Daylight Savings

The clocks will move back an hour on Sunday, meaning the sun will set at a later hour. I’m looking forward to that because a longer day is one of the first signs of spring. Budding flowers are soon to follow.

About a month ago I bought a season pass to Alamo Drafthouse cinema, my favorite movie theater chain. I’ve been seeing a lot more movies in theaters. It’s been nice returning to the weekly ritual of going to the movies. The theater feels as much like a home to me as any place I’ve lived.

Rock band Ghost released a new single, “Satanized,” which features an excellent chorus. “Save me from the monster that is eating me.” I have that line stuck in my head.

Regarding “dialing things back,” I’m looking to relax more in the upcoming months, especially after my next marathon. Exercise in particular can be a grind and it’s too easy to fall into the trap of asceticism, a trap laid well by the Protestant work ethic. Leisure is underrated. I aim to do more cycling, but “relaxed” cycling. Riding for the sake of getting fresh air.

I feel as though I’ve reunited with some of my old creative writing peers. Hopefully that provides some inspiration…

New Year, New Me?

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2025 is the year of my 40th birthday, which I regard as approximately the halfway point of life. I’ve heard the optimistic types tell me that no, it’s not midlife! One should expect to live much longer than 80. To that I say, one should expect nothing, but a little hope is probably fine. Look at the median age in America: it’s right around 80, though it depends on a lot of factors. And the odds of maladies increase exponentially in the later years. I measure life by healthspan, not lifespan.

I’ve never been into resolutions and haven’t made any for 2025, though there are a few new habits I’d like to set (I consider it prioritizing, not goal setting):

  • Creativity over profit. The problem with chasing “enough” money is that “enough” is a bottomless pit that can never be filled. It’s the closest thing to a vampire in the world today. It thirsts for blood, but each victim only temporarily satiates. I’d like to switch my view of money to a means of survival, not a means to meaning (not that I ever saw money as everything, but I do believe I let it dictate too many decisions the past few years).

  • Sleep over screens.

  • Self-belief over fear.

  • Idle deep thought over task-oriented mindlessness.

  • Newness over routine.

I’m sure there are other priorities I’d benefit in setting, but these are the first that come to mind.

A snowstorm is due in two days. The gaunt clouds overhead strangle the sun and paint the world in grays.

I went for a morning run that left my throat dry and ears numb. I finished the run feeling better. It’s a reminder that discomfort is refreshing.

Tonight I’ll buy some trailrunners so that I can hopefully run on snow next week.

The last film of 2024 I watched was Nosferatu. Hence the vampire metaphor. Beautiful cinematography, excellent acting, creepy narrative.

So long 2024… 40 is knockin’ on the door.