The Slinky Vagabond and the Plan To Become Both Less Slinky And Less Of A Vagabond

Good evening all, and good morning, as it will be after midnight (my time) by the time I finish this. This is my first post since of the new year, and I know there's more than a few of you who want to hear the story of debauchery, excess, and mayhem that was New Year's Eve on my end, but too bad. Unfortunately, I'm not the only party involved and there are possibilities of ramifications for others should I go telling stories, so suffice to say, it was a FUCKING BLAST! A blasty-blast, even. That's all you get.

Now, to the title of this post. Firstly, I positively loathe New Year's Resolutions. They are always bullshit, never followed through on, and very rarely remembered through the haze of substance abuse partaken in while crafting said resolutions. The course of action that I'm going to outline later in this post has nothing (NOTHING!) to do with New Year's Resolutions. It does, however, have to do with a new year. Or, perhaps, a new chapter. Seeing as I've embarked on a new, and so far, quite rewarding path in the past six months, it's only suiting that I follow the changes in mental state with changes in the physical state. Some of these changes have already been put in place. I've re-adapted my dress code. I'm a blonde again (and how!). My posture, poise, vocabulary, colloquialisms, and mannerisms have all been slightly shifted. In short, all these little changes amass together to create a different person. Well, not quite a different person, but a different version. I know that I've talked before about the dangers involved in a alter ego, and I haven't forgotten those lessons, though it may seem like I'm doing it again. The most glaring difference, mind you, is the ethos behind the personas. This time, I'm closer to the me that I want to be. I've cut out the drugs (all but caffeine, that is). My drinking is down to one night a week, and even then, it's only a few drinks and then catching the midnight train home. To quote Billy Crystal, “I feel mah-velous!” (There's an old pop culture reference for you!). I do still have a few more steps to take. I'm still too far under-weight, though I'm in great shape. I only weigh 148 pounds as I write this. I want to hit 168 in two months. Considering the way I can gain and lose weight, this should be a realizable goal, but that's not to say it isn't going to be hard. I'm also going to do a start a month-long detox. No booze, no smoking, and I'm going to try to cut back on the caffeine substantially. There are several reasons behind this decision. First, I've cut all of these things down to minimal amounts, now I want to see if I have the willpower to shut them out completely, even if only for a month. Second, it will help to accelerate the process of getting my apartment, which will be the next “Big Step” in creating my new life here. I plan on staying for a while, so it's time to put down some roots. Plus, being up in the suburbs, though great for a the peace and quiet, sucks from a logistics perspective.

Another change that I'm planning is the completion of some of the tattoo work I've had on the docket for the past couple of years. Nothing helps christen a new chapter in life like body modification. I know that's probably stupid and immature to some, but it's something that has a deep significance for me, and they serve as great reminders of things not to be forgotten. I'm consulting with several artists this week and early next. The thirtieth of Jan is tentatively set as the date (barring any scheduling problems), as I already have it as a paid vacation day. There will be another couple of posts between then and now, so I'll keep you posted on the details.

The other big change that I've really got to get moving on, and I touched on it briefly earlier, is “The Apartment”. That's in quotations because it represents not only a physical domicile. but a figurative idea. My stay in Calgary so far, I've been lucky enough to have been able to live with my aunt and uncle, who are two of the most caring and generous people on the face of the earth. they have welcomed me into their home and their lives with open arms, no questions asked. The debt of gratitude I owe them, even I can't put into words. That being said, I'm still a guest in their home, and it's a temporary situation. I won't really feel like this has any permanence to it until I get my own place. That's when this new chapter is really going to start writing itself in earnest.

Wish me luck...