Countdown to Seventy

To be clear, that I’m soon turning 70 years old doesn’t bother me at all. Not much, anyway. Hardly a bit. Well, maybe just a little. Ok….it sucks! But, considering the alternative, I’ll take it!

As my 60’s expire, I’m back to having a racing mind, with lots of sensible and nonsensical thoughts running around my brain. If any of these make sense to you, let me know. The rest if you must be foggy from an excess of Zooming, unbearable hot weather or ridiculous amounts of rain. If anyone still doubts climate change, there’s little hope of convincing you that science is might and might makes right. Right??

• How am I really supposed to deal with anti-vaxxers? Someone I know well and admire recently revealed to me no intention of getting vaccinated, with the “we don’t really know what’s in it” argument. I’m torn between sympathy for their fears and a deep (dark) desire for them to get Covid, suffer but not die (mmmm). If this isn’t a genuine WTF moment, what will be? Watching the resurgence of Covid is painful, maddening and infuriating. Get the effing vaccine people! If another variant emerges that is fully resistant to the vaccine, we’re all in deep shit. Get the fucking vaccine!?
• One of my students successfully defended her doctoral dissertation last week and several others are now making solid progress. I take such great pleasure at their academic achievements especially knowing how hard they work with their day jobs, family lives and personal challenges. And doing so amidst the Covid pressures makes their efforts that much more meaningful. I’m teaching my Penn class live in Philadelphia next month and seeing the students in person and enjoying two days with them discussing key higher ed and student affairs principles and practices will be awesome! I’ll take that as one of my birthday gifts!
• Judy and I will celebrate my actual birthday at Kiawah Island with some golf and beach time. On my birthday, we’ll play the Ocean Course which will mean nothing to you non-golfers but have significant meaning to my golfing friends. I’m told to bring lots of extra golf balls!
• Our trip to Southeast Asia, which we had planned for Dec has been cancelled due to the Covid resurgence, so we’ve rescheduled for Nov of 2022 (some else will have a big birthday then) . If we can’t go by then, the world will be in a real mess. Have I mentioned that I’d like all of you who haven’t yet to get the vaccine? Absent international travel, we’ve filled our travel card with upcoming trips to Philadelphia (teaching), New York City (family), Boston (reunion, family and friends), Nashville (kids and grandkids) and Denver (kids and grandkids). Southwest sends messages announcing flight changes about every two days so we’ve stopped paying attention for now. The airlines must be gong nuts again (still).?
• I’m anxiously awaiting the birth of the actual book (https://www.naspa.org/book/the-business-of-student-affairs-fundamental-skills-for-student-affairs-professionals) which should be out in a couple of weeks. Advance copies are still available (shameless hawking) and watch for a mini-course focused on the materials in the book for later this fall. I’m working with NASPA to develop this 4-week series. Right now, I’m developing a set of case studies/scenarios that will be used in the mini-course as stimuli for conversation. Lurking in the back of mind is a set of chapters perhaps for a second volume of this book. Oy!?
• Are you watching the Olympics? We’ve watched a bit here and there, but haven’t been as caught up in the games as we used to be. I don’t know if it’s the tv coverage, the Covid consequences, growing disinterest in many of the particular sports, or just greater attention to Midsomer Murders, but we just haven’t found the Olympics as compelling as they used to be. Is it time to retire the spectacle??
• Where should we go this winter? We prefer warmth to cold….
• Disclosure: I had a Xanax dependency for awhile that took considerable help to resolve. Mental health is not something to be taken lightly. I applaud all those revealing their challenges and those offering support.?
• Things I’m looking forward to in my 70’s:?

Shooting my age (if you don’t understand, ignore it)

Getting back to Croatia and many other places in the world

Our 50th anniversary and beyond

Many occasions with our kids and grandkids

A full set of teeth (don’t ask…just awaiting one implant)

Maintaining my 20/20 vision?

Walking the course more often than riding on it

Visiting lots of waterfalls

Kitchen renovation

Fun with Judy

Whatever your age, enjoy every second! If you believe in an afterlife, good luck to you….I’m quite certain that this is all we get, so make it the best you can!?