The Soundtrack of My Life – 45 – Fade Into You

If there ever was a song that encapsulated an explicit emotion, it is “Fade Into You.” For me it’s this listless yearning for another moment long ago, while ignoring the impending “end.” The lyrics for me are immaterial. I have resigned myself to the fact that while they tell a story of something else entirely, the song itself is a “mood” (as the kids say.) Listening to it brings memories rushing to mind and they play out like a highlight reel within the movie trailer of my life. The moments are surreal and short, comprised primarily of instances where there is just “peace.”

I started leaning into the song when I was waiting for Charlie’s end. While the tune was soothing it would press tiny cracks into my heart while it played. Inevitably it would make me sob because, like I said, the music is living in the moment right before it and everything around it is over. I would relive all of the minuscule moments between him and I, wanting nothing more than to return to them. Back when none of which I was living was even a remote possibility.

Today is one of those where I don’t want to be here. I don’t have any purpose in my life. The want that I had, being a writer, seems utterly ridiculous as the world I exist in hurtles toward fascism. I write about my queer life and gay shit. That’s not really welcomed in the Christo-fascist agenda. My very existence will be outlawed at some point. They’ve already begun the gears turning toward that inevitable conclusion. Gay marriage has been made illegal in Idaho with the express purpose of making it to the Supreme Court so they can reverse the prior ruling.

It was nice while we were a progressive society but here we are… Same shit, different day. Which is why I’d rather not endure this RIDICULOUS song and dance. Just kill me already. Jesus! Watching the world crumble around me is exhausting. Primarily because no matter what I do, it will do nothing. It will stop nothing. I am insignificant in the big scheme of things. Which, for the record, is an observation and not a complaint.

The one “good” thing my husband’s passing did was free me of the “fear of death.” It’s a dark thought, yes. However I welcome it with open arms. Only then can I be reunited with Charlie, wherever he may have gone. He will tell me how over dramatic I was and that I was using him as a prop to garner pity. Or he’d just say “dear…” and tilting his forehead down, look at me from beneath his bushy eyebrows.

Last night I concocted this story where a man becomes roommates with death. At first he’s scared of him, avoids him at all costs for fear that his new roomy might claim him at any moment. Predictably, as time marches on the two build an unbreakable comradery where when the main character least expects it, his life is taken away. But there would be no ill will between them. He would just look back at the times they had shared together.

I must reassure you that these are not thoughts alluding to a solo “attempt.” While I recognize that they are concerning to the normal mind, however it is me just accepting that which I cannot change. I merely exist here for the moment before I’m distracted by further doom.

Just know these two irrefutable facts: 1) I am conceited and would not deprive my presence to the few who know me and 2) I would not purely for the possibility that one day my mere gay presence may make someone’s day miserable.

Ramblings of a Mad Man

Today is one of those days where I really, really, REALLY miss my husband. More than anything. If I could, I would give everything up just to be able to talk to him for one second; to hear his deep voice tell me: “…everything is going to be alright, dear.”

Last night I apparently watched enough TikTok that I went into a downward mental spiral. The thoughts racing through my head were very much “conspiracy theories,” and I was saying all the typical “phrases” one says when having a mental breakdown. “It’s like I’m awake for the first time…” Or “I know this sounds crazy…”

If Charlie was here he would fix me. I know it. He would ask his probing questions until I would work myself away from whatever metaphorical ledge I happened to be standing.

All I want is my husband’s voice telling me I’ll be okay. I crave it in my soul. I am so unbelievably lost without him. He was everything to/for me for, nearly, 21 years of my life. To just “not have him anymore” truly feels alien. He was always there. Always. Whether I wanted him or not.

Grief is such a wild experience. Compound that with self-preservation and a fear of the unknown has brought me to this “psychotic” reality. And I would very much like to leave it. My biggest fear is that something in my brain broke last night, and I can never go back to that “normal.”

