The Lives and Times of The Lives and Times...

The name of this blog says more about me than most people know.

One of the themes typically represented is the myriad of situations I've lived in and the variations of lifestyles in which I've engaged.

Looking at that last paragraph, if there is any room to wonder, perhaps I should state clearly that I've always been as heterosexual as is possible.

I've spent years chasing skirts; hunting two-legged dear you might say and bagging at least my share. Likely more. There was a time I was married. And now I've been with my mate, my life partner for 13 years.

I've drank too much, too often and have gone far beyond experimenting with drugs to use and the excesses of abuse. These days I rarely drink a bottle of beer and the only drugs I take are by prescription. Odd, perhaps, it was fun taking drugs by choice. At least most of the time. But then, they were drugs that were meant to be fun. Now that I'm told to take drugs I make every effort to take less if any at all.

Music has always been a part of my life. That hasn't changed.

The interesting thing about that is there has been a distinct lack of change. I'm largely locked into the music of past decades and I must say I don't mind it. Now and then someone will share something with me that I like which I may continue to listen to. Or, I'll be with someone who has more modern taste and I'll indulge while we're together finding this or that which appeals to me. Invariably I leave it behind when we part ways.

My life has been rich over what is now 47 1/2 years.

These days, during these times I seem to be living multiple lives.

There's the worker bee; the life of a workaholic is one I've pursued for quite a long time and it is not something I see setting aside any time soon.

During the worst times of drinking and drugging somehow I managed to hold it together and do a lot of great work. At times it was working to survive; which contributed to success in other ventures, and adventures, at later times. That's undoubtedly a train of thought to ride at another time. An amazing thing to look back on now.

I was successful doing work for which I earned money as well; incredibly successful all to often working for people who paid too little and appreciated even less. So goes life when you feel no choice other than to do the work there is to be done without a willingness to do it at any less than a certain level of quality.

These days I work and work on getting work. I've never abandoned a commitment to excellence and a burning desire to achieve at the highest level.

It's hell being dependent on health insurance; having to see it as a necessity and not a option. Especially with the current state of healthcare in the United States and the economics in my little world. That is going to be an issue I'll have to address sooner than later.

There's my Yan complimenting my mate's Ying. I know how fortunate I am to have her in my life and seek to be worthy of her every day. I have no doubt in my mind I am a better person because of her. I am always hopeful that I am doing something to bring her joy.

There's still a child who loves to play and laugh. That's a life I hope I'll never leave behind. I take pleasure from simple things at times; becoming wide-eye at things which to other people may be common.

I live life with passion. Not because it's a choice I make, but simply because passion flows through my veins. I am a child of a mother born of a son of Italia and a daughter of Polska. A child of a father I never knew.

To fully and clearly define who I am and what I do is beyond my capability I think. I suppose it's not something I am especially interested in.

There are things I choose not to think about; things I prefer not to deal with. Dark corners where I choose, more often than not, not to go. More than some and less than others I'm sure. That, as they say, is life.

Yes, now at 47 1/2 I am in a good place. Beyond the mid-point of a 90-year-old man, which was the starting point of this endeavor, I am enthusiastic about the days to come and believe that better days are ahead.

I am thankful for the life I have had. I am thankful to have enjoyed and thankful to have survived. It is a good day.

These are the lives and times...