Rant 04 - Year of Fire
06.1997

"It was the Year of Fire. The Year of Destruction. The Year we took back what was ours. It was a Year of Rebirth. The Year of Great Sadness. The Year of Pain, and a Year of Joy. It was A New Age. It was the End of History. It was the Year Everything Changed.. " - Babylon 5, Fourth Season Intro.

My what a beginning for the season. No, this rant is not anything about Babylon 5, praising its glories as I'm prone to do. No, this has more to do with what was said about the Year of Fire. The Year everything changed... Me and Eric were talking about it the other day. Everything is changing this year for me and most of the people I know, in both good and bad ways.

I mean, let me run through this list at warp speed: I'm getting a new job, something I only do every three or four years. Eric lost his last job. Eric has a wonderful new girlfriend. Raymond lost his mother. Wade lost his job. The four of us will be moving in together this year. Lloyd and Marcie had a baby girl. Steve Bailey up and moved to San Diego. Spencer and Jenn will be marrying this year. One of my ex-girlfriends got married a few months ago. My most recent ex will be marrying in a few months. A couple (who I will keep anonymous) apparently broke up a few nights ago. Another couple (who I won't jinx) got together against the odds. The entire Bradley clan, except for Chris and Judy, moved down to Alabama. Whew...

I know it may not sound like a lot to those of you who don't know all of us, but it's just been a whirlwind around here. Very few of us have led static lives this year, and it's only half-over. I predicted at the start of this year that I would make some sweeping changes. Some of my financial burdens would be lifted, in the form of paid loans. I'm going to move out from under the parent's wings most definitely. New job in what, five days? Next thing you know, I'll actually date someone. But I'm not counting on it.

It's just kind of shocking when I sit back and revel in it. Things are happening to all of us, much unlike the boring last year. Yeah, I took some important trips, but looking back it all seems so insignificant. Now, some of the guys are considering going back to college and righting what we messed up years back. Yes, even I have thought about it. But for the moment, I have to adjust to the change of the new job. It's gonna be a blast, I'm sure. But I can't help feeling nervous about it. A new place, new people. Funny, someone who adores chaos being hesitant to embrace change.

B.Mooney