Slowing down again....

Wow, almost a full month has gone by since my last post at this point. Imagine that. I must be getting old and slowing down or something... heh.

I've actually sat and started typing a few times since the second, but never finished a post. I think, "gosh, this would be cute to post" or something, then my brain would start to drift to something else, and in the end, there's no post. I don't think I'll try for much cute this time, we'll see where that gets me.

Of course, it's new year's eve. Time to reflect on the one hand, look forward on the other. I sit and think that my parents are flying back to Ohio tomorrow, and Beth will be taking them to the airport around 5am. I'm planning to get up when she does so I should see them again this trip, but still it amazes me how short this trip seemed. Of course, it started with a chest pain scare for my dad (which turned out to be nothing, at least nothing the hospital could find after holding him about 40 hours) and was followed by me (and J and X) coming down with obnoxious colds that we're still in the process of recovering from... ah, Christmas. And to think we'd given up our family tradition of going to the ER on Christmas... no, we revived that one this year.

But even if everyone was in good health and good condition, it's still just a little blip. On the one hand I miss being closer to family and I miss seeing people. On the other, even when they're here there's an extent where it's just life as normal. There's not a whole lot that can be said in person that can't be said over the phone... I feel I kind of keep up with my sister-in-law by following her blog... I wonder to an extent where my sense of attachment is going? I've come to realize in some of the trips I've taken for business this year that I do feel very attached to seeing Beth and the kids on regular basis, but beyond that... am I losing my sense of attachment? I enjoy spending time with others in my family and I look forward to seeing them, but most of the time I would be perfectly happy to hole up here with Beth and the kids and just cocoon ourselves up nice and warm.

This past year brought a number of changes... probably more good than bad. Next year I hope will be similarly more good then bad, but I guess we'll just have to see. *sigh* I look back on 2007 sometimes though and say, what, did I blink? Other than switching jobs and moving between cities, the vast majority was still just "getting through the work week" or whatever else. Sometimes I wonder if I'm really living my life vs. getting through it... and what am I in a rush to get through it for? Still, how do I get to a point of enjoying it more without putting more pressure on myself now?

I have a couple of resolutions for the new year, but I don't think I'm going to announce them yet while it's still 2007. Wait for 2008. Will it be worth it? Will I announce them here? Will I change my mind in the next hour? We'll just have to wait and see.... heh.

Whatever 2008 brings for me, I hope it brings the best to all of you reading this. Or, is that "both of you?" Hrm. heh.

Another notch in the bedpost....

Another birthday has come and gone; 35 of those particular notches in the bedpost I suppose. It wasn't that bad either; had someone come to help with the kids in the morning (a babysitter we're planning to use next week and wanted Xavi to have a day to warm up to)... played some online play money poker, helped prep dinner... had one of it not my all time favorite meals tonight (Beth's paella/arroz con pollo) and had a friend and his fiance over to share it with us. For a 35th birthday, I suppose it wasn't half bad.

I certainly remember worse birthdays. 2001, my 29th birthday, I remember driving back from the Toledo Hospital and Ronald McDonald House fighting some severe nausea; not entirely sure how I made it home. I think Jillian was in the car with me too... I think I got her to Karen and Ken's house so they could watch her, got home, and then the nausea took over and led to what is the last time I actually remember vomiting. Naturally, I was recovered enough by Monday to get to work, but that weekend SUCKED! Yeah, that was the worst birthday I recall.

And the best? Hrm. I remember I got to drive to my 16th birthday party via learner's permit, but I don't remember much else but that fact. My 21st was a non-event for the most part; I remember telling my roomate on my 22nd that I hadn't gone out for my 21st so he insisted on taking me out for a drink on my 22nd at least to "make up for the last year" or something. Heh... I started making up some for lost time about half way to my 23rd. Ah, good times. But the birthdays themselves in there? Eh.

Maybe today (ok, technically yesterday) was the best birthday I've ever had; if I can't specifcally recall better, who am I to say it wasn't? But yet, since it's based on lack of evidence to the contrary I guess I'll just keep it as "one of my best" for now.

I didn't get much "stuff" this year, but honestly I'm good with that. I had more people make or do things for me than give me things, which was nice. The things I did get were unexpected but perfect for me in their own ways. Maybe I'm becoming less materialistic. It's hard to tell I suppose... but in the end, really, no complaints about my 35th.

Oh, and I'm old enough to run for president now. Mentioned that to my older brother, and he pointed out he was old enough two years ago.... but I reminded him that that means 2008 was the first election either of us could run for. We're "even" in that case.

Then I realized that his being older is no longer an advantage to him like it was for so many years. Not sure why that didn't hit me sooner.... heh.

Ah well. If I'm going to be halfways conscious for the second day of my 35th year I should crash soon. If you have a birthday sometime in the next 365 days, Happy Birthday!

:)