16 in NoJoMo 2017

What I wrote in 2012:

NoJoMo Day 1 - 11/1/2012

Writing Prompt: What has been your biggest accomplishment in your life so far?

Have spent a lot of time considering what I should choose for this; I don’t focus much on past accomplishments. Not terribly long ago, I was complaining about the Captain Philip Francis Queeg school of management. Queeg, of course, spent his entire career trying to recreate his few moments of adequacy. I try hard to avoid that.

My focus, professionally, is creating a workable solution at a low cost. Sometimes finding that solution requires setting aside what you’ve done in the past, and re-examining everything.

Getting married has definitely affected my evaluation criteria. Things I would have taken pride in as a single dude really aren’t important anymore. Woohoo! I drank an entire six pack in one sitting! Big fucking deal to most frat boys. My wife, however, would be disgusted by that behavior.

So, since I can’t isolate a single thing, I’ll just throw some things out of which I’m proud:

1. That I married someone who might possibly be my perfect partner.
2. That I’ve yet to miss a dose of any of my MS meds, now more than two years’ into taking them.
3. That I am dedicated to work, despite more than ample reason not to be.
4. My service to others. Some of it is kind of thankless, but.... The vast majority of it’s been without compensation. Is it satisfying when something I put together is still functional years after its expected demise? You bet. As far as I know, there’s systems in use at former jobs. My old company, whose name I will not mention, is still selling things I designed. Something I put together now almost seven years ago is still chugging along. And so on.
4. That I surpassed the 2,000 entry mark, and didn’t even notice it.
5. That I’ve been responsible elsewhere in my life last few years. I was reckless when I was younger. I admit that now. Yes, being sick has sapped my reckless abandon on some things, but I’d started down that path before I knew I was sick.
6. Forgiveness. I’ve gotten better about it. Those who’ve harmed me may not be as dear as they once were, but I’m still civil. When I was younger, I probably wouldn’t have been.

So, is there a lot to point to, there? Yes. Is there a “crowning achievement?” No. (Though number one comes awfully damn close.....I still haven’t figured out how I pulled that one off while still being myself....) I’m okay with that.

What has been your biggest accomplishment in your life so far?

I could go a lot of different ways on this one, but I don’t know if there’s really anything that’s that remarkable.

As I said earlier this month during a rant about the previous generation, yes, you’re unique, but you’re not that remarkable/special.

The same is true of me.

The Kids In The Hall used to have a character who’d be dropped in to various sketches. The interaction was inevitably along the lines of, “Who are you?”

I am important to some people who love me.
To everybody else, though, I’m just some guy.

I can’t tell you how foreign this seems to be.

People are fungible.

This past weekend, I was watching on eof hte NFL pregame shows. Amy Trask, the former president of the Oakland Raiders, was talking about a discussion Al Davis had with Bill Walsh about holding on to players after they’d outlived their usefulness.

mr. Davis was very loyal to his guys. Walsh notsomuch, unless you’re Steve Young.

Is either way better? I don’t know. Both had three Super Bowl rings.

Who is remembered more fondly?

I don’t know, and I really don’t care to think about it.. Each is admirable in his own way.

I guess that I split the difference, really, though.

Yes, you’re loyal, but if someone can’t do what you need them to do anymore, be honest about it and move on.

(and here’s where my Gen X side comes out, and

So, back to the prompt......what have I accomplished?

There’s not just one thing. I think I’m a good husband. I think my loyalties are in the right place. I’m not terribly embarrassed by anything I’ve done; maybe that’s why I don’t focus on the things that have gone well.

So, not a lot of changes in five years, really.  I’m not good at tooting my own horn.