Road to 36

I am 36 now. Closer to 40 than 30. One would think that's a game changer but I'm still mentally 12. So it's been another year and what more could I add to 35? My last birthday update touched upon finding the joy in work, how to love, seizing life, getting lost, and fantasy football. What more can I say? Well, here goes...

• Death: It's directly proportional that as you live longer, you will experience more death. The old adage goes that the only thing inevitable in life are death and taxes; however the rich cheat taxes, but no one cheats death for long. In our youth, most of us are thankfully sheltered from death by our naive sense of immortality. But as the sands of time continue to fall, so do those we know and love fall around us. With that said, death is not cruelest to those that are claimed, death is hardest on those left behind. We, the survivors, are the ones who have to deal with loss and pain. We are the ones who have to cope with the void. But nature abhors a vacuum so we must find something to fill the jagged hole. I suggest we take a moment to acknowledge that pain and then surge forth to fill the emptiness with happy memories. So please, when my time comes, do not mourn. Rejoice in our moments. Relive in our smiles and laughter. Let's throw a party with a DJ and dancers! Let there be shots and cheesecake. I want a jazzy second line marching to a joyous beat! Death is coming, but I refuse to be a victim.
• Age: I am coming to terms with my age. Our arbitrary numerical system based on a Gregorian calendar reminds us that we are getting older. But put away the math, and age is naught but perspective. To those in their 60's, my 36 is still spring time. There is a lot more wear and tear in these tires. I am just coming into my own and starting to get a handle on my decision making and thankfully with some resources to make good and yet still exciting ones. I have the opportunity to still take advantage of possible missed moments. I have the chance to still defy disappointment and renounce regret. However, to those in their `teens, I am Old Man Winter. I am the System. I am the Man that puts them down. To those young whippersnappers, I can only say, "Dang, right!" I am no longer down with "it" and I'm okay with that. I don't have to condone Miley Cyrus' twerk-stravaganza. Sure I like some of her songs and I understand the marketing genius that is going on with her cash train, but I don't have to feign support for that insufferable tongue-wagging. I'm okay with the fact that Wu-Tang Clan and DMX is playing on the Oldies Station. I am old danggit...now get off of my lawn. So, age is NOT just a number (afterall, numbers are clear and pure). No, my friends, age is a point of view. On another note regarding age and perspective, ever notice how long it takes for a school year to go by when you are a young kid tearing at the seams for summer to come. Yet, as a teacher, the days just fly by and there is never enough time to get things done.
• Priorities: We often preach to hold fast to our beliefs and to what we hold dear. Yet as situations change, so do one's priorities. Things that were once important to me are no longer of value. This is most true of material things. Don't get me wrong, I want a big screen TV just like everyone else, but I'm not going Walter White for the latest smart TV. At 36, I find myself wanting to be a better son. I want to have more frustrating moments trying to explain texting to my dad. I want to watch those horrible scary movies with my mom.  I also want to be a better brother, but sometimes I don't know how. I can only try.
• Fantasy Football: I still know nothing, but this is a passing league and Peyton Manning is carrying my @$$ to first place!!!

Insanity

There's that popular saying that defines Insanity as the repetition of a task and expecting different results. I've done blogs before and have lost interest in them as time fades away. Why should this be any different? I am delusional. Hence, Insanity. Well, hopefully we'll have photos, insights on life, smack-talk regarding fantasy football, and random thoughts. Prepare to be Meh!