Not only to this past year, but to this whole freakin' messed-up decade.Since January 1, 2000, the start of this "2000's" decade (though debatable whether it was the start of the New Millennium), my life has slowly-but-surely been spiraling down the proverbial crapper.
2000 was the year I started to go from a 34" waist to a 38" for the first time since 1991. By the end of the year I had officially regained all the weight I'd lost in '92 and I was showing no sign of slowing the increase, having all but abandoned exercise and, with the help of friends like Jay and Ric, fully rekindled my abusive relationship with beer.
I was also compelled to resign (ie: politely fired) from my DM management job. Yes, I found an adequate and debatably better replacement within a month so it wasn't so bad on the wallet, but it caused further damage to my psyche and self-confidence since I didn't even see it coming.
2001 saw further weight gain and the loss (to the Big Easy) of my favorite drinkin' buddy, Jay. It also had 9/11 which really depressed me and propped up my nihilistic pessimism about everything and, of course, the December DUI arrest.
By 2002 I saw fewer prospects for advancement in my Sears job and struggled greatly with the penalties of my conviction like jail time, probation, mandatory classes and counseling sessions and, of course, no use of my car. I was thrust into the world of public transportation and all its associated lack of aesthetics, convenience, efficiency, comfort and control. And then I left my job in the dust and the real shit hit the fan.
2003: The start of the Koyaanisqatsi. Car repossession, credit destruction, loss of savings, loss of home, death of my mother. I began the dizzying ping pong game between Orlando and New Orleans. Fell into the syndrome which would take hold of my life for the next couple of years at least: Failed Hopes, Frantic Escape, Awkward Resettling, Feeble Reprieve followed by Failed Hopes again to start the cycle all over.
2004 was more of the same cyclical mess. Add to that the death of Gary.
2005: Living with a loony and working a job that was sucking the life from me. Weight spikes up to over 300.
2006 saw a little reprieve but I was filled with insecurity about my job and living arrangement. Had the feeling both were destined to soon change.
2007: Regained the ability to drive and got a car, but since I was still poor, it was an 8-year old model with a massive number of miles, no AC and some overheating problems. Ric kicked me out and since credit was bad, had to take a kinda low-end apartment option.
2008 was when I really started having health problems and diagnosed with a list of chronic illnesses. Landed in the hospital for heart issues. Got in a major car accident wrecking my car. Bought a newer car at an exhorbinent interest rate. Then I got laid-off.
2009 saw me attempt to work at two jobs which were an extreme ill-fit to no avail. Medical issues continue. Weight as high as ever. Job prospects bleak and credibility shot. Looking at some hefty legal issues as well.
So yes, so long "2000's", or "oughts" or whatever. It's been real...but now you gotta go!
I'm fixin' to take my life back in this new decade.
(Will we call it "the tens or the teens" or is it too early?)