Did some journaling earlier today about an awesome play I went to see last night with E...
But that was in the journals.... I had meant to sit there at the coffee shop and do some imagining, some brainstorming... some thinking about the rest of life. But I didn't. Finished a book. The storm outside stopped, and I decided it was lunch time at 3 in the afternoon.
It's the first Sunday of October of 2025. Its been in the 80s so far this month, and this week its supposed to take a dive. I think it was last year or the year before they had to cancel the twin cities marathon because it was too hot. Today was the marathon, they didn't cancel. The heat broke with the storm and the sky was full of clouds all afternoon.
It's October. On Friday I went for a walk with my Dad... Saturday morning hung with him and James and the kiddos... went to Home depot for projects and then a park for an hour. It was nice, but hot and somewhat exhausting. Crazy that an hour on a playground will wipe you out when you spent your youth running around on them...
Dinner, a short walk around the river and the play last night.
Today I slept in, and then watched church but it wasn't inspiring. Coffee shop. Finished Everything is Tuberculosis which was a great book. Sad, but hopeful. Then got groceries and took a nap...
So many naps these days. While out walking to the coffee shop and back, I wondered if I need to just spend 20 minutes a day imagining. I don't do enough of that anymore. So much phone time, youtube, computer games... much of the slow part of life has been replaced with a screen and it makes the time go by, I even find I crave it... but its such a bad habit. AND so unfulfilling ultimately. I don't write poetry or think up new things... because I am too busy watching something that I will forget, fulfilling all my temporary needs.
I think the orange guy is gonna die soon. I don't know why, but it just feels that way, like there is another turning point coming. Maybe its wishful thinking. I am not sure what will happen to the elephants without him, will any of them wake up?
Things just seem crazy... and I am not sure what my role or part in it is... I was wearing my little braid with beads today and wondered if I need to be displaying a freak flag more often... something to just say ummmmm no. Without having to address it all too much. Maybe a bumper sticker.
THis is the kid who wore a peace sign every day, do you remember him? Where did he go? On the one hand, I wonder if I have less ego on the line, less need to be seen. And on the other hand, maybe I am just afraid. Afraid to be seen, afraid to be tore down, afraid to let others down, afraid to not have foundation or structure...
Its October. I said I would take on new clients by october. I have started one couple. I need about 5-10 more clients to fill my schedule and make the whole thing work. But its a weird time in the world. I don't seem to be doing a lot of advertising... what is my brand? I want to put up memes or jokes on my website... not very professional.
I dont know...
Was thinking maybe I should go to Mexico City in February. But will have any money by then? At this point I haven't even made enough to pay my monthly bills... how could I afford to go to Mexico City? Seems outlandish. And with the state of the world, shouldn't my money go to something more substantial?
Apparently my mood has shifted from earlier in the day when everything was possible... now I am being too cynical.
I just don't know what I am doing next I guess. October, November, December, -have to get all my CEUS. January, February? By August I need to find my next place to live... This place is too expensive for real... My office is up -around next fall or winter... not sure yet. If I haven't build some community, maybe look to find some folks to create a new space. Between the apartment and business expenses I think I am paying around $3300 and I am not taking in that much so far. So gotta cut costs.
I thought I was prepped for it all. But again my theme of the night... I dunno.
Its a weird time of life. I feel like I am the least held down by shame and guilt, general anxiety than I have been in years... but I am also not exactly free/adventurous. I want to make good impressions, but I also don't really care too much, don't want to go out of my way to please people... in some ways that is freedom, but at the same time I am not sure what this freedom should be for.
I have extra time, and I am not sure where to place my time and energy -because I don't want to get warn out, and I don't really want to feel overwhelmed... I want down time...
Maybe I should be writing again. Maybe in the next 6 months I figure out my business and finish part of the book and then give myself Mexico as a reward or something.
I need something to look forward to. Thats been a theme lately. I know there are family events, but other than that... not much.
Its nice to hang with the kiddos, but also reminds me of what I don't have. Maybe its ok to not have your own kids. Maybe thats just how it will be... maybe I can focus on other people's kiddos.
One of the themes of the play was what makes a life worthy, worthwhile? meaningful?
Whats the smallest measure that would be proof of that?
The characters ultimately consider multiple metaphors via the arching metaphor of music... maybe we all just have to learn to play our one note truly. Maybe my note is being a teacher/therapist... for a while I thought it was being a friend, but not so much anymore... I had figured at some point it would be to be a father. I am envious of the young fathers I see in my practice... how they light up. Not an organizer, activist, freedom fighter, artist? Writer? probably not... guy on a park bench? maybe...
I answered the question with the sense of honor I feel when an animal or a baby or a small child or a stranger thinks I am worthy of a smile, thinks I am safe enough to come near. Like my niece and nephews who launch themselves in my lap sometimes. Like... in what world? I remember that dream I had a long time ago, when a small child saw me, lit up, yelled Mikey! and ran to me. It feels like that a little. They are their own beings, and I am honored to feel seen and loved.
How many little notes have I been honored to play? And all of them true to some extent... but is there a legacy or something I am supposed to leave, or am I just part of the cacophony of sound? when the dissonance gives way to the melody... the quarter tone, the in between notes...
I should read more sufism... that would probably set me straight and crooked.
The truth is, I want love and a family. But I don't know that I am ready... looking back, I certainly wasn't. All the people I thought I would be, could be, should be... coming to terms with who I am... knowing I won't be able to please all those I love, that yucky feeling.
Still learning and growing and changing everyday... maybe its the carving away? or the adding... I dunno.
thats for sure