Five years. Five bloody years. I wasn’t the only person in the aftermath of September 11 to think that what I had to say ought to be published for the world to read. In the old Blogger days I had two sites: one contained my rants on politics and society, the other contained my vain bloviations on day to day life. Crap like this, my first post:
Bugger, I already wrote what I am about to write but damn the internet anyhow. So, as I was saying even though nobody but me knows it…
I am building a bar. My current dilemma is that the old shutter I found as a top has one small spot where the laminated wood has cracked and risen up. I can’t figure out how to get it down without really making a mess of things. Regardless, once I figure that out and soak the bloody thing in linseed oil then apply “fifty coats of hand rubbed laquer” it ought to be pretty swanky. Inanimate objects can be enablers too.
I didn’t say I had much to say.
Five years is a long time, although not as long as it seemed when I was younger. In the grand scheme of a still short life the past five years were the second most eventful half-decade in my existence. The number one half-decade was full of good and bad things, with the balance leaning towards good. Number two in the rankings, on balance, leans towards bad.
Five years ago:
- Three dear people were still alive.
- Cancer wasn’t part of my daily vocabulary.
- I was content in Gettysburg. Thought I’d probably pass my life there.
- I had never lived anywhere but Pennsylvania.
- I hated Canadians, Belgians and the French. Whew! At least some things never change.
- The world was newly at war and defeat seemed impossible.
- The Eagles hadn’t been to a Superbowl since 1980.
- The Red Sox hadn’t won a World Series since 1918.
- I hadn’t wasted two years of my life chasing a beautiful woman.
- No pooftahs! Wanted to make sure you’re all still paying attention.
- Some people were still married. Some people were not yet engaged. And some people hadn’t even met their spouses yet.
- I’d never been to New Orleans.
- I thought the iPod was overpriced and underpowered.
- Johnny Cash, Captain Kangaroo, Ronald Reagan and Bob Hope were still alive.
- I had never been to Opening Day. Or Spring Training.
Five years is a very long time. And I am honestly scared to death to face the next five.