I suppose it didn’t bode well when the new year was seen in with a mishmash of extremely unhappy stomach, a touch of fever and an aversion to stepping outside the front door.
Of course, with a cynicism born of too many years of failed New Year resolutions, that was not considered as an option this time round.
And how has it panned out?
You will be shocked to learn that the click of a calendar from one year to the next had absolutely no effect on what the world’s top dickheads were up to.
It’s as if they didn’t even notice. Or care, either about the New Year, or about the rest of us for that matter.
Maintaining their hold on power, through whatever bigotry, banality, bribery or total bullshit works best, is still their modus operandi.
And so we carry on, regardless of them rather than because of them. And hope that something, somewhere will adjust enough to let us through.
And another sign of age arrives to cheer. One Sunday a cataract decided to turn the left eye very frosted. A pirate without a patch. Gratitude to an exceptional Eye Hospital in Bristol is unbounded. Just waiting for the op.
But, it throws up the flag of more years gone than are to come, and as I have been unable to find the funny side of it, and I have tried, it sits like a leaden lump on the sunshine that is still there from time to time.
And then I look, with my one good eye, at everything around me. And I wonder why.
Why allow a small thing become such a large drag? Why allow a small group of people turn Monday to Friday into a drain?
Why should a truly exceptional and singular person be required to bear so much? Why can’t the shite be shared more fairly between us all? And definitely more amongst those determined to make their lives better at our expense.
And the cycle begins again. Anger at the unfairness. Frustration and impotence because what should be is beyond my power and influence.
And then the sunshine flashes through, and the enduring spirit of others shames me into realising that there will always be tomorrow. Until there isn’t.
So, wasting the time with anger, frustration and feelings of impotency get me angry.
I should take a lesson from a diminutive ‘niece’, and try just saying “No!” repeatedly. To everything.
Except the good that comes from those who hold my heart.
Tricky thing this miserable attitude. Something always comes along to make me look slightly ridiculous.
Now all I need is a red nose and a pair of oversized shoes. And a car horn.
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