1/1/11
The first day of 2011 doesn't feel any different from the last day of the exiting year, but to say I'm glad (or rather, grateful) to see 2010 pass is a severe understatement.
2010, in a single word, was rubbish. I lost everything except my job (thank the Matrix), and only seemed to have gained a lot of weight (of which I'm hopefully beginning to lose).
The perfect allegory for last year could be found in my work-life balance. Several times in the year prior, I had accrued the maximum amount that my job allows for time off. And yet, because of what was going on, I never could find the time to use much of it. In fact, the only time I took significant time off last year, was during the October tragedy... and best believe that was as unplanned as you can get.
No one sits in the passenger seat of the Volvo. That was an occupancy I had hoped to fill with December 2010 being the due-date. While there almost seemed like a tiny beacon of hope thereabouts, I am utterly pessimistic about it even being possible. 2010 felt a whole lot like 1995, with tons more alcohol and binging... until we hit October, where it felt like 1991. Now, besides the fact that I've occasionally mentioned '91 as the year I lost my mother, you can rest assured that the unifying theme was that they were pretty rubbish years.
Even the trivial I loved about 2010, such as the ascension of Michael Vick on my favorite football team, seems like a dream deferred once again, a season to end not unlike it had last year, with the only consolation prize is that the postseason won't end at the hands of the despicable Cowboys. Of course, Andy Reid could wake up and adjust his game to eager corner blitzers, but that's about as realistic as expecting Gina Grad to fall down from heaven into my living room.
I don't feel much of anything from this year past, except older, heavier, and that much more isolated from the world at large. Not a particularly great starting point for a new year.
However, in the midst of all my pessimism I just have to ask: "How much worse can it get?" Seriously, there's little left to take.
Though I have thankfully fallen into my "diet/exercise" lockdown mind set, and have shifted my waking regimen (on work days)... two problems with last year, it'll take a lot to be better than last year.
It also will take a whole lot to be worse.
With a grumble,
Dr. Claw
2010, in a single word, was rubbish. I lost everything except my job (thank the Matrix), and only seemed to have gained a lot of weight (of which I'm hopefully beginning to lose).
The perfect allegory for last year could be found in my work-life balance. Several times in the year prior, I had accrued the maximum amount that my job allows for time off. And yet, because of what was going on, I never could find the time to use much of it. In fact, the only time I took significant time off last year, was during the October tragedy... and best believe that was as unplanned as you can get.
No one sits in the passenger seat of the Volvo. That was an occupancy I had hoped to fill with December 2010 being the due-date. While there almost seemed like a tiny beacon of hope thereabouts, I am utterly pessimistic about it even being possible. 2010 felt a whole lot like 1995, with tons more alcohol and binging... until we hit October, where it felt like 1991. Now, besides the fact that I've occasionally mentioned '91 as the year I lost my mother, you can rest assured that the unifying theme was that they were pretty rubbish years.
Even the trivial I loved about 2010, such as the ascension of Michael Vick on my favorite football team, seems like a dream deferred once again, a season to end not unlike it had last year, with the only consolation prize is that the postseason won't end at the hands of the despicable Cowboys. Of course, Andy Reid could wake up and adjust his game to eager corner blitzers, but that's about as realistic as expecting Gina Grad to fall down from heaven into my living room.
I don't feel much of anything from this year past, except older, heavier, and that much more isolated from the world at large. Not a particularly great starting point for a new year.
However, in the midst of all my pessimism I just have to ask: "How much worse can it get?" Seriously, there's little left to take.
Though I have thankfully fallen into my "diet/exercise" lockdown mind set, and have shifted my waking regimen (on work days)... two problems with last year, it'll take a lot to be better than last year.
It also will take a whole lot to be worse.
With a grumble,
Dr. Claw