Because, as humans, we tend to start counting with "1" and not "0", 2020 is technically the last year of this decade and not the first year of a new decade. But because, as humans, we like seeing larger changes (like the two-digit shift from "19" to "20" and not the one-digit change from "20" to "21"), yeah, the end of the decade is upon us. It's like how tomatoes are a botanical fruit and a culinary vegetable, or how Pluto is now a generational thing.
Anyway. Left to my own devices, I generally don't go in for temporal landmarks, because no matter how you slice them they're all arbitrary. Plus, New Year's stuff tends to come burdened with a whole lot of cultural baggage that I don't find awfully conducive to how I want to live my life.
At the same time, the sheer weight of that cultural baggage makes it hard to ignore, and it ends up taking on a kind of significance beyond my ability to sweep away, so I feel like I should mark it in some way.
So here's what I'll say: the past decade has been an awfully weird one. I've had a lot of challenges, a lot of failures, and a lot of triumphs. Most of the things I thought I'd manage, I didn't; most of the things I have managed, I would never have imagined. I'm in a good place now and I don't have any desire to leave it in the immediate future, but I also don't think I want to stay here forever, and that's okay. I've learned a lot, I've grown a lot, and I've taught a lot, and long may that continue.
And, as per most years, I'm going back to re-memorize Richard Wilbur's poem, Year's End. Despite the fact that there is no snow here.
Anyway. Left to my own devices, I generally don't go in for temporal landmarks, because no matter how you slice them they're all arbitrary. Plus, New Year's stuff tends to come burdened with a whole lot of cultural baggage that I don't find awfully conducive to how I want to live my life.
At the same time, the sheer weight of that cultural baggage makes it hard to ignore, and it ends up taking on a kind of significance beyond my ability to sweep away, so I feel like I should mark it in some way.
So here's what I'll say: the past decade has been an awfully weird one. I've had a lot of challenges, a lot of failures, and a lot of triumphs. Most of the things I thought I'd manage, I didn't; most of the things I have managed, I would never have imagined. I'm in a good place now and I don't have any desire to leave it in the immediate future, but I also don't think I want to stay here forever, and that's okay. I've learned a lot, I've grown a lot, and I've taught a lot, and long may that continue.
And, as per most years, I'm going back to re-memorize Richard Wilbur's poem, Year's End. Despite the fact that there is no snow here.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-28 07:46 pm (UTC)From:I just need you to know that I think of you often, fondly, and with so, so very much affection. I was talking to someone about you the other day and it brought a smile to my face. You are A Good and I am glad to know you.
no subject
Date: 2020-01-03 09:01 pm (UTC)From:I think of you often, too. I'm glad you're around, and I hope you're doing well, and I hope this decade brings steady and hearty improvements over the last one. I hope you continue dancing with your fiction and your art and your tarot, and that all these things flourish in your life.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-30 05:09 am (UTC)From:One of the nicest things that happened to me this decade was getting to know you! It's been great, and I'm so glad we've been able to get together in person a few times and talk about writing and books and video games and nerdy TV. <3
no subject
Date: 2020-01-03 09:07 pm (UTC)From:Whatever, time is all made up, anyway.
And: aww. Same for me, really; you're one of my primary talking-to-about-writing-and-nerdy-things people, and those people are rare and treasured in my life. And you've also gotten me into a lot of very cool and fun stuff, and introduced me to a lot of neat opportunities. I hope we're able to get together more often in the 20s, whether virtually or in person!