory (which is suspect to begin with) I was not home to celebrate.
Instead I spent the day:
- working out – a 90 minute cardio and weight program in the hotel gym
- a long self guided tour through our nations capital
- dinner with my DC based nephew and his girlfriend
The good news: it was a pleasant day albeit one spent primarily alone. But hey, if I can’t be with myself after 48 years then who can I be with?
The bad, self inflicted news: WAY to much good cheer. In fact I was as hung over the following morning as anytime in recent history.
Perhaps we never learn.
As I’m now 2 weeks into the 48 year I have been reflecting on:
- where exactly did my eye sight go and how could it go so quickly – if I do not have the cheaters at the ready I am effectively handicapped. Yes, handicapped. I cannot see shit up close without glasses and it is getting worse quickly. I have finally made an appointment for an optometrist visit.
- working out 2-3 times per week is not enough – I have added yoga to the mix to alleviate stiffness and back pain
- the spark that powered by frenetic career existence for 30 years has dimmed. No not gone out by any means, simply gone down a notch. Making the most money possible as quickly as possible is not the goal anymore. Enjoying what I do and having a schedule that is mine is much more attractive.
- the inevitable decline of parents is imminent – Dad just isn’t the same as he is showing signs of wear at 76 years of age
- marriage is a full time job and one that is damn hard as well as cyclical
- making new friends later in life is exponentially more difficult than when you are young
- cell phones are the greatest invention in the history of communication as well as the greatest curse
- pets are like Valium on four legs…calming
to be continued……………
