17 Comments

Hurrah! I've already won!! I've travelled to the UK and Europe 8 times and made lifelong friends there; lived in South Korea for 8 months as an ESL teacher at age 38; tutored special needs students and watched them blossom as they overcame their obstacles; had lots of romantic and sexual flings (mostly enjoyable, some-not so much); helped my cousin's two boys grow up, without any of the hassle of being their parent myself; survived two major injuries and a life-threatening illness; and my priority right now is being my mom's companion and caregiver as needed. And I'm still winning: I work from home usually less than 20 hours a week and can take on any jobs I want. I am still a lifelong learner, and my interests at present are understanding black people's experience of life in the West and researching why Russia felt the need to invade Ukraine. So life is fascinating, challenging and I'm still having fun at age 64 (that's 3,341 weeks to the end of March 2022). Mind you, my objective is to live to 120+, so I hope to get about 1560 more weeks than the 90-year-old, and I'm taking excellent care of myself to ensure I get those extra 1560 weeks.

Expand full comment

that's one hell of a journey

Expand full comment

Go Carol!

Expand full comment

Thanks for your upvote, Anne. I am one of the happiest people I know. I use the acronym NeMaNoKi to describe my relationship status: Never Married No Kids. I checked with several people before I created it to ensure it's not some Japanese profanity, and it's OK. A person from one of the Scandinavian countries told me it's similar to a word meaning "alone without men" in their language. Not having those responsibilities has contributed greatly to my creativity, personhood and serenity.

Expand full comment

Oh Carol - I like that. I am too one of those tho I would add YE for YET at the end. Despite being 60 I have a hilarious expectation that I can have it all when I am ready!

Expand full comment

You can Anne. It just comes down to whether you've programmed your mind to believe it.

Expand full comment

Absolutely Tim - that is my job - programming for possibility :-)

Expand full comment

I think I have the best newsletter subscription ever. I didn't use to find reading interesting, but Mr. Tim you make it so easy. Thanks for never failing. Mr. Jack Raines, I must say I almost felt disappointed that someone new was writing today, but I kept an open mind and loved the read. Thank You!

Expand full comment

Appreciate it Ngum. Jack is one hell of a writer.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Ngum! Tim is the man, so I'm glad mine didn't disappoint.

Expand full comment

Whoever has the most fun wins. Love it!!!

Expand full comment

Life is too short to be boring.

Expand full comment

Life motto

Expand full comment

Damn Mr, Jack Raines. That's one hell of an article. Thanks for reminding us what we shouldn't need to be reminded. Last night I read "The war of art" by Steven Pressfield and if that was the main course, this was the wine to go with it.

Expand full comment

Such a great book Muchina.

Expand full comment

Yes it is. Every artist should read it. I had to read it twice. Luckily, it's a short one.

Expand full comment

Thanks Muchina 🤝

Expand full comment