I used to spend most of my free time playing computer games. Over the last couple of weeks that has changed. I still play games, (I've annoyed most of my FB friends with one request or another) but not as much as I used to. AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! In large part anyway. On the downhill slide of life I'm finally doing what I dreamed of as a youth.
Like many young men I wanted to be in a rock and roll band. I never had the time nor talent. I wanted to be a singer, but as a church choir trained bass, well lets say that Mick Jagger has nothing to fear. I never felt that I had the drive to master an instrument. A few months ago a friend gave me a wonderful birthday present. A conga drum, with it came an invitation to join his band. Over the months my collection of drums grew a bit. Each new acquisition beginning with a conversation with my wife. (me) Honey, I love you. (her) you found a new drum. (me) yes, but it's got a great tone........(her, with raised eyebrows) well let's give it a listen.....
You can see my wife is an indulgent angel.
The other major thing I wanted to do growing up is to write (wasn't that a shocker) but again felt that I didn't have the drive or necessary talent. Good thing for me that mid-life came along. About ten years ago I met a man who had just turned fifty and (according to him) was sick of never acting on his dreams. He got a divorce, a Jeep, a Harley, several tattoos, nipple piercings, and an industrial sized box of Viagra. Evidently his dream was to be fourteen years old again but this time have a lot of money and no parents.
You hear all the time about men reaching a certain age, and suddenly becoming complete jerks. Your average solid citizen becoming egotistical and selfish. Thing is, I'm not sure they weren't egotistical and selfish before. I had plenty of stupidity bouncing around between my ears as a teenager, I certainly didn't want to go through that hell again. Now this wasn't a conscious decision by any means, and it didn't happen overnight. I sort of well......grew into it.
Experts say that a boy learns how to be a man from his father, and I guess that's true as far as it goes. However I couldn't look to my father for information on how to do the mid-life thing. He was fifty-one when I was born! While having a child at that age could constitute a crisis, by the time I became aware of him he had moved into being OLD! Fortunately for me I had three older brothers (and when I say older I mean it, they are twelve, thirteen and eighteen years older than I) so in a way I got to see them take the journey.
My eldest brother handled it with style and aplomb. He and his wife moved to Oregon. He bought a folding boat (I don't know, don't ask) joined a choir, and a hiking club. Once a month or so they get a group of friends together and read Shakespeare's plays, aloud and in character.
The youngest brother got divorced, married the same woman again, bought a Harley, and (wait for it) a firetruck.
My middle brother I'm not sure about, but I think he did something really crazy, like read a novel written after 1985.
I have to mention that I have two sisters as well. I'm not saying that they're older but they do fall between me and the brother with the firetruck. (Dot & Lane I love you!) I have to be nice or they will get even! at least they always have.
When I reached my middle forties, I took a job 1200 miles away from home that caused me to be gone the better part of a year. I grew my hair out, (something I had never been able to do since the army) joined a band, and now I'm writing a blog. If this is a crisis, I'll take it.
Take care of each other
Larry
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