rings

I just finished reading The Golden Spruce by John Valliant, a story about a political idealist (some would say whack-job) cutting down a famous Sitka Spruce in B.C. The book includes some history of logging, for around 250 years, the life of the particular spruce. This history can be chronicled by the tree's growth rings. More rain + more sun = larger ring. In this way the tree rings record milestones in the tree's life.

Blythe and I recently passed a milestone in our lives - we got engaged. I proposed on Friday the 13th (of Feb.) No, we did not go see the movie. Yes, it was the day before Valentines day. No, I don't think that is a cliche'. Yes, my cousin got engaged the next day. No, I don't think this writing style is annoying, well...yet. Below you'll find the ring.

So engaged = getting older. Thats not the only indication I noticed recently. I play volleyball with the club team at UIC. It is good exercise, and basically the only way I will consistently go to the gym. I noticed this year that I don't bounce back as quick as I used too. Last night I played for only an hour and a half and I have been crazy sore all day today. Also on average I am 8 years older than my teammates.

Last weekend Blythe and I were feeling rather sedentary, and we went looking for some adventures instead of our normal dinner and movie date (like old married people go on). We ended up meeting another couple for drinks at a nice martini bar downtown, then heading to wrigleyville for a fraterific irish pub ( see my last blog entry). Although the activities were youthful, my reaction to the pub makes me feel old.

Lucky for me, my collaborator puts all of this in some perspective for me. He will go to Paris this summer as a visiting professor. In fact he received four invitations from different schools. Now for someone of his prestige four invites isn't unheard of, but for the same summer was a bit strange. The reason is that in France one can't sponsor a visiting professor over the age of 65, and his birthday is this fall. So I guess I am getting old, but only relative to some. I am old for an undergrad, young for a professor, and an infant for a tree.