Unfazed

I saw a quote today that I like:

Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of  things which matter least.

For reasons I don't plan to explain, it has particular relevance for me today.  It's a reminder about priorities, and perspective.

If it's Tuesday, then I must have gotten out of bed at 3:45am, been on the road by 4:15, and driven the 300 miles to Raleigh for work.  It is, and I did.

I'm at the hotel where I usually stay when I'm here, decompressing and waiting for my laundry to be done so I can get to bed.  I've been at this hotel for > 20 nights this year.  I don't even have to check in anymore - they just have an envelope with my key in it.  I'm not sure that's a good thing....

Compared to last week at this time I'm actually feeling pretty unphazed by the long day, and by all that has happened over the last couple of days in general.  The combination of pharmaceuticals, rest, time, and cough drops helped immeasurably.   But I'm still not 100% and I don't want to make it worse.   I'm trying to lay low.

The exciting news of the day for me isn't the fact that Kate Middleton is pregnant, or that a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs did something horrific, or even that the realities of the "fiscal cliff "become more imminent with each passing day.  It's the fact that "Gender Identity Disorder" will be removed from the DSM-V (story here).

As far as I'm concerned, this is huge huge huge.  It's more than symbolic.  It's more than substantial.  I doubt the true value will be appreciated for a while - until it's considered in the context of time.   I've written my thoughts on it here for years - and here it is.

Regardless of what happened with the DSM there are those who will be unhappy - that it didn't go far enough, that it's not perfect.  I agree (to a point), and respect all perspectives.  But I, for one, am not going to let what it's not taint what it is.  I'm thrilled that future generations will not have to live with the stigma that is inherent to something officially deemed as a "Disorder".  This hasn't happened by itself.  It is testament to the hard work of many, and it will continue to evolve.

Enough about that, for now.

The fact that I'm living the life that I am is my own miracle.  I enjoy my job to the point I'm willing to go to ridiculous lengths just to do it.  I'm living where I want to live, there are usually more things I want to do in a day than time to do them.  I'm living a life that even I could never have imagined.  As far as I'm concerned that's how things change.  Part of it is by having a voice and by speaking up and I've done my part in that regard.  But another part is simply by living and doing and being.  That's where I am now.

I'm at a couple of mid-life decision points.  For example, I've been a Canon photographer since my earliest FTb - when I had a black and white darkroom in my basement before my first puberty.  Here I am - seriously considering switching to Nikon...

I miss seeing good live music.  I think the last concert I went to was David Gray in Asheville in September.  I've got a ticket to see Keb 'Mo in Charleston on Friday, and the Hall and Oates next week.    My musical cup runneth over.  I should also acknowledge that I refuse to listen to any radio station in my car playing Christmas music....there's just too much of it everywhere else.

I can't believe my son will be 27 years old two weeks from tomorrow.  How does that happen?  I'm trying to come to grips with that fact that he is now half as old as I am (he's turning 27 - I'll be 54).  Crazy.

All things considered - some good and some bad over these past couple of days.  But there are always reasons for things so that will play itself out over the next few days and weeks.  In the meantime...I've got a couple more days in Raleigh before heading home.