Just another (birth)day
The good and the meh of birthdays... and a look back on the year.
From a balcony cafe across the street, Jak looks out over the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City.
Sometime in the last month, I turned <mumble> years old. Another year passed. Another milestone, right?
Maybe.
Birthdays used to be moments of celebration for me – but now I prefer to not make them a big deal. I know, intellectually, that I should mark the year with something… even if just because making memories is a good practice for a rich life.
However, the effort to shoehorn in a party or plan a huge event no longer seems worth the benefit. So, I just try to shed worry and anxiety for a day, where I decide not to worry about being productive. I celebrate in small ways: a dinner at a restaurant, a walk, a drink… and cake (can’t forget the cake).
I’ve lived long enough that the years seem to run together. And sometimes it feels like every day is the same. Monotone. And the truth is that my daily life is actually fine. Yes, there are struggles and fatigue, but there are also joys and special events – just that these are not usually on my birthday.
So that when I look back on the year (a thing that some people do on the turn of the new year, but I like to do on my birthday), I realize a number of things that have happened… and I understand that the monotony I feel is not based in reality.
First, some not-so-great things from the past year:
My speculative fiction novel, Mind Share, was on query most of the year, but continues to get rejections. <sigh> I’ve gotten a lot of them. The thing is, the book is great, and I’m not ready to give up yet!
Most things related to the world economic and political situation suck.
Next, some good things of note:
We remodeled my office, which is so so much better! Also the master bedroom and bathroom were redone… which means our small house is quite a comfortable and attractive residence now.
I published the ebook for my cyberpunk novella Deadwise (written in collaboration with Jonathan Bond). Subscribers might already have a copy, but you can always get more (as gifts, etc.).
I visited the historic city of Guanajuato with my daughter, and (the majestic and massive) Mexico City with my amorcito.
I went to my first K-pop concert: Aespa Sync: Parallel Line … (Video)
I said ‘adios’ to my day job. Due to the financial wizardry of my partner - Karawynn Long - I’m able to write full time now… for loose interpretations of ‘full time’ since I have a lot of other things going on.
I traveled to two SFF conventions - my first Armadillocon since 1992 and my first Worldcon in decades.
This year’s cake - red velvet, yum!
So, even though my actual birthday was relatively uneventful, my year has been pretty full. Plus, I did have cake! I’m content with that.
Give a gift
If you’d like to do something nice for my birthday, consider buying one of my books — to read yourself or to give to a friend.
Liferock tells of a quest of discovery in a magical world where obsidimen (rock people) defend their home from orichalcum miners and a horrific amalgam of perverted beings. Read more … or buy at Amazon or B&N.
Set in the Forgotten Realms, The Edge of Chaos is about the unlikely friendship between a thief and a priest, wild magic that eats flesh and gives boons, and a cult that wants to use the magic to purge the world. Read more … or buy at Bookshop or Amazon or B&N.
Pick up one as a present - even if the gift is for yourself!
Until next our storylines cross, thanks for reading.
— Jak