Sunday, January 11, 2009

Something

I don't want to blog about the fire. Not today. It seems that my every thought has been consumed with that every thing and I simply do not want to delve into any of that deep enough to write an articulate post today. yet I feel compelled to post something. So I decided to go back exactly one year and see what I posted then. Here is that post with a bit of tweaking from me since the post was sorely in need of some editing.


Wait Until You're my Age

Thanks for all the great comments to my last post. I really thought most people would think my idea for a biggest liar show was too weird, especially given that I didn't do a very good job of explaining the idea. And no, I have no real plans to pursue the idea. I was simply spouting off. For one, I'd have no clue how to go about such a thing, and for another, all my free time is geared towards developing a writing career.

Matter of fact, as I write this post I am sitting in a coffee shop waiting on two fellow writers to show up so we can pick apart each others work and talk about the craft of fiction. I will be reading the first bit of Plundered Booty for them and I'm eager to get their thoughts. I think this a project that people will either love and buy into, or absolutely hate. Lets hope I can find an agent and eventually an editor that falls into the former.


And yes, for those who asked, that Elvis line in my last post came right out of my thick noggin. I actually used a very similar line in my second novel.

Here's a random thought I had this week.

Wait until you're my age.

There are no crueler words in the English language than those. Here's why ...

First off, you never believe them at the time they are spoken. You're young, dumb, and absolutely certain you'll never fall into the trap of using your age as an excuse. You hold fast to the belief that whether you're twenty, thirty, or forty -- you'll still be able to stay out all night drinking Jagar Meister and make it to work the next morning -- You'll still be able to play tackle football and walk without a limp the day after -- You'll still care more about whose going to win next weeks playoff game than next weeks presidential primary.

Least that is what you tell yourself.

But years later the truth hits you harder than a NFL linebacker.


Then you start to think about all the other times people have told you ...Wait Until you're my age ... and you realize ... Damn, They're probably right about everything else as well.

Now you've got a whole new list of stuff to worry about. Your kids becoming teenagers and driving, getting up to pee every other hour at night, the possibility of little blue pills somewhere in your future, joint pain, you're wife hitting menopause, aching knees every morning, social security woes, regrets that the nightly news doesn't come on at eight so you can be in bed at night.

I'm thirty five. Not old by any stretch, but old enough to reevaluate things. Old enough to realize you can't fight off old age by plucking the occasional stray gray hair from your goatee. Old enough to know better ... but still young enough to do it anyway.

Probably not my best post, but better than anything I could have come up with today. Thanks again for everything all of y'all have done to make things better for me and my family. I'll try to get another update posted within a few days.

27 comments:

Angie Ledbetter said...

I'm pulling for y'all, and praying too. Godspeed and all good things, Travis!

Jess said...

T- I am catching up & see you;ve been having some major stuff too. I'm praying for you all.
Jess *suv mama* (new blog: www.ourifewithliam.blogspot.com)

Barrie said...

Just checking in on you, Travis...

preTzel said...

Travis - I think this is one of your *better* posts. Why? Because your soul is talking in this post. That kind of post pulls more readers than the usual "My life sucks worse than yours" or "My kid story will make you laugh so hard you'll snort evil lettuce through your nose and cry in pain" and this post is *real* and *genuine*. I can understand wanting to go a different direction than "update" and I can understand the need to separate yourself from reality. I do it myself from time to time. *wink*

Please know that you, Jen, and your boys continue to be in my thoughts.

Angel said...

oh Travis.....I feel awful. I haven't been here in a while and what do I read??? I am SOOO sorry for your loss. that is so devastating, but I like your attitude about it all.

I am praying for you and your family Travis.

Charles Gramlich said...

"Wait until you're my age," is definitely a cruel statement. I've used it myself a couple of times but always felt bad about it.

Kathryn Magendie said...

oh, don't worry about your wife hitting menopause - sometimes some things are better - really! trust me, it's true. And, I actually am less crazy than I was before it (no, really...laughing...)

Although, right now I'd guess that's the furthest thing from your mind...

Spy Scribbler said...

