Life is Swell

I'm beginning to realize the benefits of leaving my cush office job and moving into the service industry. Since making my way into the world of "servers", I now see that membership has its advantages.



Today is Monday.

It's about 9:40 am

I haven't showered.

I haven't shaved.

I'm still in my underwear and wife beater.



I'm sitting here thinking about what I'm typing and realizing how sloppy I am right now, however I like the fact that I don't HAVE to do these things yet.



There are a few select items on my to do list that I would like to accomplish today - go to the bank, go talk to CJ's principal (refer to post titled "Aging Gracefully" to see how I really feel about items like these). There are also a few items on my to do list that I feel I HAVE to accomplish today - call and light a fire under Gooch's graphic design company, research purchase of concession trailer.



Life is swell. I feel a lot less stress since leaving the office. I'm making more money as a server working close to the same number of hours. I consistently have customers that either request my table or ask if I am the owner - which indicates to me that I have a promising future in the restaurant industry. Home life is better now that I can spend more time with CJ and his activities and spend more QT with The Mrs. I've also had more time to focus on exercise and diet. With a 5 mile run/60 mile ride coming in 2 1/2 months, time is limited.



For now, gotta go. Time to shit, shower and shave. Gotta look good for my relaxing Monday. And if you're reading this while at work, make sure you bring it up while at the water cooler.



Peace, I'm out.

Aging Gracefully

I'm not 18 anymore. No matter how much I think I may be the same as I was when I graduated high school, I'm not. I realized this about an hour ago as I was sitting at lunch listening to two people discuss the happenings of the day. I know it sounds amazing, but I don't look, act or think like I did 14 years ago. The strange thing is I feel no different.

Or do I?

As I listened to the guys talk about contracts and home purchasing, I found myself thinking "man, I'm glad I don't have worries like that stuff in my life."

Or do I?

Even as I sit here typing this blog, I can't help but feel like Doogie Howser at the end of another episode - closing in on some final thoughts after a moment of epiphany.

Perhaps I have lived for so long "not worrying" that I now fail to identify things that I should worry about.

Co-pays, mortgages. Hey, why did they change the PTO structure? What's that pain in my back? Should I declare 0 or 3 on my tax form? What the hell is this lawn watering diagram all about? Did I pay the Visa? How's CJ doing in school? Shit, CJ is writing below his level. Why is this bill so high? Weekend to-do lists. Does the oil need changed? Nope, just did that. But now the brakes are making noises. Wow, so are my knees. Why did they send another lawn watering schedule? Am I supposed to keep that? Utilities. Man, am I getting fat. Crap, better do a load of laundry. I wonder what color would look good in the kitchen. What's that smell? What's that bruise? What's that ache? What's that noise?

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a constant run of what goes through my mind - I'm not a freak or anything.

Or am I?

Nah. I've just realized that I'm not aging as gracefully as I thought I was. Is this a midlife crisis? I hope not. That would mean I only have about 32 more years on this spinning ball of dirt.

Wait, maybe that attitude is the heart of the problem right there. "I hope not. I need more time." After 32 years, a few run-ins with misfortune, reading headlines, towers falling, family/friends passing, wars waging, aches aching, hearts breaking, yadda yadda yadda, I think for once in my life I understand what is meant by "tomorrow is never promised".

I have a chance to do what no one in my immediate family has done yet - set the foundation for a legacy. I have tremendous opportunity in front of me that I have yet to fully tap into. I have a son that is very smart with a love for creativity. I have a wife that is extremely supportive as well as successful in her own rights. I have a family that provides unconditional love and unwavering support in everything that I do. For some reason, I feel I have yet to find my niche in the system. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough. Maybe it's right in front of my big Italian/Irish sniffer.

Shit, it's Friday. Did I bring the garbage to the street?

It's time to buckle down and start creating my legacy. I begin by saying that I'm no longer 18. In fact, I'm glad I'm no longer 18. At 18 I was only beginning to set the foundation for a life that would echo through eternity.

I'm old. I'm starting to get grey hairs. I'm overweight.

I'm a husband, I'm a father, I'm a business owner, I'm a friend.

Life doesn't look so bad after all.

So I'm blossoming a little later than everyone else. Why else do you think I have this man-boobs. Better late than never, though.

And as for aging gracefully? Fuck it, I'll worry about that later.