Twenty and onward...

It was twenty years ago yesterday that I made my first forays into the new (and at the time, trendy) world of blogging.  I can somewhat remember it - reading those initial posts, aside - and it was exciting.  

Hindsight being what it is, a lot of the early posts were much more stream of consciousness and maybe  not as well thought out as they should have been, but it's how I was feeling at the time.  As the years have rolled on, if I look back at some of the original posts, I do get a little bit of cringe and some embarrassment, but okay - at least they were (at that moment) honest.  

The funny thing is even though blogging has somewhat diminished, I still enjoy doing this - albeit without the frequency of my initial output.  And until this stops (not by my hand), I'll continue.  It's a good form of release and chronicling where I've been, where I'm at and where I may be going.

When I started, I was a few weeks shy of my 40th birthday; now I'm on the cusp of 60, which is both odd and alien.  As I've said to several people, this one is a little bit more difficult to digest and process.  It's the start of the final chapter and even though it's not meant to sound fatalistic, it's reality, nonetheless. 

If I were to meet the person who started this blog, I'm not sure I would like him, frankly.  A lot of his views and bluster were misplaced and misguided.  But time has taught me how to communicate better and think much more before speaking.  None of the things I used to do are part of my orbit; some external bits (like going to the gym for the sake of good health, etc.), but that's all part and parcel of growing and letting go.

So now this milestone is recorded and I can look at what may come next.  After a very unusual year, complete with surgery, vacations, shifts and further amputations as far as relationships, I can only hope that 2025 - and subsequently, my 60th year on the planet - will be a little more low-key and easier to navigate. 

Happy anniversary to this blog and happy holidays to all.

Nearly there again...

It's been about seven weeks since the procedure; the full recovery time is supposed to be between 6 and 8 weeks.  There are a few unexplainable, minor discomforts that still occur - when I'm walking.  I know I still cannot run - it's hard to describe.  But okay - I'll take my time.  Hopefully, all will be normal by the start of the new year, as I joined another gym; one near my office.  Everything else, thankfully, is fine and normal.  I have a "regular" blood test on Saturday and my 3-month check-up with my primary care doctor on the 21st.  I've been focused on weight loss and rest and hopefully, I'll be able to get off the cholesterol medication next.

It was a perfect Thanksgiving - warm; quiet, wonderfully relaxing and the food was amazing.  I kept myself in check and didn't overeat (I didn't need to); I took care of the minor tasks around the apartment that I wanted to; a quick grocery shop and having done the laundry when I got home on Wednesday made it all just right.

Obviously, I have a lot more to be thankful for this year - which I am.  And going forward, it's just a case of maintaining that proper balance, especially now - on the cusp of 60.