I realized very recently that if 2011 works out the way I think it will, then by the time it ends, there will be very little remaining from the way my life was at the beginning of 2007. The changes have already started, and there are lot more on the horizon that will affect my current lifestyle, for better or worse. Not that I have any real complaints about my current life, but there are a few things that will absolutely need to change (and a few others that I want to change, and maybe a couple that I cannot prevent from changing).
Let's keep track of what changes I've made and what changes will happen.
There have been a couple notable changes this week already, perhaps most notably my brand new driver's license, which replaces the one that I got in April 1998, before I was even 21 (and back when I still had long hair). The main reason I kept the license for as long as I did without updating it (aside from the fact that it expired in 2037) is that my picture was one of my favorite photos of all time. Happily, this new photo (which was taken within an hour of having my hair cut) is also an excellent picture, so I'll be happy with it through 2042.
Additionally, I just had a new dishwasher added to my condo, which will be the first time since 2007 that I have had a dishwasher. As I recall, things were a lot easier to keep clean when I had a functional dishwasher, so hopefully, there is a connection there. Maybe I can return to an era when I kept my place remotely tidy: one that looked more like a bashelor pad than a pigsty.
Also today was the first time in six years that I called out of work. There were a few reasons for it, none I will get into the details of yet, but it was mostly unavoidable, so it was the first time I had an unscheduled absence since November 2004.
Another big change on the horizon is the fact that Amy is planning to move back to Illinois. She moved out here in September 2007, so it has been about 3.5 years that she lived out here with Jeribear and Princess Kaena. Also, my beloved feral stray Alison (a.k.a. Owlison) lives with her (or in her surrounding areas), so I have spent a good amount of time at the Ray Kitty Ranch since we broke up in June 2009. Amy also has high speed Internet (on a super-slow computer, so it takes forever to load) and digital cable, so if she moves, then I may have to consider upgrading my cable since I don't have Versus. Even as I write this entry, I am on her computer watching Montreal at Buffalo (they're leading 1-0 in the first). I imagine if they have another good run in the Stanley Cup, then my only two choices are to upgrade my cable or to frequent Pranksters during the playoffs.
