Life Style: A Current State

The term lifestyle and the connotations thereof fascinate me to the point of temptation toward delving into its origins and how it became a symbol of status. But I won't. This is about me and mine. Somewhat of a time capsule (and since these aren't backed up) it may end up dissolving like the oral capsule.

Note to self: Backup this series. 

Genting Highlands, Malaysia foto by Jini

Here's the current state of my lifestyle; I work, I workout and I travel... in that order. I have a handful of close friends, one of which has the time and the interests in road-tripping around for eats, looking over real estate and shopping. I'm not a big shopper, but any opportunity to get out of the city I accept. Plus, we're a lot like twins... or more accurately Yin & Yang. In that we're very similar in ideology, although we approach life and lifestyle differently to end up at the same place.

My other close friends are pursuing careers and educations and/or family lives that are satisfying them and/or preparing them for their futures. I see them occasionally. Some of them live in other states and cities, but we're still close, in that way that transcends geographical distance.

I just realized, that as with the term lifestyle each element of my life can be a blog post in its own right, so I'd best exercise some discipline on this topic.

I've worked at the same job for about 28.5 years at this point. I've never been laid off or fired. Never been out of work for any amount of time since I enlisted in the US Navy. Yeah, I'm a veteran too. I've got the age the time and the ambition to retire from this current gig. I've chosen to leave at the end of this year, however I have yet to commit to this decision. In a way I am in transition and perhaps a self-imposed limbo. I have imagined what I'll do next, but haven't planned anything specific. I don't plan - I kind of dream and let life and opportunities happen. Again, this could go off somewhere, but let's move on.

Chillin' with first born, the unexpected blessing

I live in the house grew up in. I bought the house 10 years ago from my parents, as my dad was ill (and passed in 2008). Up until that point I'd been renting from the 'rents, paying the bills and so forth. I've made a few improvements, but haven't invested too much money into it, as I don't plan to stay here. In fact the current state of the neighborhood suggests that my timing is close to perfect. I should be out by December. I have declared I will not spend another winter in Philadelphia.

I've been a dad slightly less time than I've been at the gig. This gig and my first born came along at about the same time; serendipity I'd call it as neither were planned, although I knew each could happen and remain grateful for the synchronicity. Both of my children are off pursuing their dreams, living in cities other than here, so I have a few places to visit when I wrap things up at my current location.

Number 1 Son, Following his LA dream

I exercise every day. I used to be obsessed,  now I'm addicted (committed). I'm a fitness professional in addition to what I do at the main event. I've been teaching/leading group fitness classes/sessions since 2007. I'm pretty fit, however lately I've been getting tired sooner. My Auntie immediately cited my age. I told her, "Age is the last excuse." I don't buy the conventional statistics that we slow down with age. In fact I believe the opposite. So instead of taking it easy because I feel tired and weak (relatively speaking,) I go harder and longer. I'd stopped... for some reason, working out every day and went every other day instead; which is my theory as to why I was feeling as I was. So, I went hard two days straight and already stated to feel better. Unless something extreme happens, I won't be backing off again. I had to restate my personal standards - and work up to them again. And that's all I'll say about this, (except, I'll go hard again tomorrow.)

From regional road trips to meeting internet friends around the world, I get to travel a little bit. A little bit was a fine description a few years ago. I've been able to wander and explore more and more often in the past few years. Because I'm miserly when it comes to material wealth and status, and refuse to pay for unnecessary recurring services (i.e cable TV,) I can stash airfare, train fare and bus fare away for an adventure or two annually. I am not burdened by the expenses of a motor vehicle, which is kind of a double-edged sword as I miss those events I'd surely attend if I was still driving; but oh well - we prioritize don't we? What I like least about traveling is returning. It used to be returning to Philly; now it's returning to the US. The paranoia is palpable. On my last re-entry, I was instant-photoed (the way I used to do to prisoners at the gig), then thumb-printed before I even got to the customs inspector. It was pretty smooth after that; no undercover entrapment specialist walking a beagle came to sniff my crotch after this most recent trip.

Finally, a few notes for my future self to look back on and reminisce over or laugh about, depending on how the future unfolds. I am single and don't date per se. In case there's any doubt as to my preferences, I'm not gay (not that there's anything wrong with that). I can imagine this, now classic line, will soon be coming after a declaration of heterosexuality as the future majority will be pansexual and/or polyamorous. "Straight" will mean depriving one's self of the joi de vie or the variety of what life has to offer.

More often than not I eat at home and cook my own food. I'm not a foodie, I'm not a vegan, I'm not Paleo, (but I'm closer to this than anything else), I'm not militantly organic. People, I'm happy to say, even those I've only recently met, recognize my Zen. However they mean it, I appreciate them for recognizing it.

I'm very much in transition as a human and a personality. I'm excited and a bit nervous about what comes next. I think about that day after the last day of work. As mentioned earlier I've been working for decades... probably four of them. I will probably work again. What I hope won't happen is the paper chase. I don't have ambitions of material wealth, status, or such as keeps the global economy healthily unhealthy. I picture myself as a Vagabond Philosopher teaching 6th to 8th graders about life and numbers and how the two relate; hosting meet-up groups/workshops coaching people on how to become effective and qualified group exercise instructors, or myself being a live-in personal trainer. Building houses, even if it's just hauling away the excess, for Habitat for Humanity and working on farms, whether it's in South Jersey, Wisconsin, or somewhere in India or New Zealand. I just want to keep moving, learn some good stuff, teach some good stuff, be with good people and then pass along what I've experienced.

Vagabond Philosopher, Pretty much how I envision my earth-self

If this blog lasts another decade or two, we'll all be able to witness the change - in my growth and perspective, in my attitude, and physically as well.

I think I can share this with you now. A few of you anyway.

Sometimes the spirit in me recognizes the spirit in others. What is that recognition? That we are everything that is was or will be. We are made of the same stuff as the universe because we are the universe. We are the hands on the wrists, the fingers on the hands, the nails, skin, hair, pores on the hand that's on the body that's in space-time. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

That is all.

Namaste