Also I think I may be having a mid-life crisis.

Oh god yes. It's not quite existential, yet.

I am definitely aware of my mid-life status, increasing daily. I wouldn't describe my current level as "crisis" and, like Jesse, I am day by day very happy. But. It isn't at all the life I imagined at a younger age. But you know? I am probably happier and saner than I had any right to ever expect, and I am grateful every day for this. I am not exaggerating.

And on a personal note, just being able to be a person who can gamble or drink whenever I want to and not have it take over my life? I don't know how I escaped those illnesses, but I did. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop in terms of illnesses that have run in my family for generations, but so far so good. So, yeah. Not necessarily the life I visualized, but not so shabby anyway.

MsBelle, I hope your brother and his beloved have a beautiful wedding and a lifetime of happiness.

ION, how is my coworker such a fucking idiot? He has been in this field for years! No, we can not just ignore that question! Answer the fucking question (Claire!). (NO! I NEVER DID IT!)

Edit: Everyone has seen The Breakfast Club as many times as I have, right??

Answer the fucking question (Claire!). (NO! I NEVER DID IT!)

brb dying of stifled laughter

It's like, I feel fine with my own day-to-day, but I feel bad that I don't have a kid for my dad to play with.

I feel bad that my mother's DNA stops here and my father doesn't get a re-do on bad parenting decisions. But by the time I feel all that I realise those are pretty crap reasons to reproduce, so if that's all that was tugging at my atrophying ovaries--just as well.

I feel I have spent 43 or so years trying to get my mother to appreciate that I don't look at it like that. My father cares *so* much less, and that kinda surprised me when I worked it out. But I think I'm talking my mother into more understanding of people's opinions on gender dynamics, and if I hide my paltry opinions behind something as momentous as reassignment surgery, maybe she won't mind the men's clothes or baldness so much.

Maybe.

I know my life disappoints them, but I also know it's not my fault. Still feels like mine to carry, though.

I have to call in sick for the whole day. That sleep thing felt really good, and I need to not need the ER this week.

Msbelle, I'm glad your brother has a life he loves. And a sister that is fierce.

And on a personal note, just being able to be a person who can gamble or drink whenever I want to and not have it take over my life? I don't know how I escaped those illnesses, but I did. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop in terms of illnesses that have run in my family for generations, but so far so good.

Oh, javachik, I am right there with you, in a huge way. My family is one big ball of addictions for generations, and I am the only member of my nuclear family who isn't an alcoholic. It's kind of a lot of pressure sometimes.

Edit: Everyone has seen The Breakfast Club as many times as I have, right??

HA! YES!

Last week I had a dream that a former (male) student had a baby that I was holding, but then he needed to go to an interview at UCSB for a job and I talked him into letting me keep the baby. Then I decided I wanted the baby forever. So when I woke up with this on my brain I went and hugged my actual kids and reminded myself that I am too old for another kid nor could I afford one.

Oh, javachik, I am right there with you, in a huge way. My family is one big ball of addictions for generations, and I am the only member of my nuclear family who isn't an alcoholic. It's kind of a lot of pressure sometimes.

Yep. I often quiz myself on the alcohol (did I drink last night? How many nights in a row is this? Am I craving it?) because it's always in the back of my mind. But I can go days without it to no ill effect. So non-alcoholics-though-by-all-rights-we-should-be-UNITE!

It's like, I feel fine with my own day-to-day, but I feel bad that I don't have a kid for my dad to play with.

My parents had four kids, and I know they were disappointed to find themselves reaching old-age without any grandchildren, even though they were careful to hide it. When I called my father at age 86 to tell him he had twin grandsons on the way his response was "You're cutting it kind of close, aren't you?"

Rick, HA!