I love this! If you hadn't already written it, I might have done it myself. I have this lovely tee-shirt that says, "Assuming that I am just another old woman was your first mistake." Now I want to know where to get one that says "B.I.T.S." It's even better than "I'm F.I.N.E." the title of the Ruth Zardo character's best-selling book of poetry as created by the lovely Louise Penny.
I am horrified that we, as a nation, have raised stupidity to be something admired and sought after, something to be proud of and strive to attain. My father used to say stupid people were like sheep, following anyone in a sheep skin, even if it was to their own slaughter. Stupid people admire people who have done nothing…those who are famous for being famous. Then aspire to be just like them. “Fake it ‘til you make it,” is one of their favorite beliefs.
Sorry to say, a strong belief in your own self-importance will not make you successful. No one owes you unwarranted kudos for dressing like Lady Gaga or posting a million selfies. In most cases, true success requires basic education, a great idea, and a sh*t-load of hard work…sometimes years, sometimes decades.
But I digress. I have all five symptoms of B.I.T.S. So how am I spending my busy time and down time?
Busy time:
I am sniffing around the edges of local-level activism. I attended a gathering of Red, Wine, and Blue, and although I am not a marcher, I am great with a pen, offering my writing skills for the cause. Even at my advanced age, I am starting a writing and marketing business. I am taking classes, and I have learned a lot, but there is so much more I need to learn to attain proficiency.
Down time:
I am a perfect mix of introvert and extrovert. I love people. I try to meet one-on-one with friends for lunch or wine and discussion. It opens my mind to all the possibilities. My friends range from their twenties to their eighties. It helps to have a wide range of thoughts and ideas. When you grow your world, you grow yourself.
On my introverted side, I am a writer. It is a solitary occupation. Sometimes, even being home with my spouse in the next room is intrusive. I deliberately take short trips of one or two days to change my environment, which stimulates my imagination. Once a year, I spend a week on Middle Bass Island. I set up my computer when I arrive and I write, or walk out to stand on the lake shore, or take a glass of wine and my phone out at sunset to catch the beauty of mother nature before returning to my writing tasks.
Most weekends, I will go to meet a group of friends at one winery at a minimum, preferably one that has tasty food, decent wine, and live music. I love music. I love listening to it and I love singing. It is hard to say no if I’m asked to sing. I am fortunate to still have my chops. (in English, that’s not bad for an old bat!)
And that is that! I loved your piece, Middle Age Lady Rage!
I find myself in the same space with the same dilemma.
I produce music and I’m surrounded by acres and acres of chaparral only populated with critters, birds, bugs, snakes, deer and various other mammals.
djt……the orange anti-Christ is a constant source of terror and the absurd. Like a bad Stephen King novel….
My cure for the moment is to get rid of fear. Don’t listen to fearful people who follow that poor excuse of a human and definitely don’t argue with them……they are well versed and experienced in that department. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience (…..being delusional).
You are in a great spot! I think I personally will be fine - but who knows. I am more horrified at the treatment of people being sent out of the country. And the complete capitulation of Republicans in Congress who could stop this nonsense.
Wow! Thanks for the reply! Our lives sound similar - I’m an introvert and love alone time. Your life sounds lovely.
Reading this helped!
Thanks! Writing it is therapeutic for me -and people reading and commenting makes it even better.
Ye Olde Wench Agrees
I love this! If you hadn't already written it, I might have done it myself. I have this lovely tee-shirt that says, "Assuming that I am just another old woman was your first mistake." Now I want to know where to get one that says "B.I.T.S." It's even better than "I'm F.I.N.E." the title of the Ruth Zardo character's best-selling book of poetry as created by the lovely Louise Penny.
I am horrified that we, as a nation, have raised stupidity to be something admired and sought after, something to be proud of and strive to attain. My father used to say stupid people were like sheep, following anyone in a sheep skin, even if it was to their own slaughter. Stupid people admire people who have done nothing…those who are famous for being famous. Then aspire to be just like them. “Fake it ‘til you make it,” is one of their favorite beliefs.
Sorry to say, a strong belief in your own self-importance will not make you successful. No one owes you unwarranted kudos for dressing like Lady Gaga or posting a million selfies. In most cases, true success requires basic education, a great idea, and a sh*t-load of hard work…sometimes years, sometimes decades.
But I digress. I have all five symptoms of B.I.T.S. So how am I spending my busy time and down time?
Busy time:
I am sniffing around the edges of local-level activism. I attended a gathering of Red, Wine, and Blue, and although I am not a marcher, I am great with a pen, offering my writing skills for the cause. Even at my advanced age, I am starting a writing and marketing business. I am taking classes, and I have learned a lot, but there is so much more I need to learn to attain proficiency.
Down time:
I am a perfect mix of introvert and extrovert. I love people. I try to meet one-on-one with friends for lunch or wine and discussion. It opens my mind to all the possibilities. My friends range from their twenties to their eighties. It helps to have a wide range of thoughts and ideas. When you grow your world, you grow yourself.
On my introverted side, I am a writer. It is a solitary occupation. Sometimes, even being home with my spouse in the next room is intrusive. I deliberately take short trips of one or two days to change my environment, which stimulates my imagination. Once a year, I spend a week on Middle Bass Island. I set up my computer when I arrive and I write, or walk out to stand on the lake shore, or take a glass of wine and my phone out at sunset to catch the beauty of mother nature before returning to my writing tasks.
Most weekends, I will go to meet a group of friends at one winery at a minimum, preferably one that has tasty food, decent wine, and live music. I love music. I love listening to it and I love singing. It is hard to say no if I’m asked to sing. I am fortunate to still have my chops. (in English, that’s not bad for an old bat!)
And that is that! I loved your piece, Middle Age Lady Rage!
I find myself in the same space with the same dilemma.
I produce music and I’m surrounded by acres and acres of chaparral only populated with critters, birds, bugs, snakes, deer and various other mammals.
djt……the orange anti-Christ is a constant source of terror and the absurd. Like a bad Stephen King novel….
My cure for the moment is to get rid of fear. Don’t listen to fearful people who follow that poor excuse of a human and definitely don’t argue with them……they are well versed and experienced in that department. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience (…..being delusional).
Don’t lose heart and don’t give up.
You are in a great spot! I think I personally will be fine - but who knows. I am more horrified at the treatment of people being sent out of the country. And the complete capitulation of Republicans in Congress who could stop this nonsense.