Solo Cruise Retrospective

It is super humorous to me how I begin each of my posts (as of late) like I’m a fucking Carrie Bradshaw. Like some mega corporation is paying me to write about my adventures, pretending it’s not just me putting out my own fucking “brand.” (God that’s ridiculous: brand.) Each of these posts I start off as professional as I can, as if my editors want pizazz and intrigue to hook my readers. Like I have any…

I get about two paragraphs in and I feel so inauthentic. I don’t like how I sound or how I will be perceived. Then I delete whatever bullshit I typed out and drop this bizarre facade I don and then write how I truly feel; how it exists in my head.

Maybe this is just my technique? I need to broom out the cobwebs before I can get to my real “shine.”

Despite my prior post “waking up panicked,” the cruise was fantastic. I made some very fast friends (who I lovingly referred to as my Homo Homies) the first night on the ship at the LGBTQ meet-up/mixer. They accompanied me on my misadventures and I on theirs. I did lose my shit in one of the ports because I had reached my limit in regards to noise and being bothered. What I learned is I am not a “Vacation Port Town” person. I wish I could be like my cruise companion Christian. He gave zero fucks. His casual existence was so refreshing. He just went with the flow. As much as I tried, I have a point of being “over” whatever we may have been in the midst of doing.

I told my brother when I got home that I was at least proud of myself for knowing this and removing myself before my new pals got to see the ugly side of me; the spoiled only child that WILL throw a fit when he’s had enough. I like to think that is growth. Unfortunately for those who have been permanently adopted into my inner circle, I do not offer that luxury. They get me at my ugliest. Sorry, gals.

I would absolutely do another solo cruise. It was fun being by myself. I didn’t have to worry about anyone else. Just me. My own fun. Not like I don’t already do that. I seem to surround myself with those who cater to my every whim. It’s weird. Without them I didn’t have the worry/anxiety that I get that they’re just agreeing with me because they don’t want to upset me or give me what I want. Y’know, to avoid seeing the side only they get the “pleasure” of witnessing?

My only real regret was not recognizing my “friendly personality.” I genuinely thought I wasn’t going to make any friends, so I signed up for my favorite writing competition. As a result… I ended up stressed about competing and completing my assignment. I shouldn’t have, but I can never say no to the chance of flexing my skills. I love writing. (Clearly… ) What I don’t love is that this wasn’t my best. It was done for the sake of “getting it done.” Which means that it didn’t get the attention it deserved. If I place in the Top 15 it’ll be a fucking miracle.

One of the port towns I want to go back to is Puerto Vallarta. I’d love to spend a week there in the “gayborhood.” However… with the way shit is going I might not be able to. God… I hate this fucking place.

Missing Peace

My husband was entirely too considerate. He would see/sense the frustration on my face while I was helping him and would always apologize. Nothing specific, just for being a “burden.” Hearing it would break my heart, because it wasn’t the helping him with (literally) everything, it was the impending loss of him that frustrated me. I equated watching/caring for him like dragging a sharp blade slowly across my skin. The image doesn’t encapsulate everything I wanted. It just brings to mind the torture of it all, and the unknown survival.

What I knew then, that I am very, very well aware of now, is that I dreaded his absence. Just thinking of him not being around caused me so much panic that I would begin to hyperventilate.

The last two days I have missed him terribly. We are entering a very scary time. My rock and the one who knew what to say to make me feel better, is gone. I’m left to handle my emotions alone, however chaotic and confusing they will inevitably be. There are those around me who will and do help. They are just not to the level my husband achieved. Maybe it is because he had 21 years to perfect his process.

In the beginning, he didn’t know how to handle me. I am a live wire. It takes a certain level of finesse to comprehend why I do the things I do or why I feel a particular way. In those early days he sure as shit knew how to push my buttons. Ones he would deliberately press to listen to the cacophony of noises that would erupt from me. He watched my explosion with glee until it would inevitably take a dark turn and he’d have to deal with the repercussions of having done it. Only through his “practice” did he learn.

More than anything I want him here with me. I miss him terribly. I finally comprehend why people leave this mortal coil after losing the ones they love. They’re chasing the belief that they will see them again. That it will be instantaneous. That the person you crave more than air will be waiting on the other side, hand open to welcome you there. Unfortunately, it’s all fantasy. A human mind trying to rationalize a very spiritual event.