Someone Has it Worse

"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." Oscar Wilde

Some days it pays to duck. I mean, seriously, when you’ve had a lifetime of being acquainted with the pavement, dodging cars becomes second nature. It’s like a survival skill that only us accident magnets possess. Pain is just something that comes with the territory, you know?

Still, I'm not like ordinary people, pain hurts me. It’s funny how a lifetime of getting hit by cars and taking big falls or jumps tends to make you feel more at home in an emergency room than at a regular dinner party. And let’s not forget those awkward conversations where everyone’s comparing battle scars from their latest mishaps while I’m over here trying to explain why landing off the roof of a four-story building was just another Tuesday for me, or was it Monday, I do believe, it was a Federal holiday. It doesn't matter I was awake by Tuesday. Yet, I do try to avoid veterans and cancer survivors, they really know how to show off battle scars.

The problem isn't just the injuries keeping me up at night; it's the treacherous dance with technology that really adds insult to injury. Once you think you've mastered a device or software, along comes an upgrade that turns your once-comfortable tech routine into a full-blown battle for control. So, there I am, lying in bed with the gentle glow of my smartphone illuminating the darkness like a modern-day campfire.

I mean, who knew that managing a phone could become an extreme sport? It's like getting into a boxing ring every time there's a new update, dodging and weaving through unfamiliar menus and unexpected glitches. It's enough to make anyone consider switching back to carrier pigeons for communication or maybe ravens.

As much as I'd love to immerse myself in the primal and mesmerizing art of blacksmithing, I can't ignore the fact that my body rebels against the smell of smoke and bending over the anvil (my back at least). The clang of a hammer on hot metal, the dancing flames, and the satisfaction of crafting something from raw materials - all beckoned to me like a siren's call. But alas, my brain prefers to take center stage over my hands, so I had Xander (Conversations with a Sage) do it for me.

This doesn't mean I shy away from exercise; in fact, I relish a good workout. It's just that I've come to appreciate using my brain as a tool rather than solely relying on brute strength. The mental gymnastics involved in problem-solving and strategizing holds an irresistible charm for me. So, while I may have the biceps of a traditional blacksmith, rest assured that my wit and ingenuity are what keep me going - with maybe just a sprinkle of sarcasm for good measure. My kid brother always told me that sarcasm was my best talent, and here I thought it was an allergic reaction to people doing stupid things.

Speaking of having a rough go at it Xander started off with a short end of the stick. There are a lot of twists and turns, with some sadness and laughter mixed in between. Still, you will have to follow along to book twelve to find out how things wind up for him and his band of friends.