Yup, tomorrow I turn 43 years old and that is a problem. Not because I am afraid of getting older or because I'm one of those people who broods about aging. In fact, I am largely enjoying my entry into middle age and have never felt insecure or regretful in regard to getting older.
Sure, there are some things I don't particularly care for, like my previously excellent eyesight slipping into the need for reading glasses. That's kind of a pain. I'm also not too keen on arthritis, although I have battled that since long before now in genetic fashion and am frankly lucky it isn't already worse. There are a few other things that kind of suck about aging, but in general I'm a pretty fortunate early 40's and have little I can legitimately complain about in my life.
So why does having a birthday tomorrow present a problem? Jump the degenerative cartilage to find out why I take my cues from Doug and Wendy Whiner...
THIS is why tomorrow will suck:
There will be no cheesecake for me this year.
That right there is my wife's cheesecake, and it's an old picture which means a newer picture would be of a cheesecake superior to that one, which is pretty difficult to imagine. You see, while I may do all the cooking around here when it comes to meals and stuff, she is a master dessert artist and her cheesecake in particular is the stuff of legend.
I know some people tend to play up their partner's better qualities and I've been known to do that myself. I'm proud of my wife and really like who she is and what she does with her life. In short, she's awesome. But my lauding of her confections isn't that typical spousal fluff. People (friends and strangers alike) have been telling her for years to quit her day job and start making these cheesecakes for profit because they are truly that excellent. I would be willing to bet that you have never had a better cheesecake, ever, anywhere. Not even in New York, and that's a pretty big claim.
She also doesn't make a whole lot of them each year, reserving their magic for special occasions like holidays and birthdays of friends and family. Given all that, one would think that my birthday in particular would warrant such a gift. One would usually be right, but this year one would be wrong and the reason is pretty simple:
I forgot to ask, she didn't think of it and now it's too late.
Can I get a WTF? All together now...
In other news we saw Dave Chapelle at Austin City Limits on Thursday night and it was stupid good. Seriously funny, seriously smart and seriously mature comedy. He was probably the best comedic act I've ever seen live, hands down. So, if I can't have cheesecake at least she got me that gift, and it won't add anything to my middle age waistline either.
TL;DR: Any problems I have pale in comparison to the real problems so many in the world must contend with, including many of our own here on Daily Kos. I wish all of you peace, happiness and light and the resolution of effing problems in your life.
And now let's hear what's happening in your world. WYFP?
WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and share advice, pootie pictures, favorite adult beverages, and anything else that we think might help. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here. Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?