on the 3rd day of the 7th month…

thirty-seven years ago, at 9:03 am, i was born. just two blocks from where i now sit. by all accounts it was an ordinary, albeit sweltering, Monday morning, except for what was happening on the third floor of Lions Gate Hospital to that poor couple whose lives would be irrevocably altered by my tiny, squirming emergence.
my thirty-sixth year was mostly unexciting. i didn’t go any further than vancouver island. i didn’t become rich or famous. i didn’t get fit or skinny. i didn’t appear on any Most Wanted lists (for good or ill).
i did, finally, wrassle my financial life into submission and have been pummeling it monthly to keep it in line. it’s hard to be a single person, living alone, owing the bank money. but, with persistence and a little luck, by my birthday after next, i should be able to declare myself debt-free! now THAT will be a natal anniversary to celebrate!
thirty-six was the year i withdrew. partly because of the aforementioned debt-slaying, partly because i’m starting to feel my decades a bit more keenly and there aren’t many places left i’m more comfortable with than my own abode. plus, i’ve discovered that the more people you know, the more difficult it is to see them all on a consistent basis. i hope to change that this year, but… we all know what the road to hell is paved with. after thirty-seven years, i don’t think i’m going to suddenly turn into a social butterfly. i need far too much sleep for that.
i’ve been to see medical professionals more in the last twelve months than i have in the twelve years previously. my GP, a trip to St. Paul’s Hospital for an MRI, a few trips out to Richmond to see my surgeon. in two short months’ time, i’ll be recovering from my left knee arthroscopy. i’m both excited and terrified about that. i like the idea of being able to walk without fear, but i’m terrified i won’t wake up from anesthesia. good thing i have two months to yet worry about it get over that, huh?
this year i made things and *gasp* people bought them. it’s still a little boggling to me, but if i want to keep it up, i really need to develop my self-marketing skills. blushing and digging my toe into the carpet when someone expresses interest in my product isn’t the most successful selling solution, i’d imagine.
today, i’m going to make baked beans because tomorrow, there will be celebrating.
happy birthday to me!