Philosophical, Part One

I am sitting here on the couch, typing on my laptop, thinking how glad I am that I don't have to go back to work until the Ides of March - Tuesday, March 15.  That's because both The Tim and I have taken time off for a 4-day weekend.  Originally, we had planned a trip home for a St. Patrick's Day party, but that isn't happening this year.  Then we thought maybe we'd head to Baltimore for an overnight, but those plans got scrapped too.  So, we are sitting inside, nicely warm and dry while it's pouring outside, just happy to not have to be ready to *do* anything.

Also, this is my birthday weekend (my birthday is Monday), so there will be plenty of "special-ness" to enjoy.  I have been feeling particularly reflective this year.  I think it has to do with a lot of things, but the feelings have been following me around for the last week or so.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but still right there, you know?

Before I go any further, I want to tell you that The Cat Formerly Known as Lego is now Pip.  We just decided that it fit him, and was a name we both liked.  He seems quite happy to be part of the family, and he and Jetsam have been getting to be better and better friends.  You know me - I don't think we could ever have too many animals in our life.  So I'm glad it's all working out.

So - back to my reflective thoughts.  One thing that I've realized is that, in spite of many birthdays having come and gone, there are some ways in which I have just never changed. 

I still love animals, and think they are all wonderful/sweet/smart;

People?  Not so willing to be enthusiastic about them, though I am a fiercely loyal friend and family member.  It's just humanity in general that annoys me a large part of the time;

I still love: chocolate, potatoes, old movies, jewelry, shoes, makeup, books, and a bunch of other things that would make this post just way too long;

A sense of humor is still one of the most important things to me in deciding how I feel about another person;

I still hate Ronald Reagan, both George Bushes, stupid people, liver, and people who try to push religion of any kind on me;

I still think there is no reason for the existence of Wilford Brimley, Jeremy Irons, Gwyneth Paltrow, or Julia Roberts;

Going to the beach is still fun, just because it means you are at the OCEAN!

Though I still dread summer and hot weather;

I still love snow and cold and winter;

I'll take being near hills and mountains over being somewhere flat any day;

I don't regret not having children;

I am still glad to know that I will never, ever have to go back and relive my high school or college days;

and probably another hundred things that I can list. (OH- I still love LISTS!)  But I guess this is just one way that I realize that even though I'm older, I'm still the same person on a basic level.  Which is fine, I'm pretty happy in my own skin, thank you very much.  And I still think I have the ability and the capability to learn and appreciate new things, and to change in some ways.

My younger self would have no problem recognizing my older self.  I can live with that.