#600: My Middle Age Rant

Okay, I admit that (1) this thing's two-weeks-and-change too early for an anniversary, and (2) the deviantArt freaks have probably already read this at my dA site.  But I thought this needed to be put up here, after I wrote this on my first birthday in Mainland China. 

My Big Fat Angst-Filled Mid-Life Crisis 35th Birthday Pity Party… Or Not.

I was going to complain about how I had to drag my butt out of bed at 5 in the morning to teach…

…then I remembered many of folks can't leave their beds in the hospital.

I was going to gripe about my impossibly long 50 minute commute by bus…

…then I remembered that it beats walking all that way.

I was going to whine about the guys at Starbucks not having the milk ready for my coffee yet, and it was hot, and I stained my shirt when I spilled it by mistake…

…then realized that most folks can't afford an 18 yuan/US $2.25 cuppa joe.

I was going to complain that the package that Ma sent didn't arrive today, and that she probably didn't count on customs delaying it for 3 days or so…

…then I remembered that too many folks don't even have Mas, let alone ones that still send 'em gifts.

I was going to grinch about how I had a horrible cold last weekend, and that I still had a sore throat for teaching, and a splitting sinus headache…

…then I remembered many folks with Alzheimer's disease aren't even properly aware of their pain.

I was going to beef about how I wound up late because my bus back to my shuttle to my apartment clipped its mirror against another bus, and the drivers got in a big argument…

…then I remembered that all the passengers left it without a scratch.

I was going to yammer about how I have to be awake at 4:30 in the morning tomorrow to get ready to teach the Jr. 1 middle school classes…

…then I remembered the 7-Eleven guy had to be up at 10 tonight.

I was going to complain about how I'm now closer to the tomb than the womb, and still have never had a girlfriend, any fame, or any yearly pay above $20,000….

…then I remembered over a decade ago, Kurt Cobain had Courtney Love, countless music awards, and buttloads of royalties… and he blew his brains out with a shotgun anyway.

I guess anyone would feel that this birthday would not be in anyone's top 500. That it in fact blew.

Then I realize that my day had been pretty fragging blessed.  A gift from God.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take care of my scratchy throat the way the Good Lord intended… with a pint of Macadamia Brittle Häagen-Dazs.