Solstice Eve

Winter will be here tomorrow, or at least what passes for winter in Tucson will arrive. I'm in the midst of my annual end-of-year vacation. It's actually a staycation just like it is every year - I don't really travel and especially not this year because I'm occupied with house cleaning. And I'm not talking about a few laps with the vacuum cleaner and a swipe or two with a feather duster. No, this is a full-on excavation, culling and removal of 15 years' worth of accumulated crap, starting with clothes. Lots and lots of clothes.

It's proving to be an informative archaeological expedition. I've been digging down through my past clothes and, as I examine the sizes, I can see my weight climb up steadily over the years before dropping down to where I am now, 50 pounds less than my most ginormous state. I was looking forward to fitting into some of my old favorites and I do, but just because I can put them on doesn't mean I can pull it off - a graying, 39-year old man just cannot rock the old school Vans, baggy shorts, Thrasher magazine t-shirt look at the office. I suppose I could wear it on weekends but those days are generally given over to the hiking boots, cargo shorts, wildlife-themed t-shirt look, and there's just only so much room to store this stuff. The skate punk has given way to the birdwatcher.

After I get the clothing situation resolved to the point that everything is on a hanger in a closet or folded neatly in a drawer, I'll start on my books. Whereas clothes horse has a somewhat negative connotation, bibliophile sounds cultured and scholarly. While bibliophilia does connote refiement, books have nevertheless taken over the house and so they too will undergo a purge. I'll take them to Bookmans and see what I can get in trade but I balk even at that, as getting trade credit will inevitably lead to more books.

But the vacation isn't entirely about house cleaning. I've fit in a couple of nice bike rides and the dogs are getting walked more than usual. I've spent a couple of long mornings watching birds at the feeders in our front yard. I've had mixed success trying to eliminate some mechanical bugs from my motorcycle. It's all just the usual, mundane stuff but it's liberating to not have to try and fit it all in around work. Speaking of the usual stuff, it's time to hit the weights.

Until next year, maybe?