A (Re)Introduction
Also, instrument #1000!
Hello folks. Since I seem to have reached some new people this year on this platform, I thought I would give a quick (re)introduction, some updates for the old friends and some thanks.
First of all, I want to share that I am 4 years sober this week. I worked pretty hard at drinking for 20 year and I feel like I drank all I needed to or ever will. There is more room in my life now to think, feel and act, which is pretty great. I don’t have any big wisdom to share beyond that, but if you want to have a private conversation about it, drop me a line.
Secondly, part of my own “midlife crisis” has been getting back into fantasy books, movies and games. Part of this has been Henry growing to the age where we can share these things. The other part is realizing the safe place that fantasy was for me when I was a kid. Due to my hemophilia, I spent a lot of time on the side lines while other kids got to do activities, so I always had a book with me. My biggest obsession has been rediscovering the fantasy card game Magic: The Gathering, which I started playing in 1995. Unfortunately, I sold my cards to buy books for college, which I now regret. I play with Henry, his friend group and with an adult group regularly. Here I am with two of my favorite cards in the Fae archetype, which also scratches my folklore/history itch. If you have your old cards in a box somewhere, drop me a line!
Lastly, since 2020, I have had two ankle surgeries and two hand surgeries. This is due to long term complications from Hemophilia and repetitive use. I am still in a lot of pain everyday, but after fighting it for a few years, I now am slipping into acceptance of it. Overall, I think these procedures have been the right choice for me, but it has been a difficult transition into the last half of my life. I am still working and loving my jobs, but I just move slower and am trying to accept that. My output is down, but I am proud of my work. Writing here and for a couple of magazines has been a nice bonus on top of the woodworking that doesn’t tax my body.
What is next? I am almost to my #1000 Beansprout, but I have no idea what I am going to build. I am waiting to dream about it, which will hopefully guide me in the right direction. Or maybe you have an idea? Just whisper it into a Faerie’s ear and send it my way.
Thanks for keeping the lights on…
A