Made it through the birthday and I’m newly resolved to make the best of whatever lies ahead. Luckily, it seems my physical health is holding on and my mental health is not much worse than it’s ever been either. So yeah, I threw a little pity party for myself yesterday but it’s a new day today and I’m moving forward.

I do keep track of my vital statistics on a daily basis and I’d say I’m doing alright for an old fucker.

• BP: 123/84
• Resting heart rate: 59 (that’s lower than it’s ever been!)
• 72 sleep score (as measured by my Fitbit, that’s in the fair range)
• Averaging just under 20,000 steps per day
• 35.7C temperature (no COVID yet!)
• 204 pounds (that’s 5 more than I like, and seems to be confined to my beer belly. No idea what that’s from though.)

Anyway, I’m in much better shape than I was five years ago. Even my damaged lungs seem to be, um, taking a breather. Haven’t needed to use my nebulizer or inhaler for quite a while and no coughs or other COPD symptoms. Overall, I’d say I’ve got much to be thankful for healthwise.

Nothing special really for the “big day” yesterday. Walked My Bitch alone and visited a bit with Olivia, the matriarch of the mountain family. Got a message from Scott about halfway through my hike that they needed to move the Hash gear from Johansson’s and wondered if I had room for it at my place. So, I hustled on over and helped load up the Hashmobile. Sad news to see Johansson’s close down, it’s been a fixture in Barretto and our Hash home for many years. Just another casualty of government incompetence and ignorance.

Later on, I popped into Cheap Charlies to enjoy a beer and they played the birthday song for me. I guess I have a mutual Facebook friend with one of the girls. My old crush Heidi, who manages the place, even sat with me for a chat. I bought a round of drinks for all the girls as a birthday present.

I was feeling hungry, so I walked up the street to Sit-n-Bull for some supper. Ordered the French Dip and it was quite good. I had a nice chat with the owner and mentioned that I rarely see a French Dip as a menu offering these days. He corrected me that what he offers is a roast beef dip. To be a true French dip the beef has to be finely sliced and he serves his version with thickly sliced wedgies. Well, yeah, now that you mention it. Still very tasty and enjoyable though.

I finished up on the beach at Mango’s and then headed on home ahead of curfew. I was in bed before 9 p.m. once again which seems to be my new normal.

Exciting times, eh?