Annual State of the Hank Address

I really, really didn't want to write this blog entry - I've been putting it off for a couple of weeks now, but it feels like the Universe is starting to get serious with its "subtle" hints.  First last week, it was the whole moonshot mention in the State of the Union, and then every single freaking day this week, it's been someone else famous dying of cancer.  Basically, it looks like I'm getting cancer shoved in my face until I deal with it, and I really don't want to be responsible for losing Tim Curry (I think he's the next of my odd idols on the list).

So, where am I at?  Still in limbo, it looks like.  I'm not cured - I still have my tumor, it's still pressing down on my bladder (drat it) and sapping my strength.  But I'm also not sure I'm dying - it's been two and a half years now, and it's not growing or spreading as far as the doctors can tell, which is just plain odd - normally ULMS is a wildfire, and mine seems to be more of a Presto-log.  I don't know if it's because we left Hank alone when he was discovered (normally they yank the uterus out immediately), or if it's because I somehow managed to arrange a detente with him (maybe he likes being referred to by a single name, kind of like Cher or Adele.)  Maybe it was the patriarchal blessing I received - I know Mom would get behind that theory.

I don't know - but I've got to figure out the rest of my life now that it looks like I'll have one.  I am still planning on retiring - it looks like probably March or April time frame, but I'll let everyone know once that's more specific.  I'm not dying, but I'm not healthy enough for 10 hour days in the office anymore, and after 26 years, it's time for a change.  I'm not sure what the second or third act is going to be - my 20s was mostly getting to know who the heck I was, my 30s was mostly career oriented, my 40s was family...  maybe my 50s will be community.  I see a lot of things out there that I might be able to help with once I'm not Hatch Act encumbered.  But first - a local comedy club is offering a class on stand up.  I'm thinking about signing up - it's one of my bucket list items to do an open mike set.  (Let's face it, Mt Everest was never my sort of thing...) 

So... that's basically it.  Limbo, retirement, possible stand up.  So, Universe - could you please stop shouting now?