I hate those words. I was going to go into a rant about why I agree, LOL, but it was long and boring. :-) But let's just say, I really hate those words. :-)

And all the reasons for saying them? They don't come from a respectful place or a nice place. I've said them once, and it was not a moment I'm proud of, and I decided never to utter those words again.

Vodka Mom said...

We are praying for you all.

:-)

Anonymous said...

Oh Travis!!
((((HUGS))))
My house burned down when I was 14 - everything gone, and my cat, poor thing, trapped in the fire. Thank goodness we were all gone - it was the work of an arsonist. But it was the house my dad built himself, and I know he was just heartbroken. So MUCH HUGS and SYMPATHY for you and your family, from someone who's been there, done that.
:-(

WordVixen said...

Thank goodness I don't have to worry about plucking gray hairs from my goatee. :-)

I can't believe that was a year ago! More proof that time moves faster the older you get. Ouch.

Junosmom said...

Travis, I can't believe with all you have going on that you were worried about catching up with us bloggers! You comment, as always, was appreciated. I am going back over old material myself right now, trying to find my 10 favorite posts for my "blogaversary" (1000th post). Made me think, I could take four years off and just repost my old posts. Nah, I wouldn't have any place then to put all this stuff that accumulates in my brain. Hope all is well - Wm (age 6) sent package to the boys. May the Force be with you.

June Saville said...

TRAVIS
We haven't met before. I heard about your family tragedy via Eric of Rumination of a Small Town Mountain Boy.
I came over to add a few words of encouragement to all of the others. They're coming all the way from Australia ...
June in Oz

laughingwolf said...

travis, glad you're still able to function after that tragedy... i can't imagine your loss :(

things WILL get better, of that i'm sure

pattinase (abbott) said...

Just takt the time you need to recover a bit. We are thinking of you and you don't have to expend your limited energy on us. Unless it helps, of course.

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Travis - I'm glad to see you posting and getting back to normal. You have my absolute respect and admiration. My very best to your wife and kids. I know how hard it is for them and you and I pray that the rest of this year turns out to be brighter and better than ever.

Peace,

E

JM said...

I've got to catch up...

JM said...

Oh Travis, I'm so sorry for your loss. I will get some stuff out to you for the kids as soon as possible.
I'll keep your family in my prayers.

Lyzzydee said...

I thuink I know where you are coming from, sometimes in the middle of all that is awful, you need to do something that is familiar and something that helps you feel a little of the old normal, so don't feel bad about blogging or not blogging its aall up to you!!
I can think back to when my eldest was born, I was at home all day with her doing the mummy thing, it was such a hard job and unrelenting. I can remember waiting until my husband got home and handing her over telling him I absolutely had to do some knitting, I had to knit to keep my sanity, that has now been taken over by the net and my scrapping!!

Annie said...

I think today's post was good. You did something you normally do and it was thought provoking. Hang in there Travis.

Trixie said...

Travis, My heart goes out to you and your family. I read about your story on Moonrat's blog. My thoughts will be with your family.

Nnairda's said...

That was a fun post! Glad to see that your spirits are up.

You and your family are still in my prayers.

Blessings!
Adriann

Unknown said...

so, so glad you and your family are safe and also glad you're kids did not have to experience the fear nor have any ugly memories of escaping the fire. Many blessings to you all; I pray for a speedy recovery of the things that matter most - a home for you and your family.

Barbara Martin said...

Travis, I understand your need to post 'something'. It's healing.

I haven't seen the post before and it reminded me of a slightly alternative saying my grandmother used to tell me when I was small: "Just wait until you're older, then you'll know."

Hang in there with the things you have to do and eventually it will all pass.

pita-woman said...

Ah yes, I've uttered that pharse more than a few times in my life.
Trav,
if you're anything like most bloggers (at the very least, anything like me), then blogging is therapeutic, and it will help you release some of the emotions you're feeling right now, whether from posting updates on your situation, things totally unrelated, or posting "re-runs".
Take care!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I like this post, even if it is a repeat. I didn't know you a year ago so it's new to me.

Hang in there Travis.

Sheryl Browne said...

Well, despite your own tragedy, you made me smile with your one year old post. I needed to do that, really. GOOD LUCK and God bless.
xx