43 years old. I can hardly believe it. I was looking at a photo taken at my 30th birthday party which I celebrated at my parents house and it is strange to think 13 years can pass so quickly. Of the small group who attended that party, 50% have dropped out of my life for various reasons. It snowed and I can well remember the Canberra Raiders playing a television game with snow gathering on their boots. An ex-girlfriend of mine who attended with her new partner drank too much and had to be bundled home. My mother asked me what we should do with her and I can remember replying, perhaps ungraciously, that she wasn’t my responsibility; her boyfriend was with her afterall! But the rest of us had a nice time at least.
The lazy days from then until now have passed with an almost blinding flash and I don’t feel any older or wiser than I did on that similar day almost a decade and a half ago. My life is better now in many ways and I have walked through a few fires since then and survived with only a few black spots remaining to show the evidence of my travails.
I do look back at times and wish the clock would slow just a little and let me enjoy the moment for a bit longer than is physically possible. But, time waits for no man as they say and I will muddle along the best I can for some time yet and try to squeeze the drops of life from this body for as long as I can.
So, thank you all who have taken the time to throw a greeting my way on this auspicious day. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it except to say that it has made the long hours till midnight more bearable. Now, I will take my leave and prepare for the working day and try to make the most of it in that most desolate of places. I am sure I will be fine.
Have a nice day, wherever you may be.
Strange Notations From a Laborious Life 