Old Year/New Year

This year passed exceptionally quickly. It could be many things, probably how my life has settled into routine, probably because the days have literally begun to become shorter (actually, it is likely because the older you get the faster your perception of time becomes).

I remembered I made some resolutions about one year ago today. Well, I can't remember them now except one, which was to read 100 books for this year. So naturally, I haven't fulfilled it but I did get pretty darn close (97% hah!). I could have cheated with some quick reads, but decided to plod it through some challenging and fascinating tomes (I'm currently a little ways through The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, one of the most enjoyable works I've had the pleasure to read).

Work has taken a whole lot of time from my other pursuits, but I've begun to manage. Spend less time on the PC, I've found, and you have a lot of time for other things. I don't mind this, considering that the PC is my job and by the time I get back I'm sick of it.

One thing I would like to work on for the next year - more writing (or writing more?). My efforts at stories longer than a few thousand words have never taken off and I recall now a writer's all too true observation that novels are a voracious eater of ideas - you run out of them very quickly.

Another curious thing is how I find movies less and less entertaining. Or maybe I've spoiled myself on too much classics and coupled with the lower quality of movies released this year. I have a dozen or so "critically acclaimed" movies sitting in my hard disk that I've yet to watch, so we'll see.

And yes, my project idea still remains fresh in my mind. I conceived it back in 2008 and once I collect enough funds, will get it started in early 2012. So next year will be just sitting back in my already comfortable job, getting the monthly paychecks and dreaming of a better life. Ah, if only.

Closing Date

There are two of the most obvious things that young people seem to forget. One, that we will die and two, that we will grow old.

"When you grow older, your expectations and ambitions become less and less" I have heard many people say. Some even add "until you are happy with what you are at the moment". Now I'm quite sure that the first half is true although if the second half was also true, self-help books wouldn't be doing so well.

Working offers a chance for comparison and benchmarks with other people. I probably am the youngest person in the office and as such note that down whenever I see someone ten years older than me earning the same amount of money I do. That is a somewhat sad thought, not just for that person (because we don't get paid a lot, not for what we do) but also for me. Will I be like that as well, ten years from now?

The older you grow the faster time passes, I notice. Is it because we have more to occupy ourself with? It's true I find my days remarkably short and unfortunately quite routine. Even during the happier times when there was only me and books it was, uh, just me and books all the time.

So then I occupy myself with plans and projects to (occupy myself?) perhaps break from my staid existence. But I realize also that someone as remarkably blessed as me (I say this with gratefulness) should also pause and think before demanding more for myself. I already have so much.

But times will change. I will be called upon to "support" my family (unless I leave this life and become but a wonderer, what a nice thought). I maybe just maybe, end up working in a cubicle until I retire (sneer at this thought as much as you will, but the families who are being supported by those same people won't be so snobbish).

I realize I no longer am a child and I'm glad. I think retirement, the so called period of endless rest after a long period of toil is a bad idea. There is rest and there is work and for both I believe there will be no end.

What's next after this? Well, work - but I'm saving money for an idea. Here's to hoping it works. =)

P.S. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.