The year 15 (PML)

^How's that for cryptic subject matter. Since my very first year of school way back in 1990, I have created a sort of calendar of my own in which the new year is observed at the end of each summer. According to my own observations, youth truly ends at age 35 (hence the designation PML or Pre-Mid Life).

In retrospect, this past year has probably been the most difficult year of my PML to date. In this past year I witnessed the death of my grandfather, my best feline friend Smokey, my new feline friend Ari, and the sweetest little white rabbit ever. I made some friends, lost some friends, revisited some friends and neglected friends. I've encountered good fortune though accumulated a staggering debt and while some opportunities have been lost, others have been gained (or at the very least, postponed).

I've been feeling nostalgic for everything that I took for granted in my pre-adult life. I feel guilty for accepting the unconditional kindness of my friends and family because I have very little to offer up in return. Despite the fact that unfortunate events seem to have dominated the better part of my 15th PML year, many wonderful things have occured in which their inherent goodness has eclipsed the despondency, uncertainty, and concern I've been experiencing.

Ultimately I've come out on top of things but through very little doing of my own. I can attribute most of my general well-being to family, friends, Ryan (a category unto himself), and nostalgia of Cinco de Mayo trees and the days when all denim outfits were okay. Things may be in the right for the time being but it seems like I need to solidify them by paying homage to those people (and pets) who have aided me through the course of my existence.

Consider this the academy award ceremony of my life. I've just won best actress but the rest of you have won best screenplay, set design, movie, etc. Without you guys I'd just be an actress without a gig. What I'm trying to say is that no man is an island unto himself and if I can do for you guys what you have done for me, I'm no further than a phone call away and I would always be glad to help.

Thanks to all the little people who made this possible. Just kidding, you know I love you guys.