Meh

Things are extremely busy at work. The job is becoming far more managerial as time passes. But that’s the way it should go. The only drawback seems to be the resulting lack of down time to decompress, unwind and stretch creative muscles.

So here I sit on a Friday night, having had a cup of coffee, feet up and deciding that instead of consuming (I’m looking at you Reddit, G+ and YouTube), I’d at least write something. Anything.

So this won’t be pretty. No eye-opening insights for you dear friend. Just some random and brief thoughts. Think of it as a brain and soul dump - only hopefully brief. This is clearly more for me than it is for you.

If you’re still here reading, no apologies given. But it sure sucks to be you. ;-)

Dearest daughter’s last report card noted how her ‘uniquely dry wit’ was valued. Mission accomplished. I am proud to have at least imparted something valuable to her.

Dearest daughter also now has a boyfriend. This began just before Christmas. It’s the first. I was given the impression from others that it should be all doom and gloom for me at this point. All downhill from here. But I chose to immediately have the talk with her. It was short but to the point. Smart decisions. Not dumb ones. And she’s happy. And sweet mother of all that is holy.. he’s nice. Quiet and respectful but funny. I like him.

Truthfully, my biggest worry is about when things go sideways. I think about my first relationships. I didn’t have a ton of them, but I do remember a couple of times when my heart got hurt. When you’d find that song that so perfectly described that crushed feeling. How it was so painful but cathartic. That’s the part that scares me. The realist in me knows it’s an important part of growing up, but dang if I ever want my daughter to feel it. Ever.

Talking to my dad about his uber-helpful neighbours (my dad’s now almost 79 and lives alone). Three of them seemed to be warring over who was going to snow-blow his driveway this past winter. They scold him when they see him out shoveling. He’s flattered. But he also told me that while they seem to feel he needs social interaction (going for coffees, out to lunch etc.), he also values his time alone. He’s misses my Mom like hell (still cries when we talk about her sometimes), but he’s quite happy at home alone with his thoughts. I told him I’m exactly the same way. Apple. Tree.

I do a lot of driving. Podcasts for me are huge. But there are also times when I need to flip on Google Music and it becomes embarrassing middle-aged man sing-along time. My daughter has infected me with a few of her tunes as well. These three in particular at the moment:

• My House by Flo Rida
• Classic by MKTO
• Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (featuring Mary Lambert)

Revelations (not really):

• My daughter’s musical tastes are WAY more varied than mine were at her age. Kudos to her.
• I still need to lose 30 lbs. Though that hasn’t changed in the last 15 years - hooray for consistency!
• I still love pizza.
• I am ridiculously fortunate.
• I think Trump is scary and embarrassing and Clinton is an incrementalist and shifty too.
• I also think come November, Americans will get what they deserve, good or bad.

To fans of inconsequential meandering stream of consciousness blog posts, you’re welcome.