What Really Matters, pt. III

¡Hola! Everybody...
For the people in my life...

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-=[ The Brass Ring ]=-

The only thing I regret about my past is the length of it. If I had to live my life again I'd make all the same mistakes -- only sooner.

-- Talluluah Bankhead

I love that the majority of the people on my list of friends share a wicked sense of humor. With the exception of one or two who occasionally get their panties in a wad, most of you indulge my warped sense of humor and need for connection. I tend to stay away from people who don’t find the humor in this Cosmic Joke we call life.

I am 54 years-old, but I am “young at heart.” Some would say I’m immature, I like to think of myself as adventurous and somewhat unconventional. I love to laugh and I am a man of many different tastes, comfortable in a wide range of situations; but if you want to characterize as juvenile my fondness for riding on carousels, laughing in the rain, or smiling or loving recklessly, then do so. That’s your prerogative. However, don’t mistake my lust for life, nor my smile: I have seen far more than even my tired eyes could ever tell you.

All men are needy, ladies, at least those honest enough to own up to it; and that neediness is exactly what turns women off. Ya’ll want men who will give unconditionally without needing to be praised or recognized for it. The thing is that in order for us men to get in touch with ourselves, we first need to be able look honestly at our needs and articulate them. And therein lies the paradox.

Nevertheless, I have made a commitment to go for the brass ring, no qualifications. I am reckless that way. I am not foolish, but I refuse to live in fear of a broken heart because (FYI) it’s already been broken... several times. I live my life trying to be as transparent as possible and really, people: how many work at that -- truly work at it?

In terms of chronological age, I think most people are mistaken. There’s such a thing as a threshold and age doesn’t necessarily equate to wisdom or even a pleasant disposition. In fact (girds loins), I’ll go out on a limb and say flat out that it’s been my experience that people my age carry more baggage, more unresolved trauma, and are not necessarily all the wiser for it.

As some of you may know, I have dated women much younger than myself, but that doesn’t mean they lacked substance, intelligence, or wit. For the most part the women in my life, regardless of age, possess all these qualities in spades, and, more importantly, they were nice to me too. That’s a huge thing in my book, being pleasant and nice -- it says a lot about a person’s character and attitudinal orientation. This capacity for compassion and generosity is not dependent on age. In fact, these qualities are often the first victims of the vicissitudes of life.

I just want to thank all the women and men on my list for being the way you are, this very moment, and for giving these hilarious times to me. When we’re old and feeble, poosies dragging, dicks limp, what will have mattered… really mattered?

I’ll tell you what will have mattered most: the times you smiled, the way you hold your head when you laugh, the times you ran around in the rain like a fool, the glint in your eye, and most of all, all those crimes and foolish catastrophes of the heart. In short, what will have mattered most when the tally is counted for the last time are the daring spurts of unreasonable laughter you stole. Thanks for joining me, even for a while, in my quest to be unreasonably happy, poking fun at you and me and laughing together.

Love,

Eddie