If I'm growing up, should I take out my nose ring?

My job requires me to work long hours and today is that kind of day. At 7:45a I snuck out of the big comfy bed and headed in to work. I needed to lay a dance floor before 9a. When I got there I discovered I also needed to open the door for the security guard, show him around, move seven heavy tables out of the room, drag the floor in, lay it myself and set up the sound system. Anger is a great motivator and I got it all finished just in time. I stomped out and back to my apartment. I slid back into bed and he immediately rolled over and pulled me close. Half an hour and I would be up, explaining to him that I had to go again. Still sound asleep his response was, “No!” Then he locked my leg in his, grabbed my breast and looped his arm around mine, rendering me motionless. Those few moments renewed me and I started my Saturday over.

It’s now almost 10p and I’ve got another hour and half before I make my way back to my bed. In 24 hours I’ll be making my way to another job, packing up Bob Dillon’s show and putting it in the back of a few semi’s, hopefully not many.

This job, this career, this life is all I’ve known since I was a child. It has consumed my time, my energy, my relationships. It has kept me busy with a sense of accomplishment or under appreciation. It has made me the happiest I’ve ever been and brought me to tears on a regular basis.

I’m 29 now and for the very first time I’m thinking about where I want my life to go. I’m not waiting to see what lands in my lap next. I’m standing up and moving towards a future that I’ve pictured.

I think I might be growing up.

But really: What about my goals?

Goal: Stop drinking.

Status: Last night I had 4 shots of whiskey at home and 1 glass of cabernet at the jazz club. I did not get drunk.

Progress: Let’s call it 6 days without being drunk.

Goal: Lose weight.

Status: There’s a candy smorgasbord in front of me and I can’t stop eating those tiny delicious little Swedish fish. Earlier today the Chinese food, caramels, and fishies were waging a war in a sea of red bull.

Progress: 1 million pounds gained.

Goal: Establish a routine exercise plan.

Status: What’s exercise?

Progress: None. None at all.

Goal: Get a promotion at work.

Status: Today’s event went really well and I received many accolades, some of which my boss may hear about.

Progress: Steady.

Goal: Fix personality. Stop worrying. Relax. Don’t be so emotional.

Status: Got my nails done yesterday. They look great. I am not biting them.

Progress: It seems easier right now, but I expected that.

Tomorrow I will possibly go to church, or run, or draw a comic strip. The possibilities are endless.